BetMGM Staff Picks For NFL Week 8

BetMGM Staff Picks For NFL Week 8

Each week, writers and editors for The Roar will dig through the NFL odds to find their favorite bets for that particular week. Here are the staff’s favorite plays for Week 8.

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Chase Kiddy (Season Record 4-3): Falcons -4.5 vs. Panthers

There are a lot of trendy underdogs in the NFL this week that are coming off a surprising win, but none of them stink quite like Carolina. The Panthers have traded their top offensive playmaker (Christian McCaffrey) and are now playing PJ Walker at quarterback. They’re actively incentivized to lose games and jump into the CJ Stroud sweepstakes.

I suspect that last week’s result is much less about Carolina and much more about the Buccaneers. And strangely, this trip to Atlanta is probably the most difficult environment that the Panthers will have played to date. 

Despite all that, this still would have been a pass to me at Falcons -6, which is around where this number opened. But early action on the Panthers has driven this number to a much more valuable -4.5, which is where I’m comfortable buying in on a return to form for the Panthers.

Colton Pool (Season Record: 3-4): Commanders +3 at Colts

In a battle between two backup quarterbacks, I believe the Commanders have the advantage in this game.

Taylor Heinicke made some exceptional throws in his first start of the season last week. He should only improve as the season continues. Meanwhile, the Colts just made a change at quarterback from Matt Ryan to Sam Ehlinger. The second-year QB out of Texas is about to make his first career start.

While the Colts can turn to Jonathan Taylor, the Commanders are fourth in rush defense DVOA, per Football Outsiders. I expect Heinicke and the Commanders to show poise and keep this game close.

Andrew Doughty (Season Record 3-4): Bears +9.5 at Cowboys

The Cowboys’ win over the Lions was a lot closer than the final score (24-6) suggests. The Lions had four second-half turnovers, including one after a 79-yard drive to the Dallas 1-yard and one that led to a 24-yard Cowboys touchdown drive. 

While the Chicago Bears can be equally stupid with the football – their 1.6 turnovers per game ranks 24th in the NFL – they’re less stupid about getting blown out. Three of their four losses this season have come by eight or fewer points. And the fourth loss might’ve been a one-score loss if not for an unfavorable on-field ruling of Justin Fields’ fourth-down shotgun sneak against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2.

I think the sportsbook is inviting bettors to take the Cowboys with this line. I’m already on the Bears at +9.5 but if you’re not – or are considering increasing your position – it’s worth checking the public betting numbers on Sunday morning.

Ryan Hannable (Season Record: 2-4-1): Raiders -1.5 at Saints

While the Raiders are 2-4 on the year, they are better than their record suggests, especially of late.

They have won two of their last three games, and the one loss was a heartbreaker at Kansas City on Monday Night Football. Their offense is starting to click, scoring at least 29 points in three straight games, which is a good sign following a sluggish start.

New Orleans is a bit of a mess because of injuries and this seems like a great spot for the Raiders on the road. The Saints are allowing the second-most points in the league (28.6 points per game) and if this game is a shootout, it certainly favors Las Vegas.

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