NFL Week 8 picks, schedule, odds, injuries, fantasy tips
Saints storyline to watch: The Saints are getting healthy again. QB Derek Carr (oblique) is the only major player to remain on the injury report, as TE Taysom Hill (rib), WR Chris Olave (concussion), LB Pete Werner (hamstring) and OLs Lucas Patrick and Cesar Ruiz returned to practice. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said they’ve had an injury “avalanche” that the team has to fight through to get back to winning. — Katherine Terrell
Chargers storyline to watch: The Chargers haven’t scored a touchdown in the second half since Week 1. They were also held out of the end zone in their Week 7 loss to the Cardinals, meaning they haven’t scored a touchdown since the second quarter of their Week 6 win over the Broncos. This matchup could be an opportunity to fix their offensive woes, as the Saints are allowing the sixth-most points in the NFL (25.7). — Kris Rhim
Stat to know: The Saints lost each of their past two games by 20 or more points. Their only three-game streak of 20-point losses came in Weeks 15-17 in 2001.
Bold prediction: Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins will surpass 100 rushing yards. The Saints are allowing 4.9 expected yards per carry, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That’s second worst in the league, behind only Washington. — Walder
Fantasy X factor: Chargers QB Justin Herbert. Los Angeles’ offense has a great opportunity against a Saints defense that ranks last in total yards allowed. While the Chargers could lean on their running game, this matchup also sets the stage for Herbert to connect with receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. See Week 8 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: The Saints have not closed as seven-point underdogs since Week 12 of 2022 (plus-8.5 at 49ers). Read more.
Kahler’s pick: Chargers 24, Saints 12
Moody’s pick: Chargers 20, Saints 13
Walder’s pick: Chargers 23, Saints 16
FPI prediction: LAC, 58.5% (by an average of 3.7 points)
Bills storyline to watch: Scoring points on the road hasn’t been a strong point for the Bills, who are averaging 21 points in the four games away from Orchard Park, New York, this season (2-2 in those games). There will be an opportunity to amend that against a Seahawks defense that has allowed 23.4 points per game (19th) this year. The offense will be assisted by WR Amari Cooper playing in his second game with the Bills. — Alaina Getzenberg
Seahawks storyline to watch: After allowing the fifth-most rushing yards per game (146.1) through Week 7, the Seahawks are hoping their trade for LB Ernest Jones IV will help one of the league’s worst-run defenses. Jones, who’s sliding into the middle linebacker spot in coach Mike Macdonald’s defense, will face the Bills for the second week in a row. He recorded five tackles, a QB hit and a pass defensed for the Titans in their loss to Buffalo last Sunday. — Brady Henderson
Stat to know: If the Seahawks score over 20 points for the eighth straight game, they’ll tie the longest streak of reaching that mark to begin a season in franchise history (2020).
Bold prediction: Bills TE Dalton Kincaid will record six or more receptions. Seahawks CB Riq Woolen has a 9% target rate allowed this season, per NFL Next Gen Stats, which should funnel targets away from outside receivers. That could mean more targets for Kincaid, who would also see some snaps against Jones in his first game with the Seahawks. — Walder
Fantasy X factor: Cooper. He was eased into action in Week 7, playing just 35% of snaps. Cooper had five targets and finished with 16.6 fantasy points despite a limited role. Cooper could be a game-changer for the rest of the season and has WR1 potential catching passes from QB Josh Allen. See Week 8 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: The Seahawks are 17-7 ATS as home underdogs since 2011, including 4-3 ATS in QB Geno Smith starts. Read more.
Kahler’s pick: Bills 24, Seahawks 22
Moody’s pick: Bills 28, Seahawks 27
Walder’s pick: Bills 24, Seahawks 21
FPI prediction: BUF, 63.8% (by an average of 5.0 points)
Matchup must-reads: WR Cooper stars in debut as Bills roll at home … QB Smith’s mobility making up for Seattle’s O-line issues … Seahawks trade Baker, pick for Titans’ Jones
4:25 p.m. ET | CBS | ESPN BET: DEN -10 (41.5 O/U)
Panthers storyline to watch: QB Bryce Young returns to the starting lineup after being benched in Week 3. He’s starting because Andy Dalton sprained his thumb in a car crash. How well Young, 2-16 as a starter, performs could determine his future with Carolina, but it won’t be easy against the Broncos. OLB Jadeveon Clowney will also return to the field after missing two weeks due to a shoulder injury. Defensively, the Panthers are getting healthier, but pressure will remain an issue — Denver ranks first in the NFL in sacks allowed (nine) and Carolina ranks 31st in sacks (seven). It could be a big day for rookie QB Bo Nix. — David Newton
Broncos storyline to watch: The Panthers rank at or near the bottom of every major defensive category, and the Broncos rank at or near the bottom of every major passing category. The difference has been the Broncos’ defense has lifted them to 4-3, their best mark after seven games since they were 5-2 in 2016. But with Young starting, look for the Broncos to be aggressive. Denver ranks second in the league in sacks (28) and has the highest pass rush win rate as a team (56.9%). — Jeff Legwold
Stat to know: The Panthers are looking to avoid back-to-back starts of 1-7 or worse for the first time in franchise history, The last team to start 1-7 or worse in consecutive seasons was the Jets (2019-20).
