Analysis
10/28/23
9 min read
2023 NFL Week 8 Betting Preview for Every Game
I’ve watched every snap of every NFL game since 2014 because I bet on football in a variety of ways. ATS tournaments, as well as survivor and winner pools, are among my favorites. Those contests don’t usually lock until the weekend, so we should make our final decisions as late as possible.
In this article, I’ll discuss how I treat various situations in each format. I’ll also provide updates on line movement, along with notes on every game every week. I’ll even sprinkle in the occasional daily fantasy stance.
Be sure to keep up to date on injuries with Ari Meirov's Injury Report Tracker.
Jets at Giants
Spread: Giants +3
Total: 35.5
The spread for this contest has moved from Giants +2.5 to Giants +3. The total has moved down from 36.5 to 35.5 points.
Winner Pools: Expect the New York Jets to be used in roughly 75 percent of winner pool entries. The Jets have a better roster, but both defenses will have trench advantages against backup quarterbacks. The Jets have more paths to victory, but the New York Giants are a viable leverage play. Regardless of that notion, I’ll be Jets heavy in this format.
Survivor Pools: The Jets have some viability in survivor this week, especially since this isn’t really a road game. That said, there are several excellent options on this slate that I’m going to play over the Jets.
Texans at Panthers
Spread: Panthers +3.5
Total: 43.5
The spread for this contest has moved from Panthers +3 to Panthers +3.5. The total has moved up from 42.5 to 43.5 points.
Winner Pools: Expect the Houston Texans to be used in roughly 80 percent of winner pool entries. The Carolina Panthers are winless, and that is eventually going to change. If Panthers edge Brian Burns plays, I’ll only be slightly Texans heavy in my winner pool entries.
Survivor Pools: I’m avoiding this contest in survivor pools.
Eagles at Commanders
Spread: Commanders +7
Total: 43.5
The spread for this contest moved from Commanders +6.5 to Commanders +7. The total has stayed at 43.5 points with some minor fluctuations.
Winner Pools: Expect the Philadelphia Eagles to be used in 95 percent of winner pool entries. The Washington Commanders took Philadelphia to overtime earlier this year, and Washington handed the Eagles their first loss last season. Washington is a strong leverage play in the format.
Survivor Pools: The Eagles are a viable option this week, but I will continue saving them for later in the season.
Patriots at Dolphins
Spread: Dolphins -9.5
Total: 47
The spread for this contest opened as Dolphins -9.5, then moved to Dolphins -10 early this week. It has since settled back at Dolphins -9.5. The total for this contest has stayed at 47 points.
Winner Pools: Expect the Miami Dolphins to be used in roughly 95 percent of winner pool entries. I’m going to use Miami in all of my entries.
Survivor Pools: Miami is a strong option this week, but I will save them for Week 11 vs. the Raiders in most situations.
Rams at Cowboys
Spread: Cowboys -6
Total: 45.5
This spread for this contest opened as Cowboys -6 but has dipped down to Cowboys -6. The total has risen slightly from 45 to 45.5 points.
Winner Pools: Expect the Dallas Cowboys to be used in roughly 90 percent of all winner pool entries. The Cowboys are coming off their bye, and they have a much better roster than the Los Angeles Rams. That’s why I will play Dallas in all my winner pool entries.
Survivor Pools: Dallas is another solid option this week, but I will save them until later in the year.
Jaguars at Steelers
Spread: Steelers +2
Total: 41
The spread for this contest opened as Steelers +2, then moved to Steelers +2.5. Late this week, it moved back to Steelers +2. The total for this matchup has come down from 42 to 41 points.
Winner Pools: Expect the Jacksonville Jaguars to be used in roughly two-thirds of winner pool entries. My ratio for this matchup will be close to 50/50. If I had just one winner pool entry, I’d play the Pittsburgh Steelers as a leverage play.
Survivor Pools: This game should be avoided in survivor pools.
Saints at Colts
Spread: Colts +1.5
Total: 43
The spread for this contest opened as Colts -1.5 and has gradually moved to Colts +1.5. The total for this matchup has moved down slightly from 43.5 to 43. I will take the Saints in at least one of my ATS tournament entries.
Winner Pools: Expect the Indianapolis Colts to be used in roughly two-thirds of winner pool entries. This will be my strongest stance of the week, as I’ll play the New Orleans Saints in all my entries.
