NFL Predictions Week 8: Vegas Odds, Spreads and Picks for All Games

We've reached Week 8 of the NFL season, nearing the halfway point. And the matchups on deck are as juicy as ever. 

We'll see the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons take on the Green Bay Packers in a game that could preview a playoff matchup down the road. 

Then, on Sunday Night Football, the division rivalry between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys will take center stage, as rookie quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott, both of whom have received tons of press this season, finally face off against each other. 

Let's preview all the matchups on the docket in Week 8, go over the point spread for each and make some picks for Week 8.

Date	Away	Home	Point Spread	Pick (Straight Up)
Thursday	JAC	TEN	TEN -3.5	Titans
Sunday	WAS	CIN	CIN -2.5	Bengals
Sunday	KC	IND	KC -2.5	Chiefs
Sunday	ARI	CAR	Even	Cardinals
Sunday	OAK	TB	TB -1	Raiders
Sunday	SEA	NO	SEA -3	Seahawks
Sunday	DET	HOU	HOU -2.5	Texans
Sunday	NE	BUF	NE -4.5	Patriots
Sunday	NYJ	CLE	NYJ -2.5	Jets
Sunday	SD	DEN	DEN -6	Broncos
Sunday	GB	ATL	ATL -2.5	Falcons
Sunday	PHI	DAL	DAL -5	Cowboys
Monday	MIN	CHI	MIN -4	Vikings

Safe Bet 

Atlanta Falcons (-2.5)

David Goldman/Associated Press

All the Atlanta Falcons have to do to cover the spread is beat the Green Bay Packers by at least a field goal?

Who wouldn't take that bet?

In case you hadn't noticed, the Falcons are sitting pretty in the NFC.

Sure, their 4-3 record isn't close to perfect. But the Falcons lead the NFC South, and given their apparently weak conference this season—the Carolina Panthers sit at 1-5, and the Arizona Cardinals are 3-3—they are making a strong case for a playoff spot. 

Enter the Packers, who are on the road for the first time in four games in Atlanta. The Packers look worse than their 4-2 record suggests.

The offense is struggling without a starting running back to speak of, and Aaron Rodgers continues to have trouble connecting with his receivers.  

Meanwhile, Atlanta's passing offense ranks No. 1 in the NFL heading into Week 8 in terms of point scored. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the rest of the Falcons are averaging 319 passing yards per game and 32.7 points. 

Big Gamble

Seattle Seahawks (-3)

The 4-1-1 Seahawks may have a better record than the 2-4 New Orleans Saints, but the Seattle team that showed up for Sunday Night Football doesn't look like one that's capable of outscoring the New Orleans Saints, even if the spread is just more than a field goal. 

The Seahawks put up just six points, both of them field goals, against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Saints may have lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, but at least they put up 21 points in the process against one of the league's best defenses.

In fact, New Orleans is averaging 29.3 points per game compared to Seattle's somewhat paltry 18.5. That puts the Seahawks at 28th in the league in scoring; the Saints are third.

Plus, New Orleans plays at home in Week 8. Have you seen how well Drew Brees does at home?

Seattle has struggled to put up points this season with top rusher Thomas Rawls injured and with a less than stellar offensive line. Sure, the defense is stout; it held Atlanta to just six points in the Sunday night tie in five quarters of play. 

But the spread isn't just about the defense. Not only does Seattle have to prevent Brees and the Saints offense from scoring at home, but then the Seahawks offense has to score at least four points more than the Saints. That just may not be a safe bet. 

Odds via Odds Shark and current as of Monday.