New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) fires the ball downfield during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.

We're rapidly approaching the halfway point of the 2025 NFL season. Week 8 is up next and, with it, the fewest games in a week in the regular season.

Six teams are on a bye this week: Arizona, Seattle, Detroit, Jacksonville, Las Vegas and the Los Angeles Rams. Best of luck to fantasy football managers weathering some of their best players missing out this week.

Minnesota heads west to the city of angels for a matchup against the AFC West's Los Angeles Chargers to kick off the week. "Thursday Night Football" provided a close battle last week; these two offenses could provide similar fireworks with their star power.

For those tired of early wake-ups for international games, rest easy this week. All NFL games will be played on American soil this week, starting in the 1 p.m. ET slot Sunday afternoon.

There are just two divisional games on the slate in the NFC South and NFC East. NFC South leader Tampa Bay is looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Lions in Week 7 on Monday night with a win over the last-placed Saints. But it's rarely straightforward in those divisional matchups.

The Giants and Eagles meet for the second time in three weeks this Sunday. New York bested Philadelphia on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 6. Can they do it again on the road after a historic collapse against Denver in Week 7?

Here is an early look at picks, predictions and odds for all of the Week 8 games on the 2025 NFL schedule:

NFL Week 8 game predictions, picks

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Chargers

  • Date: Thursday, Oct. 23
  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Location: SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
  • TV: None
  • Streaming: Amazon Prime, NFL+
  • Spread: Chargers (-3)

Arizona Republic: Chargers 24, Vikings 21

"Who will play QB for the Vikings? No matter who it is, we have more confidence in Justin Herbert and the Chargers' ability to bounce back."

Picks and Parlays: Vikings 24, Chargers 20

"Minnesota QB J.J. McCarthy (ankle) was inactive as the team’s emergency quarterback on Sunday. Los Angeles played last week without injured LT Joe Alt (ankle) and rookie RB Omarion Hampton (ankle). The Chargers are too banged up on the offensive line to be favored in this spot. Take the Vikings to win on the road."

Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
  • TV: CBS
  • Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
  • Spread: Falcons (-7)

Sports Illustrated: Falcons -7.5

"The Falcons haven’t exactly been great at converting the spread this season at just 3-3, but they handled the Bills with a 10-point win as four-point underdogs two weeks ago. They also won by seven as -2.5 favorites against the Commanders... Atlanta should be able to flex its muscles against Miami on Sunday."

VegasOdds.com: Falcons -7.5

"Miami’s offense is falling apart, and there’s no way that the Falcons won’t use this. Atlanta has one of the best defenses in the league, especially against passing, and knowing that Miami doesn’t have any running potential, the Falcons are bound to win this one."

Chicago Bears vs. Baltimore Ravens

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore)
  • TV: CBS
  • Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
  • Spread: Ravens (-6.5)

Picks and Parlays: Ravens 30, Bears 17

"Lamar Jackson’s return changes the tone. Jackson’s mobility and command give Baltimore a noticeable advantage. The Ravens should control time of possession with Henry’s running power and Jackson’s precision throwing the ball. Chicago will remain close but Baltimore will pull away late."

PickDawgz: Ravens -6.5

"The Bears made some mistakes in their weekend win over the Saints (such as the 10 penalties and 3-of-12 on third downs) but it was a nice win thanks in part to four takeaways and 222 rushing yards. That makes four straight wins with 25 or more points scored in each of those outings. This is a game to wait on, but I could see it being competitive regardless."

Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
  • TV: FOX
  • Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
  • Spread: Bills (-7.5)

Sports Illustrated: Panthers +7.5

"While the Bills should win this game, I’m going to take the Panthers plus the points. The Bills lost their last two games outright as -8 and -4 favorites, and have only covered as favorites once this season. I’ll take the Panthers to give the Bills a scare leading up to Halloween."

