NFL Picks, Predictions for Week 8: Opening betting lines, odds, and scores

NFL picks, betting lines, predictions for Week 8

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-7)

Time and Channel: 1:00 p.m ET, Fox

Could this be the tale of two running backs? Could the potential presence of Dalvin Cook for the Vikings in the absence of Aaron Jones be the difference in this one? The gulf between these two teams right now is so wide that the running back fortunes is unlikely to be a deciding factor. Look for Jamaal Williams to have plenty of success and the Packers passing offense to roll all over the Vikings defense. The Vikings offense has a chance to make this look closer on the scoreboard than it will likely look on the field.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Packers 38, Vikings 28

Tennessee Titans (-4) at Cincinnati Bengals

Time and Channel: 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Titans head to Cincinnati to take on Joe Burrow and the up-and-coming Bengals. Ryan Tannehill has looked like a legit NFL MVP candidate; he is on pace for 40 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Joe Burrow has looked better each week that passes. Both teams are coming off close losses, but only one still has a shot at the playoffs.

As mature as Burrow has looked at times, and kudos to what he does with the offense, Derrick Henry and Tannehill will be too much for a defense that struggled to cover the Browns without Odell Beckham Jr. The Titans come into this game averaging just over 31 points per contest and should feast on a 28th ranked rush defense that allows over 133 yards per game. Derrick Henry will leave this game the undisputed leading rusher in the NFL. 

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Titans 33, Bengals 27

New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs (-21.5)

Time and Channel: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

A matchup between the best and the worst teams in the league should really only have one outcome. The Jets offense has simply not been able to move the ball with consistency, and their defense does not stand much of a chance of keeping the high-powered Chiefs offense quiet. Recently cut from the Jets, RB Le’Veon Bell will be on the field for this game against his former team. He is going to make the Jets pay for how they treated him.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Chiefs 42, Jets 13

Indianapolis Colts (-3) at Detroit Lions

Time and Channel: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

The Detroit Lions are suddenly back in the NFC playoff race after an incredible victory against the Atlanta Falcons. The Colts have looked great on defense but have struggled for consistency on offense. Neither Philip Rivers nor the run game has been able to produce with regularity, and against a Lions offense that never seems to know when it is beaten, this game could go right down to the wire.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Colts 27, Lions 24 

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-5.5)

Time and Channel: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

What an incredible game this is set to be. The Steelers nearly beat the Ravens in 2019 without Ben Roethlisberger, so the 6-0 group they have in 2020 should be able to put up a fight. This line opened with the Ravens as 5.5-point favorites and have bounced around before settling around the 4-to-4.5-point mark.

Related | NFL Betting Lines Week 8: What odds should I target? 

This is a matter of strength on strength. The Pittsburgh defense is the second-ranked rush defense in the NFL, and the Ravens are third in rushing. Surprisingly enough, the Ravens are 31st in passing, which is what will be the difference here. The only way the Ravens win this one is if Lamar Jackson can get the passing game going, but I don’t see it happening. The Steelers almost let a win slip through their fingers last week against the Titans; they won’t do it again here.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Steelers 27, Ravens 24

Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) at Miami Dolphins

The storyline that everyone will be talking about in this game will be the debut of Tua Tagovailoa. With a new QB under center, it is hard to figure out which side I want to pursue for my Week 8 NFL picks. Will Tua impress, or will he struggle against an elite defensive line containing Aaron Donald? The Rams defense is allowing the fifth-fewest points in the NFL.

I look forward to seeing what Tua can do, but in terms of gauging his readiness for the NFL, I wish he wasn’t playing his first game against this Rams squad. One interesting caveat to keep in mind here is that this will be the Rams’ fourth Eastern time zone game of the season. Whereas that could be difficult for some squads, the Rams are 7-2 ATS and straight-up under Sean McVay when traveling cross-country.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Rams 24, Miami 17

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-4.5)

Time and Channel: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Games between the Bills and Patriots are historically not all that pretty to watch, but this might be the ugliest of the lot. With the weather forecast less than promising, this should be a game we see both offenses struggle. It is hard not to think the under is the play in the Patriots-Bills matchup.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Bills 17, Patriots 13

Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns (-3)

Time and Channel: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Both of these teams have been better than most expected, with their offenses leading the way. The Raiders are coming off an embarrassing 45-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccanneers, while the Browns are riding high off a come-from-behind win over the Bengals. As PFN’s Mike Tanier mentions in his NFL Week 7 Recap, Derek Carr has somehow found a way to make Nelson Agholor a thing again. With Beckham Jr. suffering what looked like a serious injury last week, I think this Browns offense will struggle. However, when it comes to placing a wager, this is one of the Week 8 betting lines I will stay away from.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Raiders 27, Browns 20

Betting lines and predictions for the afternoon games 

Los Angeles Chargers (-1.5) at Denver Broncos

Time and Channel: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

This game has the promise of being a high scoring, fascinating game, which gives us a glimpse into the future of this division. Drew Lock and Justin Herbert have both flashed ability in their short careers, but which will win in their first battle to establish themselves as the long-term challenger to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs? Herbert has been the hotter of the two QBs in the past few weeks, so look for that to continue as the Chargers squeak out their third win of the season.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Chargers 34, Broncos 27

New Orleans Saints (-2.5) at Chicago Bears

Time and channel: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

This is another game where the weather is going to be the key. Drew Brees will be playing in his first outdoor game of the season. If the projected sustained strong winds are present, look for Brees to struggle. The question then is, can the Bears take advantage offensively? How many points does their defense need to hold the Saints to for this Bears offense to pull out the win? Look for the Bears to be competitive, but they may need a defensive score if they are to break through that 20-point mark and come out of this one at 6-2.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Saints 21, Bears 17

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (-1)

Time and channel: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

The safest bet here seems to be that this will be another NFC West thriller. The Seahawks only seem to play in fascinating games this season, and with the 49ers offense enjoying a golden spell the last two weeks, they should be competitive all the way. The Seahawks should be able to have their customary 30-plus points on the 49ers, but can the 49ers get over that 30-point mark themselves? With a banged-up run game, they will need to go to the air, but how many points will they need to come out of Seattle with a third straight win? Give me Seattle in another close game.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Seahawks 37, 49ers 34

NFL Week 8 betting lines, predictions, and odds for Sunday Night Football

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5)

Time and channel: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

There was so much promise for this game when the season started seven weeks ago. Now, with the Eagles devoid of skill-position talent, the Cowboys without Dak Prescott, and potentially starting Ben DiNucci, this could be an ugly Sunday Night Football game. The Eagles managed to stay competitive with the Ravens, at least in terms of the scoreboard, so look for them to put up around 30 points on the Cowboys. The Cowboys, on the other hand, will be lucky to get close to 20 points. This one is all about the Eagles.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Eagles 31, Cowboys 16

Monday Night Football

Tampa Bay Buccanneers (-10.5) at New York Giants

Time and channel: 8:20 p.m. ET, ESPN

This is a lot of points to lay on the road in primetime. However, if there was one QB I would trust in this kind of spot, it would be Tom Brady. The only reason I am looking at the Buccaneers laying this many points is because of their defense. It is one of the best in the NFL and should first against the Giants and a mistake-prone Daniel Jones. If this was against anyone else, I would likely lean to the Giants. I just can’t expect them to keep this close with Tampa Bay averaging over 28-plus in four of their last five games.

NFL Week 8 Picks and Prediction: Tampa Bay 33, Giants 17