NFL Week 8 'Beat the Line' bets
Believe it or not, we're already seven weeks through the 2023 NFL season. We've been successful at creating closing line value and cashing tickets all season, but that wasn't the case last week, as we went 0-3 against the spread for the first time this year in "Beat the Line."
Let's bounce back with three early bets for Week 8 that should give us CLV by Sunday afternoon.
2023 record: 10-7-4 CLV, 11-9-1 ATS
Atlanta Falcons @ Tennessee Titans
Two teams with painfully slow, run-heavy offenses and two coaches who have no problems settling for field goals in scoring position? Say no more.
The Falcons rank 29th in the NFL in points per game (16.4), and the Titans (17.3) haven't been much better. Mike Vrabel will be able to draw up a successful defensive game plan against Desmond Ridder with an extra week to prepare, and he'd be thrilled to grind out a low-scoring win in this matchup. This total is already dropping, so grab the under now before it's too late.
The bet to make: Under 37 (PointsBet)
Cleveland Browns @ Seattle Seahawks
The Browns somehow escaped with a 39-38 victory against the Indianapolis Colts last week despite Deshaun Watson and P.J. Walker combining to go 16-37 for 183 passing yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns. A defensive touchdown and three 50-yard field goals made the difference in the game, but that's not sustainable against a Seahawks offense that protects the football well.
To make matters worse, running back Jerome Field will miss this game due to an ankle injury. We don't know yet if Watson will be able to suit up, but there's almost no difference between him and Walker right now. This spread should close above -3.
The bet to make: Seahawks -3 (-102 FanDuel)
Las Vegas Raiders @ Detroit Lions
The Lions are coming off an embarrassing 38-6 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in which the offense played arguably its worst game in two seasons. That won't be the case in Week 8 against the Raiders.
In their last six home games, the Lions are averaging 34.7 points per game. Now they get to face a Las Vegas defense that just let the Chicago Bears, led by Tyson Bagent and D'Onta Foreman, torch them for 323 yards and 30 points. Detroit will be able to name its score in this game, and this number is already 27.5 at other books.
The bet to make: Lions team total over 26.5 (-120 DraftKings)
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