NFL Week 8 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Underdog Bets (2024)
A few dogs had their day during NFL Week 7, with three winning outright and five against the spread. Bettors were gifted one of the upsets; Patrick Mahomes as an underdog?! Yeah, I’ll take that bet any day. But on to Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season.
A few underdogs are in a solid position to pull off an upset this week. The following are our favorite picks for the week.
NFL Week 8: Underdogs
Odds via DraftKings:
Philadelphia Eagles (+124) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (-3)
This is an interesting game to preview since it features two teams that have underperformed for most of the season. Philadelphia has had moments where the offense was reminiscent of the high-powered unit fans have known and loved for most of Nick Siriani’s and Jalen Hurts time with the team.
But there have been more moments where it has looked like that dysfunctional unit that took a hard nosedive down the stretch last season.
Fans have grown accustomed to Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ slow starts. But the offense usually kicks its funk by Week 4. It looked like it did in Week 5 when Joe Burrow went blow for blow with Lamar Jackson (30-39 for 392 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT), only to lose 41-38.
But then they played down to the Giants and Browns in wins the following weeks. It’s the same Browns team the Eagles struggled against in Week 6 (but beat). However, the Eagles did a solid job of manhandling the Giants, primarily because former Giant Saquon Barkley couldn’t be stopped.
From what we’ve seen from both teams, I have more faith in the Eagles’ offense to show out against the Bengals’ defense and pull off the upset in this game.
Our Pick: Eagles ML
Arizona Cardinals (+164) vs. Miami Dolphins (-4)
The only reason I can think for the Dolphins to be favored is the assumption that Tua Tagovailoa will be under center this week, and the offense will pick up where it left off. Tyreek Hill will catch a few deep balls, Devon Achane will go nuts in the screen game, and Miami’s offense will just come back from the dead.
I’m not so sure that will happen.
We know the Fins’ offense is garbage without Tua, and getting him back will give the team a tremendous emotional boost. But, assuming he does come back, are we certain he’ll just light the Cardinals up? Will he hold up to the pressure the Cards’ defense will undoubtedly bring?
I’m not.
Our Pick: If you can wait until an announcement is made about Tua, do so. If he’s out, we’re leaning toward the Arizona ML. But if he’s in, take the Cardinals and the points (+4).
Chicago Bears (-3) vs. Washington Commanders (+124)
Caleb Williams is starting to figure it out with the help of a stout Chicago defense that does a great job of keeping opposing offenses in check. But the Commanders’ defense is nothing to shake a stick at, and Jayden Daniels looks like an MVP candidate, let alone the heavy favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
But what if Daniels can’t go this week? It’s one thing for Marcus Mariota to fill in against a dreadful Carolina Panthers team, but the Bears aren’t half-bad...
However, the Commanders will be playing at home, and Mariota is a solid backup. Assuming Daniels is out, the Bears should probably be the favorite. But don’t count Washington out at home. Dan Quinn has a good all-around team on his hands.
The rest of the team will need to step up to compensate for Daniels’s absence, but the Commanders have the talent to pull out a win.
Our Pick: Commanders ML
Atlanta Falcons (-2.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+120)
It is not shocking that the Falcons are favored since Baker Mayfield is down the most talented wide receiver tandem in the NFL, with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans on the mend. But he is not without playmakers. Tight end Cade Otton will likely see a few more balls thrown his way.
It would not be shocking to see the Bucs put more emphasis on the run game and throwing to the running backs (Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker) out of the backfield. Of course, what the receivers will contribute is a mystery, but Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer may get the chance to shine.
But the question surrounding this game is whether the version of Kirk Cousins who threw for 509 yards against the Buccaneers a few weeks ago will show up or the one that was not too good against Carolina and Seattle.
Regardless of what Cousins does, we like Mayfield and the Bucs to find a way to generate offense and secure a win.
Our Pick: Commanders ML