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CBS Sports headlines and expert picks for NFL Week 8 feature key matchups, including the undefeated Minnesota Vikings visiting the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders hosting the struggling Philadelphia Eagles. Credit goes to the CBS Sports research team for the analytical data backing this week’s selections.
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
The Minnesota Vikings enter as the league’s only remaining undefeated team, yet they sit as three-point underdogs against the Detroit Lions, a line that makes sense given the statistical breakdown. The Vikings have scored only 10 touchdowns as a 6-0 team—the fewest since the 1934 Lions—and rank 31st in offensive EPA after needing a hard-fought battle to defeat the Indianapolis Colts last week. Meanwhile, the Lions rank second in total offense with 397.3 yards per game and scoring offense with 30.7 points per game. Detroit also limited Jordan Love and the Packers to just 17 points last week with Brian Branch back in the lineup. While Brian Flores will bring heavy defensive pressure against Jared Goff, the pick is for the Lions to hand the Vikings their first loss with a projected score of 24-20.
Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals
The Tennessee Titans squandered a 14-0 lead against the Cleveland Browns last week, ultimately losing after a late 36-minute reception set up a game-winning field goal against Robert Saleh’s defense. Facing an 11.5-point spread, the Titans meet a Cincinnati Bengals squad that erupted for 35 points in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens. The dynamic receiving duo of Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase combined for 210 yards and two touchdowns, presenting a matchup nightmare for Tennessee cornerbacks, especially with top cornerback Alontae Taylor missing time. With Tennessee averaging only 157.4 passing yards per game and having traded away Jeffery Simmons, the pick is the Bengals at -11.5 with a projected score of 30-13.
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars return from their bye week to host an Indianapolis Colts team dealing with significant roster and locker room turmoil. Indianapolis recently traded Pro Bowl offensive guard Quenton Nelson and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, while wide receiver Josh Downs requested a trade and running back Jonathan Taylor faces ongoing inquiries about his future. The Jaguars hold a strong 10-1 straight-up and against-the-spread record in their last 11 home games, alongside an 18-3-1 ATS mark in their past 22 meetings against the Colts. The pick favors the Jaguars at -10 with a projected score of 30-16.
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Atlanta Falcons mounted a 26-6 closing run to defeat the San Francisco 49ers last week after falling behind early. They now face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are 2.5-point favorites following a 43-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers where Baker Mayfield threw for 64 yards while Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, and Sean Tucker combined for 246 rushing yards and three touchdowns. However, the Falcons rank fourth in the NFL by allowing just 88.9 rushing yards per game and have won two road games this season by more than 20 points as underdogs. The pick is Atlanta +2.5 with a projected score of 26-24.
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders
The Philadelphia Eagles enter Sunday night on a five-game losing streak, averaging a league-low 239.0 total yards and 15.8 points per game during this slump. Tanner McKee continues under center, while the Washington Commanders return from their bye week looking to build on head coach Dan Quinn’s leadership. Washington previously outscored the 49ers 14-0 and outgained them 201 yards to 7 yards after falling behind 23-3 in a prior matchup. With the Eagles traveling on a short week, the pick is the Commanders laying six points with a projected score of 27-17.
Other Week 8 picks include the Packers (-3.5) over the Panthers, the Ravens (+3) 30-28 over the Bills, the Steelers (-3.5) 26-21 over the Browns, the Cowboys 25-22 over the Cardinals (+7), the Raiders (+1.5) 28-23 over the Jets, the Rams (-6.5) 30-14 over the Chargers, the Patriots 28-26 over the Dolphins (+7), the Broncos (+1.5) 20-16 over the Chiefs, and the Seahawks 24-23 over the Bears (+3).
