NFL Week 8 Odds Feature Ravens, Lions, and Jaguars as Favorites

Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season kicks off with a slate that features three clear betting favorites according to DraftKings odds. The Ravens, Lions, and Jaguars all open as home underdogs or road favorites in their respective matchups, with the Bills facing a tough defensive test in Baltimore.

The Bills are listed as 3-point underdogs against the Ravens, with a total line of 54.5 points. This matchup pits Buffalo's rushing attack, which leads the league with 14 touchdowns, against a Baltimore defense that has not allowed a running back to gain 100 yards in 21 consecutive games. Ravens coach Jesse Minter emphasized the need for physicality in practice to handle Buffalo running back James Cook III, who averages 104.5 rushing yards per game.

In Detroit, the Lions open as 3-point favorites over the Vikings, with a 46.5-point over/under. The Lions lead the NFL in scoring with 28.3 points per game, but their defense allows 391 yards per contest, the highest mark in the league. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell acknowledged that his offense must perform at a high level to keep pace with Detroit's production, noting that the team needs to make plays in critical moments.

The Jaguars enter their game against the Colts as 10-point favorites, with a 46.5-point total. Jacksonville has won its last six home games by an average of 27 points and holds a 9-1 record at EverBank Stadium. The Colts are without guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner following trades, forcing rookie Jalen Farmer and Adetomiwa Adebawore into starting roles for the first time.

Betting analyst Pamela Maldonado noted that Ravens games have gone over the total in 71% of matchups since 2024, the highest rate in the NFL. She projected a 31-28 Ravens victory, arguing that Baltimore can attack Buffalo's defense through the air. In contrast, betting models from the Football Power Index give the Bills a 61.4% probability of winning the game, a slight edge over Baltimore.

For the Vikings and Lions, Maldonado picked a 23-20 Minnesota win, citing the Vikings' recent trend of going under the total in five straight games. However, the FPI model favors Detroit with a 55.2% win probability. In the Jacksonville game, the FPI gives the Jaguars a 73.3% chance of victory, aligning with the large betting spread. Maldonado chose a 24-23 Jaguars win, while analyst Seth Walder predicted a more decisive 31-13 result for Jacksonville.

Key injury updates will influence these outcomes. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is listed as a full participant in practice despite an ankle concern. Bills wide receiver D.J. Moore, who missed the previous two games with a shoulder injury, is expected to return. Moore averages 1.8 fantasy points per target and is considered a primary option for quarterback Josh Allen when healthy.

The schedule also includes a Monday Night Football contest between the Bears and Seahawks. The Vikings face a difficult defensive challenge against a Lions offense led by quarterback Jared Goff, who tops the league with 298 passing yards per game. The Jaguars' defense ranks first in EPA allowed per designed rush, a factor that could limit Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor's production.

Thursday's slate begins with the Panthers hosting the Packers. The Buccaneers, Cardinals, and Falcons face the Dolphins, Bears, and Vikings respectively in other key matchups. Analysts from ESPN Research and other desks have provided detailed projections for each game, focusing on defensive rankings and offensive efficiency metrics to determine likely outcomes.

All odds and projections are based on data available as of late October 2026. The final score picks from analysts vary significantly, with the Bills and Ravens game showing the most divergence in predicted margins. The Jaguars' home dominance and the Lions' scoring output remain the central betting narratives for the weekend.