Anything can indeed happen on any given Sunday, as this season of the NFL would suggest. There are still five unbeaten teams in the league, and yet there are also two divisions that are in total flux right now.
One of those teams that have yet to lose will surely get on the ‘L’ column after this coming Sunday when the Denver Broncos welcome the Green Bay Packers for a primetime clash between two of the league’s early season titans. The Broncos are actually underdogs as a home team, but are more than capable of pulling an upset over the NFC’s leading Super Bowl candidate.
Let’s get into further detail as for why Denver and four other underdogs against the spread can possibly do wonders for online bettors in Week 8. Afterwards, head on over our complete previews for Tampa Bay vs. Atlanta and Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh for a couple of the week’s interesting division rivalries that aren’t featured below.
[sc:Football ]Top 5 NFL Week 8 Sleepers Predictions
Miami Dolphins (+8) at New England Patriots (Thu, Oct. 29, 8:25 PM ET)
[sc:NFL240banner ]Why the Dolphins will win: Miami has back-to-back wins since the bye week and ever since Dan Campbell took over the team’s head-coaching duties. Oh, and just in case you haven’t heard, Ryan Tannehill just set an NFL record of 25 consecutive completed passes this past Sunday en route to an 18-of-19 day in the air for 282 yards and four TDs. Seems the new regime in South Beach has revitalized the entire team, alright.
Why the Dolphins will lose: This is still undefeated New England we’re talking about here, the same team that has defeated the ‘Fins in eight of the last 10 meetings. To add, those two Dolphins victories came on their own home turf. The Pats have not lost at home to the Dolphins since the 2008 season, and have only lost three times to them since 2000.
Writer’s Prediction: New England still wins, but just by a single possession lead as Miami covers (+8).
San Francisco 49ers (+7.5) at St. Louis Rams (Sun, Nov. 1, 1:00 PM ET)
Why the 49ers will win: The Rams have always had it rough when they face the 49ers. St. Louis is 2-5-1 over the past eight games against its rivals from the Bay Area, with those two wins each decided by just a field goal. The Niners’ running game, which is currently third in the league this season total yards gained, could also take control of the contest against the Rams’ D that is allowing 113.3 rushing yards per game.
Why the 49ers will lose: Colin Kaepernick got extremely rattled by Seattle’s pass rush last Thursday in a humiliating loss, and St. Louis has an even more intimidating pair of defensive linemen in Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald. Just this past Sunday, the Rams D forced and recovered four fumbles (with one returned for a TD), and sacked Cleveland’s Josh McCown four times. Kaepernick’s indecision in the pocket could once again cripple San Francisco’s offense.
Writer’s Prediction: History repeats itself as the Rams win by just three points and the Niners cover (+7.5).
New York Giants (+3.5) at New Orleans Saints (Sun, Nov. 1, 1:00 PM ET)
Why the Giants will win: In spite of hemorrhaging 460 total yards to the Matt Cassel-led Cowboys on Sunday, the Giants still managed to pick-off the Dallas QB three times in the game – all in the second half, with one of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s two interceptions returned for a touchdown. The G-Men have eight INTs for the season, and will be itching to snag a few balls from Drew Brees and New Orleans’ passing game.
Why the Giants will lose: The Saints are not really taking to the air as much as we expected from a team that has Drew Brees as its quarterback, but the team is still winning. Brees threw just one touchdown and an interception behind 255 passing yards and still prevailed over the Colts on the road on Sunday. Balanced offenses hurt the Giants the most (as evident in their win over the banged-up Cowboys), and their defense has allowed 392 yards per game this season – fifth-worst in the NFL.
Writer’s Prediction: New York (+3.5) continues to make a case as the best team in the NFC East with a solid win on the road.
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (+2.5) (Sun, Nov. 1, 1:00 PM ET)
Why the Bears will win: The team is fresh off a bye and has found a new sense of urgency since the return of Jay Cutler under center. Even in last week’s three-point loss to the Lions, the Bears put up 31 points on the board in the second game of a back-to-back road trip. Furthermore, the Vikings have only won once in Solider Field over the past decade, and that was way back in 2007.
Why the Bears will lose: To put it simply, Chicago can’t stop the run, and Minnesota is good at it. The Bears are 27th in the league in rushing yards allowed, while the Vikes are sixth is rushing yards gained per contest. To add, Adrian Peterson loves to run against his rivals from the Windy City; AP averaged over five yards per carry in each of his last two full seasons facing the Chicago defense.
Writer’s Prediction: Da Bears (+2.5) take full advantage of home field in gusty Chicago yet again with an upset of the dome-based Vikings.
Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos (+2.5) (Sun, Nov. 1, 8:30 PM ET)
Why the Broncos will win: Denver rarely needs Peyton Manning to win its games this year because of the team’s outstanding D. That defense is currently ranked in the top five of points, passing and rushing yards allowed, making it the second-best overall unit in the NFL.
The Broncos also have nine interceptions for the season, which could spell doom for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, who are currently lacking a sound feature back in support of a strong aerial attack. Denver also only has two losses in Mile High since the beginning of last season.
Why the Broncos will lose: Despite all the injuries that has ravaged the team’s offense, Green Bay still leads the NFL in offensive touchdowns scored with 15 this season, proving that Aaron Rodgers doesn’t need a whole lot of yardage through the air to score points. Green Bay also has a secondary than can swing the tide, one that has eight interceptions for the year (third-best in the NFL, behind Denver’s D). Having said that, let’s keep in mind that Manning has thrown at lease two picks in each of the past three games.
Writer’s Prediction: The Broncos (+2.5) sustain their success at home and hand Green Bay its first loss of the season.
Create a betting account now to cash in on any or all of these sleepers in Week 8 of the NFL’s exciting 2015 campaign.
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