Arizona Republic: Bills 31, Panthers 28

"The Bills have dropped two straight, but had an off week to get ready for this game. Josh Allen and Buffalo will get right in Carolina."

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New York Jets vs. Cincinnati Bengals

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati)
  • TV: CBS
  • Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
  • Spread: Bengals (-6.5)

Sporting News: Bengals 23, Jets 14

"The Jets and Bengals rank 29th and 31st, respectively, in total offense, but they are trending in different directions. Justin Fields might not be the starter for New York in Week 8, and that means we get Joe Flacco and Tyrod Taylor. Flacco hit 22 of 32 passes for 257 yards and two TDs when targeting Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins last week. It's not rocket science."

Bookies.com: Bet the Bengals to cover vs Jets

"Don't get between Joe Flacco and the end zone. The 40-year-old QB threw for 342 yards and 3 TDS in Cincy's upset win over Pittsburgh Thursday. Even without Joe Burrow, the Bengals have some juicy pieces on offense. And more than enough to rattle the going-nowhere-and-still-winless Jets. But Gang Green caught a big break Sunday with the Giants' historic collapse in Denver. Now the Jets are no longer the biggest laughingstock in the Big Apple/Northern New Jersey."

San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: NRG Stadium (Houston)
  • TV: FOX
  • Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
  • Spread: Texans (-1.5)

Sports Illustrated: Houston -1.5

"The San Francisco 49ers have had the complete opposite season they had last year. In 2024, despite having some of the best metrics in the NFL, they continuously found themselves on the wrong side of variance, and their record was far worse than it should have been. This season, their metrics aren't nearly as good, but in-game variance has gone their way, and their record is far better than it likely should be. The 49ers are just 18th in Net Yards per Play (0.0), 18th in DVOA, 16th in EPA per Play, and 18th in Opponent EPA per Play. As a result, I think this team is overvalued in the betting market. I'll trust the elite Texans' defense to give them some issues and cover as short favorites."

Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
  • TV: FOX
  • Streaming: Fubo, NFL Sunday Ticket
  • Spread: Patriots (-7)

Picks and Parlays: Patriots 24, Browns 13

"New England is sharper in the passing game. Maye’s accuracy and Diggs’ ability to find empty spaces across the middle give the Patriots an advantage, while Stevenson’s running helps keep drives alive late in games. Cleveland's defense is tough to crack, but behind Maye’s pinpoint passing, the Pats will prevail."

Sporting News: Patriots 22, Browns 16

"The Browns are 0-3 S/U on the road this season, and they have lost those games by an average of 20.7 points per game. New England is 3-1 S/U and 3-1 ATS as a home favorite. Drake Maye has a 78.1 completion percentage through a four-game winning streak. The Browns have a total of three sacks in those losses. Will that change here?"

New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
  • TV: FOX
  • Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
  • Spread: Eagles (-7)

Bergen Record: Three of four experts pick Eagles

Of the four Bergen Record experts picking Giants vs. Eagles in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season, three chose the Eagles to win and one picked the Giants. "The Giants have continued to show resiliency, and that comes from the leadership projected throughout the locker room by Jaxson Dart. The rookie QB is not attached to the 12-game losing streak for the Giants in Philadelphia. But you know the Eagles are going to be ready after getting stunned at MetLife two weeks ago. I still don't think Philly has found itself, yet another upset here is a lot to ask," writes Art Stapleton.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
  • Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
  • TV: FOX
  • Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
  • Spread: Buccaneers (-4)

Covers: Saints +4.5

"New Orleans comes back home after a very sloppy game in Chicago on Sunday. Bad weather and a ball-hawking Bears defense forced four turnovers from NOLA, but the Saints seemed to hang around until late in the fourth quarter. I’ll respect the early movement and lean toward the home side getting points, with Tampa in a tight situational sandwich in Week 8."

NBC Sports: Lean Saints moneyline

"Tampa Bay looked as flat as they have all season in that loss to Detroit, and things went from bad to worse when Mike Evans was carted off — early reports suggest it could be a serious injury. Now the Bucs hit the road for a divisional matchup in New Orleans as 4.5-point favorites.

