With Week 8 of the 2021 NFL season underway, what are our final picks and predictions for the NFL betting week ahead? With another eye-opening week of NFL action in the books for this season, what does Week 8 potentially have in store for us?
NFL picks and predictions Week 8 | NFL lines and odds
The Week 8 schedule has some tough games, making it difficult for the sportsbooks to set lines. That has led to some intriguing situations in the current NFL odds for Week 8. With the NFL standings for 2021 foreshadowing some dramatic finishes, let’s look at how the sportsbooks have handicapped the Week 8 NFL action and whether our picks and predictions agree with their thoughts.
Sunday Week 8 free NFL picks and predictions
Here are the Week 8 picks and predictions and NFL odds for Sunday’s games as of 2:30 PM ET on October 30.
Cincinnati Bengals (-11.5) at New York Jets
The notion of backing the Bengals on the road still irks me. They are coming off a statement road blowout victory over the Ravens while the Jets were thoroughly embarrassed in New England and lost Zach Wilson for 2-4 weeks.
Mike White, who sounds like one of those made-up college players you draft in Madden, will start this week. I know it’s a sucker play, but I don’t know how the Jets are going to score any points.
Bengals vs. Jets Prediction: Bengals 27, Jets 10
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5)
Both of these teams are white-hot right now, making this one a true toss-up. The Titans got the better of the Colts when these teams faced off in Tennessee in Week 3. I’ll bet that the Titans don’t sweep the Colts this season, and Carson Wentz and Co. get it done at home.
Titans vs. Colts Prediction: Colts 24, Titans 21
Los Angeles Rams (-14.5) at Houston Texans
This is the second consecutive week where the Rams are favored by at least two touchdowns. Last week, the Lions hung with the Rams and almost won the game. Meanwhile, the Texans stuck with the Cardinals for a little bit before Arizona pulled away. This one feels like a Rams rout.
Rams vs. Texans Prediction: Rams 38, Texans 7
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (-4.5)
The Browns beat the Broncos last week without ever really breaking a sweat. With 10 days to rest, the Steelers lose some of their advantage coming off their bye. With that being said, this one just feels like a letdown spot for the team starting their backup quarterback.
Steelers vs. Browns Prediction: Steelers 27, Browns 20
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) at Detroit Lions
It’s always jarring to see a 2-5 team favored at all, let alone on the road. The Lions may be winless, but they’ve been in just about every game they’ve played. This is a team that should have 1-2 wins already. The Lions may be bad, but they should not be home underdogs to the Eagles.
Eagles vs. Lions Prediction: Lions 27, Eagles 24
San Francisco 49ers (-4) at Chicago Bears
The 49ers are losers of four straight yet sit as road favorites in Chicago. When two bad teams play each other, I generally err on the side of taking the points. When I can get those points with the home team, even better.
49ers vs. Bears Prediction: Bears 23, 49ers 20
[bet-promo id=”174860″ ]Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
After the first two weeks, it sure looked like the Falcons were heading for a lost season. Now, they’ve won three of their last four and get a reeling Panthers team at home. Head coach Matt Rhule is in over his head in the NFL, and Sam Darnold has quickly erased any qualms Jets fans may have had over letting him go.
Panthers vs. Falcons Prediction: Falcons 28, Panthers 23
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (-14)
I’m not sure if Vegas could make this line high enough. The Bills are at home and coming off a bye. Meanwhile, the Dolphins lost back-to-back games at the buzzer and are likely feeling very defeated in the midst of a lost season. This one won’t be close.
Dolphins vs. Bills Prediction: Bills 41, Dolphins 14
New England Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers (-4)
Angry Bill Belichick dialed things back to the Tom Brady years in absolutely stomping the Jets last week. He wanted to make a statement and did. The Patriots rebounded nicely after a crushing home loss to the Cowboys.
The Chargers are well-rested off their bye and will have Mike Williams back to full strength. They’ve had a lot of time to think about their no-show performance in Baltimore and are prepared to take it to the Patriots.
Patriots vs. Chargers Prediction: Chargers 31, Patriots 20
Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks (-4)
The Seahawks sit at 2-5 with their season on the brink of being over. Geno Smith has to make at least one more start. Although the Seahawks lost two close ones, it was the same story in each: Smith had a chance late in the game to make something happen and just completely fell apart.
The Jaguars are fresh off their bye and their first win of the season. They’re going to go into Seattle and get their second.
Jaguars vs. Seahawks Prediction: Jaguars 23, Seahawks 20
Washington Football Team at Denver Broncos (-3.5)
The Broncos should be thoroughly embarrassed by how they played last Thursday night against the Browns. It felt like their game plan was to have the ball on offense as little as possible. Expect an inspired performance following the extended rest as Washington’s losing streak continues.
Washington vs. Broncos Prediction: Broncos 26, Washington 20
[bet-bonus id=”164810″ ]Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4.5) at New Orleans Saints
The Bucs are due for a clunker, and it’s very tempting to take the Saints at home. Unfortunately, I just can’t trust this new version of Sean Payton that’s ultra-conservative with no interest in letting Jameis Winston even try and play quarterback. To be fair, he’s probably right. The Winston revenge game is going to disappoint.
Buccaneers vs. Saints Prediction: Buccaneers 30, Saints 17
Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings (-3)
The Vikings are winners of two straight. The Cowboys are winners of five straight. Both teams are coming off their bye, so there’s no advantage there. I’ve said all season this Cowboys team feels different, and they’ve proven it by winning games they’d usually lose. However, the jaded fan in me won’t allow me to predict a road victory on Sunday night.
If Dak Prescott doesn’t play, then the Vikings win by 20.
Cowboys vs. Vikings Prediction: Vikings 34, Cowboys 31
Monday Night Football: Free NFL picks and predictions
Here are the Week 8 pick and prediction, as well as NFL odds for Monday’s game as of 2:30 PM ET on October 30.
New York Giants at Kansas City Chiefs (-8.5)
I imagine the Chiefs are going to be one of the heaviest public plays of the season. This is easily the worst version of the Chiefs we’ve seen since Patrick Mahomes became the starter. Assuming the Chiefs will just light up whoever they face is foolish. With that being said, they are going to light up the Giants on Monday night.
Giants vs. Chiefs Prediction: Chiefs 35, Giants 19