Another week, another collapse for the unlucky Atlanta Falcons. They have been one of the biggest storylines in the NFC Conference this year due to their inability to maintain a double-digit lead. They have completely fallen behind in the NFC South race but hope to play the spoiler this week against a playoff hopeful Carolina Panthers team on Thursday night. For our rundown on NFC Conference betting odds for Week 8, we’ll start with this matchup.
Atlanta Falcons vs Carolina Panthers
NFL Odds
Carolina Panthers -2.5
The Falcons are coming off of another heartbreaking loss in their last contest, this time to the Detroit Lions. Meanwhile, the Panthers were also unable to pull out a win in their last matchup in week 7, losing 27-24 to the New Orleans Saints. The Atlanta Falcons have been disappointing all season long as they have the sixth-ranked total offense in the league but the 31st ranked defense. It also doesn’t help that they are incapable of maintaining leads throughout the course of the game, choking multiple double-digit leads in the fourth quarter. The Falcons have lost three games this season after having a 98% or higher chance of winning in the fourth quarter. The entire NFL has had only eight other of those games since 2016! And one of those was the Falcons-Patriots Super Bowl, too.
For the Panthers, their signings of Teddy Bridgewater along with Robby Anderson has worked wonders for them and has pushed their offense into 16th in the league in yards per game. They have been doing so without their superstar running back Christian McCaffrey also, who is expected to be back for this divisional matchup. Carolina has already beaten the Falcons on the road this season without McCaffrey, so expect them to get a huge win at home to keep them alive in the playoff race.
NFC Week 8 Betting Pick: Panthers -2.5
Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers
NFL Odds
Green Bay Packers -6.5
The Minnesota Vikings have had a rough season. They are sitting at 1-5 right now and coming off of their bye week. The Vikings now have to face the Green Bay Packers, who are 5-1. Green Bay rebounded after their first loss of the season in a week 6 matchup and are now coming off a 35-20 victory over the Houston Texans. Minnesota has had a tough time passing the ball against opposing defenses, ranking 22nd in the league in average passing yards per game. They just don’t look like the same team after getting rid of Stefon Diggs in the offseason. However, their rushing attack has continued to look strong, as they are sixth in the league in average rushing yards per game. That’s the path to victory – if they have any shot. They need to run the ball really well to hang around here.
Here is a look at the latest Super Bowl Odds
NFC Week 8 Betting Pick: Packers -6.5
New Orleans Saints vs Chicago Bears
NFL Odds
New Orleans is coming off a 27-24 victory in their week 7 matchup with the Carolina Panthers despite losing their top two wide receivers in Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. They match up against the Chicago Bears who were decimated by the Los Angeles Rams in their Monday night matchup, losing 24-10. The Saints still rank 11th in the league in total offense and have done it without their all-pro receiver Thomas. He is currently on track to play in this game and will give this offense a great boost.
Meanwhile, the Bears have struggled mightily on offense all year long regardless of who their starting quarterback is. They rank 29th in the league in total offense but have relied on their 10th-ranked defense to keep them in ball games. However, their defense will have their hands full again with future Hall of Famer Drew Brees on the other side. We suggest online betting on the Bears to cover in the sportsbook but for the Saints to win.
NFC Week 8 Betting Pick: Bears +4
Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles
NFL Odds
Philadelphia Eagles -7.5
Both of these teams have been downright terrible all season long. The Dallas Cowboys are sitting at 2-5 after getting humiliated by the Washington Football Team 25-3 in NFL week 7. The Eagles haven’t been much better, sitting at 2-4-1, but they have shown signs of life in recent weeks. They got a big division win against the New York Giants in a Week 7 matchup, barely winning 22-21. Dallas lost yet another quarterback. Andy Dalton was taken out of the game due to a cheap headshot by Washington linebacker Jon Bostic. They will now turn to third string quarterback Ben DiNucci to attempt to put some life into this offense after the loss of Dak Prescott. It’s asking a lot, though, as their defense hasn’t been able to stop anybody all year long, ranking 27th in the league in total defense. Follow along here for more NFL injury news.
NFC Week 8 Betting Pick: Eagles -7.5
San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks
NFL Odds
The San Francisco 49ers were able to pick up a huge statement win over the New England Patriots in their last contest, winning 33-6. They get a Seahawks team that just lost their first game last week to the Arizona Cardinals in overtime. Both of these teams have strong offenses with Seattle ranking No. 1 in the league and San Francisco ranking 12th. However, it is the defensive side of the ball that really sets these two teams apart. The 49ers are fifth in the league in total defense while Seattle is dead-last. Not to mention that these two teams have always played each other closely due to their familiarity with one another. Take the 49ers to cover the online betting lines here.
NFC Week 8 Betting Pick: 49ers +3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New York Giants
NFL Odds
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -10.5
One of the more lopsided matched in the league this week. As the 5-2 Buccaneers head over to New York to face the 1-6 Giants. Tampa Bay had found their offensive rhythm as of late, scoring 45 points in their last game while ranking 15th in total offense. However, their strength has been their defense this season, as it ranks as the third-best defense in the league. They should be able to completely dismantle the 31st ranked New York Giants‘ offense, especially as they are without their superstar running back Saquon Barkley.