Here’s what’s fascinating: outside of their win over the 49ers, every Bucs victory this season has been by a field goal or less. They’re living dangerously close to the margin each week."

Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
  • Location: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver)
  • TV: CBS
  • Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
  • Spread: Broncos (-3)

BetMGM: Cowboys +3

"Even before Week 7, Dallas ranked seventh in offensive DVOA. It marks the hardest opponent for Denver since Week 2 against Indianapolis... Denver has struggled as a market favorite this season. Only once has Sean Payton’s side covered as a market favorite – Week 4 vs Cincinnati. Over the last two weeks, Denver has had two wins by only three points. Accordingly, I predict the Cowboys stay within this number as road pups."

Sports Illustrated: Cowboys win

"The Denver Broncos have somehow gone 3-0 in their last three games despite getting arguably outplayed in all three of them. They scored just 13 points against the Jets two weeks ago and then was shut out through the first three quarters against the Giants.

Now, the Broncos have to take on a Cowboys team that has had arguably the best offense in the NFL. Dallas ranks second in EPA per play, third in yards per play (6.1), and ninth in overall DVOA. The Broncos' offense has struggled against bad defenses already this season, so I'm not sure if I have faith in them to put up enough points in this one to keep pace with Dak Prescott and Co."

Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
  • Location: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)
  • TV: FOX
  • Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
  • Spread: Colts (-14)

Picks and Parlays: Colts 31, Titans 13

"The Tennessee Titans haven't looked good all season and now are in jeopardy of losing their third straight game. While the Indianapolis Colts have looked like one of the best teams in the NFL and are seeking a fourth straight win. The Colts offensive fire power and the home field advantage will be too much for the Titans to compete with."

Arizona Republic: Colts 31, Titans 17

"This game had the biggest early point spread of the week, and for good reason. Indianapolis is on a roll and Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor and company will roll over Tennessee."

Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
  • Location: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
  • TV: NBC
  • Streaming: Fubo, Peacock
  • Spread: Packers (-3)

Arizona Republic: Steelers 21, Packers 20

"Can the Steelers, who are an underdog at home, upset the Packers? It's going to take a much better performance from T.J. Watt and its defense than we saw in Week 7, but it can happen with Pittsburgh coming off a mini-bye after Thursday Night Football."

Picks and Parlays: Packers 27, Steelers 23

"Oddsmakers opened the Packers as slight favorites around -2.5, with the total hovering near 44.5 points. Green Bay’s superior offensive and red-zone finishing give them an edge, though Pittsburgh’s home crowd and Rodgers’ experience make this a competitive clash."

Watch Packers vs. Steelers on Peacock

Washington Commanders vs. Kansas City Chiefs

  • Date: Monday, Oct. 27
  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
  • TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2
  • Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, Fubo, Sling
  • Spread: Chiefs (-10.5)

Covers: Commanders +10.5

"With this game on Monday, Washington not only gets an extra day for Daniels to heal up (and for solid backup Marcus Mariota to run with the starters) but also helps his favorite targets, Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin, get back on the field after sitting out Sunday.

Kansas City could get caught in a look-ahead spot on MNF, leaving a short turnaround for a huge game at Buffalo in Week 9. Given the sizable spread, the game script could see KC pulling starters (like it did against Vegas) and toning down the playbook in the second half to save something for that battle with the Bills. The Chiefs aren’t great as big favorites during the Patrick Mahomes Era, owning a 10-15-3 ATS record (41%) when laying -10 or more since 2018."

Arizona Republic: Chiefs 33, Commanders 20

"These teams are heading in opposite directions, with Washington having lost two straight and Kansas City having won two straight. The gap will widen on Monday Night Football. Rashee Rice brings an added element to the Chiefs' offense."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 8 game picks: Expert predictions for every matchup

Reporting by Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect