NFL Betting: Week 8 Odds
Oddsmakers have plenty of tricks and treats in store for NFL bettors in Week 8. With the schedule falling on Halloween, the rush of football money on Sunday could equal the sugar rush your kids are riding into the late hours of the night. Here's a look at some of the spreads that are giving football bettors the heebie-jeebies:
Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions (-1, 44) at 5Dimes
When you win like the Redskins won in Week 7, oddsmakers aren't just going to hand the points to your opponent. Washington took an ugly 17-14 win over the Chicago Bears on the back of four interceptions from corner DeAngelo Hall. The Redskins fumbled the ball six times but were lucky to turn it over just once on the ground. Quarterback Donovan McNabb passed for 200 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Detroit is coming off the bye week hoping to finally break out after some close calls in the first half of the schedule. The Lions are just 1-5 but have actually outscored opponents 24.3 to 23.3 this season. That margin has led to a profitable 5-1 ATS record including two covers at home this year.
Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots (-5.5, 44) at 5Dimes
A week after getting no respect from oddsmakers in San Diego, the Patriots are giving 5.5 points to the visiting Vikings in Week 8. This number opened as low as -4, but with news of Brett Favre's fractured ankle making the rounds Monday night that number has been bet up to -5.5 and will likely continue to climb before kickoff. There is a good chance Favre may miss his first start in 291 games.
New England is a solid play at home, where it is 1-1-1 ATS this season. The Patriots have proven they are among the Super Bowl contenders with a 5-1 start and have also shown they can survive without receiver Randy Moss, who comes back to Gillette Stadium since being dealt to Minnesota just over three weeks ago.
Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints (+1, 43.5) at 5Dimes
This line could be very tricky. Some books opened this battle of the last two Super Bowl champions at a pick, but early money on Pittsburgh moved the Saints to 1-point home dogs. Then, money on New Orleans came in, moving the number back to zero in some markets.
Both teams failed to impress in Week 7. The Saints dropped a shocker to the Cleveland Browns, while the Steelers escaped Miami after some iffy calls from the officiating crew. But with Pittsburgh winning and New Orleans losing, books will likely get more action on the Steelers and move this number before Sunday night's game.
Other Week 8 odds at 5Dimes:
Buffalo at Kansas City (-7.5, 44.5)
Jacksonville at Dallas (N/A)
Carolina at St. Louis (-3, 37)
Miami at Cincinnati (-2.5, 43.5)
Denver vs San Francisco (N/A)
Green Bay at N.Y. Jets (-6, 42.5)
Tennessee at San Diego (-3.5, 44)
Tampa Bay at Arizona (-3, 39.5)
Seattle at Oakland (-1, 41.5)
Houston at Indianapolis (-5, 49.5)