We’ve survived the crazy outcomes to start the season and are about to feast on some monster point spreads in NFL Week 8. These are your best picks against the spread.
As we mentioned earlier in the week, through seven weeks, the cream has begun to rise to the top. Six of the preseason favorites to win their respective divisions are alone in first place. The lone exceptions are the Kansas City Chiefs, who were slight underdogs to the Chargers in the AFC West to start the year, and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Yet that hasn’t stopped underdogs against the spread. Through seven weeks, underdogs are already seven games over .500 ATS, and those six leading favorites are just three total games over the break-even point. A 4-0 week brought us back to .500, but now we don’t know which direction to go. Back the top teams or ride the underdogs?
A number of incredibly high lines and four more teams on bye make the pickings even trickier in NFL Week 8. We’ve made the tough calls for you. These are your best picks against the spread for NFL Week 8. All lines are via Odds Shark.
Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate NFL Week 8 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.
Dan Salem’s 2018 record ATS: 7-7
Todd Salem’s 2018 record ATS: 7-7
Todd Salem’s Best Picks ATS:
Washington Redskins +1 at New York Giants
This line seems to be vacillating between New York +1, even, and New York -1 as spreads are first released. Either way, this seems to overrate the Giants’ three-point loss in Week 7. The game was never close. Even when the score was actually close for most of the game, the Giants could not function offensively. Coming back home is hardly any advantage. The team is 0-3 at home, having been outscored 87 to 46 in its own building. Remember when a Week 1 close loss to Jacksonville seemed like a good sign for Big Blue?
As for Washington, it keeps finding ways to win behind a good enough Alex Smith and capable running game. To say Smith has been “good” full stop is probably misleading. But he has only two turnovers and reclaimed his throne as the ultimate game manager. The defense is key, as Washington is good against the pass and should feast on the weary and weak Giants’ offensive line.
Carolina Panthers +2 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Just because Carolina is undefeated at home doesn’t mean it will add another win to that tally. But the Panthers and Ravens should combine for a pretty intense defensive struggle. Both groups are top-10 units. Baltimore has been better, but Carolina is no slouch, specifically against the run. Baltimore has already had issues running the football against average or worse defenses. Against the Panthers, it may find no room at all, which will put the outcome in the hands of Joe Flacco.
Flacco has been okay, but I wouldn’t want to make a habit out of betting on him winning and covering on the road. In this day and age of elite efficiency, Flacco ranks 27th in completion percentage despite ranking 30th in yards/attempt. It is an ugly combo; one Carolina should take advantage of once Baltimore abandons the run.
Dan Salem’s Best Picks ATS:
Green Bay Packers +10 at Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are the best team in the NFL, but they have won a number of close games this season. Most of those close calls came against good football teams. Green Bay is on the plus side of average and is easily a good football team. Their offense alone keeps this game close, despite the Packers obvious defensive deficiencies.
I’d be shocked if Green Bay allows Los Angeles to get up by more than ten points during this football game. Aaron Rodgers is that good and his Packers are holding things together. With so many tough picks and hard lines this week, I’m backing a proven winner getting a lot of points. Ten is too many to pass up.
Cleveland Browns +9 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Is it just me, or have the Steelers been lacking on defense this season? Cleveland has a strong defensive front, but likely doesn’t stop Pittsburgh’s passing game. Good thing the Browns have a potent offense of their own. They’ve played the most overtime games this year, four already, and the majority of their losses came by only three points.
The Steelers are not the same team that tied Cleveland in week one, but neither are the Browns. Baker Mayfield gives them a real chance to win every week. I’m taking nine points in a close divisional game. No one is separating themselves in the AFC North just yet.