2024 NFL Week 8 action report: Bettors back ‘Boys, as they ‘wait for 49ers to show up’

Patrick Everson

FOX Sports Betting Analyst

When the season began, it would’ve been difficult to look at NFL Week 8 odds and say, “I can’t wait for that Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders game.”

Now, with both teams playing well above expectations behind rookie quarterbacks, it’s one of the better matchups on the docket. However, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels might have to sit with a rib injury, which certainly takes off some of the shine.

QB Caleb Williams’ Bears are now favored vs. the Commanders. But Joey Feazel, head of football trading at Caesars Sports, cautioned not to overlook Washington.

“We’ve seen a stream of money coming in on the Bears. But I think that’s an overreaction,” Feazel said Wednesday afternoon.

Oddsmakers and sharp bettors serve up their insights on that clash and a handful of other games, as we dive into NFL Week 8 betting nuggets.

Line Jumps The Fence

A week ago, on NFL lookahead lines, Washington was -1/-1.5 vs. Chicago. That was when this matchup was expected to be a battle of the Nos. 1 and 2 overall draft picks, in Williams and Daniels, respectively.

But on Sunday night, in the wake of Daniels’ rib injury, the point spread fell to pick ‘em, then to Bears -1. Midweek, Chicago is a 2.5-point favorite at Caesars Sports, with Daniels listed as questionable for Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

“I don’t think we’re gonna see Daniels this week,” Feazel said, noting the line shift shows just how well-thought-of Daniels is this season. “The market is really giving Jayden his respect, even though backup Marcus Mariota seems to fit this system.”

Indeed. 

When Daniels got hurt in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, the Commanders led 10-0. In came Mariota, and Washington rumbled to a 40-7 victory, moving to 5-2 straight up (SU) and 5-1-1 against the spread (ATS).

Mariota was an efficient 18-for-23 for 205 yards passing, with two touchdowns, and he ran 11 times for 34 yards. 

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Publish date : 2024-10-24 19:38:59

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