Week 8 of the NFL season hands Sunday viewers a menu with something for every kind of fan: an MVP-caliber quarterback duel in Buffalo, an unbeaten Vikings team walking into Ford Field, an AFC West showdown between two quarterbacks still shaking off major injuries, and a Sunday Night Football rematch in the NFC East. Eleven games are on the Sunday board, and these are the four worth clearing the couch for, whether you are watching for the fun of it or just want something to root for.
Ravens at Bills: Lamar Jackson Returns to Face Josh Allen
The early window opens with the headliner. Buffalo (5-1) is coming off its bye and is a 3.5-point home favorite over Baltimore (4-3), with the moneyline at Bills -180 and Ravens +155 and a total of 53.5, the highest number on the Sunday board. The reason to tune in is simple: Lamar Jackson is expected to play after missing three games with an ankle sprain, and the Ravens went 1-2 without him, including back-to-back losses to AFC North rivals. Jackson says the ankle is still sore but “bearable” and that he is moving better than he was a week ago.
Across from him is Josh Allen, who put up 33-of-46 for 394 yards with two passing touchdowns and two rushing scores the last time these teams met, a game Buffalo won on a last-second field goal after scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter. Both teams have injury questions to sweat. Baltimore has ruled out rookie right guard Vega Ioane and safety Jaylinn Hawkins, while Buffalo lists receiver D.J. Moore, tight end Dalton Kincaid and right tackle Spencer Brown as questionable and will be without safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who is suspended one game. With a total this high, this is the game most likely to turn into a shootout.
Vikings at Lions: Unbeaten Minnesota Visits the NFC North Neighbors
If you like a good defense-versus-offense storyline, this one is built for you. Minnesota is 6-0 with 11 consecutive wins and the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense, a unit that lives on blitzing quarterbacks until they crack. Detroit (4-2) owns the league’s No. 2 scoring offense and will host in its gray “Defend the Den” rivalry uniforms, while the Vikings will answer in all purple. Detroit is a 3-point favorite at home, with the moneyline at Lions -166 and Vikings +155 and a total of 46.5.
The subplot is a fun one: Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has made Jared Goff’s life miserable over the years, and his defense sacked Goff 10 times combined in two games last season. But Goff is playing some of the best football of his career this year, with a 14-to-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio and the league’s top passer rating at 112.5, and he has been even sharper against the blitz. Add a Detroit run game led by Jahmyr Gibbs and you have a divisional game that could decide who controls the NFC North.
Chiefs at Broncos: A Rematch With the AFC West Lead on the Line
The late window brings the AFC West into focus. Kansas City (5-1) is a 1.5-point road favorite at Denver (5-2), with the Chiefs at -120 on the moneyline, the Broncos at +105 and a low total of 41.5. The Chiefs won the first meeting 31-10 back in September, when Denver missed a staggering 28 tackles, but the Broncos have since won three straight, including a 30-16 win at Arizona last week.
The funny part is that both quarterbacks are still working their way back. Patrick Mahomes, who tore up his left knee in December, has gone consecutive games without a touchdown pass for the first time in his career after Kansas City was knocked from the unbeaten ranks by Seattle. Bo Nix, who broke his right ankle in the playoffs, is completing 59.2 percent of his passes, the lowest rate of his three-year career, though he ripped off a 62-yard touchdown run last week. With the passing games sputtering, the spotlight lands on Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III, who gained 173 yards in the opener, and a revived Travis Kelce, who is averaging a career-best 14.3 yards per catch at age 37. Kickoff is 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS.
Eagles at Commanders: Sunday Night Football With a Division on the Table
Primetime closes the day with a rematch of a Week 1 thriller that Philadelphia won 24-22. Washington is a 4.5-point home favorite at -198 on the moneyline, with Philadelphia at +172 and a total of just 40.5. Both teams are looking for a statement win with the season at its halfway point and the NFC East still up for grabs.
The storylines are all about who is on the field. Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee is making his third start, and Saquon Barkley is expected to give it a go despite hamstring and back injuries, though Philadelphia will be without wide receiver DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks. On the other sideline, Jayden Daniels is coming off a 29-of-40, 300-yard performance against the 49ers and is a threat with his arm and his legs, even with Terry McLaurin out and Stefon Diggs leading the receiving group.
This Week’s Best Bets
| Sunday, November 1 at 1:00 PM | Spread | Money | Total |
| Baltimore Ravens |  +3 (-108) |  +146 | O 54.5 (-108) |
| Buffalo Bills | -3 (-118) | -166 | U 54.5 (-112) |
If you want a little action on the games above, check the latest numbers at your sportsbook and shop around, since lines move all week. Our picks across the four featured games are below, and if you are new to the terminology, our types of bets primer breaks down spreads, totals and moneylines in plain English.
- Ravens at Bills: Over 53.5, with both MVP-level quarterbacks healthy enough to trade punches
- Vikings at Lions: Lions -3, since home-field advantage and the No. 2 scoring offense matter in a tight rivalry game
- Chiefs at Broncos: Under 41.5, with both passing games still searching for rhythm
- Eagles at Commanders: Under 40.5, given the injuries at receiver and the low total
Bet only what you can afford to lose, enjoy the football, and keep an eye on our NFL odds page for the latest numbers before kickoff.
The smartest 5 minutes in betting
Get the week's best offers, line moves, and data-driven picks — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Join 240,000+ subscribers. 21+ only.
