The New England Patriots already kicked off Week 8 of the NFL with a rout of the Miami Dolphins, but there are still plenty more games to keep your eye on this weekend. The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions got things started at 9:30 a.m. ET in London, so hopefully you were up early enough to call in your choice for that game.
Below are our picks for Week 8. We've provided our selections for the spread, money line and over/under. All odds are provided by Oddsshark.com.
Kansas City -6.5 over Detroit; KC -165; O 45.5
Kansas City's defense has started to come on strong recently, allowing an average of just 13 points per game over the last three weeks. That trend should continue against a struggling Lions squad.
Atlanta -7.5 over Tampa Bay; ATL -360; O 48.5
Tampa Bay is playing its second consecutive game on the road and just made a hero out of Kirk Cousins. You don't think Matt Ryan can top that?
Cleveland +6 over Arizona; ARZ -275; U 45.5
Cleveland played Denver tough at home two weeks ago and lasted until their fate was sealed in overtime. Arizona suffered a terrible road defeat in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago against the Steelers' third-string quarterback, so the Browns and their defense will reap the benefits of home-field advantage.
It'll be close and they'll cover the spread, but the Cardinals will escape with a win.
Pittsburgh -1 over Cincinnati; PIT -120; U 48.5
Head coach Mike Tomlin has kept the Steelers afloat as they've battled a number of injuries and suspensions. In Week 8 they'll have the entire squad back for the first time since last year and although the Bengals have been perhaps the best team in the league, Pittsburgh will find a way to win.
The Steelers are 8-2 in their last 10 games against Cincinnati, including a 4-1 record at home.
St. Louis -8 over San Francisco; STL -360; O 40.5
San Francisco has lost by two or more touchdowns a whopping four times already this season. It will be tough to get anything going against this Rams front seven and the surging Todd Gurley.
New Orleans -3 over New York Giants; NO -171; O 50
The last time the Giants won in New Orleans was 1993. Since then they are 0-4 on the road against the Saints with the most recent matchup coming in 2011. New Orleans trounced the Giants 49-24, and based on the way we've seen a few offenses (Dallas, Philadelphia and San Francisco) break down New York's defense, head coach Sean Payton will have a superior game plan on Sunday.
Baltimore -3.5 over San Diego; BAL -190; U 50.5
San Diego's defense ranks 18th in total yards allowed per game (362.6), 27th in points (28.3) and 31st in rush yards (132.1). The Ravens may be 1-6 but their slim -27 point differential suggests they are more of a .500 team than we've seen.
Chicago +1 over Minnesota; CHI +105; O 42.5
The Vikings are quietly playing well, but the Bears are coming off a bye week and haven't lost to Minnesota at home since 2007. All Chicago needs to do is slow down Adrian Peterson because Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings' passing offense ranks 31st in the NFL.
Houston -3.5 over Tennessee; HOU -200; U 42.5
A bad game between two disappointing teams means absolutely anything can happen. But I'm betting the Texans can contain a hobbled Marcus Mariota at home.
New York Jets -3 over Oakland; NYJ -175; U 43.5
These two teams are turning the corner this year, but the Jets are arguably the most improved unit since 2014. Derek Carr and Amari Cooper have given plenty of hope for Raiders fans, but the Jets' defense will likely be too daunting for the youngsters today. Oakland has faced two top defenses (Cincinnati and Denver) and lost those games by a combined score of 49-23.
The Jets have allowed the fourth-fewest points in the NFL this season.
Seattle -4.5 over Dallas; SEA -245; O 41.5
I know the Seahawks have already burned bettors a few times this year with some underwhelming performances. But the Cowboys are starting Matt Cassel. Matt Cassel.
Denver +3 over Green Bay - GB -160 - O 46
A bit of a gut call given that all the advanced metrics suggest the Packers are far and away the better team. Yet Denver's defense remains the most ferocious in the NFL. I'm sticking with the Broncos pass-rushers in this one.
Indianapolis +6.5 over Carolina; IND +245; U 46.5
The Panthers have been unstoppable and the Colts have taken multiple steps back. So why would this not be the pick? Chuck Pagano's job could be in jeopardy with another loss and the Colts will rise to the occasion after two tough defeats at the hands of the Patriots and Saints in back-to-back weeks.
Indianapolis (3-4) needs this win much more than Carolina (6-0) does and Andrew Luck will pass his way to a Monday night upset.
