There are three games in the NFL this week that don't require in-depth analysis in order to uncover the right move to make in the betting markets. You'll find those three games below, starting with the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pick: Philadelphia Eagles cover -10.5 (Unibet -107; about 20/21)
You could probably trump up some stats to support Pittsburgh in Week 8. They have a +10.5 handicap and that would have done the trick last week against the Miami Dolphins. Furthermore, it would have been well more than enough two weeks ago against Tampa Bay.
However, Miami was reigniting Tua Tagovailoa last week and Tampa Bay sucks this season. The last time we saw the Steelers against a team that was good and in form was three weeks against Buffalo. Pitt lost that game by 35 points and will probably lose to Philadelphia by 20 or so.
Further reading: see the team's injury report.
The Pick: Houston defeats Tennessee (-110 with Unibet)
The Tennessee Titans will be missing QB1 Ryan Tannehill in Week 8. He has an ankle problem and an illness. That means QB2 Malik Willis, a 2022 NFL Draft pick, will get the first start of his career. He is effectively debuting in the NFL with the exception of a 1 for 4 passing performance against Buffalo back in September.
The Texans have problems with injuries too. Brandin Cooks is questionable, the team's top receiver. However, there's nothing worse than losing a quarterback. There aren't many games where Houston's Davis Mills is the player to count on but that does appear to be the situation in this low-profile contest.
Houston, considered to be the favorite to finish this season with the worst record (bet365), already has a pretty good defense. Houston held Matt Ryan to 20 points, they held Russell Wilson to 16, and they held Trevor Lawrence to just 6 points. If Willis has any kind of nerves in his defacto debut or if he simply isn't NFL-ready, then this game could be ugly. Houston's the only moneyline pick that can be made.
The Pick: Commanders +2.5 handicap vs Colts (Unibet at -106; about 20/21)
It should not come as much of a surprise that the Washington Commanders won last week. QB2 Taylor Heinicke is not that bad of a backup and he has plenty of playing experience as the team's main starter from last season. The Colts, on the other hand, are going into uncharted territory: they are handing the reigns over to Sam Ehlinger. The 2021 NFL Draft pick has appeared in three games but has yet to attempt a pass in his career.
