Admin October 28, 2024
NFL Week 8 Overreactions
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the wildest games from Week 8.
Sports Seriously
Just when the 2024 NFL season seemed to be settling down, with contenders emerging and pretenders fading, this past Sunday brought a jolt of unpredictability. Another round of surprising results left behind some carnage to sift through as the schedule turns to Week 9 and the month of November, when ascending teams and teams simply trying to stay alive in the playoff race take center stage.
The marquee game of the week should be at Lambeau Field, where the Green Bay Packers are hosting the red-hot Detroit Lions with first place in the NFC North on the line. Quarterback Jordan Love’s availability will factor heavily into the outcome for Green Bay. There’s also an intriguing matchup in the AFC between the Baltimore Ravens (coming off a surprising loss to the Browns) and the surging Denver Broncos.
But perhaps the more impactful games involve the teams that just need a win right now, starting with the New York Jets (2-6) against the Houston Texans on Thursday night. The Dallas Cowboys (at the Atlanta Falcons), Miami Dolphins (at the Buffalo Bills) and Cincinnati Bengals (vs. the Las Vegas Raiders) are in the same situation. The week is then bookended with a “Monday Night Football” game featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
About halfway through the regular season, the stakes are starting to rise and NFL analysts are already weighing in on what might happen. Here is an early look at picks and predictions for the games that make up the Week 9 schedule:
NFL WEEK 8 WINNERS, LOSERS: Aaron Rodgers’ Jets look finished
NFL Week 9 game predictions, picks
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Oct. 28
Houston Texans at New York Jets
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 31
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
- TV: None
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Spread: Jets (-1)
∎ Arizona Republic: Jets 24, Texans 20
“The Jets can’t be this bad, can they? Aaron Rodgers and company will sneak past the Texans to end a 5-game losing streak.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Texans 23, Jets 20
“This game is intriguing because these teams have completely opposite records (6-2 vs. 2-6), but neither has been particularly convincing. … On a short week, with the Texans heading outdoors for just the second time this season, it’s hard to trust them to win when they haven’t dominated this year.”
Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Falcons (-3)
∎ BettingPros: Falcons win
“With how Dallas has played defensively, Atlanta should be able to make big plays down the field. … With Atlanta at home, don’t be surprised if the Falcons take the early lead and hold on late to get the win over the Dallas Cowboys. The Falcons have won four of their last five games and have scored at least 26 points in all four of those wins.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Cowboys 27, Falcons 24
“The Cowboys have dropped two straight games, but they are 3-1 away from home and this game is in Atlanta. Dak Prescott and Dallas in an upset.”
Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Ravens (-9)
∎ Doc’s Sports: Take the Broncos
The Broncos offense is unlikely to pile on the points against Baltimore, but they will do enough to stay within single digits on the scoreboard. Bo Nix seemingly gets better with every additional NFL snap under his belt, and there is no denying the Broncos deserve to be in the AFC playoff picture. All things considered, this is a pretty generous spread for the Broncos.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Ravens 24, Broncos 20
“The Broncos are such a tough team because we keep waiting for their bubble to burst. To this point, they’ve faced the fifth-easiest schedule, but Denver’s defense is good enough to make you believe they can take on anyone. Just one of their five wins has been by less than one score, and they are 1-3 in one-score games, which could suggest there is more upside to be found.”
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 1p.m. ET
- Location: Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, New York)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Bills (-6)
∎ Arizona Republic: Bills 30, Dolphins 20
“Tua Tagovailoa makes the Dolphins dangerous, but the Bills’ defense will give the Miami QB fits.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Bills 30, Dolphins 24
“The defense had been Miami’s strength, but it now looks like it could have been a product of a relatively soft schedule. The Dolphins’ schedule currently ranks as the easiest to this point, which raises some questions going forward. The Bills have had the Dolphins number in recent years. Buffalo has won the last five meetings against Miami, with the last three all being by 7+ points.”
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New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Saints (-6.5)
∎ Arizona Republic: Saints 24, Panthers 21
“Barring a tie, one of these teams will end a lengthy losing streak. We have a little more faith in New Orleans’ ability to score.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Saints 23, Panthers 14
“It seems absolutely wild that a team that has lost six straight games and is 2-6 would be favored by 6.5 points on the road. The fact that is even the case tells you just how poor the Carolina Panthers have been this season. If you are confident that the Saints are getting Derek Carr back, then you can lay the points.”
Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 1p.m. ET
- Location: Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Bengals (-7.5)
∎ Doc’s Sports: Bengals (-7.5)
“A home game against the Raiders is one (the Bengals) simply cannot afford to drop, and they will send a message to the league with a massive victory. Joe Burrow has been consistent on offense this season, and the Raiders don’t have the weapons needed to punish the Bengals defensively.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Bengals 27, Raiders 17
“Joe Burrow and the Bengals have disappointed this season, but the Raiders have allowed 210 points.”
Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Chargers (-2)
∎ Betting Pros: Browns (+2)
“The Browns scored 29 points against the Ravens on Sunday (and) the Chargers haven’t scored more than 26 points in any week this season. Los Angeles likes to play slow, low-scoring games, but the Browns could get them out of rhythm if (Jameis) Winston continues to hit bombs down the field.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Chargers 17, Browns 14
“We don’t want to overreact to the Browns’ one win, but this is very much a game they should be in this week. Four of Cleveland’s six losses have been by a single score, in which they are 2-4 in. The Chargers have yet to score more than 27 points, suggesting they are not going to run away with this one. They themselves are 1-2 in one-score games but have largely relied on their defense.
