NFL betting: Dougherty's Week 8 betting guide, Part 1

Believe it or not, we're already halfway through the 2024-25 NFL season. Time flies when you're betting on football! We've got a full slate of 16 games ahead with no byes on the schedule, so let's get right to the action with our betting preview and predictions for every game in Week 8.

Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Rams

Thursday, Oct. 24, 8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Spread: Vikings -3
Total: 48.5

This matchup should be much more entertaining than last week's laugher between the Denver Broncos and the New Orleans Saints. The Los Angeles Rams come in with some momentum after knocking off the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7, and Cooper Kupp is expected to play for the first time since Week 2. Puka Nacua is also off injured reserve and has a chance to play on "TNF."

The Vikings suffered their first loss of the season last week to the Detroit Lions, and the defense was exposed for 31 points and 7.0 yards per play. Quarterbacks can burn this defense if they stay calm under Brian Flores' pressure, and Matthew Stafford is one of the best in the business. 

Matchup to exploit: T.J. Hockenson vs. Rams secondary

The Rams have given up a combined 14 catches, 181 yards and two touchdowns to Brock Bowers and Tucker Kraft in their last two games. If Hockenson is activated before this game, take a look at his receiving yards over.

Prediction: Vikings 27, Rams 26

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns

Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m., CBS
Spread: Ravens -8.5
Total: 44.5

It's Jameis Winston time in Cleveland. Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 7, so Winston will take over as the starter after leading the Browns to a touchdown in his first and only drive of the game. Maybe this is the week Cleveland's 32nd-ranked offense shows some life.

As for the Ravens, there's nothing wrong with their offense. Baltimore is averaging 35.0 points per game since starting the season 0-2. Lamar Jackson is the new MVP betting favorite after throwing a career-high five touchdown passes last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Matchup to exploit: David Njoku vs. Ravens secondary

Njoku is coming off a season-high 14 targets, 10 catches and 76 receiving yards, and now he has a quarterback who will look to chuck it downfield. Check out Njoku to clear his receiving yards prop and/or find the end zone against a Ravens secondary that's struggled to guard tight ends.

Prediction: Browns 28, Ravens 27

New York Jets @ New England Patriots

Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m., CBS
Spread: Jets -7
Total: 41.5

Davante Adams didn't make much of a difference for the Jets in his debut, as New York got crushed by the Pittsburgh Steelers to fall to 2-5. That sets up a must-win game against the New England Patriots, which are coming off an embarrassing loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

One positive for the Pats is Drake Maye, who's thrown for 519 yards and five touchdowns through two starts. This offense is at least functional with Maye under center, but the defense has given up at least 30 points in three of its last four games. 

Matchup to exploit: Breece Hall vs. Patriots front seven

The Patriots have given up 100-yard rushing games to Tank Bigsby, Joe Mixon and Jordan Mason recently. Check out Hall to go over his rushing yards prop.

Prediction: Jets 23, Patriots 13

Tennessee Titans @ Detroit Lions

Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m., FOX
Spread: Lions -11
Total: 44.5

The Lions took control of the NFC North with a last-second win against the Vikings last week, and it's hard to argue they aren't the best team in the NFC through seven weeks. Jared Goff has established himself as an MVP candidate with his 73.6 percent completion rate and 10 touchdown passes. 

Meanwhile, the Titans continue to struggle offensively no matter who lines up under center. Will Levis is a turnover waiting to happen, and Mason Rudolph isn't effective at pushing the ball downfield. That won't get any easier this week after Tennessee traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Matchup to exploit: Tony Pollard vs. Lions front seven

Pollard has rushed for at least 61 yards in five of six games this season, and the Lions have given up big games to Aaron Jones and Kenneth Walker recently. The Titans will want to burn clock and keep Goff off the field, so check out Pollard to go over his rushing attempts.

Prediction: Lions 24, Titans 17

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans

Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m., CBS
Spread: Texans -5.5
Total: 46.5

It's time to have a conversation about Anthony Richardson. The former first-rounder went just 10-24 for 129 yards against the Miami Dolphins last week, and he's now completing just 48.5 percent of his pass attempts this season. It's not looking good for Richardson, but he should be getting Jonathan Taylor back after a three-game absence. 

The Texans are coming off a last-second loss to the Green Bay Packers, and the passing game looks broken without Nico Collins. C.J. Stroud threw for only 86 yards against Green Bay and was under pressure all game. Six defensive starters are listed as questionable for Week 8, so this could be a sneaky upset spot if Richardson plays well.

Matchup to exploit: Tank Dell vs. Colts secondary

Dell was held without a catch last week, but this is a much better matchup against a Colts secondary that consistently gives up explosive passing plays. Check out Dell to go over his longest reception prop.

Prediction: Colts 23, Texans 20