The NFL is often extremely unpredictable from a sports betting perspective. However, that hasn’t been the case at all when it comes to one of the league’s top teams — the Kansas City Chiefs have been perfect against the spread through the first seven weeks of the 2018 season. Will that trend continue this Sunday? Here is a look at the top five betting trends for NFL Week 8:
Kansas City is 7-0 against the spread this season. Broncos are 3-11 ATS and 1-13 SU in last 14 as a road underdog of 7.5 to 10 points.
The Chiefs enter Week 8 with a 6-1 record. However, even in their loss to the New England Patriots they managed to cover the spread. The sportsbooks must have taken that in to account when they made the Chiefs a 10-point favorite over the Denver Broncos this Sunday. That said, Kansas City is 12-3 against the spread in its last 15 divisional games. Can the Chiefs extend their perfect ATS record with another lopsided victory this weekend? Denver is 0-2 both straight up and ATS in its last two games as an underdog of nine points or more so there is certainly a precedent to think this trend continues in Week 8.
Related: NFL Betting Guide | Week 8 Odds
Houston is 2-8 against the spread in its last 10 games
The Texans have come out of nowhere with four straight wins following a 0-3 start to the season to climb to the top of the AFC South at 4-3. However, Houston is just 2-5 against the spread this year and 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games, dating back to last season. Despite their inability to cover spreads, the Texans are listed as a seven-point favorite at home against the surprising Dolphins this weekend. Expect Miami to cover in a game that they could very well end up winning straight up.
Jacksonville is 4-16 straight up and against the spread in its last 20 games against NFL opponends. The Jaguards are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a straight up loss.
Jacksonville has lost three in a row and four of its last five games overall. Now the Jaguars head to London to face the Philadelphia Eagles. Jacksonville will be a three-point underdog and if their recent history is any indication they could struggle to cover overseas. The Jaguars are 4-6 straight up and against the spread in their last 20 games against NFC opponents. Both teams will be playing with a sense of desperation when they take the field this weekend. That said, this recent trend illustrates why there is a good chance Jacksonville won’t cover as a three-point underdog.
The New York Jets are 0-10 straight up in their last 10 games as underdogs of six points or more. They are 6-11-2 ATL and 5-14 in their last 19 on the road.
The Jets followed up back-to-back wins over the Broncos and Indianapolis Colts with a 20-point loss to Minnesota. New York is now 0-10 straight up in its last 10 games as an underdog of six points or more. That is relevant information again this week with the Jets listed as a 6.5-point underdog on the road against the Chicago Bears. Chicago is coming off a close loss to the New England Patriots but is still right in the thick of the NFC playoff race at 3-3. Look for the Bears to win and cover at home to climb back above .500 this weekend.
Tampa Bay is 0-4 against the spread in its last four games. The Bengals are 8-2 ATS and 7-3 straight up after two or more consecutive losses.
Remember when the Buccaneers opened the season with back-to-back wins over the Saints and Eagles? Tampa Bay has lost three of four since and barely pulled out a 26-23 win over the Cleveland Browns in overtime this past week. The Buccaneers have failed to cover in each of their last four games, which is a trend that could continue this Sunday when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals. Tampa Bay will be a six-point underdog on the road this week. If recent history is any indication, the Bengals should be able to win and cover at home.