“The under very much feels like the right play, with two offenses that rank in the bottom third this year and two defenses that rank in the top third.”
Washington Commanders at New York Giants
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Commanders (-3.5)
∎ ESPN: Go with the Commanders
“If Jayden Daniels is available, and his ability to get through a full game against the Bears just a week after his injury suggests he should be, then the Commanders are significantly better than the Giants. … According to FPI, the Commanders should be favored by six points this week.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Commanders 24, Giants 20
“Sometimes it’s hard to believe that Jayden Daniels is a rookie. The Washington QB will use some more rookie magic in a win over the Giants.”
New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Titans (-3)
∎ Pro Football Network: Patriots 18, Titans 17
“We have no idea who will be at quarterback for either team with Will Levis and Drake Maye both set to be on the injury report. This could be a game between Mason Rudolph and Jacoby Brissett, which is a somewhat wild thing to say.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Patriots 20, Titans 16
“Every week is different in the NFL, but after the Patriots beat the Jets in Week 8 and the Titans were routed by the Lions, we’ll go with the team coming off a win.”
Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Cardinals (-1)
∎ BetMGM: Bears win
“Lost in the Bears’ brutal defeat (to Washington) is the fact that their defense played really well up until the final play. … That makes this the perfect sell-high spot on Arizona, which just posted its second-best offensive grade of the season against Miami. But this will be Arizona’s fourth game this year against a top-10 defense by EPA per play. The Cardinals are 1-2 straight up in the previous three contests. The lone win? At home against the Chargers, who didn’t have Joey Bosa.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Bears 23, Cardinals 20
“Normally, we would give the edge to the defensive team here, but the strength of schedule differences is vast. The Bears have played the second-easiest schedule, with the Cardinals playing the hardest. We just saw how good the Bears’ defense is at keeping them in games against good offenses. That should be the case again here, and the Cardinals’ defense is worse than the Commanders’ unit.”
Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Eagles (-7.5)
∎ Doc’s Sports: Jaguars (+7)
“A road game against the 5-2 Eagles is not an easy task, but the Jaguars have enough to keep it respectable in Philadelphia. Jacksonville may not be winning many games, but four of its six losses this season have been by five or fewer points.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Eagles 31, Jaguars 17
“Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are hard to stop. A Jaguars team that has given up 224 points this season won’t be able to stop Philadelphia.”
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Lions (-4)
∎ Covers.com: Bet the Lions
“Detroit is the hottest team in the conference and just blasted Tennessee by 38 points. The Lions offense is hitting its stride after sputtering to start the schedule, having posted 172 total points across their last four outings. The Packers have won four in a row, but (quarterback Jordan Love) left the Week 8 win over Jacksonville with a groin injury and will have an MRI on Monday to confirm the damage. Grabbing the Lions (-3.5) is a smart way to stay ahead of any injury news.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Lions 27, Packers 20
“The Packers’ 6-2 record feels flimsy, with losses to the Eagles and Minnesota Vikings highlighting their struggles to get results when facing top-12 teams. Being at home could be the equalizer if the weather plays ball, but it’s hard to pass up the Lions laying less than a touchdown in this contest.”
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Lumen Field (Seattle)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
- Spread: Seahawks (-1)
∎ Arizona Republic: Rams 24, Seahawks 20
“The NFC West is still a four-team race. It will be even more interesting after Matthew Stafford and the Rams beat the Seahawks.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Rams 23, Seahawks 20
“The Rams are a different beast entirely when they have Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back. The defense is not good and will likely be below average all season. However, the offense at full strength can hang with opponents, which is exciting. Los Angeles has also played the fourth-hardest schedule to this point, so their 3-4 record could be a little misleading.”
Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock, Fubo
- Spread: Vikings (-6)
∎ Covers.com: Vikings (-5.5)
“The Minnesota Vikings not only have home field over the Indianapolis Colts but also the rest advantage, coming off the mini bye after a bad loss at Los Angeles last Thursday … Minnesota’s heralded defense was chewed up by savvy quarterbacks, Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford in those losses, but now defensive coordinator Brian Flores sets his blitz-heavy schemes loose on second-year QB Anthony Richardson.”
∎ Arizona Republic: Vikings 27, Colts 16
“The Vikings had a mini-bye to dwell on their second straight loss and to prepare for this game. Bad news for Indianapolis.”
Watch Colts vs. Vikings with Peacock
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs
- Date: Monday, Nov. 4
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
- TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2
- Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
- Spread: Chiefs (-9)
∎ BetMGM: Bucs cover the spread
“The Bucs offense lost both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin for the Falcons game. However, their offensive performance left me encouraged. Cade Otton has emerged as a good option for Baker Mayfield. That’s going to spell trouble for Kansas City, which has struggled to defend tight ends. … Even if the Chiefs race out to an early lead, the backdoor cover should remain open against a weak pass defense. Plus, Patrick Mahomes has struggled to cover big numbers in his career.”
∎ Pro Football Network: Chiefs 27, Buccaneers 20
“The contest has changed drastically with the Buccaneers not having either Mike Evans or Chris Godwin. Tampa Bay still fared well against a poor Falcons’ defense, but the Chiefs offer a top-10 defense, which is going to be a completely different task. Even before the injuries, the play was Kansas City.”
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