Bold prediction: The Panthers will fail to cross into plus-territory in the first half. I’m sorry, but this is just brutal for Young. He’s coming off the bench to play a Broncos defense that ranks first in EPA allowed per play and second in EPA allowed per dropback. This could be a rough one. — Walder
Fantasy X factor: Nix. He has been on the rise, scoring 19 or more fantasy points in three of his past five games while completing 61.9% of his passes. Nix is also a dual threat, rushing for 47 or more yards in three games. The rookie should have success against a Panthers defense that allows 18.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. See Week 8 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: This would be Carolina’s 28th straight game as an underdog, which is the longest streak by any team since the 2012-14 Jaguars (46). Read more.
Kahler’s pick: Broncos 30, Panthers 12
Moody’s pick: Broncos 35, Panthers 10
Walder’s pick: Broncos 23, Panthers 6
FPI prediction: DEN, 74.5% (by an average of 10.0 points)
Matchup must-reads: WR Cooper stars in debut as Bills roll at home … Will Broncos stay committed to run after big Week 7? … Young seeing limited work in Panthers’ blowout losses
4:25 p.m. ET | CBS | ESPN BET: KC -9.5 (41.5 O/U)
Chiefs storyline to watch: The Raiders bullied the Chiefs in the final meeting between the teams last season, allowing Kansas City’s running backs 32 yards on 15 carries. With an ailing receiving group and QB Patrick Mahomes having thrown more interceptions (eight) than TDs (six), the Chiefs must do better on the ground this time around. The Chiefs are averaging almost 129 yards per game, their best in 12 seasons with Andy Reid as their coach. — Adam Teicher
Raiders storyline to watch: Rookie TE Brock Bowers has been a decidedly silver lining in a black cloud over the Raiders. The No. 13 overall pick leads all tight ends in receptions (47) and yards (477). And he should be a primary target for QB Gardner Minshew against the Chiefs, who are giving up league-high single-game averages in receptions (7.2) and yards (83.5) to tight ends. — Paul Gutierrez
Stat to know: Raiders DE Maxx Crosby has generated 36 QB pressures in his career against Mahomes, which is the most by any opposing defender against the future Hall of Famer.
Bold prediction: Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins will catch a touchdown pass. He could have a limited role in his first week in Kansas City, but I imagine the Chiefs would love to use him in the red zone. Mahomes will trust Hopkins to come down with a contested catch. — Walder
Fantasy X factor: Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt. In a fantasy football world where Mahomes is averaging just 13.8 fantasy points per game, Hunt should shine. The Chiefs are double-digit favorites, which suggests a heavy workload for him. Hunt has had 24 or more touches and scored at least 18 fantasy points in two straight games. See Week 8 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: The Raiders are 3-1 ATS at home against the Chiefs since moving to Las Vegas. Read more.
Kahler’s pick: Chiefs 28, Raiders 14
Moody’s pick: Chiefs 31, Raiders 14
Walder’s pick: Chiefs 26, Raiders 16
FPI prediction: KC, 73.4% (by an average of 10.0 points)
Matchup must-reads: Is WR Hopkins the missing Super Bowl piece? … Rookie TE Bowers quietly having record-breaking year
4:25 p.m. ET | CBS | ESPN BET: CHI -3 (43.5 O/U)
Bears storyline to watch: The Bears’ defense enters Week 8 having allowed 21 points or fewer in 12 straight games. Extending that streak will be a challenge against Washington’s high-powered offense, which ranks third in points per game (30.1) and fourth in yards (384.1). This will be the stiffest test Chicago has faced, particularly against a top-three rushing attack (165.4 yards per game) led by RB Brian Robinson Jr.’s 4.7 yards per carry. For as dominant as the Bears have been defensively, their one weakness is against the run. The Commanders’ offense leads the NFL with 14 rushing touchdowns and might be more reliant on the ground game if QB Jayden Daniels can’t play. — Courtney Cronin
Commanders storyline to watch: Washington’s defense has slowly improved and, in the past four weeks, the Commanders rank fourth in points allowed per game (16) and seventh in yards per game (293). The only team to hurt them defensively — and beat them — during this stretch was Baltimore. Meanwhile, the Bears’ offense also has played better during this same stretch. In the past four weeks, Chicago ranks fifth in scoring (31.7) and 12th in yards gained (353.7). Washington’s tackling was much better last week versus Carolina, as was its communication in the secondary to prevent big plays. The latter will be important on Sunday. — John Keim
Stat to know: Commanders coach Dan Quinn is seeking to start 6-2 in his first season with a second franchise after doing the same with Atlanta in 2015. Only two other coaches have done that in the past 100 years (Jim Caldwell and Jon Gruden).
