Week 8 NFL Picks Against the Spread: Underdogs That Will Cover Your Bet

Week 8 of the 2013 NFL season is drawing closer, making this a perfect time to start analyzing the board and making bets ahead of the general public.

With the lines sure to change over the next week, it’s always wise to monitor each situation and try to get the best possible bang for your buck. Another way to maximize value is to recognize a handful of underdogs that look like surefire locks to cover the spread.

If you are struggling to identity some ‘dogs that should have no problem covering and also have potential to outright win, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for the latest lines on every game, my picks for the outcome on each and a handful of highlighted underdogs that are great bets in Week 8.

Away Team	Home Team	Line	Prediction (ATS)
Carolina Panthers	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	CAR -6	Panthers
San Francisco 49ers	Jacksonville Jaguars	SF -16.5	49ers
Dallas Cowboys	Detroit Lions	DET -3	Cowboys
New York Giants	Philadelphia Eagles	PHI -6	Eagles
Kansas City Chiefs	Cleveland Browns	KC -7	Chiefs
Buffalo Bills	New Orleans Saints	NO -11.5	Saints
Miami Dolphins	New England Patriots	NE -7	Dolphins
New York Jets	Cincinnati Bengals	CIN -6.5	Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers	Oakland Raiders	PIT -3	Raiders
Washington Redskins	Denver Broncos	DEN -13.5	Redskins
Atlanta Falcons	Arizona Cardinals	ARI -2.5	Cardinals
Green Bay Packers	Minnesota Vikings	GB -6.5	Packers
Seattle Seahawks	St. Louis Rams	SEA -10.5	Seahawks

New York Jets (+6.5) over CINCINNATI BENGALS

Gang Green may have needed some assistance from the referees to pull out an overtime victory against the New England Patriots in Week 7, but they had no issues covering as a three-point ‘dog (as per Scoresandodds.com) at kickoff.

Now this feisty AFC East team is just one game behind the Pats in the division and looking to remain above .500 with a big win over the Bengals this coming Sunday.

Rookie quarterback Geno Smith has been a miracle-worker in 2013, leading the Jets to numerous fourth-quarter victories and cashing tickets for those that held faith in this team after a tumultuous offseason.

His job appears to be a bit easier after the recent news that Bengals star cornerback Leon Hall tore his Achilles and will miss the remainder of the season. The veteran defensive back has been a big part of Cincy’s secondary and helped the squad jump out to a 5-2 record almost midway through the campaign.

Detroit Lions wideout Calvin Johnson was able to burn the Bengals for 155 yards and two scores on just nine receptions, while quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 28 of 51 passes for 357 yards and three scores—with no interceptions—in a losing 27-24 Week 7 effort.

While the Jets don’t have that type of star power at receiver, the team should be able to air it out a little to augment their power ground game and stout defense. Expect them to keep it close and potentially be in position to win with a late field goal.

 

OAKLAND RAIDERS (+3) over Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are travelling to the Black Hole on Sunday and giving points, making them a team you must avoid like the plague in Week 8.

Pittsburgh may be on a two-game winning streak, but it isn’t a great football club. The Steelers knocked off the Jets coming out of a bye and taking a short road trip, then overcame a subpar Baltimore Ravens squad at home in Week 7 to move to 2-4 on the year.

Things are going to get tougher when the Black and Yellow travels across country to play an underrated Oakland team that had a chance to get some much-needed rest this past week.

The Raiders aren’t nearly as bad as their 2-4 record indicates and have a penchant to play well in front of their home fans. They are 3-2-1 ATS and 2-1 ATS when playing at home.

Terrelle Pryor and the banged-up offensive line have had adequate time to recover and make the proper adjustments. As long as the quarterback isn’t spending the majority of his time on the ground—as he was when he was sacked nine times by the Kansas City Chiefs—he should be able to guide the Raiders to victory.

Couple his fresh legs with a defense that has been steadily improving and you are looking at a recipe for a possible upset on Sunday.

Miami Dolphins (+7) over NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

This AFC East showdown could have long-term ramifications, and both sides are well aware of the implications.

The ‘Phins may be coming off three straight losses after a hot start to the season, but they are primed for a bounce-back game against the Pats.

Head coach Joe Philbin seems to agree, telling Steve Wine of the Associated Press (via ABCNews):

"There are ups and downs that most teams encounter. The teams that have great character and great chemistry are able to overcome those downs that are usually there, and I believe our guys are able to do that.”

Miami seems to always play New England tough, with the notable exception of last year’s 28-0 shellacking in Foxborough. That blemish is something that should have the Dolphins players motivated and ready to shock the reeling Patriots.

New England is still trying to recover from their incredulous overtime loss to the Jets and is now in prime position to get toppled for a second-straight week by a divisional rival.

The Pats defense hasn’t been the same since devastating injuries to Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo and is completely beatable by both the passing and rushing attack.

As long as Miami Ryan Tannehill is given adequate time to throw the ball and the offensive line can clear lanes for the rushers, the Dolphins will be heading back to South Beach with a win and once again moving back above .500.