News Summary
As the NFL season enters Week 8, playoff implications loom with several teams on bye and crucial matchups scheduled. The Patriots look to capitalize on their winning streak against the Browns, while the Packers face the Steelers. The Dolphins aim to recover against the Falcons, and the Ravens seek a must-win game against the Bears. Injuries complicate the Jets-Bengals game, and the Colts face struggling Titans. A high-stakes matchup unfolds on Monday night as the Chiefs host the Commanders, with expectations for Kansas City to secure a victory.
New York City – The 2025 NFL season is entering Week 8, with playoff implications becoming more significant as teams gear up for the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Meanwhile, six teams, including the Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, and Jacksonville Jaguars, are on bye, creating opportunities for others to secure crucial victories.
This week’s key matchups include a prime-time showdown between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. The New England Patriots, returning home after a three-game road trip and on a winning streak, are set to face the Cleveland Browns, who currently have the NFL’s 30th-ranked offense, averaging just 16.1 points per game.
The projected score for the Patriots versus the Browns is Patriots 27, Browns 17, with betting odds favoring the Patriots -7. Other matchups to watch this week include the Pittsburgh Steelers as home underdogs against the Packers, where the projected outcome stands at Packers 24, Steelers 23, with the Steelers given a +3 betting line due to Mike Tomlin’s strong history in this situation (21-7-3 against the spread).
The Miami Dolphins are attempting to recover from a significant loss to the Browns, during which quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw three interceptions in two consecutive games. They will be facing the Atlanta Falcons, who boast the league’s lowest allowed passing yards (141.2) and rushing yards (159.3). The projected score favors the Falcons at 30 to 20, with a betting line of -7.
In another matchup, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, facing multiple injury challenges, are expected to compete against the struggling New Orleans Saints. The projected score is Buccaneers 27, Saints 20, with the Bucs as -4.5 favorites. The Buffalo Bills, after their bye week, aim to avoid a third straight game scoring under 20 points as they take on the Carolina Panthers, with a projected score of Bills 30, Panthers 23, and the Panthers being +7.5 underdogs.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens have a must-win game against the Chicago Bears, expecting to utilize their run-heavy offense effectively. The projected score for this matchup is Ravens 27, Bears 24, with the Bears given a +3.5 advantage. The New York Giants are looking to break their losing streak against the Philadelphia Eagles, who maintain a strong home record of 28-6 since 2022. The projected score for Giants versus Eagles stands at Eagles 30, Giants 20, and the Eagles are favored by -7.5.
The New York Jets are approaching their game against the Cincinnati Bengals while dealing with injuries. Questions surrounding their quarterback situation add to the drama of the matchup, with the projected score favoring the Bengals at 24 to 17, as they are given a -6.5 betting line. Additionally, the San Francisco 49ers will battle the Houston Texans, with discussions surrounding the 49ers’ high passing yardage leading to a projected score of 49ers 23, Texans 20, listing the 49ers as favorites at +1.5.
The Dallas Cowboys aim to establish consistency against the Denver Broncos, known for their formidable home defense. The projected score for Cowboys versus Broncos anticipates Broncos winning 27 to 24 while offering the Cowboys a +3.5 betting line. Lastly, the Indianapolis Colts heavily favored against the Tennessee Titans, who have struggled throughout the season, aim to capture a commanding win with a projected score of Colts 33, Titans 14, and with betting odds favoring the Colts at -14.5.
On Monday night, the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Washington Commanders, with strong expectations for the Chiefs to triumph. The projected score for this game is Chiefs 30, Commanders 17, reflecting an impressive -11.5 betting line for Kansas City.
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Additional Resources
- ESPN: NFL Week 8 Preview
- NFL.com: Week 8 Picks
- NBC Sports: Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 8
- CBS Sports: Best Bets for NFL Week 8
- Wikipedia: National Football League
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.


