NFL Week 8 Storylines and Best Bets
Is Nathaniel Hackett’s Career in Denver Over?
Reports coming out of Denver have said Nathaniel Hackett might be fired if the Broncos don’t win in London on Sunday. What a tough game to go into knowing you need to win. London is already a tough place to play considering the travel and deviation from the normal Sunday routine. Usually, the team with the more experienced coach prevails in the overseas games. The team could rally around Hackett, but that’s assuming he hasn’t lost the locker room. Time will tell.
Clash of the Overachievers
The New York Giants are heading to Seattle this weekend. There are a lot of reasons this game is interesting. For starters, both teams have a winning record, something no one saw coming by Week 8. I have been a “hater” of both these teams for 7 weeks. I still am bearish on the Giants, but I am officially a Seahawk “respecter” now. As I said in last week’s recap blog, Geno has been playing phenomenally so far. He is top 7 in every quarterback category that matters and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Seattle’s defense is starting to come into its own, although it’s still below average. This game has all the makings of a blow out in my opinion considering how great Seattle’s offense has looked and how much travel the Giants have had to do. Somehow this game is the one I am looking forward to the most in Week 8.
Mac Jones’ Recent Struggles
Last Monday was a tough one for Mac Jones. He was benched in the first quarter after throwing an interception that might not have been his fault. In all reality, Jones probably rushed himself back from injury to try and stop the Bailey Zappe hype train from gaining any more steam with the New England faithful. All that got him was a stadium full of “boos”. Now that Mac has officially been named the starter for the Patriots Week 8 matchup with New York, he should be able to get back on track.
The Jets have a good defense on paper, but a closer look shows us what they actually are. The last 4 weeks New York has allowed point totals of 20, 17, 10 and 9. Let’s look at who those games were against. Mitchell Trubisky and Kenny Pickett, Skylar Thompson, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Rypien. Casual NFL fans have never even heard of 3 of those guys. The Green Bay win was nice, but even the Packers don’t look like a good team right now. Mac Jones isn’t a superstar, but he is a very capable quarterback. He should secure the starting role again after a big week.
Straight Bets
Miami Dolphins @ Detroit Lions Over 51.5
Somehow, I haven’t heard a lot about this bet this week. Usually, an over this attractive gains a lot of attention throughout the week, but it has flown under the radar. I am usually an under better, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play the over here. Detroit’s defense is allowing 32.3 points per game and Miami’s isn’t much better at 23.6. Detroit should also be at full strength, getting St. Brown and Swift back from injury. In games Swift played 50%+ of the offensive snaps, Detroit is averaging 35.5 points. The points should come cheap in Detroit Sunday.
New England Patriots -2.5 @ New York Jets
I am a little curious why this line is only 2.5. If Mac Jones came out and played the way he should’ve last Monday, and the Patriots won by 10+ I think this line is at least 3.5. The Jets just lost arguably their best offensive weapon in Breece Hall and will now also be without Corey Davis. New England has some injuries on their side of the ball as well, but nowhere near as important. After that catastrophe in Chicago last week, Bill will have the guys ready to play. The Patriots will cover convincingly here.
Teasers
Washington Commanders +9 / Denver Broncos +7.5
I know I spent the first paragraph of this blog harping on Nathaniel Hackett. I am not sure if the Broncos win this game, but my thought is they won’t lose by more than a touchdown. Jacksonville’s offense has gone downhill ever since the dreadful game against Philadelphia. Even if the Broncos can’t score, I don’t think Jacksonville will be able to either. Denver should be able to keep it close.
Heinicke vs Ehlinger. Who thought that would be the quarterback matchup in this game before the season started? Surely not either of these franchises. Look, the Commanders are coming off a big win against Green Bay last week and the Colts are currently lost. Ehlinger can’t be much worse than Ryan was, but I also don’t know if he is any better. Terry McLaurin is Washington’s best weapon and Wentz was not using him. When Heinicke starts, he targets McLaurin over 8 times a game. He gets the ball in the hands of his best playmaker and that is how the Commanders either win this game or keep it within a touchdown.
Player Props
Daniel Jones Over 37.5 Rushing Yards
I know we said last week we were done with player props, but this one is too good to pass up. Daniel Jones’ running ability has become almost as important to the Giants offense as Lamars is to Baltimore’s. Lamar is obviously a much better runner, but New York heavily relies on Jones’ legs to win games. Last week Daniel had 107 yards on the ground and the Giants needed all of them to get the “W” in Jacksonville. He’ll have to do it again this week as Seattle’s offense has been unstoppable recently. More points for Seattle mean less carries for Saquon Barkley and more scrambling opportunities for Jones.
Josh Jacobs Over 86.5 Rushing Yards
This could easily be a buy high scenario, but you could’ve said the same thing about our Derrick Henry pick last week and that was an easy winner. Jacobs has rushed for 144, 154, 143 in his last three games. He’s been as hot as anyone playing currently and now he is facing a team giving up 4.6 YPC, good for 20th in the league. Jacobs will feast again on his way to another big game.