2025 NFL Week 8 Expert Picks

Bleacher Report's betting crew is starting to heat up. In two of the last three weeks, all of our experts finished above .500. With that momentum, they took calculated risks in Week 8.

B/R analysts Gary Davenport, Brad Gagnon, Kris Knox, Moe Moton and Brent Sobleski and editors Ian Hanford and Wes O'Donnell didn't play it safe this week. 

Like in Week 1, we have five lone-wolf picks. In the season-opening slate, the panel went 4-1 when standing alone on selections. Let's see if their bravery is rewarded on Sunday and Monday. 

Check out the expert leaderboard below, which remains tight, though Moton is trying to separate from the pack. This week's results could shake up the standings, starting with a near-split decision for Thursday's matchup.

ATS Standings 

1. Moton: 61-47

2. Hanford: 57-51 

3: Knox: 56-52

4. O'Donnell: 55-53

T-5. Gagnon: 54-54 

T-5. Sobleski: 54-54 

7. Davenport: 51-57

Lone Wolf Picks: 9-9

Lines are from DraftKings as of Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 4 p.m. ET. Check DraftKings for the latest odds info. Information on public betting trends is courtesy of the Action Network. ATS records are provided by Team Rankings.

DK Line: Chargers (-3)

Davenport: Vikings (+3)

This is a coin-flip, a battle of two teams trying to stay relevant in tough divisions. But the Chargers aren't close to the same team they were a month ago, and they won't be until Justin Herbert's tackles aren't wearing matador capes. Vikings win outright.

O'Donnell: Chargers (-3)

A banged-up Carson Wentz is back under center for Minnesota on a short week against a banged-up Chargers team that has run out of energy. Something's got to give.

Jim Harbaugh's squad is 1-3 since its 3-0 start, with the lone victory a two-point escape against the inept Dolphins. 

I don't expect anything pretty from either side here. Home teams are 5-2 this season on Thursday Night Football. If there's a time for Harbaugh and Herbert to overcome the injuries and put together something resembling their early-season form, I'll bank on this as the game. A push wouldn't be the worst thing, either. 

Predictions

Vikings: Davenport, Gagnon, Sobleski

Chargers: Hanford, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell

DK Line: Bills (-7.5)

Moton: Bills (-7.5)

The Panthers' 3-0 home record makes them an intriguing underdog against the Bills, who lost consecutive games before their Week 7 bye.

Moreover, Buffalo lost by 10 to the Atlanta Falcons, who failed to score in a 30-0 road loss to Carolina in Week 3. If you followed that, this should be a competitive game that makes you sweat while on the Bills' side.

However, Buffalo is coming off a bye week, and Carolina will likely start 37-year-old Andy Dalton while Bryce Young recovers from a high ankle sprain.

With Dalton as their starting quarterback, the Panthers are 1-5, and they lost all five games by 10 or more points. The refocused Bills win big in Carolina.

Sobleski: Bills (-7.5)

Despite a unanimous choice in the Bills' favor, a pathway exists for the Panthers to keep this game close. They can run the ball quite well, while the Bills field one of the league's worst run defenses. 

However, Buffalo is coming off a bye, with two weeks to prepare for that specific area. With quarterback Bryce Young out of the lineup, the Bills can load the box and concentrate on slowing Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, without too much worry that Dalton is going to exploit the approach at this point in his career.

Otherwise, Josh Allen and Co. should be able to move the ball, even against Carolina's top-10 defense. 

Predictions

Bills Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell, Sobleski

DK Line: Eagles (-7)

Gagnon: Giants (+7)

The Eagles haven't won a game by more than seven points this season, and they struggled in a loss to these Giants just two weeks ago. There are good vibes surrounding Big Blue right now. They'll keep it close. 

O'Donnell: Eagles (-7)

We're not going to talk about the Giants' cover in Denver last week. The last time Big Blue won a game in Philadelphia was the 2013 season. The other Barkley, Matt, and Michael Vick, both wound up taking snaps for the home team in that 15-7 New York win. 

Since then, New York has lost 12 straight in Philly by an average margin of 11.5 points. All that magic, mojo or whatever you want to call it, Brian Daboll's team exhibited in the Thursday victory over its division rival just two weeks ago (and for three quarters last week) is gone.

