NFL Week 8 best bets, Vegas lines, spreads, pro football picks

A look at the best bets across the league for Week 8 in the 2016 NFL season.

Seattle Seahawks (-2.5) @ New Orleans Saints

The Seattle offense has looked wretched at times this season, but they’ll meet little resistance this Sunday as they pay a visit to New Orleans. The Saints have allowed over 400 YPG on defense this year, and a league-worst 32.5 PPG. The Saints’ front seven have also been inept at getting to the quarterback, totaling just nine sacks through six games. Russell Wilson should have plenty of time to find his targets down the field all game long.

As for his opposite number, Drew Brees will have to combat a Seattle defense that allowed only six points in Arizona last week while on the field for over 46 minutes of game time. Add to this New Orleans’ sub-par record at the Superdome of late, (5-10 SU in their last 15 home contests), and it projects to be an easy win for the Seahawks. They’re the best bet of the week.

The pick: Seahawks -2.5

Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons (-2.5)

Green Bay has been a good team to fade this season (2-3-1 ATS) while Atlanta has been rewarding its backers all year long (5-2 ATS). Expect those trends to continue at the Georgia Dome this week.

Matt Ryan should pick apart the Packers’ mediocre pass stoppers (15th in the NFL) while handing the ball off to Devonta Freeman whenever necessary. The Falcons are near the bottom of the league when it comes to pass defense, but Aaron Rodgers has looked lost at QB for Green Bay this season (career lows in multiple categories). Atlanta should also stymie the Packers’ run game, which will be led by desperation-option Knile Davis this week after Eddie Lacy and James Starks went down due to injury.

The Falcons may have lost two straight heart-breakers, but now is not the time to sell on Atlanta.

The pick: Falcons -2.5

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys (-4)

The Eagles dismantled the previously undefeated Vikings last week, but they face a much sterner test in Dallas this Sunday, at least from a defensive standpoint.

The Cowboys have been the third-best offense by YPG this year and are expecting wide receiver Dez Bryant to be ready for his first game action since Week 3. Philly got to Sam Bradford six times last week, but the Vikings were missing two starters on the O-Line. Dallas’ elite blockers, who have only allowed nine sacks in six games, should give the Eagles’ blitzers fits while affording Dak Prescott all the time he needs.

As for the Eagles’ offense, Carson Wentz hasn’t thrown for over 250 yards in three successive weeks, and likely won’t have his run game to bail him out. Dallas is top-ten in YPG allowed on the ground, and has surrendered just two rushing TDs all season. Expect the Cowboys (5-0-1 ATS this year) to keep paying off.

The pick: Cowboys -4

Best of the rest (picks inbold)

Washington Redskins@ Cincinnati Bengals (-3) (London)

New York Jets (-3) @Cleveland Browns

Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5) @Indianapolis Colts

Detroit Lions@ Houston Texans (-2.5)

New England Patriots(-6.5) @ Buffalo Bills

Oakland Raiders@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5)

Arizona Cardinals@ Carolina Panthers (-3)

San Diego Chargers@ Denver Broncos (-5.5)

Minnesota Vikings (-5) @Chicago Bears