Spread picks for every NFL game in Week 8

The NFL kicked off Week 8 on Thursday with a less than stellar matchup. The Minnesota Vikings held off Washington and for the second straight week, Washington was held without a touchdown and still covered the spread. They were 16.5-point underdogs, but their defense held the Vikings just enough in check to get the cover in a 19-9 loss.

We are back for the main slate of Sunday and it should be an interesting one. Drew Brees could be back for Saints-Cardinals, Matt Ryan could be out for Falcons, Seahawks, and we get the Sean McVay-Zac Taylor teacher-student matchup in London. The two unbeaten teams face different home challenges this week. The Patriots host a scuffling Browns squad that has flashed talent, but is struggling mightily to develop some kind of consistency. Meanwhile, the 49ers host a Panthers team that has won four straight with Kyle Allen at quarterback, and provides a strong defensive test for Jimmy Garoppolo and company.

I’m scuffling along in my weekly picks against the spread. I went 6-8 last week and now sit at 48-57-1 on the season. It’s going to require a serious turnaround if I want to sniff .500 by the end of the season.

I’ve got three early bets in, and likely will sprinkle in one or two more when game day arrives. I grabbed the over in the Raiders-Texans matchup. It’s set at 51.5, and I just don’t see there being enough defense in this game to keep it under. The Raiders are not a particularly good team, but they can put points up, especially in garbage time.

I also bought the Bucs up to a full field goal underdogs against Tennessee. I was tempted by a straight money line play, but decided to play it safe. Ryan Tannehill had a solid game last week, and that has resulted in him getting played way the heck up. He’s still Ryan Tannehill, folks. I’ll bet against him whenever I can.

Finally, I grabbed the Packers at -4 on Sunday Night Football against the Chiefs. Normally I’d say go with the team everyone is betting against. Matt Moore is a clear step down from Patrick Mahomes, but he’s a capable veteran with an Andy Reid led offense. Aaron Rodgers is coming off a massive game, but this bet is more on the Chiefs defense regressing from their monster effort last week. And with no Frank Clark or Chris Jones, I can’t get behind the Chiefs now. I pondered them earlier this week, but the out status for Clark coupled with second thoughts about that defense made me switch over to Packers -4.

Here’s my full list of picks for Week 8. All odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook, and are subject to change.

Washington @ Vikings (-16.5): Vikings — LOSE
Broncos @ Colts (-4.5): Broncos
Bengals @ Rams (-11.5): Rams
Cardinals @ Saints (-10.5): Saints
Giants @ Lions (-6): Giants
Seahawks @ Falcons (+7): Seahawks
Eagles @ Bills (-2): Bills
Jets @ Jaguars (-6): Jets
Chargers @ Bears (-4): Chargers
Buccaneers @ Titans (-2.5): Bucs
Panthers @ 49ers (-5): 49ers
Browns @ Patriots (-11): Patriots
Raiders @ Texans (-6.5): Raiders
Packers @ Chiefs (+4.5): Packers
Dolphins @ Steelers (-14): Steelers

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Odds and lines subject to change. See website for details.