The Eagles, despite their struggles on both sides of the ball, are still a Super Bowl contender and won't lose to the same division rival twice in the same season.

A one-score spread makes sense by the numbers (Daboll is 0-3 in Philadelphia, losing by an average of seven points in his Giants tenure), but Philly has a point to prove.

Predictions

Giants: Davenport, Gagnon,

Eagles: Hanford, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell, Sobleski

DK Line: Bengals (-6.5)

Knox: Bengals (-6.5)

I'm inclined to believe this would be a 14-point line (or larger) if Joe Burrow was behind center for the Bengals instead of Joe Flacco.

Given the state of Cincinnati's lackluster defense and the fact that Tyrod Taylor may actually boost the Jets' offense, that would be too much for me.

Since it's Flacco, I think we'll see one of two things. Either he rediscovers his turnover problem and the Jets steal one outright, or he keeps it clean and Cincinnati wins by at least a touchdown. Since the Bengals are at home, I'll go with the latter. 

Moton: Jets (+6.5)

This game comes with uncertainty on the Jets' side. Last week, they benched quarterback Justin Fields for Tyrod Taylor, who's day-to-day with a knee injury.

Wideout Garrett Wilson's status is unclear because he hyperextended his knee two weeks ago. Cornerback Sauce Gardner is in concussion protocol.

Gang Green could struggle to keep pace with the Bengals offense and stop wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Yet head coach Aaron Glenn said Taylor has been dealing with a knee injury, and he knows who will be the team's starting quarterback on Sunday.

If Taylor keeps the Jets offense steady and Breece Hall racks up yards on the ground against the Bengals' 27th-ranked run defense, this will be a competitive matchup.

In Week 3, on the road, the Jets nearly upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They'll keep the score within a touchdown in Cincinnati.

Predictions

Jets: Gagnon, Moton

Bengals: Davenport, Hanford, Knox, O'Donnell, Sobleski

DK Line: Patriots (-7)

Gagnon: Patriots (-7)

The Browns have their moments, but rarely on the road. They've lost all three of their road games by 14-plus points this season, and they've now lost 11 straight away from home dating back to last September. The last eight of those have come by multiple scores.

The Patriots are playing great and returning from a long road trip. This should be a blowout. 

Sobleski: Browns (+7)

This lone-wolf pick is a play based on Cleveland's top-ranked defense, while taking the points. A potential for turnovers exists in this game to keep it close, with the Browns flying to the football and always looking to punch the ball out. 

With Rhamondre Stevenson in the Patriots' backfield, this possibility should always be a concern in New England.

The Browns just need to do enough on offense to keep this close, and they can do so by handing the ball to Quinshon Judkins. 

Predictions

Browns: Sobleski

Patriots: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell

DK Line: Ravens (-6.5)

Knox: Bears (+6.5)

The Ravens will be healthier coming out of their bye, and the time off may have given Baltimore a chance to do something about its horrific defense.

That said, it's hard to pass on the Bears and this many bonus points when Lamar Jackson's status is still uncertain.

Chicago's running game is starting to find its rhythm, and that makes it hard for me to believe Baltimore can run away with it, even if Jackson returns. 

Moton: Ravens (-6.5)

On Wednesday, Jackson returned to practice, and this line suggests he has a shot to play on Sunday. Considering the Ravens' poor record, they need him on the field to make a midseason run and a push for the playoffs.

If its star quarterback is back in action, Baltimore can do enough against Chicago's inconsistent offense to cover by a touchdown and an extra point at home.

The Ravens aren't going to dominate the Bears without Jackson, but they can still cover if they lean on Derrick Henry. The Bears' run defense allows the fifth-most yards per game and gives up the second-most yards per carry (5.3).

Regardless of who's under center, the five-time Pro Bowler will reintroduce himself as King Henry in a big game for 150-plus rushing yards.

Predictions

Bears: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, O'Donnell, Sobleski

Ravens: Moton

DK Line: Falcons (-7)

Hanford: Dolphins (+7)

The Dolphins are a mess, and Mike McDaniel is probably lucky to still have his job. Despite this, seven points still feels like a lot against a Falcons team that has struggled to score all season.

