NFL Predictions Week 8: Final Odds Projections and Fantasy Stars to Watch

There are typically three things NFL fans care about on a football Sunday—whether their favorite team wins, their fantasy football squad and any bets they may have on the games. Let’s at least try to help with two of them here.

There should be a number of tightly contested games in Week 8, with seven contests checking in with point spreads of three points or less. That could make life difficult for bettors and fantasy football players alike searching for favorable matchups.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the odds, according to Odds Shark on Friday afternoon, projected winners against the spread and some fantasy football stars to watch on Sunday.

Matchup	Point Spread	Predicted Winner Against Spread
Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons (in London)	DET -4	Lions
Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers	SEA -5	Seahawks
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals	Even	Bengals
Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars	MIA -7	Dolphins
St. Louis Rams at Kansas City Chiefs	KC -8.5	Chiefs
Chicago Bears at New England Patriots	NE -7	Patriots
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets	NYJ -2.5	Bills
Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	TB -2.5	Vikings
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans	HOU -2.5	Texans
Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals	AZ -2.5	Eagles
Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns	CLE -7.5	Browns
Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers	IND -3	Colts
Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints	Even	Packers
Washington at Dallas Cowboys	DAL -10	Cowboys

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

On paper, Tony Romo’s Week 8 opponent, Washington, has only given up the seventh-most passing yards per game in the league at 218.6, but that is very misleading because a number of opponents have simply ran the ball in the fourth quarter to keep the clock running.

After all, when you are 2-5, the other team is protecting the lead more times than not.

Romo will exploit a statistically overrated Washington secondary that has given up at least two passing touchdowns in its past five games. Romo has also thrown for two or more touchdowns in four of his last five showdowns with his NFC East rival, and there is no reason to expect that to change while the Dallas Cowboys are rolling.

What’s more, Dallas features the No. 1 rushing offense in the league at 159.7 yards per game, so Washington will have to commit extra defenders to the box. That will open up the play-action deep ball for Romo and Dez Bryant.

Coach Jason Garrett discussed how efficient the passing game has been, via ESPN.com:

"Obviously we were very productive in the passing game. We didn't throw it that much but when we threw it I think he was 17 out of 23, averaged over 10 yards an attempt, big-time plays down the field, made a lot of little plays, his pocket presence was outstanding."

Romo’s final stat line will also be outstanding, much to the joy of fantasy owners everywhere. 

Projected line: 280 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception

Alfred Morris, Washington

Larry French/Getty Images

Alfred Morris owners likely had much higher hopes heading into the season than what they have seen from the Washington running back.

After all, he’s only found the end zone in two games this season and is a non-threat in the passing game with five catches for a total of 39 yards. He has struggled mightily in his last three games with 54 rushing yards against the Tennessee Titans, 41 rushing yards against the Arizona Cardinals and 29 rushing yards against the Seattle Seahawks.

To make matters worse for Morris owners, the Cowboys have only allowed two running backs to score touchdowns this year and actually held both Marshawn Lynch and Andre Williams to less than 65 rushing yards in the last two games.

On the season, Dallas is allowing 113.4 rushing yards per game, which is middle of the road, but it is playing much better lately and keeping running backs out of the end zone. That is bad news for Morris owners who are likely already frustrated with a lack of consistent production.

Washington will also be playing from behind for most of the game against the NFC East leader, which will lead to more passes and fewer touches for Morris. 

Projected line: 18 carries, 61 rushing yards and zero touchdowns

Golden Tate, Detroit Lions

Michael Fabiano of NFL.com believes Golden Tate is a must-start this week in fantasy football:

"

Tate has been one of the hottest wideouts in the league, scoring 19-plus fantasy points in two of his last three games. Next on the schedule is a date with the Falcons, Who have allowed the third-most receiving yards (1,254) to wide receivers. Be sure to set your lineup in advance, as this game is in London and starts at 9:30am EST.

"

This is one of those glaringly obvious matchups that fantasy football owners love. Tate has been tearing up the stat sheet with Calvin Johnson out with injury, and the Atlanta defense is one of the league’s worst against the pass.

In fact, the Falcons are 29th in the league against the pass at 274.4 yards per game. In their last two games, the Falcons allowed Alshon Jeffery to rack up 136 receiving yards, Brandon Marshall to finish with 113 receiving yards and Torrey Smith to tally 81 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Tate will keep that streak of productive opposing receivers going in London. Just make sure you set your lineup in time for the early-morning start. 

Projected line: Eight catches, 10 targets, 110 receiving yards and a touchdown

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