NFL Week 8 Picks

NFL Week 8 Picks and Predictions for October 29–November 2, 2026

Week 8 of the NFL season begins Thursday night with Carolina visiting Green Bay and wraps up Monday when Chicago travels to Seattle. Fourteen games are on the schedule, with Houston, New Orleans, the New York Giants and San Francisco getting the week off.

There are some interesting lines this week. Buffalo is favored by a field goal against Baltimore, Kansas City is a slight road favorite in Denver, and Washington is laying 5.5 points against Philadelphia. Cincinnati is the biggest favorite on the board at -10.5 against Tennessee.

I'm not interested in backing every favorite just because the sportsbook says they're better. A couple of these spreads have moved enough to make the underdog worth considering. Here are my picks for all 14 games, followed by the NFL Best Bet of the Week. For more predictions, check out our free NFL picks.

NFL Week 8 Picks at a Glance

Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers Best Bet

Green Bay opened as a three-point favorite, and the line has moved to 3.5. That half-point matters. There's a pretty big difference between needing the Packers to win by a field goal and needing them to win by four.

Carolina isn't the stronger team on paper, and playing at Lambeau Field on Thursday night isn't an easy assignment. But a short week gives both teams less preparation time, and division of talent doesn't always translate into a comfortable margin.

Best Bet: Carolina Panthers +3.5

I'll take Carolina with the points. Green Bay has the home advantage and could control the game if its offense gets going, but laying more than a field goal on a short week doesn't appeal to me.

The Panthers don't need to win. They need to keep it within a field goal, and that's a reasonable position at this number.

NFL Best Bet: Carolina +3.5

Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills Best Bet

Buffalo is favored by 3.5 in one early market, although other books are sitting closer to a field goal. That makes the number important. Baltimore has enough offensive ability to stay competitive, and these are two teams capable of trading scoring drives.

Buffalo has home field and should be favored. But this doesn't look like a matchup where either team has an overwhelming advantage.

Best Bet: Baltimore Ravens +3.5

Give me Baltimore if I can get the hook. Buffalo might win, but asking the Bills to win by four or more against a dangerous Ravens offense is a different proposition.

The concern is Buffalo controlling the game at home and forcing Baltimore to chase. Still, 3.5 is the number I'd want on the underdog.

NFL Best Bet: Baltimore +3.5

Tennessee Titans vs. Cincinnati Bengals Best Bet

Cincinnati is favored by 10.5 points, the largest spread of the week. The Bengals have the offensive talent to create separation, and Tennessee faces a difficult road assignment.

Double-digit favorites are never automatic. Cincinnati could build a comfortable lead and then spend the fourth quarter protecting it. But Tennessee has to demonstrate enough offensive consistency to take advantage of that possibility.

Best Bet: Cincinnati Bengals -10.5

I'll lay the points with Cincinnati. The Bengals have the stronger offensive situation and should be able to put pressure on Tennessee throughout the game.

The concern is a late Titans touchdown ruining the cover. That's always a possibility with a number this large. Still, Cincinnati is my preferred side.

NFL Best Bet: Cincinnati -10.5

Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys Best Bet

Dallas is favored by 6.5 points at home, and the total is a relatively high 54.5. That suggests the market expects plenty of scoring opportunities.

Arizona has enough offensive ability to make this competitive, but the Cardinals also need to avoid giving Dallas short fields. The Cowboys have the stronger home situation and should be able to create chances if Arizona struggles defensively.

Best Bet: Dallas Cowboys -6.5

I'll take Dallas, provided the spread stays below seven. The Cowboys should have enough offensive opportunities to win by a touchdown, and home field matters in this matchup.

The danger is Arizona keeping pace offensively. With a high total, a backdoor cover is possible. Still, Dallas is the side I prefer.

NFL Best Bet: Dallas -6.5

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Best Bet

Detroit is favored by 3.5 at home. The Lions have the stronger home situation, but Minnesota is a dangerous opponent to give more than a field goal.

Division games can turn into close, physical contests, and familiarity tends to make these matchups difficult to handicap solely by overall talent. Minnesota knows what Detroit wants to do offensively, even if stopping it is another matter.

Best Bet: Minnesota Vikings +3.5

I'll take the Vikings with the hook. Detroit is capable of winning comfortably, especially if the Lions establish their running game and control the clock.

But Minnesota has enough offensive ability to stay within one possession. At 3.5, the underdog is more appealing.

NFL Best Bet: Minnesota +3.5

Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Best Bet

Jacksonville is favored by 9.5 points, up from an earlier number around 7.5. That's a meaningful move, and it creates a different betting question than the opening line did.

The Jaguars have the stronger overall matchup and home field, but laying almost ten points requires Jacksonville to play a pretty clean game. Indianapolis doesn't need to dominate to cover this number.

Best Bet: Indianapolis Colts +9.5

I'll take Indianapolis with the points. Jacksonville should win, but a spread approaching double digits gives the Colts room to remain competitive even if they trail for much of the afternoon.

The concern is that Indianapolis falls behind early and struggles to generate enough offense to recover. Still, after the line movement, the underdog offers the more appealing number.

NFL Best Bet: Indianapolis +9.5

Las Vegas Raiders vs. New York Jets Best Bet

The Jets are favored by 1.5 points, making this one of the closest games on the board. Neither team has enough of an edge in the market to justify a substantial favorite's price.

New York gets home field, but Las Vegas has a reasonable chance if it protects the football and avoids giving the Jets short fields.

Best Bet: Las Vegas Raiders +1.5

I'll take the Raiders with the points. This looks close enough that one turnover or a late field goal could decide it.

The Jets could win through their defense, but I don't see enough separation to be enthusiastic about laying points with New York.

NFL Best Bet: Las Vegas +1.5

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Best Bet

The total is sitting at 39.5, one of the lowest numbers of Week 8. Pittsburgh is favored by 3.5 at home, and this looks like the kind of AFC North game where field position and turnovers could matter more than explosive offense.

Cleveland and Pittsburgh know each other well. Both teams should be prepared for a physical game, and neither offense can afford to waste possessions.

Best Bet: Under 39.5 Points

I'm taking the under. The low number isn't ideal, but I expect both teams to prioritize field position and avoid unnecessary mistakes.

A defensive touchdown or a couple of short fields could ruin this pick quickly. That's the risk with any low total. Still, this matchup looks more likely to produce a grind than a shootout.

NFL Best Bet: Under 39.5

Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Best Bet

Tampa Bay is favored by 2.5 at home after opening closer to -1.5. That's a modest move toward the Buccaneers, but the line remains below a field goal.

Atlanta has enough offensive ability to make this competitive, and division familiarity should help the Falcons prepare. Tampa Bay, though, gets home field and doesn't need to win by much to cover.

Best Bet: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5

I'll lay the short number with Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have the home advantage, and a three-point victory would be enough.

The concern is Atlanta controlling the clock and turning this into a possession-by-possession game. But with the spread below three, Tampa Bay is the preferred side.

NFL Best Bet: Tampa Bay -2.5

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams Best Bet

The Rams are favored by 6.5 points, down from an earlier number around 7.5. That's a meaningful adjustment, and the Chargers have enough talent to make this competitive.

The Rams have the stronger overall matchup according to the market, but they still need to handle a Chargers team capable of producing explosive plays.

Best Bet: Los Angeles Rams -6.5

I'll take the Rams below a touchdown. They have enough offensive ability to create separation, and the matchup gives them opportunities if the Chargers struggle to protect the quarterback.

The concern is that the Chargers keep this close through their defense and special teams. Still, the Rams are my preferred side at 6.5.

NFL Best Bet: Rams -6.5

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos Best Bet

Kansas City is favored by just 1.5 points on the road, and the total is sitting at 40.5. That tells you the market expects a relatively competitive, lower-scoring game.

Denver's home field can be difficult for visiting offenses, and the Broncos have enough defensive ability to make Kansas City work for points. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have the experience to handle close games without needing a huge offensive performance.

Best Bet: Under 40.5 Points

I'll take the under. Denver should be able to make Kansas City work through longer drives, and the Chiefs have enough defensive ability to prevent the Broncos from scoring freely.

The obvious danger is turnovers creating short fields. A couple of those could turn a defensive matchup into a much higher-scoring game. Still, I prefer the under at 40.5.

NFL Best Bet: Under 40.5

New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins Best Bet

New England is favored by 6.5 points on the road, and the spread has come down from an earlier number around 8.5. That's a meaningful move toward Miami.

The Dolphins have home field and enough offensive ability to make this competitive, but New England has the stronger overall profile entering the matchup. The Patriots need to avoid giving Miami explosive plays that change the game quickly.

Best Bet: New England Patriots -6.5

I'll lay the points with New England as long as the number stays below seven. The Patriots should have enough offensive opportunities to build a lead, and their defense can make Miami work through longer drives.

The concern is the Dolphins' speed and home-field advantage. Miami can make a favorite uncomfortable in a hurry. Still, New England is the side I prefer.

NFL Best Bet: New England -6.5

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders Best Bet

Washington is favored by 5.5 points at home, up from an earlier number around 3.5. That's a substantial move, particularly in a division matchup where both teams know each other well.

Philadelphia has enough offensive talent to make this competitive, and getting more than a field goal gives the Eagles room to absorb a couple of mistakes. Washington has home field, but covering nearly a touchdown is a bigger challenge.

Best Bet: Philadelphia Eagles +5.5

Give me Philadelphia with the points. Washington could win, but the line movement has created a more attractive price on the Eagles.

The concern is that Washington controls the game offensively and forces Philadelphia to chase. Still, 5.5 points is enough for me to back the underdog.

NFL Best Bet: Philadelphia +5.5

Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks Best Bet

Seattle is favored by 3.5 points at home in Monday night's matchup. The Seahawks have one of the more difficult road environments for visiting teams, and that matters when the spread is relatively small.

Chicago has enough offensive ability to compete, but the Bears need to protect the football and avoid falling behind early. Seattle should have opportunities if its defense can force Chicago into obvious passing situations.

Best Bet: Seattle Seahawks -3.5

I'll take Seattle at home. The Seahawks have the stronger situational advantage, and I expect them to create enough scoring opportunities to win by more than a field goal.

The concern is Chicago keeping the game close through its running game and defense. A field-goal victory wouldn't be enough to cover. Still, Seattle is the preferred side.

NFL Best Bet: Seattle -3.5

NFL Best Bet of the Week

Philadelphia Eagles +5.5 against the Washington Commanders is my NFL Best Bet of the Week. Washington has moved from a 3.5-point favorite to 5.5, and that's a significant adjustment in a division matchup.

Philadelphia doesn't need to win outright. The Eagles just need to keep the game within five points, and I think the market has moved far enough to make that an appealing position.

Washington has home field and could justify the favorite's role, but laying nearly a touchdown against a familiar division opponent isn't something I'm eager to do.

Final Pick: Philadelphia Eagles +5.5