Bold prediction: The Bears will hold Marcus Mariota (assuming he starts with Jayden Daniels uncertain) to a QBR under 40. Chicago has had the best defense in the league in terms of EPA per dropback, with a surprisingly strong pass rush. — Walder
Injuries: Bears | Commanders
Fantasy X factor: Bears WR DJ Moore. Moore has scored 10-plus fantasy points in five straight games, including a 27.5-point performance against the Panthers in Week 5. He has another favorable matchup, along with QB Caleb Williams, against a defense that’s allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to receivers. See Week 8 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: The Commanders are 6-1 ATS this season, tied with the Colts for the best ATS record in the NFL. Read more.
Kahler’s pick: Bears 30, Commanders 24
Moody’s pick: Commanders 27, Bears 24
Walder’s pick: Bears 27, Commanders 19
FPI prediction: CHI, 50.2% (by an average of 0.1 points)
Matchup must-reads: QBs Williams, Daniels and the OROY race … QB Daniels’ status uncertain for Bears game … Commanders release former first-round pick Davis
8:20 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock | ESPN BET: SF -4 (45.5 O/U)
Cowboys storyline to watch: The stench from the 38-point loss to Detroit still lingers despite having the bye last week. The Cowboys are in the playoff chase, but they don’t have good recent memories of their trips to Levi’s Stadium — two losses, including 42-10 last season. They are 3-1 after the bye under coach Mike McCarthy. After a bad loss and tumultuous bye week, they need this win badly. — Todd Archer
49ers storyline to watch: In three previous meetings with Dallas, the 49ers have flummoxed Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. Prescott has a QBR of 41.6 in those games, which is his worst mark against any of the 16 teams he has played at least two times over the past five seasons. The Niners have successfully forced Prescott into turnovers, intercepting him six times to just three touchdown passes. As always, the Niners will need to win the turnover battle to win this game, as the Niners are 3-0 this season when winning the turnover battle and 0-4 when tying or losing it. — Nick Wagoner
Stat to know: The Cowboys have been outscored by 42 points this season, which is the second-worst point differential through six games by a team .500 or better in the past decade.
Bold prediction: 49ers TE George Kittle records 80-plus receiving yards and a touchdown. He ought to be in line for more targets with WRs Brandon Aiyuk out (knee) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (pneumonia) possibly absent too. Kittle has maintained his steadily above-average open score that he always posts, with a 67 this year. — Walder
Fantasy X factor: 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. With Brandon Aiyuk sidelined due to a dislocated ankle, expect Samuel to see more touches. He’s lethal as a receiver out of the backfield and as a runner. The Cowboys defense gives up the ninth most receiving yards per game to wide receivers. Samuel has averaged 18.0 fantasy points per game in regular-season games when he’s been targeted eight or more times. See Week 8 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: This will be the 34th straight regular-season game the 49ers are favored in, which is the third-longest streak this century. Read more.
Kahler’s pick: 49ers 28, Cowboys 16
Moody’s pick: 49ers 30, Cowboys 24
Walder’s pick: 49ers 27, Cowboys 20
FPI prediction: SF, 67.1% (by an average of 6.5 points)
Matchup must-reads: Where do Cowboys stand as they exit bye week? … Can 49ers withstand injury issues, avoid ’20 repeat? … 49ers’ Aiyuk tears ACL, MCL
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN | ESPN BET: PIT -6 (36.5 O/U)
Giants storyline to watch: The home/road split for QB Daniel Jones and the Giants’ offense is staggering this season. For some reason, they’re significantly more productive on the road, which WR Darius Slayton seems to think is a “coincidence.” No matter the reasoning, Jones has all six of his passing touchdowns on the road and all four of his interceptions at home. Perhaps fortunately for the Giants, this game is in Pittsburgh. — Jordan Raanan
Steelers storyline to watch: Playing with their fifth combination of starting offensive linemen in the win against the Jets, the Steelers passed their first test against a sack-happy front, and an even tougher challenge emerges in QB Russell Wilson‘s second start. The Giants lead the league with 31 sacks, and Dexter Lawrence II, whom coach Mike Tomlin called “a problem,” leads all pass rushers with nine sacks. Wilson was sacked just once by the Jets, but the Giants will undoubtedly go after the veteran quarterback on Monday night. — Brooke Pryor
Stat to know: The Giants had 119 total yards in their loss to the Eagles, which is their fewest since their 1999 season opener at Tampa Bay.
Bold prediction: Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith will record multiple sacks. Highsmith will have the advantage of facing Giants’ backup LT Joshua Ezeudu, who has posted a low 82% pass block win rate this season. — Walder
Fantasy X factor: Wilson. The quarterback had a standout performance in Week 7, racking up 24.8 fantasy points. Pittsburgh’s offense appeared more balanced and effective with him under center. Wilson is poised for more success against the Giants’ defense, which allows an average of 18.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. See Week 8 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: The Steelers are 0-9 ATS in their last nine games when laying at least four points. Read more.
Kahler’s pick: Steelers 21, Giants 14
Moody’s pick: Steelers 24, Giants 13
Walder’s pick: Steelers 19, Giants 16
FPI prediction: PIT, 69.1% (by an average of 7.6 points)
Matchup must-reads: Mara: Giants ‘committed’ to Daboll, Schoen despite 2-5 start … How UDFA Bishop has been key for defense
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