NFL Week 8 Preview: Picks, Odds & Matchup Stats For Three Big Games

NFL Week 8 Preview: Picks, Odds & Matchup Stats For Three Big Games

October 24, 2018 – by Seth Trachtman

With NFL Week 8 kicking off tomorrow, here’s a stats-driven preview of three of this week’s biggest games.

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Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Picks, Odds & Matchup Stats

There might not be two teams in the NFL that are more desperate for a win than the Eagles and Jags as they square off in London this week. The Eagles blew a 17-point fourth quarter lead in Carolina last week to fall to 3-4, and now face a Jaguars team that has lost three straight games and four of five. Establishing the run has been difficult for the Eagles without Jay Ajayi, as the team averaged only 2.4 yards per carry vs. the Panthers and rank 23rd overall with 4.0 yards per carry for the season. The run is how offenses have been beating the Jags, running the ball 47% of the time against them (second most) and averaging 4.2 yards per carry. On the other hand, the vaunted Jaguars defense has still held up well against the pass, allowing only 5.8 yards per pass (second best) and 179.7 yards per game. Philadelphia will need to find a viable option between Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, and Josh Adams soon, and there’s no better time than this matchup.

For Jacksonville’s offense, it’s the same old story that we’ve seen off and on over the last three seasons. QB Blake Bortles has been terrible lately, even getting benched in favor of Cody Kessler last week, and the team said that Kessler would be given practice reps with the first team despite sticking with Bortles vs. Philly. That means the leash is likely short for Bortles, who has failed to complete 60 percent of his passes in any of his last three games. The team could get a bit of relief in the running game with new acquisition RB Carlos Hyde likely to get some work, as Jacksonville tries to improve its 4.3 yards per carry (17th best in the NFL) while starter Leonard Fournette (hamstring) remains on the mend. Teams have tried to beat the Eagles defense via the pass this season, throwing the ball 69% of the time, and the job got a little easier with Philadelphia’s struggling pass rush (20th in sack percentage) losing LB Derek Barnett for the year. For all the Eagles struggles allowing yards, they are still sixth best in points allowed (19.7), but that injury almost certainly hurts.

Head to Head: The teams have met five times previously, with the Jags winning the first three matchups and Philadelphia winning the last two. The most recent game was 2014.

Point Spread on Wednesday: Philadelphia -3.0

Game Winner & Spread Picks ($)Point Spread Odds & Line MovementOver Under Odds & Line MovementInjury ReportHead to Head Results HistoryEfficiency StatsStat Splits

Baltimore Ravens at Carolina Panthers: Picks, Odds & Matchup Stats

The Ravens suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Saints last week when kicker Justin Tucker missed the first extra point of his career near the end of regulation that would have tied the game. They look to rebound against a Panthers team that had a huge come from behind win vs. Philadelphia. Baltimore continues to struggle running the ball, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry (second worst in the league) and seeing RB Alex Collins run for only 38 yards on 11 carries vs. New Orleans. As usual, it will likely be up to QB Joe Flacco to move the ball through the air, and that effort hasn’t gone consistently great for the team, either, with only 6.6 yards per pass attempt. Carolina’s defense has struggled against the pass, allowing 7.3 yards per attempt, so it will be another opportunity for Flacco to get going after throwing for 279 yards and two scores last week.

Not surprisingly, Carolina’s offense has been built on the ground this year with a breakout campaign from RB Christian McCaffrey and the always threatening QB Cam Newton helping with a team average of 5.2 yards per carry, best in the league. Even against the top defense in the NFL this week, it’s hard to see much changing in the Panthers’ game plan. Offenses have gained just 4.5 yards per play and scored only 14.4 points per game against the Ravens, and last week’s 24 points allowed to the Saints was just the second time Baltimore has allowed more than 14 points in a game this season. Newton and company will have to make the most of their opportunities, and it’s not surprising that the Vegas over/under was only 43 points as of Wednesday morning.

Head to Head: The teams have met only five times previously. The Panthers won the first three games, while the Ravens have won the last two matchups. The most recent game was a 38-10 win by Baltimore in 2014.

Point Spread on Wednesday: Baltimore -2.0 (after opening at -1.0)

Game Winner & Spread Picks ($)Point Spread Odds & Line MovementOver Under Odds & Line MovementInjury ReportHead to Head Results HistoryEfficiency StatsStat Splits

New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings: Picks, Odds & Matchup Stats

This week’s Sunday night game features a rematch of last year’s NFC Divisional Round and the resulting “Minnesota Miracle.” Both teams are in the thick of the NFC playoff race again and looking to extend winning streaks. New Orleans had a crucial 24-23 win over Baltimore last week and face another formidable defense this week, albeit one that has failed to match expectations. Minnesota has struggled in the secondary, averaging 7.5 yards allowed per pass attempt, while Drew Brees has led the Saints offense to a #1 ranking in completion percentage (77.0%) and #6 ranking in yards per pass (8.1). New Orleans has been a bit more balanced since RB Mark Ingram’s return from suspension, but the running game will be tested again vs. a Vikings defense that’s allowing only 3.4 yards per carry.

Without RB Dalvin Cook, the Vikings aren’t getting much done on the ground, and they don’t seem likely to get going this week vs. the top run defense in the NFL. It will be QB Kirk Cousins’ opportunity to earn his hefty salary against a Saints defense that has allowed 8.3 yards per pass attempt, third worst in the league. New Saints acquisition CB Eli Apple has a chance to help the secondary immediately, but there’s likely only so much he can do with less than a week of practice time since being traded from the Giants. His contribution, along with the rest of the Saints secondary, will be key to stopping the Vikings wide receiver tandem of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.

Head to Head: The Vikings won the most recent matchup with the Minnesota Miracle in last year’s NFC Division Round. They also won in Week 1 of last season, ending a streak of four straight head-to-head wins by the Saints.

Point Spread on Wednesday: New Orleans -1.0 (after opening at -1.5)

Game Winner & Spread Picks ($)Point Spread Odds & Line MovementOver Under Odds & Line MovementInjury ReportHead to Head Results HistoryEfficiency StatsStat Splits

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