Welcome to the Week 8 of the NFL season and ProFootballMatchups.com picks of the week. This is where they’ll post their analysis of what they think are the best Week 8 NFL bets, helping you decide between the tough bets and the easy ones. Each week, they’ll post the top games of the week, usually along with their best Underdog Bet of the Week.
Best Week 8 NFL Bets
Games of the Week: Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles
The Falcons are coming off a bye and are looking to move their winning streak to 7 games. The offense has been the main reason for the success and is averaging 28.5 points (Top 10 in the NFL) and 361.3 yards per game. Matt Ryan has been great at getting the ball to his playmakers Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. The Falcons have had problems putting teams away lately, since the running attack is among the worst in the NFL only averaging 86.5 yards per game. The defense has been great holding opponents out of the end zone only allowing an average of 18.8 points per contest. The run defense has been poor allowing 143.8 yards per game and 367.2 total yards per game.
The Eagles are coming off a bye week, but all was not quiet in Philly. Andy Reid dismissed the Eagles defensive coordinator during the bye week and will look to get his talented unit to play more aggressive during the second half of the year. The unit has been average allowing 20.8 points and 330.8 total yards per game. The pass defense has been the weaker unit for the D allowing 226.3 passing yards per game. Even though the DC was fired the offense should shoulder an equal amount of blame for the team’s poor play only scoring 17.2 per game. The offense has been great moving the ball averaging 379 total yards per contest and have been able to move the ball on the ground averaging 122 yards, but the issue has been the ability to protect the ball, since the Eagles are one of the worst teams in the NFL at turning the ball over.
The Falcons are 1-4 ATS after allowing 350 yards the previous game and the Eagles are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a bye.
ATS Prediction: Eagles (- 3)
Miami Dolphins @ NY Jets
The Dolphins are seeking revenge from their loss earlier in the year to the Jets at Miami. The Phins took the game to overtime, but missing field goals cost them a victory. The offense has improved their play since their contest earlier this year averaging 343.2 total yards and 20 points per game. The running attack has struggled the last few weeks and the team may become more reliant on Ryan Tannehill’s arm to move the ball and the passing attack has averaged 224.2 yards per game. The defense has been stellar in 2012 and has kept the team n every game. The unit ranks in the top 10 in points allowing only giving up 19.5 points per game. The run defense is rated in the top 5 giving up 78.2 yards per contest and 363 total yards per game.
The Jets play has improved over the last few weeks and should have left Foxboro with a win last weekend. The play of the offense has improved dramatically over the last few weeks and an improved passing attack is the main reason why the team is now averaging 22.7 points per game. The Jets still rely on the running game to control the clock and move the chains and are averaging 110.4 rushing yards and 310.9 total yards per game. The defense has been great defending the pass and has adjusted to life without CB Darrelle Revis and are only allowing 215.1 passing yards per game, which points them in the the Top 10 in the NFL. Overall the unit is giving up 24.3 points and 362.9 total yards per game.
The Dolphins are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against the AFC East and the Jets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against the AFC.
ATS Prediction: Jets (-2.5)
Underdog of the Week
The Redskins are coming off a tough division loss to the Giants where they took the lead and then gave it up late in the 4th quarter. The one common theme that comes coming from Redskins’ opponents after they play is that RG III is the real deal and will continue to get better as he get used to the play of the NFL. With that said, with Robert Griffin III running the offense, the Redskins feature the league’s best rushing attack, which averages 177.7 yards per game and are averaging 406.3 total yards of offense per game. The offense has done a good job pointing points on the board, averaging 28.7 points per game. The defense has played better the last few weeks, but for the season the unit has been poor allowing 28.6 points and 413.7 total yards per game. The one bright spot on defense has been the run defense which is only allowing 85.3 yards per game.
The Steelers are coming off a big division win over the Bengals in Cincy and are looking to win consecutive games for the first time this season. The offense continues to improve as they continue to learn Todd Haley’s schemes and are averaging 23.3 points and 372.3 yards per game. The offense is among the best in the NFL at converting third downs and are ranked 6th in the NFL in passing averaging 282.2 yards per game. The defense is statistically among the best in the NFL only allowing 22 points and 277.3 yards (2nd in the NFL) per game. The one difference between this defense and Steelers defense from the past is the lack of turnovers created. Even though they are not causing turnovers the defense has been great against the pass only allowing 184.8 yards per game.
The Redskins are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games and the Steelers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games.
ATS Prediction: Redskins +5
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