Trick or Treat? 104.5’s ‘Intern Mike’ Week 8 ‘Hot Picks’

After taking a few shots for last week's Locks of the Week on The Drive with Charlie & Dan, 'Intern Mike' Giarraputo took no time to point out his winning record on 'Hot Picks.'

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Heading into Week 8 of the NFL Season, Giarraputo sports a .571 winning percentage with a 'Hot Picks' season record of 20-14-1. Not bad. Especially, like this week, the young NFL prognosticator continues to go out on a limb with his picks. This week's line-up includes a victory for the winless Carolina Panthers. Here, with his Week 8 NFL 'Hot Picks' is Siena College senior, 'Intern Mike':

New Orleans Saints @ Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 PM, FOX

Had Saints tight end Foster Moreou not dropped an easy game-tying touchdown at the conclusion of last weeks game vs Jacksonville, we probably would see the Saints as two or three point favorites in this one. In the second half of the game last week, it was as if Derek Carr flipped a switch, looking cleaner from the pocket then he has all season. New Orleans will be on ten days of rest going into this one, compelling me to take the better roster in this cross conference bout.

PICK: Saints -1

Houston Texans @ Carolina Panthers, 1:00 PM, FOX

The Texans second overall pick in 2023, C.J. Stroud has been an absolute slam dunk through six games. As for the number one selection, well, the Panthers QB Bryce Young has been struggling mightily to start his career. Young is still searching for his first professional win. In recent weeks, Young's connection with year-ten wideout Adam Thielen has been sensational, with this offense starting to finally gel. Giving Houston three points on the road seems aggressive, take Carolina to cover and get their first win this weekend.

PICK: Panthers +3.5

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins, 1:00 PM, CBS

The last time these two teams met, the Patriots held Tua Tagovailoa to under 250 yards passing. The usually dangerous duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle were limited to just nine catches combined. The Dolphins won the game on the road by seven points. Now they get the Pats at home with Tua looking to make it six consecutive wins against the Patriots to start his career. In order for the Pats to keep this one close, they’ll have to subdue one of the leagues top passing offenses again, a feat I can’t imagine them accomplishing.

PICK: Dolphins -9.5

Los Angeles Rams @ Dallas Cowboys, 1:00 PM, FOX

The Cowboys have been one of the more puzzling teams thus far, looking like a Super Bowl caliber team one day, and a bottom-feeder the next. In this one, look for Dallas to get Tony Pollard going early as they’ll look to keep the high octane Rams offense off the field. The Cowboys are forcing turnovers at an incredibly impressive rate, averaging two per game as a defense. Los Angeles has just five all season. Dallas coming off of a bye week gets it done.

PICK: Cowboys -6.5

Las Vegas Raiders @ Detroit Lions, 8:15 PM (MNF), ESPN

The Raiders are coming off a dreadful loss to a reeling Chicago Bears team, in a contest where Las Vegas showed no promise on either side of the ball. Whether it’s been Jimmy Garoppollo, Brian Hoyer or Aidan O’Connell under center for Vegas, this offense has been flat all season. The Raiders have failed to put up more than 18 points in six of seven games thus far. In their four losses, Las Vegas has been defeated by an average of 14.5 points. Good teams coming off a bad loss is certainly a formula that can be played throughout an NFL season.

PICK: Lions -7.5