NFL picks and predictions Week 8: Experts picking Vikings to win on Thursday

National experts are picking the Minnesota Vikings to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Thursday.

Yahoo Sports' Jason Cole and Les Carpenter are both picking the Vikings to win while CBSSports.com experts are evenly split (4-4) between the Vikings and Buccaneers. SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber is picking the Vikings to win 23-13 at home on Thursday.

The Vikings defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 21-14, last week to improve to 5-2 for the season, one loss behind the first place Chicago Bears in the NFC North. Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson rushed 23 times for 153 yards and a touchdown to help the Vikings secure the win, despite struggling with an ankle injury last week.

Tampa Bay is coming off a 35-28 loss to the New Orleans Saints last Sunday to fall to 2-4 on the season. The Buccaneers defense will look to stop the Vikings' rushing attack with a rush defense that ranks third in the league by giving up only 76.0 yards per game.