NFL Week 8 Performance Recap

Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers dominated from start to finish in a 37–10 rout over the Vikings, easily covering the short home spread and reminding bettors why they remain a dangerous bounce-back team under Jim Harbaugh. Justin Herbert threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns, including a highlight 27-yard strike to Ladd McConkey, while also rushing for 62 yards to lead an offense that never punted and topped 30 points for the first time this season. Rookie back Kimani Vidal added 117 yards and a score, helping Los Angeles cash comfortably for anyone on the Chargers-3 or team-total over tickets. Minnesota, starting Carson Wentz again with J.J. McCarthy sidelined, managed just 12 first downs and a single touchdown drive, continuing their slide after a short-week loss. Bettors backing the Vikings’ offense or the over had little hope after halftime, as Los Angeles controlled both the tempo and the trenches in one of Week 8’s most one-sided results.

Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins finally snapped their three-game skid in style, hammering the Falcons 34–10 behind a sharp, visor-wearing Tua Tagovailoa, who delivered four touchdown passes and no turnovers — a welcome change for bettors who’ve faded Miami during its recent slide. Tagovailoa went 20-for-26 for 205 yards, spreading scores to Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane, Malik Washington, and Ollie Gordon II, rewarding anyone who backed Miami -3 or the team total over. Even while battling an illness and an eye infection, Tagovailoa’s calm efficiency was the difference, as the Dolphins outgained Atlanta 338–213 and held Bijan Robinson to just 25 rushing yards. The Falcons, missing Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London, struggled to move the ball under Kirk Cousins, who couldn’t find the end zone in his first start of the season. For bettors, this one was never in doubt — Miami covered easily and sent the over cashing midway through the fourth quarter.

Baltimore Ravens at Chicago Bears

The Ravens finally looked sharp without Lamar Jackson, snapping their four-game skid with a 30–16 win over the Bears and rewarding anyone who backed Baltimore as a short road favorite. Tyler Huntley was efficient in relief, going 17-for-22 for 186 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 53 more, helping Baltimore cover easily and push the total over late in the fourth. Derrick Henry powered the offense with 117 yards and two scores, including a 2-yard clincher that sealed it for Ravens -2.5 bettors. Rookie corner Nate Wiggins’ interception deep in Chicago territory set up a touchdown to Charlie Kolar and flipped the game for good after the Bears led early. Caleb Williams threw for 285 yards but Chicago’s 11 penalties and missed chances proved costly, as their four-game win streak ended. Henry’s milestone day — passing Walter Payton for fifth all-time in rushing touchdowns — capped Baltimore’s most complete outing of the season.

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals

In an emotional breakthrough performance, the Jets finally ended their winless start with a dramatic 39–38 comeback win over the Bengals, cashing for anyone who took the points on New York +7 and pushing the over past the total with ease. Justin Fields, back under center after a week of harsh criticism from ownership, went 21-for-32 for 244 yards and a score, showing poise and command throughout the second half. Breece Hall was the hero, racking up 133 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and even a go-ahead 4-yard touchdown pass to Mason Taylor in the final two minutes — one of the most electric finishes of Week 8. Joe Flacco threw for 223 yards and three total touchdowns, but Cincinnati’s defense collapsed late as New York stormed back from a 31–16 deficit. For bettors, the Jets’ first win of the season rewarded contrarians who stuck with them on the spread and moneyline, while the Bengals continued their slide with another brutal late collapse both on the field and at the window.

Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers

The Bills returned from their bye week looking rejuvenated, steamrolling the Panthers 40–9 and easily covering the 6.5-point spread while sending the over home early. Josh Allen accounted for three touchdowns — two on the ground and one through the air — breaking Cam Newton’s NFL record for games with both a passing and rushing score (46). James Cook was unstoppable, rushing for a career-high 216 yards and two touchdowns, including 64- and 21-yard bursts that blew the game open and rewarded over bettors on his prop lines. Buffalo’s defense dominated from start to finish, forcing three turnovers and sacking Andy Dalton seven times in his spot start for the injured Bryce Young. Dalton finished with 175 yards and three giveaways as Carolina’s brief winning streak ended in ugly fashion. The win improved Sean McDermott to 9–0 after a bye and pushed Buffalo back to .500, a much-needed rebound for Bills backers after two straight ATS losses.

