Week 8 NFL Picks Against the Spread
Week 8 NFL Picks Against the Spread includes Aaron Rodgers as a double-digit underdog and the Patriots-Jets showdown.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers are without three key players. The Ravens beat the Browns last week thanks to defense and special teams. Tampa Bay's offensive issues have to do with pass protection. The Buccaneers will try to stop Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. They will have a good game plan against him.
The Broncos are 2-5 on the season and ranked 29th in EPA per drive. The Jaguars have five losses on their season, but all five of them have been one-possession games. I trust the Jaguars to win by a field goal in London.
Chicago Bears beat the Patriots 33-14 last week. The Cowboys have an athletic defense and the Bears will no longer benefit from the element of surprise. Dallas force a turnover late and get the cover.
The Raiders are 2-4, but all their losses have been by six points or fewer. The Saints traded their first-round pick to the Eagles and are currently the no. 6 pick in the draft. They are sticking with Andy Dalton over Jameis Winston at quarterback.
Carolina Panthers beat the Buccaneers last week. The Falcons lost to the Bengals last weekend. A.J. Terrell didn't practice Wednesday. Carolina's young players continue to make plays.
Pittsburgh Steelers are playing Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers lost to the Dolphins last week. Philadelphia is the NFL's only undefeated team. Pittsburgh is an underdog. The Eagles have the second-easiest remaining schedule in the league. They play the next four quarterbacks: Kenny Pickett, Davis Mills, Taylor Heinicke, and Sam Ehlinger.
Miami Dolphins beat the Steelers on Sunday night. Detroit Lions have lost their last two games. Running back D’Andre Swift and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown could play in this game. Dolphins have the speed to blow teams out.
Arizona Cardinals are playing at Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are 5-1 and have the second-best odds in the NFC behind the Eagles. DeAndre Hopkins returned to the field last week. Cardinals won last game over the Saints. Cardinals' offense is disorganized, but they have a good matchup with the Vikings' defense.
New England Patriots are playing New York Jets. The Patriots lost last week. Mac Jones is expected to start for New England. New Jets lost Breece Hall and Alijah Vera-Tucker to season-ending injuries.
Tennessee Titans are 4-2 and in first place in the AFC South. The Titans have won four games in a row and are 25th in EPA per drive on offense and 13th on defense. Football Outsiders gives the Texans a 17 percent chance to land the top pick in 2023 draft. Ryan Tannehill is injured for the game.
New York Giants are 7th in offensive DVOA. Seattle is first in the NFC West. The Seahawks beat the Chargers last week. The Giants and Seahawks are evenly matched. I'll take the points.
Washington Commanders at Indianapolis Colts is a coin-flip game. Colts went from Matt Ryan to Sam Ehlinger at quarterback. Washington's defensive front can still create problems.
The 49ers traded Christian McCaffrey for a running back who played in 10 games in 2020 and 2021 combined. The 49er's only pick until the end of the third round in the 2023 draft is now gone. They will have to pay McCafrey $12 million next season. Los Angeles Rams are favored by 1.5 points. Los Angles Rams have had a relatively healthy team this season, but their depth has been tested this year.
Green Bay Packers are underdogs at Buffalo Bills (-10.5). It's the first time in Aaron Rodgers' career that the Packers have been an underdog of 10 points or more. The Bills have a plus-95 point differential and are 39 points better than any other team.
Cincinnati Bengals beat the Falcons 35-17 last week. Joe Burrow played well, going 34-for-42 for 481 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Browns have lost four in a row and are reeling. They will rely on their run game and pass rush.
