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NFL Week 8 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Best Futures Bets (2023)

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I'm targeting some teams to go deep in the playoffs this week, the first being a play on the 49ers to win the Super Bowl. Their price has taken a nice drop after two consecutive road losses to inferior teams. They still have a phenomenal team on both sides of the ball, and they were without the services of two key offensive weapons in their last matchup against the Vikings that they will work back into the fold.

The second is a play on the Ravens to win the AFC Championship, as they once again have one of the best defenses in the league with an offense that's starting to click under new OC Todd Monken.

Let’s get more in-depth with my best future bets to make in Week 8 of the NFL season:

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NFL Week 8: Best Futures Bets

(Odds courtesy of BetMGM)

San Francisco 49ers To Win the Super Bowl (+550)

The futures market is all about timing - buying low at good prices and selling high on bad ones.

I feel that this is the perfect time to grab a piece of the 49ers to win the Super Bowl, seeing as their price has dropped after two consecutive losses to the Browns and Vikings. I'll start by addressing those two losses and then proceed to explain why they'll be able to move past them for a deep playoff run.

Cleveland has one of, if not the best, defenses in the NFL, and the game was played in poor weather where they were still a missed kick at the buzzer away from winning that game. The Vikings’ loss was a little more concerning, but the 49ers were absent two of their best offensive pieces, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams. They also had the ball at the end of the game with a chance to win a game they clearly did not play their best in.

That said, they still have top-fie units on both sides of the ball. Their offense ranks second in the NFL in points scored per possession and net yards per passing attempt, fourth in first-downs converted and ninth in yards per rushing attempt. They also turn the ball over at the lowest rate of any offense. Christian McCaffrey is an OPOY candidate who has scored a TD in every game he has suited up for the 49ers. Brandon Aiyuk has emerged as a true alpha receiver. George Kittle is the most well-rounded TE in the NFL, and Deebo Samuel will work back from injury as one of the more explosive and versatile receivers in the league.

On the defensive side of the ball, they rank in the top six in points allowed per possession, yards allowed per possession, turnovers created per possession and net yards allowed per pass attempt.

The NFC is far weaker than the AFC, and even if the 49ers don't net the top overall seed, they will be heavy home favorites against whoever they match up with in the Wild Card round. I would favor them against the Lions no matter where the game is played if that happens to be the divisional-round matchup. All roads seem to be leading to a repeat of last year's NFC Championship game against the Eagles. San Francisco is more equipped for that matchup this time around against an Eagles team that doesn't look quite like the world-beaters they were last year. I would feel great with this ticket in my pocket going into that game. I see this number getting shorter as the playoffs start to approach.

Baltimore Ravens To Win the AFC (+650)

This isn't necessarily a dip in the market for the Ravens. Though they just wiped the floor with the Lions and still have the same odds for this market as a Bills team who has shown their warts multiple times this year.

Baltimore began this season with a new OC in the former Georgia Bulldogs OC Monken. It seems like their offense is starting to hit its stride in his system, with shades of MVP Lamar Jackson flashing on Sunday afternoon. Adding some starter-caliber receivers to this roster has really helped an offense that has struggled in the passing game in recent seasons, as the Ravens rank fifth in the NFL in net yards per pass attempt. They also rank top 10 in yards per rush attempt, and they're scoring the ninth-most points per possession.

On the defensive side of the ball, they remain as stout as ever, ranking in the top five in points allowed per possession, yards allowed per possession, yards allowed per passing attempt and first downs allowed. They also lead the NFL in sacks by a comfortable margin with 29 already, which is four more than the second-place Bills.

The AFC playoff picture is much too early to predict and will undoubtedly be a tougher path than the NFC. Still, I see this as a great price to buy the Ravens as a team with an outstanding defense and offense that will only improve. You’re also backing one of the best head coaches in the league, John Harbaugh, who has had plenty of playoff success in his career.

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday:

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