Week 8 NFL against-the-spread picks, predictions for every game: Ravens, at 1-5, are big favorites

The point spread for the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears game this week is one of the oddest you'll see, on the surface.

You'd think a 4-2 team with four wins in a row would be favored over a 1-5 team that has one of the worst defenses in football. Or at least be a very small road underdog. That's far from the case.

The Ravens are a healthy 6.5-point favorite at BetMGM. That's fairly startling for a team that hasn't won since Sept. 14. That was also their only win this season, over a 2-5 Cleveland Browns team at home.

Yet, this is an unusual case. The Ravens are getting Lamar Jackson back after he missed two games due to injury. The Ravens are coming off the bye, which was well timed after they had a glut of injuries. Baltimore has also played a tough schedule; its losses either came to good teams or were fueled by injuries. Four of the Ravens' five losses came to the Bills, Lions, Chiefs and Rams, who are among the best teams in the NFL.

There are still questions over whether the Ravens defense can be any good, but the Bears are about to find out. Chicago has been good this season. It's the only team to score 21 or more points in every game.

But if the Ravens are going to become a factor this season, the time is now. Jackson alone gives the Ravens a massive boost. It's a weird spread given the teams' records, but the pick is Baltimore. The Ravens are about to get on a roll in the second half of this season and it starts this week.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is expected to return to the team's lineup this week. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)Michael Owens via Getty Images

Here are the picks for Week 8 of the NFL season, with odds from BetMGM:

Vikings (+3.5) over Chargers

Both teams came into the season with high hopes after making the playoffs last season, and neither has taken off. The Vikings are .500 and the Chargers have fallen to 4-3 after a promising 3-0 start. It's an intriguing matchup, and getting more than a field goal makes for a tepid pick.

Eagles (-7.5) over Giants

We just saw the Giants beat the Eagles straight-up. That's a reason to take the favorite here. The Eagles won't overlook the Giants this time, and the offense looked good against the Vikings last week. Also, the Giants might have a hard time rebounding from one of the worst losses of this or any other season, their utter collapse at Denver. The Giants have been much better with Jaxson Dart, but this seems ripe for an easy Eagles win.

Falcons (-7.5) over Dolphins

The Dolphins, simply, are one of the NFL's worst teams. It's hard to say any team has packed it in for the season yet, but let's just say it doesn't seem like they're enjoying playing for their teammates anymore. The problem is it's tough to know what to expect from the Falcons, especially on offense. Some weeks they look unstoppable, other games they're awful. But playing the Dolphins defense will help.

Bengals (-6.5) over Jets

Aaron Glenn wants to keep his starting quarterback this week a secret. First of all, good luck with that. Second of all, who cares? Whether it's Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor, the Jets are incompetent. I don't like taking the Bengals giving this many points. Joe Flacco had a good game but he's not saving the Bengals. I just can't justify taking the Jets right now against anyone.

Browns (+7) over Patriots

The Patriots' win over the Bills has validated their start. But it is true they've played a very soft schedule. And the schedule will remain easy. Via DVOA, the Patriots have had the easiest schedule in the NFL so far and also the easiest remaining schedule. The Browns aren't very good, but the defense keeps them in games. That makes it worth taking the points.

Panthers (+7.5) over Bills

The Panthers actually have some momentum. Whether Bryce Young can start through an ankle injury or it's Andy Dalton in his place, the Panthers can move the ball. The defense is a little better. The Bills are a mystery. They clearly should be one of the best teams in football, but a two-game losing streak before the bye was a bit troubling. It's a lot of points for a confident Carolina team at home.

49ers (+1.5) over Texans

The Texans let us know on Monday night (Tuesday morning for some) that they aren't very good. The offense is too broken. It's unlikely Nico Collins plays after suffering a concussion. And the turnaround from getting done in Seattle after midnight Central time isn't ideal. The 49ers have issues too but they keep overcoming them and are clearly the better team.

Buccaneers (-4) over Saints

The Saints have been feisty at home. They have a little extra rest. The Buccaneers will be without Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr. and Bucky Irving on offense. But the Buccaneers are not a bad team. They just couldn't compete with the Lions right now. They'll enjoy an easier opponent.

Titans (+14) over Colts

Sometimes, you have to blindly take double-digit NFL underdogs. I have no idea how the Titans, one of the worst teams you'll see, covers against a Colts team that has looked incredible. But it happens all the time in the NFL.

Broncos (-3.5) over Cowboys

This is the game of the week. I'm not sold on the Cowboys, who everyone seems to think is a contender because they beat the Commanders (after losing to the Panthers seven days earlier). The Broncos have to fix their offense, but the defense is legit. And I trust Sean Payton to turn the offense around. The Broncos are going to get hot in the second half of the season, and maybe that starts Sunday.

Packers (-3) over Steelers

The wait for the Packers to look elite again continues. But they are good, and I can't say that confidently about the Steelers. Pittsburgh's defense is probably not good. Sure, Aaron Rodgers will want to beat his former team. Maybe that's why the spread is only a field goal.

Commanders (+12.5) over Chiefs

The Chiefs looked good last week, and might be the best team in football. The Commanders have a lot of injuries including Jayden Daniels, who is injured for the second time this season. But the Commanders aren't a terrible team, and it's a big spread for a Monday night game.

Last week: 11-4

Season to date: 62-44-2