NFL Week 8 Betting Breakdown: Odds, Predictions, Final Scores for Every Game

NFL BETTING DEFINITION

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. But the Chiefs learned from that loss and have since embarked on a 12-game winning streak, including two playoff wins and a Super Bowl win at Allegiant. Thus, the Chiefs have a unique affinity for the Allegiant, and given the current state of Raider Nation, there’s no reason to believe another celebration won’t break out in the Kansas City locker room once this game is over. A stingy defense ranked fifth for the Chiefs (17.2 ppg allowed) and 29th for the Raiders (26.1 ppga) would only further the tilt in the Chiefs’ favor.

Choose: Chiefs 27, Raiders 13

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

Time: 10 am

Line/Total: Lei -11½, 45

Analysis: The Titans bring their top defense to Detroit to face a Lions team led by Jared Goff, who just became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to hold three games with a quarterback rating over 140. Titans QB Will Levis has needs at least another week to recover from a shoulder injury, so backup Mason Rudolph will get the reins again. He’ll need to improve on Tennessee’s second-worst turnover ratio in the league to keep it close.

Choose: Lions 28, Titans 17

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

Time: 10 am

Line/Total: Ravens -9, 45

Analysis: Browns QB Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury last week, clearing the way for another comeback opportunity for the former NFL No. 1 pick. 1 Jameis Winston. With Cleveland ranking 24th in total offense, a change at QB may be just what the doctor ordered to help the Browns become more competitive. But facing the league’s top offense, led by top QB Lamar Jackson and league leader Derrick Henry, should delay the team’s turnaround efforts for at least another week.

Choose: Ravens 28, Browns 17

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

Time: 10 am

Line/Total: Texans -5, 45

Analysis: In this rematch of the season opener, won 29-27 by the Texans thanks to running back Joe Mixon’s 159 yards rushing, Houston QB CJ Stroud hopes to bounce back from last week’s loss to the Packers. The Colts haven’t improved in rush defense since the opener, ranking 31st in the league, and Mixon is fully recovered from an ankle injury, which should make this game an uphill battle for Indianapolis. But Colts QB Anthony Richardson’s play continues to improve, which should keep this one close.

Choose: Texans 24, Colts 20

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

Time: 10 a.m. Fox

Line/Total: Packers -4, 49½

Analysis: Green Bay’s Achilles heel this season has been QB Jordan Love’s propensity to turn the ball over, as he’s tied for the league lead in interceptions (eight) while playing just five games due to a knee injury. The Jaguars defense has come up with just two shutouts this season, but the team has renewed confidence after last week’s convincing win over New England in London. This game probably comes down to which defense is more efficient, and Green Bay’s top-10 scoring defense (20.4 ppga) should give the Jags plenty of trouble to pick up a road win.

Choose: Packers 27, Jaguars 24

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

Time: 10 am

Line/Total: Falcons -2½, 45

Analysis: Both teams hope to bounce back from resounding losses and look to reignite their divisional rivalry, which found a new plateau in the Falcons’ thrilling 36-30 overtime win a few weeks ago. Tampa lost starters Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to injuries last week, so QB Baker Mayfield has his work cut out for him to find new connections with a rookie receiving corps with little experience. Thanks to a solid Atlanta defense (ranked 13th in yards allowed), Kirk Cousins won’t have to double his career-best 509 yards (with four touchdowns) to secure victory in this key NFC South game.

Choose: Falcons 24, Buccaneers 20

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

Time: 10 am

Line/Total: Jets -7, 41

Analysis: The Jets have been one game away from winning in three of the last four weeks. But the play wasn’t done, coach Robert Saleh was fired and the Jets succumbed to a winless culture to capitulate to the Steelers in an ugly 37-15 loss last week. But hope among Jets fans is free to take off as punter Haason Reddick is finally ready to make his debut in 2024 and wide receiver Davante Adams returns with QB Aaron Rodgers. Meanwhile, there isn’t much hope in Foxborough for this struggling Patriots team, which has continued to soak in the competition for six straight games after opening the season with a shock win at Cincinnati.