Survivor Pools: This contest should be avoided in survivor pools.
Falcons at Titans
Spread: Titans +2.5
Total: 35
The spread for this contest opened as Tennessee Titans +1 but has moved to Titans +2.5. The total for this matchup has dropped from 37 to 35 points.
Winner Pools: Expect the Atlanta Falcons to be used in roughly two-thirds of winner pool entries. Neither of these teams are reliable, which is why I’ll play these teams close to a 50/50 ratio.
Survivor Pools: The Falcons warrant some consideration as an aggressive survivor pool option. Since this slate has several heavy favorites, I will avoid Atlanta in the format.
Vikings at Packers
Spread: Packers +1
Total: 41.5
The spread for this contest opened as Packers -1 but has moved to Packers +1. The total for this matchup opened at 42 points but has slid down slightly to 41.5 points.
Winner Pools: Expect the Minnesota Vikings to be used in roughly 75 percent of winner pool entries. I have no confidence in the Green Bay Packers, but I’ll be closer to 50/50 on this matchup as a game theory play.
Survivor Pools: This contest should be avoided in survivor pools.
Browns at Seahawks
Spread: Seahawks -3.5
Total: 37.5
The spread for this contest opened as Seahawks -2.5 but has since moved to Seahawks -3.5. The total for this game has dropped from 40 to 37.5 points. I will take the Seahawks in any ATS tournament where I can get them at -2.5.
Winner Pools: Expect the Seattle Seahawks to be used in roughly 70 percent of winner pool entries. I’m going to use Seattle in all of my winner pool entries.
Survivor Pools: Seattle warrants some consideration in survivor, but ultimately, I will use other options.
Chiefs at Broncos
Spread: Broncos +7
Total: 47
The spread for this contest opened as Denver Broncos +8 but has moved to Broncos +7 late this week. The total has taken a small move up from 46.5 to 47 points.
Winner Pools: Expect the Kansas City Chiefs to be used in roughly 95 percent of winner pool entries. I’m going to be a little less Chiefs heavy than 95 percent, but I’m still going to use them in the majority of my entries.
Survivor Pools: Once again, Kansas City is another strong option on the slate, but I will use other options.
Ravens at Cardinals
Spread: Cardinals +9.5
Total: 44.5
The spread for this contest has moved from Arizona Cardinals +8.5 to Cardinals +9.5. The total has moved up slightly from 44 to 44.5 points.
Winner Pools: Expect the Baltimore Ravens to be used in roughly 95 percent of winner pool entries. I’m going to play the Ravens in all of my entries.
Survivor Pools: If you still have Baltimore, this is their best survivor matchup for the rest of the season.
Bengals at 49ers
Spread: 49ers -5.5
Total: 45.5
The spread for this contest opened at 49ers -5.5 before moving down to 49ers +3.5. The spread has now bounced back up to 49ers -5. The total has moved down from 45.5 to 43.5 points. I’ll take the Bengals in at least one of my ATS tournament entries.
Winner Pools: Expect the San Francisco 49ers to be used in roughly 80 percent of winner pool entries. I’m only going to be slightly 49ers heavy in winner pools. If I had just one entry, I’d strongly consider taking the Cincinnati Bengals as a leverage play.
Survivor Pools: This contest should be avoided in survivor pools.
Chargers vs. Bears
Spread: Chargers -8.5
Total: 46.5
The spread for this contest opened as Chargers -8.5 and has stayed there all week, same for the total.
Winner Pools: Expect the Los Angeles Chargers to be used in 90 percent of winner pool entries. I will take the Chargers in all of my winner pool entries.
Survivor Pools: The Chargers will be very popular in survivor pools. With Justin Fields out, this is the Chargers' best matchup in the format for the rest of the year.
Lions vs. Raiders
Spread: Lions -8
Total: 46.5
The spread for this contest opened as Lions -8 and has stayed there all week. The total has risen from 44.5 to 46.5 points.
Winner Pools: Expect the Detroit Lions to be used in 95 percent of winner pool entries. I will play the Lions in all of my winner pool entries.
Survivor Pools: The Lions should be popular this week, and they are my favorite survivor option on the slate.
Want to discuss one of the games on the Week 8 slate? Join our Free Discord.
Ryan Reynolds is the associate director of fantasy and betting at The 33rd Team. He has been covering NFL betting markets for five years. Follow Ryan @RyanReynoldsNFL on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