Tua Tagovailoa has struggled and had his worst performance of the year last week against the Browns, but Michael Penix Jr. hasn't played well at all, either. I'm not sure head coach Raheem Morris shouldn't consider giving Kirk Cousins another look. 

It's possible Miami makes me look bad here, but the offense looks better than it did in the Cleveland weather last week, and the Dolphins offense makes enough plays to keep this one within a touchdown.

Knox: Falcons (-7)

Which version of the Falcons will we see here? The one that won comfortably against Buffalo or the one that mustered just 10 points against about eight percent of a healthy San Francisco defense? 

Atlanta remains one of the toughest above-.500 teams to figure out this season, and if it was playing just about any other team, I'd stay far away from a line this large.

However, Miami is allowing 5.2 yards per carry, and the Falcons can run well when they commit to it.

Miami will bounce back from last week's loss, if only for pride's sake, and I won't be stunned if Tagovailoa outplays Penix in this one.

I'm just going to trust Coach Morris and Zac Robinson to put the training wheels back on Penix and ride their "best player in football" to a home victory.

Predictions

Dolphins: Hanford

Falcons: Davenport, Gagnon, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell, Sobleski

DK Line: Texans (-1.5)

Davenport: 49ers (+1.5)

The 49ers have been ravaged by injuries but are somehow keeping pace in the NFC West. The Texans are the team many expected to win the AFC South, but it turns out they won't.

This is a contest between a team that finds ways to win and another team that just isn't especially good. Take the points.

O'Donnell: Texans (-1.5)

More often than not, I'm riding with San Francisco, but every time I start believing in the 49ers, something bizarre happens. I'm a lone wolf in this game and for good reason. The Texans' offense is atrocious, and it could possibly be worse if it's without Nico Collins again. 

However, Houston coach DeMeco Ryans has that former team narrative going in this one, and you know the former 49ers defensive coach/coordinator knows a thing or two about Kyle Shanahan's offense.

If there's a game for the Texans' defense to really take over, and C.J. Stroud doesn't make mistakes—maybe let rookie RB Woody Marks do his best CMC impression?—I'll take my chances with this one.

It doesn't hurt that the 49ers are 1-4 ATS as road 'dogs since 2014 or that they're 7-17 ATS after a win in the last two-and-a-half seasons. 

Predictions

49ers: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Moton, Sobleski

Texans: O'Donnell

DK Line: Buccaneers (-5.5)

Gagnon: Saints (+5.5)

The Bucs are too banged up to pull away from anybody right now, especially a division rival that has played four decent home games already this season. It's also a short week for Tampa Bay, and Baker Mayfield is due for a turnover spree. 

Sobleski: Buccaneers (-5.5)

The Buccaneers should have burned the tape after Monday's performance. It was that bad.

At the same time, expect a bounce back after Tampa's disappointing loss to the Detroit Lions. Prior to that contest, Mayfield had been playing at an MVP level. Full-on regression isn't expected, not when he has time to prepare and get back on track, knowing how his wide receiver options will look. 

With Mike Evans now officially out and Chris Godwin still nursing an injury, the rookie duo of Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson should be comfortable serving as the team's top two targets. Mayfield's rapport with both has grown every week. 

Predictions

Buccaneers: Hanford, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell, Sobleski

Saints: Davenport, Gagnon

DK Line: Colts (-14)

Hanford: Titans (+14)

The Colts look like an offensive juggernaut right now, and I believe Shane Steichen's team is for real. But 14 is a lot of points, no matter what the matchup is. 

Indianapolis earned a huge road win against the Chargers last week and face the Steelers in Week 9.

This one has trap game potential. Not to the level of a Colts loss, but Cam Ward finds a rhythm, Jeffery Simmons and the Titans' front control the trenches just enough to slow Jonathan Taylor and the Indy rushing attack down, and Tennessee keeps this one closer than expected.

Sobleski: Colts (-14)

The best team in the league hosting the worst (or next-to-worst) seems like a good enough reason to pick the favorite even with a two-touchdown spread. When these two teams met in Week 3, Indianapolis scored 41 and won by three touchdowns.

