Tailgate Packing List Week 8, NFL Edition

As we are getting closer and closer to official chili season (has to be consistently 50 degrees or colder) teams have shown their true colors and we are finally starting to get a feel for each team. Lamar and the Ravens are a wagon, the Chiefs have an elite defense, the Lions are the team to beat in the NFC, and the Browns will always be the Browns. Let’s take a look at this weeks slate of game and pick some winning bets to help start that Christmas gift fund.

Eagles at Bengals

The Eagles were able to keep Siriani’s mental breakdown at bay and dismantle the Giants last week. Saquon looked amazing and AJ Brown is a true difference maker, I could not imagine refusing to pay him. On the other side of the ball the Bengals got a win in Cleveland, a place they often struggle to play in and are a win away from being a .500 team. Look for this to be a high scoring affair as the Eagles regress from last week and Joe Burrow restarts his hot streak with a Bengals win.

Best Bet- Over 48.5

Ravens at Browns

ITS WINSTON TIME, as the Browns have officially given the world what we want and made Jameis Winston the starter. Look for the dawg-pound to ride that high and energize this team as anything, and I mean ANYTHING, is possible with Jameis at QB. The Ravens are the best team in the NFL even with two losses and Lamar is the MVP to anyone who has eyes and has watched him play. Baltimore will not be phased walking into Cleveland and will look to continue their offensive onslaught. Even with the Jameis bump there is still to many flaws in this team to compete with the Ravens as the visiting team will walk away the winners.

Best Bet- Ravens -8.5

Titans at Lions

For all the Titans fans out there, that tune in week in a and week out to this team, thank you for your service. This team is flirting with fire sale territory and the best thing they have ever done was allowing us to see Derrick Henry in the Ravens offense. Detroit has had to deal with some internal drama as Jamo was suspended for two games for PES but if anyone can real the team back in it is Dan Campbell. Look for the lions to win in a game this never in jeopardy. With that in mind 12 points is just too many points in a game where the Titans get paid to play too.

Best Bet- Titans +12

Cardinals at Miami

This may be the worst uniform matchup of the day (yes, here at Tailgate Talk we use the most advanced analytics) as the Cardinals head down to Miami. The Dolphins are fresh off a lose to Anthony Richardson and the Colts and the Cardinals are coming off a win in a game no one watched on ESPN+. This game may sneak on redzone once or twice but look for the Cardinals to get a road win in a low scoring affair.

Best Bet- Under 45.5

Jets at Patriots

Personally, I think it would be hilarious if Drake Maye lit up the Jets and they continued the Jets spiral, but I am not holding my breath. The Pats are fresh off of their head coach calling them soft and then their former head coach rebukes him on that statement, can not be good vibes in that locker room. The Jets can not stop being the Jets as Adams spent one week in New York before going after his own teammates and Aaron Rodgers is still trying to figure things out on offense. This may be the week he does as this Pats team made Trevor Lawerence look almost worth his contract.

Best Bet- Over- 40.5

Falcons at Buccaneers

There is losing a game and then there is what the Bucs did last week. Not only did they lose on the scoreboard but they also lost Mike Evans for an extended period of time and Chris Goodwin for the season (in garbage time no less). Baker is having a great year and clearly won the breakup between him and the Browns but his play can only overcome so many injuries. Kirk Cousins and company will be looking to rebound from an ugly lose and they will extend their lead in the NFC South as they travel to Tampa and take care of business. Look for this offense to continue to grow and perform as they put up recording breaking numbers last time they played Tampa.

Best Bet- Atlanta -2.5

Packers at Jaguars

The Jaguars are back from their home away from home London and immediately return to play a Packer team finding their form. T-Law had his best game against the season against a very bad Patriots team and the defense played serviceable in the second half. Sadly that will not be enough as this Packers team is only getting better on offense and their defense is firing on all cylinders. Gary is turning up the heat after a slow start and this team is deep as they held CJ Stroud to a career low 87 yards passing last week. The Pack attack will be to much and the Jags winning streak will end at 1.

Best Bet- Packers -4

Colts at Texans

Hand up, I was incredibly confident the Colts would not win a game with Anthony Richardson at QB and I was wrong BUT I wont be wrong twice and will double down on this take. The Texans just blew a game in where they won the turnover battle by 3 and Mixon was electric while Stroud had his worst game ever. Look for this game to get out of hand fast as Richardson still can not throw the ball and Stroud will be playing angry.

Best Bet- Houston -5

Saints at Chargers

In a game where the Saints do not have a quarterback, and the Chargers do not have a receiver this may be the perfect time to flex this to ESPN+. While I don’t think its fair to judge Spencer Rattler as a QB based on the current Saints roster I do think it is fair to bet against him and change the channel to avoid watching it. On the other sideline Jim Harbaugh has to be furious after losing a very winnable game last week and look for him to just run the ball down the throat of the Saints. This game will be our rock fight of the week and the Chargers will walk away winners.

Best Bet- Chargers -7

Bills at Seahawks

This may be the most exciting game of the week as Josh Allen and the Bills added a true WR1 in Amari Cooper and it appears James Cook can hold onto the ball. Across the field Geno has been slinging the football and has this offense humming while they wait for their defense to get healthy. Josh may finally have his first interception of the year but look for him to push the ball down the field. This game will be the exact opposite of the Saints versus Chargers as it turns into a shootout where Josh Allen will get the last laugh.

Best Bet- Over 46.5

Panthers at Broncos

BRYCE IS BACK and for some reason I am excited. I spent several months defending him to anyone who would listen (just my dog) and I still think that somewhere deep down he has the ability to be a good QB. The problem is he is going against an elite defense and still has no real weapons around him. Bo Nix on the other hand has his confidence going and has shown flashes of being a good QB while having the support of a great defense. This game could get ugly for the Panthers as their nightmare run continues.

Best Bet- Over 41.5

Chiefs at Raiders

Any team that signs Desmond Ridder (I am sure he is a nice guy) clearly has thrown in the towel. Couple that with the fact that the Raiders spent their offseason mocking Patrick Mahomes and you have a recipe for a blood bath. Maxx Crosby might not haven given up but it looks like 21 other starters have. The Chiefs have been looking for a get right game for their offense and they finally have it in this week’s matchup against the Raiders.

Best Bet- Chiefs 9.5

Bears at Commanders

Everything the Panthers touch they ruin! Even if Jayden Daniels plays this week he will still be injured and the matchup between the first and second pick is tainted. Caleb Williams has gotten better every week and I do not think the Commanders got better on defense I think they played the Panthers. This matchup has the ability to be must watch TV as both QBs are playing great as long as Jayden is healthy. Look for the Bears to have the edge with a great defense but it will be close.

Best Bet- Commanders +3

Cowboys at 49ers

Brock Purdy’s healthiest receiver was shot in the chest three months ago, that is never great to hear heading into week eight. The Cowboys were last seen getting slaughtered by the Lions and subsequently got to listen to their owner scream at radio hosts asking reasonable questions. A game that two months ago looked like a battle of two contenders has turned into a loser leave town game as both teams desperately need a win. Look for Dak to force the issue down the field and the Cowboys to get a win against a very underwhelming 49ers team.

Best Bet- Cowboys +4.5