Going into Week 8 of the 2021 NFL regular season, there are six teams in the AFC that have two losses — at least one in each division. No team has fewer than two losses. That logjam includes some of the expected contenders, such as Buffalo and Baltimore, but it also includes some surprises, such as Las Vegas and Cincinnati. In the NFC, the parity is much less present, as there is one unbeaten team (Arizona), and there are four one-loss teams — and zero two-loss teams.
Let’s look at your best NFL betting picks for each game this coming week.
NFL News: Week 8 Odds, Overview & Predictions to Win Each Game
Bye Week: Las Vegas, Baltimore
Thursday, October 28
Green Bay Packers (+6) at Arizona Cardinals (8:20 pm ET, FOX/NFL Network)
If you overlook that egg the Packers laid in Week 1 against New Orleans, these two teams come in with a combined 13 wins. Both teams are also 6-1 against the spread. This looked like a terrific matchup until Packers’ wideout Davante Adams had to enter the COVID-19 protocols, which likely rules him out. That news pushed the line 2 or 2 ½ points, depending on the book, toward the Cardinals. That’s a huge move for one player, so others may join the list. For now, I’m staying away from this game until we get a full list of people who won’t be playing.
If you must choose today, then take Arizona to win and cover | Bet Now
Sunday, October 31 | 1:00 pm ET Games
Tennessee Titans (-1.5) at Indianapolis Colts (CBS)
In the space of week, the Tennessee Titans beat the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football and then shut down the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense. However, Indianapolis has won 22 of the last 26 meetings between the two teams, and the Titans won the first meeting this season by nine. The Colts are down two games in the AFC South and will have desperation on their side — plus that solid defensive performance against San Francisco.
Colts to cover | Bet Now
Pittsburgh Steelers (+4) at Cleveland Browns (CBS)
Before Week 17 of the 2020 season, Pittsburgh had won 31 of the last 36 meetings between the two teams. Then the Browns won in Pittsburgh in the season finale, as Ben Roethlisberger rested, knowing the division was clinched, and then they won in Pittsburgh again the next week in the wild card game. Pittsburgh has to want revenge, and Cleveland has a starting quarterback with a fractured non-throwing shoulder and two banged-up starting tailbacks. Three offensive tackles are injured, as are two starters on the D-line. Under Kevin Stefanski, the Browns are 0-6 against the spread in regular-season AFC North games.
Steelers to cover | Bet Now
Carolina Panthers (+2.5) at Atlanta Falcons (FOX)
Remember when Carolina was 3-0? They just got demolished by the New York Giants last week. Atlanta comes in having won three of four, but those wins came over the Jets, the Giants and the Dolphins. Carolina has sent Sam Darnold to the bench in favor of P.J. Walker.
Falcons to win and cover | Bet Now
San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) at Chicago Bears (FOX)
Under Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers have covered eight times in 29 games as a favorite, including a 1-4 record in 2021. Yes, San Francisco started 2-0 — beating Detroit and Philadelphia. The Bears got humiliated last week, but their defense has what it takes to frustrate the 49ers.
Bears to cover | Bet Now
L.A. Rams (-14) at Houston Texans (FOX)
Will Tyrod Taylor return for Houston? Does it matter? Well, Houston put up 51 points in a game and half with Taylor running the offense. In 5 ½ games since, they have put up 46. Either way, though, the Rams have the personnel to win big — but wait and see what Taylor’s status is.
Rams to win and cover. | Bet Now
Miami Dolphins (+13.5) at Buffalo Bills (CBS)
Buffalo has won six in a row against the Dolphins, five by double figures. In Miami, Buffalo delivered a 35-0 whipping. The Dolphins have an aggressive defensive style that depends on the cornerback play, but that has not done a lot against the Bills. In these last six wins, he has 17 touchdown passes.
Bills to win and cover | Bet Now
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) at Detroit Lions (FOX)
Detroit is the only winless team left in the NFL. However, they almost came back to beat San Francisco in Week 1. They led Baltimore and Minnesota going into the last minute of regulation. They pushed the Rams hard last week. The Eagles have had major lapses on defense and have turned the ball over more frequently lately. Tailback Miles Sanders is hurt, and quarterback Jalen Hurts is having a hard time sustaining drives. In five of their last seven games, Philadelphia has scored no more than 22 points.
Lions to cover | Bet Now
Cincinnati Bengals (-10.5) at N.Y. Jets (CBS)
Before Cincinnati beat Baltimore last week, this line stood at Cincinnati -3.5. One rout later, the line is now a touchdown higher. It also doesn’t help the Jets that quarterback Zach Wilson has a knee sprain. Backup Mike White might start, but it could also be Joe Flacco, who just came from Philadelphia via trade.
If the line stays where it is, give me Cincinnati to win and cover | Bet Now
Sunday, October 31 | 4:05 / 4:35 pm ET Games
New England Patriots (+5.5) at L.A. Chargers (CBS)
The Chargers come out of a bye week to welcome the New England Patriots. The Chargers’ defense has been trending the wrong way, though, especially against the run, as we saw two weeks ago against Baltimore. Mac Jones is improving at quarterback, but expect the Patriots to go run-heavy.
Patriots to cover | Bet Now
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5) at New Orleans Saints (FOX)
New Orleans has won 15 of the last 20 matchups in this series — but Drew Brees is gone, and Jameis Winston is the Saints’ quarterback. The Saints’ defense was a factor in New Orleans winning both games last year — and Tampa Bay is missing some key players due to injury. The Bucs don’t play as well on the road, losing to the Rams and not looking dominant against New England or Philadelphia.
Saints to cover | Bet Now
Jacksonville Jaguars (+3) at Seattle Seahawks (CBS)
Without Russell Wilson, the Seattle Seahawks have played gritty football, losing to Pittsburgh and New Orleans by just a field goal each. Jacksonville is a much less challenging opponent; they like to run the ball, and Seattle can stuff the run. Jacksonville does come in off the bye, but I like Seattle while this line sits here.
Seahawks to win and cover | Bet Now
Washington Football Team (+3) at Denver Broncos (FOX)
Two disappointing defenses — but Denver has turned a 3-0 start into a 3-4 slate. Teddy Bridgewater looked terrific after those three wins (against teams that are now a combined 4-16), but now his numbers are dropping. Washington pushed Kansas City and Green Bay hard before fading — and short road dogs are getting all sorts of love this season.
Washington to cover | Bet Now
Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) at Minnesota Vikings (8:20 pm ET, NBC)
The Vikings’ pass defense has improved in recent weeks, but their run defense is getting gashed, and the Cowboys have both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard to pound the ball. The Vikings’ offense is still looking for anything resembling consistency.
Dallas to win and cover | Bet Now
Monday Night Football
N.Y. Giants (+10.5) at Kansas City Chiefs (8:15 pm ET, ESPN)
Before the Week 7 results came down, Kansas City was favored by 13. However, the G-men won and Kansas City got torched, and the line moved down into single digits before creeping upward again. Patrick Mahomes got demolished by a hit at the end of last week’s game and may not play.
Wait for the injury report | See the Odds
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