Houston Texans v Miami Dolphins
Friday, October 26 at Houston
Week 8 starts in Houston with the Texans looking for a 5th straight win as they host the Miami Dolphins. The Texans’ defence is proving hard to stop and they highlighted that last week with a 20-7 win on the road in Jacksonville. So after an 0-3 start, Houston is fell in contention for the AFC South title. It’s basically the opposite story for the Dolphins as injuries have hurt them. After a 3-0 start, they’ve gone 1-3 since then and that includes an overtime victory. This week, key outs are saying the Texans will easily handle the Fins. Starting QB Ryan Tannehill is out and so is in-form receiver - Albert Wilson. The most intriguing part about this game will be former Texans QB Brock Osweiler taking on his former side. Since taking over from Tannehill, Osweiler has been great with 6 touchdown passes and he’s rarely turned the ball over. However, with Miami missing two of their best targets in the air, it’s looking like a tough matchup against this Texans D. Which should keep this game in the unders category. Under is 2-1 in Houston this season and the last 2 games have fallen under 40 total points. Over the Texans last 2 games, they’ve allowed a total of just 20 points.
Stadium Record
At home this season, the Texans are 2-1 and they’ve won 2 straight here. The Dolphins last trip to Houston ended in a 30-10 loss.
Head to Head Record
The two sides last met in 2015 and the Dolphins were big winners - 44-26 at home. But since 2011, the Texans lead 2-1.
Best Bet
Los Angeles Rams v Green Bay Packers
Monday, October 29 at Los Angeles
Can anyone stop the 7-0 Rams? This team is on fire at the moment and it’s hard to see any defence slowing them down. They’re scoring 33.6 points per game, which ranks them 3rd in the NFL. On the ground, gun RB Todd Gurley has led them to 153 rush yards per game and I don’t see them slowing down against the Packers mediocre defence at this point. Green Bay is coming off the bye and a tough road-trip to LA against the undefeated Rams. But with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, anything is possible. He led them to a 33-30 win over the 49ers in Week 6 and will be the key in what looks like another high scoring affair. So far this season, the Packers are 5-1 against the Over and the Rams are just as good at 5-2. They both scored 30 points in their last game as well. Rodgers and his offence are ranked 4th in the NFL for pass yards per game and they should find success against the Rams pass D, which is having a few injury issues. At home, the Rams last 2 games have covered 58 or more points and the last matchup against an NFC North team resulted in 69 points (Vikings). So I think this has the potential to be one of the more high scoring games of the week.
Stadium Record
The Packers are yet to play an NFL game here against the Rams. Los Angeles is 3-0 at home this season and have scored 30+ in all 3.
Head to Head Record
Since 2007, the Packers are undefeated against the Rams in the 5 meetings. The last matchup was back in 2015 and the Packers won 24-10 at home.
Best Bet
Minnesota Vikings v New Orleans Saints
Monday, October 29 at Minnesota
The Saints return to Minnesota and the scene of one of the more craziest NFL playoff games in recent memory. On the last play of the game, the Vikings pulled off a miracle play as they beat the Saints 29-24 in the NFC Divisional playoff game. But the Saints are looking like NFC contenders once again in 2018 as they’ve strung together 5 straight wins. Last week’s 24-23 victory in Baltimore was arguably the best win of the year as Drew Brees and co stood up against the Ravens elite D on the road. So they will look for a similar performance on the road this week. The Vikings started the season with a 1-3 record but they’re starting to find winning form under new starting QB Kirk Cousins. They’ve won 3 straight games and thrashed the Jets 37-17 in New York last week. So with two in-form Quarterbacks in action here, this is looking like a battle in the air. Cousins is ranked #3 in the league for pass yards and has tossed 14 touchdowns with just 3 picks. Adam Thielen has been his main target as he’s already hauled in 67 passes! They’re also finding their running game over the last couple of wins. Cousins should have success at home against the Saints 28th ranked pass D. The Saints are 3-0 on the road this season and they should enjoy the friendly dome conditions in Minnesota. Which should see Brees air it out. He’s been incredibility accurate this year with 0 interceptions from 220 passes. Which sees him as the number 1 QB by passer rating. So all signs are pointing to a shootout between Brees and Cousins with the Over 50.5 total point mark looking the best bet. Over is 2-0 when the Saints travel to this venue since 2017.
Stadium Record
At home, the Vikings are 2-1 this season. Since 2011, the Saints are 1-2 in Minnesota.
Head to Head Record
The Vikings hold a 2-0 record against the Saints, dating back to last season.
Best Bet
Buffalo Bills v New England Patriots
Tuesday, October 30 at Buffalo
Buffalo hosts the Patriots in an AFC East rivalry matchup to end Week 8. This is looking like a blowout as the Bills are batting injuries and meet Tom Brady’s Patriots at possibly the worst time. Buffalo is starting Derek Anderson at QB, who wasn’t even on the team a few weeks ago. Last week, they managed to score just 5 points as they were no match for the Colts in a 37-5 defeat. They’re easily the worst scoring team in the NFL as they average just 11.6 points per game! Home games haven’t been great either as they scored 13 points in their latest. After starting the year with a shaky 1-2 record, the New England Patriots are back. They’ve won 4 straight games and have scored 38 or more points in those victories. Last week, they beat the Bears 38-31 in Chicago and previously knocked off the undefeated Chiefs 43-40. So the trend is high scoring games with the Pats pass defence not looking at it’s best. However, Buffalo can’t score enough points to compete with Brady at this stage. He’s got his favourite weapon back in Edelman and Josh Gordon is starting to find a connection with Brady. Gronk missed the win in Chicago but should be back in action after the long rest. In the head to head, the Pats own the Bills since 2010 with a 13-3 record. The last meeting was in New England and the home side cruised to a 37-16 win. In Buffalo, the Patriots are 6-0 and haven’t lost here since 2011. The last 2 meetings have been blowouts so I can’t see the Bills getting within 2 touchdowns.
Stadium Record
The Bills have only played at home twice this year and hold a 1-1 record. New England is 6-0 at this venue and have won the last 2 by 16+ points.
Head to Head Record
The Patriots have won the last 3 meetings over the Bills. The last clash was a 37-16 victory for New England.
Best Bet
Other NFL Week 8 Tips:
| Game | Venue | Best Bet |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars | London (Wembley) | UNDER 42.5 points $1.91 |
| New York Jets at Chicago Bears | Chicago | OVER 44.5 points $1.82 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals | Cincinnati | UNDER 54.5 points $1.89 |
| Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions | Detroit | Lions WIN $1.61 |
| Washington Redskins at New York Giants | East Rutherford | UNDER 44.5 points $1.65 |
| Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | Kansas City | OVER 52.5 points $1.70 |
| Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers | Pittsburgh | Browns +8 $1.92 |
| Baltimore Ravens at Carolina Panthers | Carolina | OVER 42.5 points $1.82 |
| Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders | Oakland | Colts WIN $1.64 |
| San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals | Glendale | UNDER 44.5 points $1.71 |
For the latest NFL Week 8 markets, click here.
