This Week’s Safest NFL Bets – Week 8, 2020

My NFL locks went a disappointing 1-2 last week. The Eagles and Bills both still won, but they couldn’t cover their respective spreads.

Cleveland, of all teams, found a way to win and get me a winning bet.

Last week felt like a tough spot to feel amazing about any NFL picks, let alone call them some of the safest bets to target. At first glance, week eight might be different.

I suggest taking a look at my early week 8 NFL odds breakdown, but that’s mostly about pricing. Here, you’ll find some of my favorite plays; bets I deem week 8 NFL locks.

The Titans fell into a 24-7 hole against a very good Steelers team last week, and still had a chance to win. Had a late field goal gone through the uprights, perhaps they’d be the team that’s still undefeated in the AFC.

Stephen Gostkowski missed a 45-yd attempt and that's the ball game. Tough way for the #Titans to lose. WOW.

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) October 25, 2020

Alas, the Titans have to settle with destroying the Bengals, who have one win on the year, and just gave up 37 points to the Browns in a loss.

Cincinnati’s defense has been about as bad as advertised, and there’s little hope in their 30th ranked run defense containing Derrick Henry.

Henry went up against the stingiest run defense in football, and still churned out 75 rushing yards and a touchdown. He’s going to smash here, and there’s no reason to think the rest of his teammates won’t follow suit.

The -250 moneyline is obviously a bit thick, so we can target a pretty palatable 5.5-point spread here.

I don’t know what will happen with the Rams as I write this. I’m handing out my favorite week 8 NFL locks on a Monday, when they still have to host the Chicago Bears on primetime television.

By the way, since you can still bet on that game at the time I’m writing this, feel free to hit up my favorite week 7 Monday Night Football player prop bets.

Moving into next week, this spread feels a bit thin for the Rams as they look to take on the Dolphins in Miami in week eight.

In the past, a trip to South Beach – especially with it being across the country – could be seen as problematic. Maybe it is in theory, but the Rams are the better team, and they get to face Tua Tagovailoa in his first NFL start.

Breaking: The Dolphins are naming Tua Tagovailoa their starting QB, a league source tells @AdamSchefter.

Tua Tagovailoa made his NFL debut Sunday vs. Jets. pic.twitter.com/8kx6zoucJY

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 20, 2020

Tua has had an entire week to prepare for this, but nothing truly prepares him for running from Aaron Donald, or trying to fit passes into tight windows against Jalen Ramsey.

Tagovailoa will hopefully have some success in this game, and I think he’ll be the franchise passer Miami drafted him to be. Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert took weeks to get their first wins in 2020. Tua may have to wait at least one to get his.

I am not naive to the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers probably aren’t going 16-0. In fact, it’s quite possible their first loss of the 2020 NFL season could come this week.

This certainly feels like a good time for it to happen, after all. They’re on the road, they’re spent from going 6-0, and the Ravens are as tough of an opponent as they could face all year.

This is a huge rivalry game, however, and it could have major ramifications within the AFC North. It’s still extremely possible the Steelers flat out win this game, while Baltimore just coasting to an easy win kind of feels unlikely.

I expect a good, hard-fought game. I like the Steelers as an upset pick here, but thanks to this weirdly thick spread, I am all about going with Pittsburgh to keep it within 4.5 points at MyBookie.

Lastly, we can ride into Monday Night Football with what feels like a very obtainable bet. Heck, some might call it one of the safest bets to target in week eight.

I am literally doing that, as Tom Brady and the Buccaneers look totally stacked and utterly dominant. It’s true that they’ve run into some trouble in some odd spots, but the past two weeks have shown us how nasty this team can be, both offensively and defensively.

What’s scary is that they’re only getting better with Antonio Brown being added to the mix.

Breaking: Antonio Brown and the Buccaneers have reached agreement on a one-year deal, sources tell @AdamSchefter.

Language still has to be finalized, COVID protocols passed, but Brown is likely to make his Bucs’ debut in Week 9 against the Saints. pic.twitter.com/K14eD7tt0n

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 23, 2020

Brown won’t be active for another week, but Tampa Bay really doesn’t need him here. The Giants are a sad-sack franchise, and despite first place taunting them in the pathetic NFC East, I expect them to shrink from here on out.

It’ll at least be the case in week eight, as Daniel Jones has no hope in solving a menacing defense that made Aaron Rodgers look like a buffoon two weeks ago.

My NFL locks didn’t deliver like I’d planned last week, but I feel really good about week eight. Even better, is some of these spots could warrant further investment.

You can also consider betting on the Titans to win, you can bet on the Rams straight up, and the Steelers look like an attractive underdog.

I love all four of these picks. If you’re in agreement, consider heading over to the best sites for betting on the NFL.