Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Marcus Mosher

NFL Week 8 best bets: One wager to make for every team

After six teams were off for their byes last week, the NFL set up a full slate of games for Week 8 with every team in action, which is fantastic news for all the bettors out there.

Also great news? We’re back with bets you should make on every team this week.

From Bills-Bucs on Thursday night to Raiders-Lions in the Week 8 finale on Monday Night Football, we’ve got one wager we love for every team in Week 8. They range from player props to picks against the spread, as well as plays on the over/under lines.

Not to put pressure on Raiders Wire’s Marcus Mosher, but he’s 7-0 in best bets this season, so he’s looking to go a perfect 8-0 with another winning pick on Sunday.

All odds are courtesy of BetMGM.

Buccaneers at Bills: Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen

Buccaneers: No Tampa Bay touchdown (+700)

This is a low-risk bet with a very high reward. Buffalo has a strong pass defense and passing is the only thing the Bucs can do, so a small bet here for a +700 payout might be the way to go. Tampa Bay has massively struggled in the red zone and has only scored one touchdown in two games, and against this physical Buffalo team on a short week, this could be a smart bet — and a disaster for the Bucs. – River Wells, Bucs Wire

Bills: Josh Allen OVER 21.5 rushing yards (-110)

The Bills quarterback has only hit this mark in two of seven games so far this season. He’s not running the ball as much as in the past. But it feels like words are going to speak louder than actions for once. Allen has spoken this week on “just playing football” and no longer having a “low-positive mindset.” That sounds like he’s going to do whatever it takes to extend drives, and that’s what a more simple game plan on Thursday Night Football might need. In addition, Allen did have a season-high seven rushes last week–He just was held to 17 yards. In most cases, if Allen runs it that many times, he’s well over 21.5 yards. Nick Wojton, Bills Wire

Rams at Cowboys: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Rams: Rams OVER 9.5 first-half points (-110)

The Rams have been a slightly better first-half team than a second-half one, scoring at least 10 points in the first half in four of their seven games – and it should’ve been five of seven if not for a missed PAT by Brett Maher last week. Sean McVay knows how to script the start of a game and often has a game plan to put up points on the team’s opening drive. As good as Dallas’ defense has been, teams are scoring 10.3 points per game in the first half against the Cowboys compared to 6.3 in the second half. It shouldn’t be much to ask for the Rams to score at least one touchdown and field goal in the first 30 minutes. Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire

Cowboys: CeeDee Lamb longest reception OVER 23.5 yards (-120)

This line is juiced a little bit but it’s still worth playing. The Rams were just gashed for big play after big play to the Steelers, and they’re giving up 3.4 pass plays of 20-plus yards per game. Lamb is a versatile receiver who can line up anywhere, but he should have some success in the slot against Cobie Durant and on the outside where Derion Kendrick lines up. Plus, Los Angeles is a bad tackling team so the YAC opportunities will be there. Cameron DaSilva, NFL Wires

Vikings at Packers: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings: Jordan Addison OVER 58.5 receiving yards (-120)

This season has been a renaissance for the Vikings receivers. With Justin Jefferson out, rookie first-rounder Jordan Addison has had to step up and he did massively against the 49ers to the tune of seven receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns. This season, Addison has four games over 58.5 yards and a fifth close at 52 yards. With the Packers’ Eric Stokes on injured reserve and Jaire Alexnder potentially out on Sunday, this could be a continued breakout for Addison. Tyler Forness, Vikings Wire

Packers: Jordan Love OVER 0.5 interceptions thrown (-190)

Love has thrown an interception in four straight games and has seven total picks in the last four overall. The Vikings, meanwhile, have three takeaways in each of the last two games, including four total interceptions. Love is having to throw out of a lot of bad situations and it’s leading to turnovers. I wouldn’t expect that to change Sunday against a blitz-heavy Vikings defense. One or two bad decisions or turnover-worthy plays are likely. Zach Kruse, Packers Wire

Falcons at Titans: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons: TE Kyle Pitts OVER 33.5 receiving yards (-115)

Atlanta’s passing game has come along over the past few weeks and Kyle Pitts has been a big part of it. While he’s yet to have a true breakout game this season, Pitts has gone over 40 receiving yards in five out of seven games. In what should be a low-scoring, defensive battle, I expect Pitts to get a steady share of targets over the middle. Look for the third-year tight end to top 33.5 receiving yards against the Titans in Week 8. Matt Urben, Falcons Wire

