NFL 2021 Week 8 Lines: Opening Point Spreads, Betting Odds, Schedule

Following a light 13-game schedule in Week 7, the NFL is back up to 15 games for the Week 8 slate. The opening betting lines suggest that most of the matchups could come down to the wire.

Ten of the 15 games on the Week 8 schedule opened with a betting line of four points or fewer. Two teams are favored by just 1.5 points against division rivals. Four teams are short road favorites.

The Thursday night matchup kicks off the week with a battle of first-place teams. The Arizona Cardinals are given the slight edge over the visiting Green Bay Packers as 3.5-point home favorites. Aaron Rodgers, last season’s MVP, goes head-to-head with Kyler Murray, one of the top candidates to win this year’s MVP award.

The Dallas Cowboys are laying 2.5 points on the road against the Minnesota Vikings on “Sunday Night Football.” Dallas appears to be running away with the NFC East title. This is an important game for Minnesota in their quest to get back to the playoffs.

The Tennessee Titans can take a commanding lead in the AFC South if they beat the Indianapolis Colts. Tennessee defeated Indianapolis earlier this season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers probably have to beat the Cleveland Browns to have any chance of staying in the AFC North race. With Baker Mayfield’s status unknown, Cleveland is only a three-point home favorite.

The Monday night game might be the worst matchup on the schedule. The Kansas City Chiefs are 13-point home favorites against the New York Giants.

Only the Chiefs and Buffalo Bills opened as double-digit favorites. Buffalo is laying 11 points against the visiting Miami Dolphins.

The Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens are the only teams that have a bye in Week 8.

Here are the opening betting lines for the games in Week 8 of the 2021 NFL season, including the point spreads and totals, via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Thursday, Oct. 28

Green Bay Packers (+3.5) at Arizona Cardinals, 53

Sunday, Oct. 31

Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) at Cleveland Browns, 45

Miami Dolphins (+11) at Buffalo Bills, 49

Carolina Panthers (+1.5) Atlanta Falcons, 47.5

Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) Detroit Lions, 49.5

Tennessee Titans (+1.5) at Indianapolis Colts, 49.5