NFL Week 8 Early Lines vs. Line Movement Predictions (2022)
Week 7 left many worries in the hearts of Packers, Buccaneers, and Chargers fans. All three teams lost despite being favored over what were considered far inferior opponents. Additionally, despite being small underdogs, the Jets and Giants both continued their winning ways, and the Chiefs had no trouble taking down the 49ers in San Francisco.
Week 8 features three games with double-digit spreads and eight games with point spreads of a field goal or less.
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Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thursday night’s game features two teams that are really struggling to start the 2022 season. The Ravens are 4-3, but they have blown multiple double-digit leads, and they very nearly blew another game last week against Cleveland.
The Buccaneers’ struggles have been right in the public eye, as they have lost back-to-back games to the Steelers and the Panthers. Yet, while many are wondering if Tom Brady has anything left in the tank, the fact remains the Buccaneers have the talent to turn their season around. As the home team on a short week, look for this line to move in their favor, potentially even ending with them being favored.
Current Line: Ravens -1.5
Predicted Final Line: Pick ‘em
Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles
The Steelers have gotten zero respect since they were dismantled by the Bills 38-3 three weeks ago. However, the resulting large spreads have been great for bettors backing Pittsburgh, as the Steelers have covered in each of their last two games.
This week, they take on the Eagles, NFL’s last remaining undefeated team, and once again, they are underdogs by double-digits. After nearly taking down the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, you might think the Steelers would get a little more respect. Instead, the line has moved in favor of the Eagles after opening at -10.
With the Eagles coming off their bye and essentially having two weeks to prepare for the Steelers, look for this line to continue to move toward Philly.
Current Line: Eagles -11
Predicted Final Line: Eagles -12.5
Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys looked shaky in the early going against the Lions. Eventually, Dak Prescott and the offense started clicking, and the defense forced five second-half turnovers, but there was a point where the Lions were leading 6-3.
Now that Prescott has a full game under his belt, it seems that Oddsmakers are expecting Dallas to have no trouble taking care of another lowly NFC North opponent. The defense has accumulated 29 sacks, five more than the second-most in the NFL. This week, they get to take on the Bears, who are the worst in the NFL in sacks allowed per game.
This type of matchup, mixed with the Cowboys’ improved offense, spells disaster for the Bears. And it should allow this line to keep moving in the Cowboys’ favor.
Current Line: Cowboys -10
Predicted Final Line: Cowboys -12
New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks
Two of the most surprising teams in the NFL meet this weekend, and the Seahawks are favored by just under a field goal. While the Seahawks and Geno Smith have certainly been a good story, what will it take for the Giants to earn the respect of Oddsmakers?
Despite being 6-1, the Giants have been favored in just two games all season. They are 1-1 in such contests, which means that they are undefeated in games where they are underdogs. This is just the second time all season that the Seahawks are favored. The last time they gave points, they lost 27-23 to the Falcons.
The Seahawks have been fun to watch and are always hard to play at home. But the Giants have been good to bettors this season and continue to find ways to win as underdogs. Look for this line to move in their favor, but never pass through a key number.
Current Line: Seahawks -2.5
Predicted Final Line: Seahawks -1.5
Green Bay Packers at Buffalo Bills
Aaron Rodgers has never been a double-digit underdog in his career. Currently, he is a 10.5-point underdog against the Bills on Sunday Night Football. Will the line hold, or will it drop into single digits?
Our guess is that the line will drop in favor of the Packers throughout the week. The Packers have been very disappointing of late, and their 23-21 loss to the Commanders was shocking. However, it always seems like Aaron Rodgers finds a way to right the ship when everything is falling apart.
The Bills have posted a 4-1-1 against the spread record so far this season, a very impressive feat since they have been favored in every game. Perhaps that is why there has been such an over-adjustment from oddsmakers regarding the Packers, especially since they were slow to adjust after the Packers started losing a few weeks ago.
Current Line: Bills -10.5
Predicted Final Line: Bills -9.5
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
The Bengals looked like the team everyone was expecting on Sunday. Joe Burrow threw for 481 yards and three touchdowns, while both Tyler Boyd and Ja’marr Chase pulled in eight catches for over 130 yards.
Meanwhile, the Browns lost another close game. During their four-game losing streak, three of their four losses have been by a field goal or less. Perhaps that would make them a popular play at home on Monday night.
However, with how the Bengals looked on Sunday, it is likely that bettors are going to finally dish out support to a team they’ve been looking to back all season. There won’t be much line movement, but there should be enough to get this over the key number.
Current Line: Bengals -3
Predicted Final Line: Bengals -3.5
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Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.