We still have one more game before closing out Week 6 of the NFL season, but that hasn't stopped New Jersey sportsbook PointsBetfrom being the first to post lookahead spreads for Week 8.
Week 8 will feature Packers at Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, along with Seahawks-Falcons, Chargers-Bears
For this week's piece, I'll be comparing the early, early Power Ratings from our projections guru Sean Koerner to the lines at PointsBet. We did the same last week, and here's how the lines we targeted compare to the current consensus odds posted for Week 7:
- Was: Vikings +2.5 at Lions. Now: Vikings pick'em at Lions (gained 2.5 points of value)
- Was Ravens +3.5 at Seahawks. Now: Ravens +4 at Seahawks (lost 0.5 points of value)
- Was Cowboys -1 vs. Eagles. Now: Cowboys -3 vs. Eagles (gained 2 points of value)
As you can see, targeting games very early can be a good way to get a jump on the market — and beating the closing like should always be your goal as a sports bettor. So let's take a look at this week's lookahead spreads from PointsBet and see if any are worth betting.
Odds as of Monday, Oct. 14 and via PointsBet, where Action Network users get an exclusive 200% deposit match (deposit $50, bet with $150).
Week 8 NFL Odds: Lookahead Spreads
Redskins at Vikings
- Odds: Vikings -12.5
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET on Thursday
- TV Channel: FOX/NFL Network
Our way-too-early power ratings have this game Vikings -14.5, so there's some slight value on Minnesota if you don't mind laying the big spread.
Seahawks at Falcons
- Odds: Seahawks -3
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: FOX
We make this spread Seahawks -1.5, but that number hasn't been adjusted for another poor defensive performance from Atlanta. Probably a stay-away at the moment.
Cardinals at Saints
- Odds: No line
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: FOX
Our power ratings have this spread at Saints -9.5.
Chargers at Bears
- Odds: Bears -4
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: CBS
The Chargers laid an egg on Sunday Night Football, likely causing this line to get bumped up a bit. Our power ratings before that SNF performance make this Bears -2, but I'm not touching the Chargers in this spot.
Jets at Jaguars
- Odds: No line
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: CBS
Our power ratings have this spread at Jags -8.5, though I'd imagine we'll bump New York up a bit after the Jets looked impressive in Sam Darnold's return.
Bengals vs. Rams
- Odds: Rams -10.5
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: CBS
- Location: London
The Rams put up a dud at home against the 49ers in Week 6. This line is spot-on; we have it at Rams -10.5, as well.
Giants at Lions
- Odds: No line
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: FOX
This is off-the-board before the Lions' MNF game against the Packers. At the time of writing, we make this game Lions -9.
Raiders at Texans
- Odds: Texans -6.5
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: CBS
This number is absolutely worth a bet. Our power ratings make the Texans -9 — and that was before Houston's road victory in K.C., which will only cause their power rating to go up even more. A nice bonus: You get this below the key number of -7.
Buccaneers at Titans
- Odds: Titans -3
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: FOX
We have Titans -4, but it doesn't factor in the Titans' lackluster performance against Denver in Week 6. Stay away.
Eagles at Bills
- Odds: Bills -1.5
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: FOX
The wrong team might be favored here. We make the number Eagles -2, but it doesn't factor Philly's 38-20 loss at the Vikings on Sunday. I'll be staying away from this, as no key numbers are involved.
Panthers at 49ers
- Odds: 49ers -5
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: FOX
The market still isn't showing the 49ers enough respect. We have the spread 49ers -6.5 — and it'll likely be even higher after we factor in their blowout road victory against the Rams in Week 6. San Fran is worth a bet at -5.
Broncos at Colts
- Odds: Colts -5
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: FOX
We make the Colts -3.5. Indy didn't play in Week 6, and Denver won, 16-0, against the Titans at home, so I'll be making a smaller bet on Broncos +5.
Browns at Patriots
- Odds: Patriots -10
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: CBS
Depending on your appetite for laying a double-digit numbers, the Patriots might have some value here. Our numbers have this Pats -12.5. It's a little less appealing to me than other early bets because we're not getting any value around key numbers.
Packers at Chiefs
- Odds: Chiefs -3
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: NBC
We make this Chiefs -5, but that's before we downgrade them for their home loss to the Texans. Still, I'd be surprised if this doesn't close north of -3. K.C. will have a long week to prep and get healthy (it plays on TNF in Week 7 against the Broncos). I'll be making a wager on the Chiefs, hoping to get a point or two of line value around some extremely key numbers.
Dolphins at Steelers
- Odds: No line
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday
- TV Channel: ESPN
We make this Steelers -14 — and that doesn't factor in Pittsburgh's impressive SNF win over the Chargers. Yes, the Dolphins are just that bad.