Titans: Titans UNDER 7.5 first-half points (-120)

With Will Levis expected to start, it could be tough for the Titans to come by many points early in the game. They’ll likely lean on the running game, similar to the way the Falcons do, which will shorten the game and limit each team’s possessions. It’s hard to see the Titans moving the ball down the field against Atlanta twice to put points on the board, and Atlanta ranks fifth in red zone defense, so just getting into the end zone will be difficult. Take the under on Tennessee’s first-half point total. Cameron DaSilva, NFL Wires

Saints at Colts: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Saints: Saints OVER 20.5 points (-130)

The Saints finally figured some things out in the red zone last week (specifically, letting Taysom Hill run the football) only to get away from them on the game’s final possession. Surely they won’t repeat that mistake. With tight end Juwan Johnson returning to the lineup and the Colts having allowed 30-plus points in each of the last two weeks (while also being without their best run-stopping defensive lineman Grover Stewart), there are no excuses for the struggling Saints offense to not put points on the board. But will they wait until they’re already down by multiple scores again to pick up the pace? – John Sigler, Saints Wire

Colts: Colts OVER 21.5 points (-120)

This might look like a risky bet on paper considering the Saints are currently allowing 18.5 points per game. But did you know the Colts are the only team remaining in the NFL to score at least 20 points in every game this season. We call that the Shane Steichen effect. Even with a backup quarterback and right tackle, the Colts offense torched a historically strong Cleveland Browns defense to the tune of 38 points and 456 total yards. The Saints defense is a tough unit, and they’ll provide a strong challenge. But we’ve learned quickly not to bet against Steichen’s ability to create explosive plays and finish drives in the end zone. – Kevin Hickey, Colts Wire

Patriots at Dolphins: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots: Mac Jones OVER 1.5 passing touchdowns (+150)

The Patriots aren’t cured from their offensive woes, but there should be a bit more confidence in the building with the unit hitting its stride in the last two weeks. Mac Jones was doing “The Griddy” with the rest of his teammates after leading them on a game-winning touchdown drive to knock off the Buffalo Bills in Week 7.

Good things tend to happen when Jones is confident. Of course, that confidence is dependent on the offensive line being competitive. Moving Mike Onwenu to right tackle has seemingly remedied many issues for the Patriots offense, and Jones will be in a position to try to win with his arm. There’s no matching this Dolphins team offensively by just running the football. – Jordy McElroy, Patriots Wire

Dolphins: Dolphins -3 in first quarter (-120)

Mike McDaniel’s squad has made it a point to get on the board early in games. Through the first seven games this season, they’re averaging 5.86 points in the first quarter, failing to score in the opening frame just once (Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers). The Patriots, on the other hand, have struggled to get much going early, as they’ve averaged 2.29 points in the first quarter and have been blanked four times.

Miami may be dealing with some injuries to key players right now, but they still have some firepower to put up points quickly, and if the trend continues, they should jump out to an early lead. Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire

Jets at Giants: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Jets: Breece Hall OVER 68.5 rushing yards (-115)

Let’s try this again with Breece Hall. After falling short against the Eagles, Hall should have a better chance to hit the over/under this time around as the Giants have a much worse rushing defense than the Eagles. New York is allowing 137 yards per game on the ground. With how easily Hall can break one at any given moment, and given the matchup, 70 should seem easily attainable. We said the same thing in Week 6 though, so the betting gods weren’t in our favor then. They owe us one this time. – Billy Riccette, Jets Wire

Giants: Saquon Barkley OVER 69.5 rushing yards (-115)

It won’t matter who starts at quarterback for the Giants on Sunday – the key to their success will be controlling the clock using the ground game, which means a heavy dose of Saquon Barkley. The Jets give up more than 135 yards per game on the ground and opposing running backs average 4.4 yards per carry. Although they’ll likely hone in on Barkley from the jump, his ability to break a few big runs will serve bettors (and fantasy players) well. – Dan Benton, Giants Wire

Jaguars at Steelers: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars: Travis Etienne OVER 61.5 rushing yards (-115)

The Steelers have a bottom 10 run defense that has allowed at least 125 rushing yards in five of their six games. Etienne is the league leader in rushing attempts and averages 72 yards per game on the ground. While the Jaguars’ 3.8 yards per attempt hasn’t been great, it’d be a surprise if Etienne didn’t get plenty of opportunities to carve out room against a defensive line that hasn’t stopped much. Adam Stites, Jaguars Wire

