NFL Week 8 Predictions – Best Bets For Selected Games

The season is racing by and week 8 is already upon us. As we near the halfway point of the season, the boys are being separated from the men. Some pre-season favourites have imploded, the race for the first overall pick in the draft is on and the no1 seeds in the AFC and NFC are not who we would have expected. Without further contemplation let’s jump into this week’s games.

Arizona Cardinals v Green Bay Packers

First up we have the game which combines the two best records in the NFL, the 6-1 Packers travel to the 7-0 Cardinals to decide who will be the no1 seed in the NFC heading into week 9.
The Cardinals are the league’s only undefeated team after cruising to a 31-5 victory against the Texans. They head into this game as the heavy favourites, with Kyler Murray on white-hot form having had a passer rating of over 100 in every game except one so far this season. Their offense seems to have been the driving force of this team with them averaging an impressive 32.1 points per game but their defence leads the league in points allowed per game. They recently received news that their big defensive signing in JJ Watt will need surgery on his shoulder after sustaining an injury in the last game and will likely miss the remainder of the season.

The packers are unfortunately without their star receiver Devonte Adams after he was placed on the Covid-reserve list. They are also without Allen Lazard who joined Adams on this list earlier this week. This leaves the Packers very limited in receiving options and could be an issue for them even with Aaron Rodgers at QB. They will need to find someone else to throw the ball to or depend on their run game if they are going to keep up with Arizona’s explosive offense.
The Cardinals are likely to win this one and unless Green Bay’s defence can come up with some stops, the score could get big. The Cardinals to cover.

Cardinals -6.5

Houston Texans v Los Angeles Rams

The 1-6 Texans host the 6-1 Rams on Sunday and the bookies, much like most NFL fans, are not expecting them to put up much of a fight.
The Texans are fresh off their 6th loss and have failed to score double-digit points in 4 of their last 5 games. They have just traded running back Mark Ingram to the Saints, much to the dismay of some of the team, with star wide receiver tweeting “This is bull****”. Their offensive struggles will most likely be on display again against a good Rams defence that will test rookie Davis Mills’ ability to move around in the pocket. Their offense is 2nd worst in the league averaging just over 13 points per game and their defense hasn’t provided much resistance to the opposition this season allowing an average of 29 points per game.

The Rams on the other hand have been dominant. Their only loss came to the 7-0 Arizona Cardinals. They have looked really impressive with Matthew Stafford under center and will be eager to put up big points in this game after a somewhat underwhelming offensive effort last week against the Lions. Cooper Cupp leads the league in almost every measurable statistic as far as wide receivers go and will surely be on for another big game against this poor defensive front.

Just going by the averages of these two teams, this should be a blowout win for the Rams. Even though it’s the biggest line of the weekend at 14 points, this should be a cakewalk for the Rams.

Rams -14

Cleveland Browns v Pittsburgh Steelers

The Browns host their division rivals with many question marks looming over their team. The fitness of the majority of their offensive stars lead the list of questions to be answered, with Mayfield, Chubb, Hunt, Landry, and OBJ all either out or questionable for this game. They managed to put together a solid, gritty performance to beat the Broncos last week, but the defence that will come to town on Sunday will be of a different caliber. If Baker cannot go on Sunday it will be down to Case Keenum to again lead this team and Browns fans hope he will take a step up from his first start of the season last week.

The Steelers are sitting at a point in the season where it can go either way. They are currently 3-3 and at the bottom of the division standings. If they can pick up a win against their wounded division rivals, it could be a catalyst to kick on and revive their hunt for a playoff berth. Their defence has carried them again this season and is the main reason why their season is still alive, they will have a big role to play again on Sunday if they are to come away with a win.
This is expected to be a close game and 3.5 points are too big a margin to lay against the Steelers. Even if the Brown does win, it won’t be by much.

Steelers + 3.5

Buffalo Bills v Miami Dolphins

In the 2nd division match-up between these two, that before the season started was considered as a tight call, the now AFC favourites host the desperate and downtrodden Dolphins.
Josh Allen and his Bills side received a reality check when they were only just beaten by the Titans two weeks ago but then sat on their couches and laughed as the Chiefs were blown out 27-3 by the same team. After having a week off, they return as the league’s leading defence in points allowed per game and boast one of the best scoring offenses. They will be eager to get back to winning ways and at home against a division rival, the Bills Mafia will have the stadium rocking.

The Dolphins fresh off yet another close defeat will be desperate to get a win any which way it comes. With talks coming out again recently that the Dolphins are interested in trading for DeShaun Watson, they have seemingly moved off Tua after just 13 starts. Tua put in another decent display albeit in a losing effort against the Falcons, but with his 4 TDs, he proved he is still an NFL-caliber QB. Unfortunately for him, his league’s near worst defense couldn’t get a stop to prevent Matt Ryan from leading the Falcons down the field to kick a game-winning field goal.

Unfortunately, this week will be even more painful for the Dolphins as they are likely to be blown away by the Bills for the second time this season. Bills to cover.

Bills – 13.5

New Orleans Saints v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

We are treated to yet another exhilarating division match-up when Tom Brady and the Buccs visit the Saints.

The Buccs embarrassed the Bears last week as Brady threw for 4 TDs and no INTs on the way to a 38-3 victory. The Buccs defence also managed to pick off Rookie QB Justin Fields 3 times. The Buccs will feel confident heading back to the stadium where they upset the farewell party in future Hall of Famers Drew Brees’ last match. They will most likely be without WR Antonio Brown but are fortunate to have 2 other Pro-Bowl talents in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Gronk is still questionable but may return after missing the last 4 games with a rib injury, which would be a big boost to this offense.

The Saint’s season is still very much alive with them sitting at 4-2 on the season, however, they have failed to continue the explosive form that saw them destroy the Packers 38-3 in week 1. Their offense has been hit and misses this season, which has been right on track with the kind of career QB Jameis Winston has had thus far. It remains to be seen if he can prove to the Saints organization that he has what it takes to be the franchise QB and win games playing consistent football.

The Buccs are too strong and even though they are on the road this week, they should win this game and then some. Buccs to cover.

Buccs -5.5