NFL Week 8 betting breakdown: odds, predictions, final results for each game

NFL BETTING BREAKDOWN

Scott Pritchard, PritchardsPicks.com, @Pritchardwins

Chiefs (6-0) at Raiders (2-5)

Time: 1:25 p.m., CBS

Line/Total: Chiefs -9½, 41½

Analysis: The Raiders hope to remind the Chiefs that they were the last team to beat Kansas City, winning 20-14 last year on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium. However, the Chiefs learned from that loss and have since gone on a 12-game winning streak, including two playoff victories and a Super Bowl win at Allegiant Stadium. So the Chiefs have a special fondness for Allegiant, and given the current state of Raider Nation, there’s no reason to believe that another celebration won’t break out in the Kansas City locker room after this game ends. The Chiefs’ miserly fifth-place finish in scoring (17.2 points per game allowed) and the Raiders’ 29th-place finish (26.1 points per game) would only strengthen the advantage in the Chiefs’ favor.

To choose: Chiefs 27, Raiders 13

Titans (1-5) at Lions (5-1)

Time: 10 a.m

Line/Total: Lions -11½, 45

Analysis: The Titans bring their top-rated defense to Detroit to face a Lions team led by Jared Goff, who just became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to play three games with a quarterback rating above 140. Titans QB Will Levis needs at least another week to recover. recovering from a shoulder injury, so backup Mason Rudolph will take over again. He will need to improve on Tennessee’s second-worst turnover rate in the league to maintain that mark.

To choose: Lions 28, Titans 17

Ravens (5-2) and Browns (1-6)

Time: 10 a.m

Line/Total: Ravens -9, 45

Analysis: Last week, Browns QB Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury, clearing the way for another comeback opportunity for former No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Jameis Winston. Considering Cleveland ranks 24th in total offense, a QB change may be just what the doctor ordered to help the Browns become more competitive. However, facing a league-leading offense led by top-ranked QB Lamar Jackson and league-leading tackler Derrick Henry should put the team’s efforts on hold for at least one more week.

To choose: Ravens 28, Browns 17

Colts (4-3) at Texas (5-2)

Time: 10 a.m

Line/Total: Texans -5, 45

Analysis: In the Texans’ 29-27 season-opening rematch thanks to Joe Mixon’s 159-yard run, Houston QB CJ Stroud hopes to bounce back from last week’s loss to the Packers. The Colts haven’t improved in rushing defense since the start of the game, ranking 31st in the league, and Mixon has fully recovered from his ankle injury, which should make this game an uphill battle for Indianapolis. However, Colts QB Anthony Richardson’s play continues to improve, which should keep the streak going in this game.

To choose: Texans 24, Colts 20

Packers (5-2) at Jaguars (2-5)

Time: 10 a.m., Lisa

Line/Total: Packers -4, 49½

Analysis: Green Bay’s Achilles heel this season is the tendency to turn the ball over for QB Jordan Love, who is tied for the league lead in interceptions (eight) and has only played five games due to a knee injury. The Jaguars’ defense has only allowed two takeaways this season, but the team is regaining confidence after a convincing win over New England in London last week. This game will likely come down to which defense is more effective, and Green Bay’s top-10 scoring defense (20.4 points per game) should cause enough problems for the Jags to pick up a road win.

To choose: Packers 27, Jaguars 24

Falcons (4-3) at Buccaneers (4-3)

Time: 10 a.m

Line/Total: Sokoły -2½, 45

Analysis: Both teams hope to bounce back from tough losses and resume competition in their league, which found a new point of stability a few weeks ago with the Falcons’ thrilling 36-30 overtime victory. Tampa lost top receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to injuries last week, so QB Baker Mayfield must do his best to find new connections with a group of rookies with little experience. Thanks to Atlanta’s solid defense (13th in passing yards), Kirk Cousins shouldn’t have to repeat his career-best 509 yards passing (with four touchdown passes) to secure victory in this key NFC South game.

To choose: Sokoły 24, Bukanierzy 20

Jets (2-5) and Patriots (1-6)

Time: 10 a.m

Line/Total: Nozzles -7, 41

Analysis: The Jets have been one game away from winning three of the last four weeks. But that action didn’t happen, coach Robert Saleh was fired, and the Jets succumbed to a winless culture and capitulated to the Steelers after an ugly 37-15 loss last week. However, there is hope among Jets fans as running back Haason Reddick is finally ready to make his 2024 debut and receiver Davante Adams returns with QB Aaron Rodgers. Meanwhile, there isn’t much hope in Foxborough right now for a struggling Patriots team that has been on a six-game losing streak after opening the season with a shocking victory in Cincinnati.

