When it comes to pretty much anything in life, the more information that you have, the better decisions you will make. This is especially true when it comes to sports betting and, in particular, the National Football League. One of those informational factors is injuries. Especially when dealing with concussions, which can take some time to determine the severity, the results can occasionally swing a spread from one team to another. A quick look at the schedule for the 2023 NFL Week Eight Schedule demonstrates that factor well.
Such was the case with this Sunday’s battle between the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Francisco 49ers. When it became known that QB Brock Purdy had a concussion from last week’s game against the Vikings, the line for the game was reduced by three points, from the 49ers being favored by almost a touchdown (\-6.5) to just over a field goal (-3.5). Once the information came out that Purdy would be ready for action on Sunday, the line moved back up to its current level (-5.5) in favor of the 49ers.
Is it better to bet the games early? Or should you wait until you have the full info on the game and its participants? That is entirely dependent on how good your information is when it comes to something that significantly swings a line. If it is an injury situation, then there are reports throughout the week that will give you clues. Alas, you also must take those reports with a grain of salt, especially in this day of misinformation from coaches (here’s looking at you, Bill Belichick) or even from the players themselves.
For this NFL Week Eight, we’ve got some rather large spreads in many of the games. One of the largest was on Thursday night, which saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cover the ten-point spread in only losing to the Buffalo Bills by six points. Are there any other games like that on the NFL Week Eight schedule? Let’s take a look…
Las Vegas Raiders v. DETROIT LIONS (-7.5)
The Baltimore Ravens completely dismantled the Lions last week in Crabcake City, and Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said that the team was due for such an embarrassment. Campbell thinks the loss was necessary to “get the attention” of the team, who had been unusually strong in the early segment of their season. A perfect cure for what ails the Motor City Kitties is a visit from the once formidable Silver and Black.
The Raiders couldn’t even muster a cohesive fight to go against their fellow cellar dweller from the NFC, the Chicago Bears, during last week’s 30-12 thrashing. That was a HOME game too. Not sure that the Raiders want to run QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who missed the Bears beatdown with a back injury, out for the Lions to take apart, but they may not have a choice if they have any hopes for this NFL Week Eight contest and/or for the season.
PICK – Lions -7.5
Atlanta Falcons v. TENNESSEE TITANS (O/U 35.5)
While both teams want to run the ball and control the clock, I see this game cracking its over/under pretty handily. The two teams average only 33 points together, but both offenses have been showing signs of life of late. Falcons QB Desmond Ridder is becoming more accustomed to his surroundings (and his weapons) and Titans RB Derrick Henry has been told he will not be traded by the team, which should reignite his passions. It’s not going to be a shootout, but there will be more offense than what is being thought.
PICK – OVER 35.5
Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) v. GREEN BAY PACKERS
In this game, the sharps can’t get their minds around. It started with the Pack as the favorites by 1.5 points. Then, following the performance by the Vikings against the 49ers, that line swung over to the Norsemen by the same 1.5 points. Here are my thoughts on that – there is no reason to believe that the Vikings, on the road against a division rival, will be able to win the game.
The Packers are getting back RB Aaron Jones to full power, and the addition of the powerful back will take some pressure from QB Jordan Love to carry the offense. This should allow the Packers to dominate on their home turf, so I believe that the touts got it right the first time and should have stuck with that!
PICK – Packers +1.5