Steelers: Najee Harris OVER 45.5 rushing yards (-110) and Jaylen Warren OVER 24.5 rushing yards (-110)

We are taking the OVER on both of these rushing totals. Pittsburgh showed against the Rams they want to re-establish the run game with Harris and Warren. We are banking on even more of this against the Jaguars. Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire

Eagles at Commanders: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Eagles: DeVonta Smith OVER 49.5 receiving yards (-115)

Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has gone over 125+ yards receiving in five straight games, including a Week 4 matchup that saw the former Ole Miss star drop 9 catches, 175 yards and two touchdowns on the Commanders secondary. Lost in that eruption was DeVonta Smith’s 7 catches, for 78 yards on 11 targets of his own. Washington will look to contain A.J. Brown in their final matchup of the season, and Smith has been explosive against the Commanders since enter the NFL. Philadelphia wins in Week 8, and DeVonta Smith has a huge game in his own right. Glenn Erby, Eagles Wire

Commanders: Terry McLaurin OVER 56.5 receiving yards (-115)

McLaurin had eight receptions for 86 yards in the Week 4 meeting. He would’ve gone over 100 yards had it not been for a catch in overtime that was ruled incomplete. In nine career games vs. the Eagles, McLaurin averages 87 yards per game and has gone over 100 yards four times. Washington’s offense operates best when it involves McLaurin early, which it did in Week 4. The Commanders will likely move McLaurin all around the formation against the Eagles, too. I would expected McLaurin to be targeted 10 times or more, which should mean another good day for him. Bryan Manning, Commanders Wire

Texans at Panthers: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

[Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
Texans: Nico Collins OVER 51.5 receiving yards (-115)

Here is a safe bet. Collins has gone over this total in four of his six games this year and two of his last three. C.J. Stroud has developed chemistry with Collins, who is showcasing his talents as a go-to receiver in Houston’s revamped offense. The former 2021 third-rounder has a 13.0 yards per target, which means it shouldn’t take many targets for Collins to get in range. – Mark Lane, Texans Wire

Panthers: Adam Thielen OVER 65.5 receiving yards (-120)

Thielen went into the break on an absolute tear—going for at least 11 receptions, 107 yards and a touchdown in three of his last four games. Oh, and as for the one game where he didn’t hit those numbers, Thielen still racked up a solid seven catches for 76 yards. Even with the bye week, the 33-year-old is still the 12th-most targeted wide receiver to this point. So expect plenty of opportunities for him, especially against the 26th-ranked pass defense. Anthony Rizzuti, Panthers Wire

Browns at Seahawks: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic

Browns: UNDER 38 total points (-110)

With Deshaun Watson out once again, the Browns are turning to P.J. Walker. He’s done a decent job filling in but he greatly limits the offense’s ceiling. And with Cleveland’s defense playing as well as it has been – aside from last week’s game against the Colts – this should be a low-scoring game against a Seahawks team that likes to run the ball. Seattle’s defense has been impressive, as well, led by rookie Devon Witherspoon at cornerback. – Cameron DaSilva, NFL Wires

Seahawks: UNDER 38 total points (-110)

Everyone knows that Cleveland has a great defense this year – notwithstanding the 38 points they gave up to the Colts last week. However, most fans aren’t yet aware that Seattle once again has a dominant defensive unit for the first time in nearly a decade. Thanks in large part to the impact of sensational rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Pete Carroll’s defense is as potent as it’s been since the Legion of Boom broke up. Since Witherspoon’s debut in Week 2 the Seahawks defense ranks second in EPA/play and the Browns rank first. – Tim Weaver, Seahawks Wire

Chiefs at Broncos: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs: Isiah Pacheco UNDER 64.5 rushing yards (-110)

QB Patrick Mahomes finally came into his own in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers, and despite the Broncos’ abysmal run defense, Kansas City should be expected to lean on their passing game in this matchup. Pacheco may well go over the 64-yard mark against Denver, but Andy Reid is likely to make an effort to keep the reigning MVP hot while the Chiefs ride their six-game winning streak heading into the middle part of their 2023 schedule. – John Dillon, Chiefs Wire

Broncos: OVER 46 total points (-110)

Before their Week 6 showdown that featured just 27 points, the Broncos and Chiefs combined to total 51, 62 and 52 points in their previous three matchups. Denver games have topped 50 combined points four times this season and KC’s games have topped 46 total points three times this year. – Jon Heath, Broncos Wire

Ravens at Cardinals: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens: Gus Edwards OVER 58.5 rushing yards (-110)

