NFL Week 8: Betting markets predict high-scoring weekend
Oddsmakers set the Cowboys and Cardinals game at 54.5 points, the highest total of the 14-game slate, while the Packers open Thursday night as 3.5-point favorites.
By Stefan Kim ·
Gamblers facing the National Football League's 14-game Week 8 slate will encounter a schedule defined by high expected points and tight margins. The betting market projects the most explosive offense in the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals matchup, which carries a 54.5-point over/under. This figure stands as the highest total for the week, indicating a prediction of frequent scoring chances and potentially defensive lapses for both teams.
The opening contest on Thursday, October 29, features the Green Bay Packers hosting the Carolina Panthers. DraftKings lists the Packers as 3.5-point favorites. The moneyline reflects this confidence, with Packers odds set at -185 and Panthers odds at +160. The total points line for this Thursday Night Football game is 47.5.
Sunday's schedule includes several high-profile contests with modest spreads. The Buffalo Bills are 3.5-point favorites over the Baltimore Ravens, with the game total set at 53.5 points. In another high-scoring affair, the Cincinnati Bengals face the Tennessee Titans; the Bengals are projected to win by 10 points, making them heavy favorites with moneyline odds of -588. The total for that game is 46.5.
Other notable spreads include the Los Angeles Rams as 6.5-point favorites over the Los Angeles Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars as 7.5-point favorites over the Indianapolis Colts. The Chicago Bears will visit the Seattle Seahawks for Monday Night Football, where the Seahawks are 3.5-point favorites with a 46.5-point total.
The four teams with byes this week are the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Houston Texans. The remaining games feature tighter margins, such as the New England Patriots as 7.5-point favorites over the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders as 4.5-point favorites over the Philadelphia Eagles.
All odds and lines provided by DraftKings are subject to change. The betting market's focus on high totals in the Cowboys and Cardinals game suggests a belief that both teams will struggle to contain their opponents' offenses throughout the contest.
Source: CBS Sports