To choose: Jets 24, Patriots 17

Cardinals (3-4) at Dolphins (2-4)

Time: 10 a.m

Line/Total: Dolphins -4½, 46

Analysis: Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is returning from a concussion, and Miami has only managed to scrape together a victory over the lowly Patriots since their lucky Week 1 win over the Jaguars. However, the Dolphins’ defense continues to improve and currently ranks first in passing yards, giving up just 154.5 yards per game. This should play well against Kyler Murray’s Cardinals, who have alternated between small wins and big losses over the last four weeks. With last week’s narrow victory, it seems high time for L to reappear in their season record.

To choose: Dolphins 24, Cardinals 20

Eagles (4-2) at Bengals (3-4)

Time: 10:00, CBS

Line/Total: Bengals -3, 48

Analysis: The Bengals come into this game having won three of their last four and probably should have won the fourth against the Ravens after a questionable fourth-down penalty in the closing minutes. Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow is firing on all cylinders, and the Eagles’ offensive line issues could cause QB Jalen Hurts to have a long day. This year, the Eagles faced much weaker teams (Browns, Saints and Falcons), so this game should be another reminder that Philadelphia needs to iron out its kinks.

To choose: Bengals 30, Eagles 20

Saints (2-5) at Chargers (3-3)

Time: 13:05

Line/Total: Chargers -7, 40½

Analysis: Both teams showed early potential, but succumbed to injury and fatigue mid-season and lost a combined seven of their last eight games. The Saints have lost five in a row, and with QB Derek Carr questionable with an oblique injury, they are forced to play rookie Spencer Rattler, who was dramatically ineffective earlier in the season. The Chargers have shown a tendency to collapse in the second half and have not crossed the goal line in the fourth quarter in five straight games. In this matchup of offensively competitive teams, the better defense should win. It’s definitely Los Angeles, which leads the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 13.8 points per game.

To choose: Chargers 24, Święta 17

Bills (5-2) at Seahawks (4-3)

Time: 13:05

Line/Total: Bills -3, 47

Analysis: All five of the Bills’ wins this season have come against losing teams. This week they will face a 4-3 Seahawks team that leads the league in passing yards per game (270.9) and has a defense highlighted by several sack specialists in Derick Hall and Boye Mafe. Seattle is an extremely difficult place to play in, and the Bills haven’t proven they can handle tougher competition this year, losing on the road to the Ravens and Texans.

To choose: Seahawks 24, Bills 23

Bears (4-2) at Commanders (5-2)

Time: 13:25

Line/Total: Bears -3, 43

Analysis: These teams have performed surprisingly well this year, with a combined record of 9-3-1 against the spread. Rookie QBs Jayden Daniels of Washington and Caleb Williams of Chicago have positioned their teams to compete for titles in their respective leagues, so this game could be crucial to their postseason ambitions. The Bears rank fifth in total defense and haven’t allowed more than 21 points in their last 12 games. I give Chicago the edge even if Daniels, listed as questionable with a rib injury, plays.

To choose: Bears 24, Commanders 21

Panthers (1-6) at Broncos (4-3)

Time: 13:25

Line/Total: Broncos -11, 41

Analysis: The shell-shocked Panthers were crushed in the first half of this season, losing 152-64. QB Andy Dalton’s once-a-season magic waned after the first few games, and the reins will return to second-year QB Bryce Young, 2-16, playing as the starter. He faces an uphill battle against a stout Broncos defense that ranks third overall and fifth in passing. However, Denver QB Bo Nix’s dismal rating of 77 and 5.6 yards per completion should prevent this from being a resounding success.

To choose: Broncos 23, Panthers 16

Cowboys (3-3) and 49ers (3-4)

Time: 5:20 p.m., NBC

Line/Total: 49ers -4½, 47½

Analysis: In a battle of teams with sky-high preseason expectations and mid-season performance issues, one team will emerge from the morass and the other will continue its painful decline from high hopes. The Cowboys may attribute their problems to an insufficient turnover rate (-6) and the 49ers to a slew of key injuries, but their problems lie more directly on defense, where Dallas has dropped to 31st in scoring and red zone defense and the Niners are mediocre 16th in scoring defense and 27th in third down defense. The game may well have been decided by the slightly better performance of San Francisco QB Brock Purdy over Cowboys QB Dak Prescott.

To choose: 49ers 24, Cowboys 23

Giants (2-5) at Steelers (5-2)

Time: 5:15 p.m. Monday, ABC, ESPN

Line/Total: Steelers -6, 36½

Analysis: Russell Wilson has finally been crowned the Steelers’ starting QB after his near-flawless performance against the Jets last week. On the other hand, Giants QB Daniel Jones is probably one more bad game away from being on the bench for a long time. The Steelers, ranked 8th in total defense and second in scoring defense (14.4 points per game), may be the last group Jones wants to see at his vulnerable position. The respected Giants’ defense, which ranks 12th in scoring and total defense, could keep this from being a victory lap for Wilson.

To choose: Steelers 20, Giants 17