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NFL Betting: Week 8 Top Matchups
Week 8 marks the mid-way point of the NFL’s regular season, and with it comes arguably the game of the year to this point as the NFC-North leading Green Bay Packers head south to take on the undefeated Arizona Cardinals. This one is shaping up to be an absolute gem of a game and perhaps a preview of the NFC Championship game a couple of months from now.
In other games, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to extend their lead over the Baltimore Ravens after besting the Ravens in Week 7 and taking top spot in the hotly contested AFC North. Following a bye week, the Dallas Cowboys will get back to work against the Minnesota Vikings and attempt to extend their perfect NFL betting record to 7-0. We’ll preview each of these exciting Week 8 matchups and more as the football season transitions to the second half.
Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals (-6)
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Thursday, October 28, 8:20 PM ET
This week’s Thursday night contest is our game of the week. The Packers (6-1 SU and ATS) and Cardinals (7-0 SU, 6-1 ATS) are arguably the hottest teams in the NFL right now and two of the top performers against the spread. Unfortunately for the Packers, they may be forced to play without their top receiver Davante Adams, who was put on the COVID-19 list on Monday. It’s not a guarantee, as Adams could play with two negative tests before Thursday, but his status is in doubt.
Adams’ absence may be all the Cardinals needed to give them the definitive edge. They come in tied for the top defense in the league, allowing just 16.3 points per game, and without having Adams to contend with, they should be able to neutralize Aaron Rodgers’ passing attack. With a 51-point total, a stingy Cards’ defense and shorthanded Packers’ offense, there’s value with the Under.
Cincinnati Bengals (-10) @ New York Jets
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Sunday, October 31, 1 PM ET
Cincinnati’s victory over the Ravens in Week 7 made a statement for Joe Burrow and the rest of the Bengals (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS). They walked into Baltimore, a place that has haunted the Bengals, and wiped the floor with the Ravens to a tune of 41-17. Burrow threw for 416 yards and three touchdowns, and rookie WR Ja’Marr Chase had a career game when he racked up 201 receiving yards and one touchdown.
All of sudden, the Bengals look like the team to beat in the AFC North. They shouldn’t have any trouble extending their winning streak to three games when they face the Jets (1-5 SU and ATS), who are without QB Zach Wilson for the next two to four weeks. Things could get ugly with the Jets pegged as 10-point home underdogs.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns (-3.5)
First Energy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Sunday, October 31, 1 PM ET
Despite injuries to their starting quarterback and running back, the Browns (4-3 SU and ATS) managed to squeak out a victory in Week 7 over the Denver Broncos. With a torn labrum and a fractured humerus bone in his left shoulder, Baker Mayfield continues to be questionable for Week 8. But they should see the return of RB Nick Chubb for Sunday’s contest.
It’s a big week for the Browns, as they could either end the week even with the Ravens, or be tied for last in the division with the Steelers. For Pittsburgh (3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS), they have a chance to make hay in the division; the Browns have injuries on both sides of the ball, and their Week 9 and 10 games are very winnable.
Tennessee Titans (-1.5) @ Indianapolis Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Sunday, October 31, 1 PM ET
The Titans (5-2 SU and ATS) have officially reasserted themselves as a top-tier club in the NFL. Their Week 4 loss to the Jets raised eyebrows, but after back-to-back victories over the Bills and Chiefs, the doubts have disappeared. RB Derrick Henry has all but won the rushing championship for the third year in a row and he’s sure to put up big numbers against the Colts’ middle-of-the-pack rush D.
But Indi (3-4 SU, 5-2 ATS) is coming off a big victory as well. They downed the San Francisco 49ers 30-18 on Sunday Night Football in Week 7. That makes it two wins in a row for the Colts. An upset against the division-leading Titans would bring them to within one game of top spot in the AFC South.
New England Patriots @ Los Angeles Chargers (-5.5)
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Sunday, October 31, 4:05 PM ET
The LA Chargers (4-2 SU and ATS) had a much-needed bye week after they lost in embarrassing fashion to the Ravens in Week 6. They now trail the Las Vegas Raiders by one game for the division lead and have the rebuilding Patriots coming to town on Sunday. This is a critical game for LA, but could the Pats build off of their dominant Week 7 victory and play spoiler?
Dallas Cowboys (-3) @ Minnesota Vikings
US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sunday, October 31, 8:20 PM ET
The Cowboys (5-1 SU, 6-0 ATS) will have a chance to further tighten their stranglehold on the NFC East when they face the Vikings (3-3 SU and ATS) on Sunday. Dallas sits alone atop the offensive statistical categories (34.2 points per game, 460.8 yards per game), but the Vikings pride themselves on defense and are coming in rested after a bye week; the 55-point total could be tough to reach.
New York Giants @ Kansas City Chiefs (-10)
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Monday, November 1, 8:15 PM ET
On Monday night, the Kansas City Chiefs (3-4 SU, 2-5 ATS) host the New York Giants (2-5 SU, 3-4 ATS) as shaky 10-point favourites. The Chiefs failed to deliver as 5.5-point favourites against the Titans last Sunday, losing in spectacular fashion, with Mahomes failing to score a touchdown in the air or on the ground. This is a golden opportunity for the Giants, who are coming off a blowout win last Sunday when they upset the Carolina Panthers 25-3 as 3-point underdogs—and they did it with most of their top skill players injured.