NFL Week 8 Best Bets Against the Spread

Each week, I'll bring you the three best bets against the spread.

All lines are courtesy of MyBookie.ag.

2017 Record: 10-11

**HOME TEAMS IN CAPS

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (+2) over Dallas Cowboys

I have been in a small rut the last few weeks, so I will dig my heels in with home underdogs. My only correct choice last week was picking the Raiders, getting three points at home, vs. the Chiefs in a nasty division rivalry game. It played out like I expected, meaning it was a back-and-forth game that the Raiders won outright 31-30. Like those vicious AFC West games, the NFC East has a similar vibe. NFC East clashes tend to be close affairs, and Cowboys-Redskins is among the NFL’s best rivalries. I understand if you need some justification that’s less nebulous, so consider that Dallas has the NFL’s 26th-ranked defense, and they are next-to-last against the run. RB Chris Thompson, whose greatest strength is as a pass-catcher, but who’s seen his role in the running game increase with his production, powers the Redskins lately. The Cowboys are also leaky against the pass, and Washington is finally handing the keys to the receiving corps to Josh Doctson, a former first round pick. Doctson’s emergence makes Washington much more dangerous, so taking them at home, getting points, is enticing.

Carolina Panthers (+2) over TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The Panthers are not a home underdog, but they’re getting a matchup that should allow them to get right following a truly embarrassing loss to the Bears. QB Cam Newton was completely out of sync vs. Chicago, but few teams can help a passer get on track like the Bucs and their league-worst pass defense per FootballOutsiders.com. Newton had a horrific game, but he’s bounced back plenty throughout his career, and especially in 2017.

On the other side of the ball, Carolina has been a Top 5 run defense this year so Doug Martin should be stifled. Mike Evans may go off for Tampa Bay, but if Carolina forces them to be one-dimensional, they should pull this off.

DETROIT LIONS (+3) over Pittsburgh Steelers

Finally, my third pick in this difficult slate is more brains than gut. The Lions don’t seem like an appealing pick, especially since their top WR, Golden Tate, is out. But they’re a surprisingly rough matchup for Pittsburgh, especially with the Steelers’ offense not clicking like many thought they might prior to Week 1. The Steelers are highly dependent on RB Le’Veon Bell, but the Lions have been stout vs. the run, ranking inside the Top 5. Overall, Detroit has a Top 10 defense and they rank Top 5 against No. 1 wide receivers. Beyond Antonio Brown, the top options in the passing game are rookie Juju Smith-Schuster and…..??? If Brown isn’t going off – and the numbers here show there’s hope of containing him – then the Steelers aren’t so high-powered.

The Lions’ M.O. is close, gritty games. This one looks like it will be that way, and with Detroit you also get three points.