Edwards and Justice Hill have split snaps over the past four weeks, but the former Georgia running back has put his big play prowess on display recently, and the Cardinals just allowed Kenneth Walker of the Seahawks to log 26 carries for 105 yards (4 YPC) in a Week 7 Seattle win. Gus Edwards travels west and logs over 70 yards and a touchdown in a Baltimore win. Glenn Erby, Ravens Wire

Cardinals: Matt Prater OVER 1.5 made field goals (+120)

Prater has made two or more field goals in four games this season and likely would have had two last week if his holder didn’t botch getting the laces out. Arizona’s offense isn’t good enough to count on them scoring touchdowns, so Prater is a good bet. – Jess Root, Cards Wire

Bengals at 49ers: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase

Bengals: Bengals +3.5 (-115)

This one feels like an “upset” in name only and did even before the late Brock Purdy concussion news. The 49ers have dropped two in a row and play this one on a short week after a Monday game. Cincinnati enters after a bye and winners of two in a row, with Tee Higgins and Chidobe Awuzie sounding fully recovered. And how good is Joe Burrow’s injury outlook right now? The team’s installing under-center looks this week, meaning he’s close or at 100 percent. And Ja’Marr Chase has a long history of torching Charvarius Ward, just as the 49ers coughed up four catches for 108 yards to Amari Cooper (with PJ Walker as his QB) and seven for 123 and two scores to Jordan Addison, so gobble up Chase props, too. The travel does make it sort of feel like a trap game, but this is mostly the same team that exited a bye last year, went to Pittsburgh and won, rattling off nine in a row before falling in the AFC title game, so they’ve earned the trust. Chris Roling, Bengals Wire

49ers: Bengals -3 alternate line (+210)

It’s kind of wild that the 49ers are favored by nearly a touchdown (5.5) in this one. Not only has San Francisco lost two games in a row, they’re banged up on the offensive line and have struggled to run without left tackle Trent Williams who is dealing with an ankle injury. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel has also been ruled out with a shoulder issue. On top of all that, the 49ers are coming off a short week where they traveled to Minnesota for Monday Night Football while the Bengals are coming off a bye week. Cleveland was coming off a bye as well and pretty thoroughly dominated the 49ers. It’s hard to believe Cincinnati isn’t on track to do the same against a struggling San Francisco pass rush and a compromised version of San Francisco’s offense. The Bengals should win this one outright so it’s worth giving the three points on the alternate line. – Kyle Madson, Niners Wire

Bears at Chargers: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bears: Tyson Bagent OVER 202.5 passing yards (-115)

Bagent led the Bears to a win in his first NFL start last week, but he didn’t have to do much. Bagent executed the role of game manager to perfection, completing 21-of-29 passes for 162 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers. Expect a similar game plan for Bagent in his second NFL start, which includes short, quick passes and leaning on a top-five rushing attack that’s put up 160-plus rushing yards in four straight games. With that said, there will be opportunities for Bagent against a Chargers pass defense allowing 310 yards per game (dead last in the NFL). – Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire

Chargers: Justin Herbert OVER 0.5 interceptions (+125)

Herbert has not been at his best in recent weeks, not anticipating his receivers getting open and forcing throws. In the last three games, Herbert has thrown four interceptions, two coming last Sunday against the Chiefs. The Bears have done a great job at picking off opposing quarterbacks. They have four in their past three contests, which is tied for the third-most in that span. Whether it’s a mistake mid-game or trying to win the game on the final drive, Herbert is likely going to toss a pick on Sunday night. Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire

Raiders at Lions: Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders: Raiders UNDER 10.5 first-half points (-120)

The Raiders have one of the lowest-scoring offenses in the NFL this season, averaging just 16 points per game. And with more uncertainty at quarterback this week, it’s hard to have confidence that the Raiders will score much more than that against the Lions. Josh McDaniels does a pretty good job of scripting the first drive for Las Vegas, but the offense usually stalls after that. Take the Raiders under 10.5 first-half points as they will be lucky to score twice. Marcus Mosher, Raiders Wire

Lions: Detroit -8.5 (-110)

The Lions are looking to bounce back from an abysmal road loss. Coming home to play the Raiders is a good way to get back to the winning ways. The Lions average 8.9 points per game more than the Raiders do on offense, which covers the spread right there. Add in the home element, the Raiders having the NFL’s worst turnover ratio (-10) and the Lions getting a little healthier in some key spots, and the recipe is there for the Lions to roll by double-digits. Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.