San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans

Missing star receiver Nico Collins, the Texans still found plenty of offense in a 26–15 upset win over the 49ers, rewarding Houston +4.5 bettors and keeping the under safe throughout. C.J. Stroud delivered one of his sharpest outings of the season, throwing for 318 yards and two touchdowns while spreading completions to nine different receivers. Xavier Hutchinson led the way with 69 yards and a score, while rookie Jaylin Noel added 63 as Houston jumped out to a 16–0 lead and never trailed. The Texans’ defense frustrated Mac Jones, who managed just 193 yards in another shaky performance filling in for Brock Purdy, and held Christian McCaffrey to only 68 total yards. A late interception by rookie Kamari Lassiter sealed Houston’s third win of the year and a much-needed bounce-back for Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans. For bettors, the Texans’ fast start and strong finish made for an easy cover, while San Francisco’s sloppy offense left over backers sweating all afternoon.

Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots

The Patriots found their spark again at home, storming back from an early deficit to beat the Browns 32–13 and comfortably cover the 3.5-point spread while keeping the under alive until late. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye delivered another poised outing, throwing for 282 yards and three second-half touchdowns to Hunter Henry, Stefon Diggs, and Kayshon Boutte as New England rolled to its fifth straight win. Myles Garrett was nearly unstoppable for Cleveland, racking up a franchise-record five sacks and becoming just the third player in NFL history with eight straight seasons of 10-plus sacks, but his dominance wasn’t enough to slow Maye’s rhythm after halftime. Dillon Gabriel threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns but also tossed two costly interceptions as the Browns’ road losing streak hit 12. For bettors, the Patriots continued their strong run both straight up and ATS, while the Browns’ offense once again sputtered outside of Cleveland, offering no value for those who took the points.

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles rolled to a 38–20 win over the Giants, easily covering the 7-point spread and sending the over home early in a statement performance before their bye week. Saquon Barkley torched his former team, racking up 150 rushing yards and a 65-yard touchdown on his first carry, then added a 9-yard receiving score from Jalen Hurts before exiting with a minor groin injury. Hurts was sharp and efficient, going 15-for-20 for 179 yards and four touchdown passes — two to Dallas Goedert and one deep strike to Jahan Dotson — as Philadelphia’s offense hit full stride. Rookie Tank Bigsby added 104 rushing yards, helping the Eagles pile up 277 yards on the ground and dominate time of possession. Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for 193 yards and a touchdown but was sacked five times as New York’s offense sputtered after an early equalizer. For bettors, the Eagles’ explosive showing reinforced their reliability both straight up and ATS after back-to-back high-scoring covers.

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay BuccaneersThe Buccaneers’ defense dominated from start to finish, forcing four turnovers and cruising to a 23–3 win over the Saints — easily covering the 5.5-point spread and keeping the under intact all afternoon. Edge rusher Anthony Nelson turned in a career day, recording two sacks, a forced fumble, and a pick-six that opened the scoring in the second quarter, marking one of Week 8’s top defensive performances. Antoine Winfield Jr. added both an interception and a fumble recovery as Tampa Bay’s defense overwhelmed Spencer Rattler and rookie backup Tyler Shough, holding New Orleans to just 264 total yards and one field goal. Baker Mayfield managed the game effectively, throwing for 152 yards while Sean Tucker punched in a short fourth-down touchdown and Chase McLaughlin nailed three long field goals to seal it. The Bucs improved to 6–2 both straight up and against the spread, while the 1–7 Saints continue to be one of the league’s most profitable teams to fade, cashing another under ticket for bettors.

Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis ColtsThe Colts kept rolling as Jonathan Taylor turned in another dominant performance, powering a 38–14 rout of the Titans and easily covering the 7-point spread while pushing the over through early in the fourth. Taylor needed just 12 carries to rack up 153 yards and three touchdowns — two on the ground and one through the air — marking his third straight multi-score game and continuing his historic streak of three-touchdown outings against Tennessee. Daniel Jones was sharp again, completing 21 of 29 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns as Indianapolis improved to an NFL-best 7–1, its fourth straight win scoring at least 31 points. Michael Pittman Jr. added eight catches for 95 yards and a score, helping the Colts’ offense roll despite three sacks allowed. Rookie Cam Ward threw for 259 yards and a touchdown for Tennessee, but the Titans’ defense had no answers, dropping to 1–7 with their sixth double-digit loss of the year. Bettors backing Indy -7 or the team total over cashed comfortably before the fourth quarter.

Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos

The Broncos stayed red-hot at home, torching the Cowboys 44–24 for their fifth straight win and ninth consecutive home victory, easily covering as 3-point favorites and cashing the over by the third quarter. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix was nearly flawless, throwing for four touchdowns — two to Troy Franklin, one to Pat Bryant, and another to R.J. Harvey — while Harvey added three total scores in a breakout performance. J.K. Dobbins chipped in 111 rushing yards as Denver’s ground game dominated, outgaining Dallas 179–108. Rookie corner Jahdae Barron snagged his first career interception off Dak Prescott, highlighting a complete team effort that has seen Denver outscore opponents 77–37 over its last five quarters. Despite two short touchdown runs from former Bronco Javonte Williams, the Cowboys never found rhythm and fell to 3-4-1 in another uneven performance. Bettors backing Denver and the over cruised to an easy double win, as the Broncos continue to look like one of the AFC’s hottest teams.

Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers

In a highly anticipated matchup between past and present, Jordan Love stole the spotlight from Aaron Rodgers and led the Packers to a 35–25 win over the Steelers, covering as 2-point road favorites and pushing the over comfortably through. Love was nearly flawless, completing 29 of 35 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns while tying a franchise record with 20 straight completions. Tight end Tucker Kraft exploded for 143 yards and two touchdowns, and Christian Watson added 85 yards in his return as Green Bay piled up 454 total yards and erased a nine-point deficit to win in Pittsburgh for the first time since 1970. Rodgers, facing his former team for the first time, threw for 219 yards and two scores but couldn’t keep pace as the Steelers’ defense was carved up for a second straight week. Josh Jacobs added a short touchdown run to seal it, capping a statement win for the 5-1-1 Packers and another easy cash for bettors backing Green Bay and the over.

Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs (Monday Night Preview)

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs look to stay hot as they host the injury-depleted Commanders on Monday night, entering as heavy 9.5-point favorites with the over/under set at 46.5. Kansas City (4–3) has rebounded from a slow start with back-to-back dominant wins, including a 31–0 shutout of the Raiders last week — the first blanking by an Andy Reid-led team in Kansas City. Mahomes has been in midseason form, throwing for 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two picks, and will have a full complement of weapons for the first time all year as Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice both return to action. Washington (3–4) turns to Marcus Mariota under center with Jayden Daniels sidelined by a hamstring injury, hoping to avoid a third straight loss and another early hole after trailing by double digits in five of seven games. The Commanders’ defense has struggled mightily against big plays, allowing a league-worst 7.8 yards per pass attempt and eight completions of 40-plus yards. With Kliff Kingsbury — Mahomes’ former college coach — calling plays for Washington, the matchup offers intriguing familiarity, but oddsmakers expect Mahomes and the Chiefs to keep rolling at Arrowhead, where Kansas City has covered four of its past five in primetime.