Since then, the Titans fired their head coach, lost a top-notch offensive lineman and didn't show any life this past weekend after the change.

To make matters worse, Tennessee's best player, Simmons, might not play due to a hamstring injury. The Colts will handle business at home. 

Predictions

Titans: Gagnon, Hanford, Moton

Colts: Davenport, Knox, O'Donnell, Sobleski

DK Line: Broncos (-3.5)

Hanford: Cowboys (+3.5)

I was on Denver until the hook put this one at 3.5 points. I don't trust Dallas' defense to stop anyone this year, let alone the Broncos' rushing attack, but Dak Prescott is playing the best football of his career and just got his best weapon in CeeDee Lamb back last week.

I still like the Broncos to win this one, but they expended a ton of energy to make what will probably be the season's most ridiculous comeback last week against the Giants. Those types of wins tend to result in a team coming out flat in the following game.

Denver wins by a field goal.

O'Donnell: Broncos (-3.5)

Sean Payton and Bo Nix are 7-2 ATS as home favorites. One of those two failed covers happened last week in a game I can't bring myself to talk about anymore.

A larger than field-goal spread here is frustrating as Dak Prescott's Cowboys are 3-0 ATS as underdogs this season. 

However, they are 1-3 straight up in road games and 0-2 ATS after a win. The road woes concern me most with Jerry Jones' Jekyll-and-Hyde team.

Denver could be emotionally spent after last week, or it could build off that momentum. The Broncos' defense poses a difficult matchup, and Prescott, who hasn't thrown an interception since the Week 3 loss in Chicago, is due for one of those crippling mistakes.

A four-point win is a cover, but I can see the home team winning by a touchdown or more, powered by a big defensive effort.

Predictions

Cowboys: Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Sobleski

Broncos: Davenport, Moton, O'Donnell

DK Line: Packers (-3)

Hanford: Steelers (+3)

I don't trust Jordan Love and this Packers offense right now. I don't trust the Steelers defense. But I do trust Aaron Rodgers to continue playing better than anyone expected this season against his old team, and that's the difference in this one. 

Micah Parsons dominated last week against the Cardinals, but the Green Bay defense as a whole left something to be desired as it almost allowed Jacoby Brissett to throw for 300 yards. Rodgers should be able to find similar holes in that secondary.

I think we see points in this one as both teams struggle to get stops, but Rodgers earns a dramatic win at home, as the Steelers bounce back from a terrible TNF loss.

Knox: Packers (-3)

Admittedly, I don't relish the idea of backing the Packers as a road favorite for the second straight week.

Green Bay's offense is still searching for an identity, and its defense hasn't traveled like a great defense should.

The Steelers have had extra time to prepare for this one and have a quarterback who is probably still determined to avenge Green Bay's blasphemous 2020 decision to draft his successor. 

I just have serious concerns about the Pittsburgh defense we saw in Week 7 and early in the year. I'm beginning to believe the Steelers' Week 3 win over New England was a fluke and their four wins are more of a mirage than the 1-1 in Green Bay's 4-1-1 record. 

Predictions

Packers: Gagnon, Knox

Steelers: Davenport, Hanford, Moton, O'Donnell, Sobleski

DK Line: Chiefs (-10)

Davenport: Chiefs (-10)

The Commanders are a mess, a team that could be down its three best receivers and quarterback Jayden Daniels against a Chiefs squad that looked like the AFC's best team in Week 7.

Good teams weather storms...and then bring them.

Moton: Commanders (+10)

Even with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota under center, a 10-point line is too many points in favor of Kansas City.

The Chiefs have won all four of their games by 13 or more points, and Rashee Rice's return gave their offense a boost last week, but the Commanders are trying to end a three-game skid. 

If Washington loses, its playoff hopes could fade quickly with the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions coming up next on the schedule. The desperate Commanders keep the score margin within single digits.

It's also worth noting head coach Dan Quinn expects wideouts Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel to go through a full week of practices, which bodes well for Washington's offense.

Predictions

Commanders: Moton

Chiefs: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, O'Donnell, Sobleski