Week 8 will get underway with a matchup of playoff groups from a season in the past, because the Minnesota Vikings go to the Los Angeles Chargers on “Thursday Evening Soccer.”
There are 10 afternoon video games Sunday, and the “Sunday Evening Soccer” matchup options Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers internet hosting the Inexperienced Bay Packers, the franchise with which Rodgers received a Tremendous Bowl and constructed his Corridor of Fame résumé.
The week wraps up with the Washington Commanders and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs going through off on “Monday Evening Soccer.”
Six groups have byes (Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars).
Matt Bowen, Eric Karabell, Pamela Maldonado, Eric Moody and Seth Walder regarded on the early Week 8 odds and recognized which of them are value leaping on now earlier than potential shifts later within the week.
Observe: Odds at time of publication, courtesy of ESPN BET Sportsbook.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to cowl -5.5 (-120) at New Orleans Saints
Bowen: Baker Mayfield has performed at a particularly excessive stage this season, however I am leaning on the Tampa Bay protection and its potential to strain/change the post-snap image versus Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler. Within the Week 7 loss to the Chicago Bears, Rattler threw three interceptions, and the Bucs can drive him to play frenetically within the pocket. Todd Bowles' unit ranks within the prime 10 in each blitz and strain fee. Tampa covers the 5.5 on the highway this Sunday.
Final week: Dolphin-Browns below 40.5 (Browns received 31-6)
Pittsburgh Steelers to cowl +3.5 (-125) vs. Inexperienced Bay Packers
Karabell: It is not solely that former Packers nice Aaron Rodgers lastly will get to face the Packers; you already know he has revenge on his thoughts. Rodgers has performed superb for the Steelers, definitely in addition to Jordan Love has this season. And the Packers aren't precisely dominating, barely beating the Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals not too long ago, tying the Dallas Cowboys and shedding to the Cleveland Browns. Maybe they win this one by a area objective, however the Steelers getting factors at house looks like a mistake — and a shopping for alternative.
Final week: Bengals +5.5 vs. Steelers (Bengals received 33-31)
New York Giants to cowl +6.5 (Even) at Philadelphia Eagles
Maldonado: With Jaxson Dart below middle, New York has develop into a balanced, ball-control workforce that's working the ball with success and staying aggressive in each recreation. The Eagles' protection is leaking 4.6 yards per carry and struggling to get off the sphere on third down, leaving them susceptible to sustained drives. Dart's mobility, paired with Cam Skattebo's physicality, retains New York contained in the quantity. Philadelphia is profitable with precision, not explosiveness, and that limits the margin for error. In a divisional matchup constructed on tempo and toughness, the Giants cowl in a grinder.
Final week: Giants +7 at Broncos (Broncos received 33-32)
Steelers money line (+150) vs. Packers
Moody: Pittsburgh enters this matchup off a mini-bye after taking part in Thursday evening. With Rodgers going through his former workforce, the revenge issue looms giant, and I am shopping for into it. I anticipate T.J. Watt and the Steelers' protection to bounce again in Week 8 after an atrocious Week 7 efficiency.
Final week: Panthers +1.5 at Jets (Panthers received 13-6)
Dak Prescott to win MVP (25-1)
Walder: After one other dominant exhibiting by the Cowboys' offense in a win over the Washington Commanders, Prescott now leads the NFL in QBR. Not like the gamers who're presently second and third within the class (Daniel Jones, Sam Darnold), Prescott has a observe report of excellence. Actually, the final time he performed a full season (2023), he completed second in QBR, simply behind Brock Purdy. MVP is a story award, and the Cowboys will virtually definitely should make the playoffs for Prescott to win it. But when they do (28% likelihood, per the FPI), I believe Prescott could have the proper storyline working in his favor: The Cowboys traded away an elite defensive participant proper earlier than the season, their protection then didn't carry out, and it was solely due to Prescott's distinctive play that they acquired to the postseason. Plus, the truth that the protection actually is weak implies that Prescott could have the chance to proceed to place up huge numbers.
