The Buffalo Bills were able to get back in the win column Thursday and several other contending teams will look to do the same on the weekend when Week 8 action in the NFL continues.
The San Francisco 49ers are looking to snap a two-game skid while fellow 5-2 teams the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions are also aiming to rebound from losses. All three of those teams lost on the road in Week 7 but return home as favourites.
There are no teams on bye this week, which means fans have 15 additional games to look forward to this week beginning with a nine-game early slate Sunday that includes three divisional matchups and a New York vs. New York battle…in New Jersey.
SPREADS & TOTALS
– ATL (-2.5) at TEN (+2.5) | O/U: 35.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– LAR (+6.5) at DAL (-6.5) | O/U: 45.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– MIN (-1.5) at GB (+1.5) | O/U: 41.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– NO (-1.5) at IND (+1.5) | O/U: 43.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– NE (+9.5) at MIA (-9.5) | O/U: 46.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– NYJ (-3.0) at NYG (+3.0) | O/U: 35.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– JAX (-1.5) at PIT (+1.5) | O/U: 40.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– PHI (-7.0) at WAS (+7.0) | O/U: 43.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– HOU (-3.5) at CAR (+3.5) | O/U: 43.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– CLE (+3.5) at SEA (-3.5) | O/U: 37.5 (4:05 p.m. ET)
– KC (-7.5) at DEN (+7.5) | O/U: 47.5 (4:25 p.m. ET)
– BAL (-9.5) at ARI (+9.5) | O/U: 44.5 (4:25 p.m. ET)
– CIN (+4.5) at SF (-4.5) | O/U: 43.5 (4:25 p.m. ET)
– CHI (+8.5) at LAC (-8.5) | O/U: 46.5 (8:20 p.m. ET)
– LV (+7.5) at DET (-7.5) | O/U: 45.5 (8:15 p.m. ET*Monday)
PROP WATCH: COLTS TEAM TOTAL & MINSHEW TURNOVERS
Believe it or not the Colts are the only team this season to score at least 20 points in every game. Will that trend continue Sunday versus the Saints or can that defence limit Gardner Minshew II and company? The New Orleans defence allows the fourth-fewest yards per game and the 18.1 points per game they allow ranks fifth in the league. That unit has only held one of their past four opponents to under 20 points, though.
Colts team total: Over 20 (-125) | Under 20 (+140) | Exactly 20 (+1000)
Minshew interceptions: Over 0.5 (+135) | Under 0.5 (-165)
Indy had 38 points in a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Browns last week and they might’ve had a better outcome were it not for Minshew’s four turnovers in the game. In fact, Minshew has back-to-back weeks with four turnovers (four fumbles, four interceptions in total).
WEEK 8 STORYLINES TO FOLLOW
Which QBs are in/out this week?
Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill is dealing with an ankle injury and joins Daniel Jones of the Giants, Deshaun Watson of the Browns, and Justin Fields of the Bears as starting QBs not yet fully recovered from injuries. Tennessee will either be starting Malik Willis or rookie Will Levis against Atlanta. Titans coach Mike Vrabel has said this week he expects both to see action versus the Falcons. Tyrod Taylor is still in for Jones against the Jets and undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent will get another start for Chicago, this time in Sunday night’s primetime game at the Chargers.
Another to keep an eye on in the lead-up to kickoff is Brock Purdy of the 49ers. The second-year starter entered the league’s concussion protocol earlier this week but there remains a chance he is cleared before game time. If not, it will be Sam Darnold going up against the Bengals on Sunday afternoon. Darnold most recently started a game in January back when he was with the Panthers.
Can Mahomes extend insane streak vs. AFC West?
Patrick Mahomes’ plethora of successes in the NFL have been meticulously tracked and of all his incredible accomplishments one of the most impressive has been his consistent dominance of AFC West rivals. Mahomes improved to 29-3 all-time in the regular season against a divisional foe last week when he put up 424 yards and four touchdowns in a win over the Chargers. Mahomes has won 13 consecutive games against the AFC West dating back more than two years. He averages 285 passing yards, 2.2 passing touchdowns and has only 18 total interceptions in 32 total divisional games. Mahomes is 12-0 against Denver so far in his career.
No. 1 vs. No. 2 (and No. 3): The top three picks from this year’s NFL Draft – Carolina QB Bryce Young, Houston QB C.J. Stroud and Houston DE Will Anderson – are all playing in the same game when the Panthers host the Texans. The top three rookies from a draft have never all played in the same game before. It’s also only the fifth time in NFL history where two rookie QBs who were the No. 1 and No. 2 picks are playing each other as rookies. The two most recent examples were Trevor Lawrence vs. Zach Wilson in 2021 and Jameis Winston vs. Marcus Mariota in 2015.
Arthur Smith facing Vrabel, former team for first time: In addition to the Titans quarterback issues, another thing to watch in Atlanta-Tennessee is Falcons head coach Arthur Smith taking on his former mentor in Mike Vrabel. Smith spent a decade in the Tennessee organization and two seasons on Vrabel’s staff as the Titans offensive coordinator from 2019-2020 before leaving to become Atlanta’s head coach.
(Team betting lines and totals via Covers, player props via Bet365 as of Saturday and subject to change)
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