Choose: Jets 24, Patriots 17

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

Time: 10 am

Line/Total: Dolphins -4½, 46

Analysis: Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa returns from a concussion as Miami has just managed a win against the lowly Patriots since their happy Week 1 win against the Jaguars. But the Dolphins defense has continued to improve and now ranks first against the pass, giving up just 154.5 yards per game. That should play well against the Kyler Murray-led Cardinals, who have alternated narrow wins with losses over the past four weeks. Since last week was a lackluster win, it looks like it’s time for an L to reappear in the season record.

Choose: Dolphins 24, Cardinals 20

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

Time: 10 a.m., 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 with a questionable fourth down penalty in the final minutes. Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow is hitting on all cylinders, and the Eagles’ offensive line woes could lead to a long day for QB Jalen Hurts. The Eagles have struggled with much smaller teams this year (Browns, Saints and Falcons), so this game should be another reminder that the deficiencies need to be addressed in Philly.

Choose: Bengals 30, Eagles 20

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

Time: 13:05

Line/Total: Chargers -7, 40½

Analysis: Both teams showed potential early, but succumbed to injuries and fatigue in the middle of the season to lose a total of 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 go with rookie Spencer Rattler, who has been dramatically ineffective in his starts this season. The Chargers have shown a tendency to melt down in the second half and haven’t crossed the goal line in the fourth quarter in five straight games. In this contest of offensively challenged teams, the better defense should prevail. This is clearly Los Angeles, which leads the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 13.8 points per game.

Choose: Chargers 24, Saints 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 teams with losing records. This week, they face a 4-3 Seahawks team that leads the league in passing yards per game (270.9) and has a defense highlighted by a pair of sack specialists in Derick Hall and Boye Mafe. Seattle is a notoriously tough place to play, and the Bills haven’t proven their mettle against tougher competition this year, losing on the road to the Ravens and Texans.

Choose: Seahawks 24, Bills 23

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

Time: 13:25

Line/Total: Bears -3, 43

Analysis: These teams have been surprisingly good this year with a combined 9-3-1 record against the spread. Rookie QBs Jayden Daniels for Washington and Caleb Williams for Chicago have put their teams in contention for their respective division titles, 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’m giving Chicago the edge even if Daniels, listed as questionable with a rib injury, plays.

Choose: Bears 24, captains 21

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

Time: 13:25

Line/Total: Broncos -11, 41

Analysis: The eye-popping Panthers have been outscored in the first half this season, being outscored 152-64. QB Andy Dalton’s once-in-a-season magic faded after the first two games, and the reins will be returned to second-year QB Bryce Young, 2-16 as the starter. He faces an uphill battle against a stout Broncos defense ranked third overall and fifth in passing. But Denver QB Bo Nix’s 77 rating and 5.6 yards per completion should keep this from being a blowout.

Choose: Broncos 23, Panthers 16

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

Time: 5:20 p.m., NBC

Line/Total: 49ers -4½, 47½

Analysis: In a battle of teams with soaring preseason expectations and midseason performance issues, one team will crawl out of the mire and the other will continue its painful descent from high hopes. The Cowboys can pin their issues on an inadequate turnover ratio (-6) and the 49ers on a slew of key injuries, but their issues lie more squarely on defense, with Dallas falling to 31st in scoring and red-zone defense, and The Niners rank a mediocre 16th in scoring defense and 27th in third down defense. The game could very well be decided by a slightly better performance from San Francisco QB Brock Purdy over Cowboys QB Dak Prescott.

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 starting QB for the Steelers after his near flawless performance against the Jets last week. Giants QB Daniel Jones, on the other hand, is probably one more game away from getting extended bench time. The Steelers, ranked No. 8 in total defense and No. 2 in scoring defense (14.4 ppga), might be the last group Jones wants to see at his vulnerable position. The Giants’ respectable defense, which ranks 12th in scoring and total defense, could keep this from becoming a victory lap for Wilson.

Choose: Steelers 20, Giants 17