Upset Special: Top 3 Underdog Picks of NFL Week 8

Kenny Ducey

Last Updated: October 27, 2021 8:25 AM EDT • 2 min 12 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 17: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Heinz Field on October 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Joe Sargent/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Joe Sargent / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Should the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos be favorites over anyone? Both come into Week 8 with a relatively hefty price tag after tough weeks. We'll look at their matchups and more in our NFL Week 8 underdog picks.

There’s nothing more thrilling in sports betting than bypassing the points offered to you every week on an undervalued team and heading straight for the moneyline.

With great risk comes great reward, and we will seek out those big paydays on a weekly basis with our NFL underdog picks. This week, I’m seeing two teams that could very well be favored and one team that’s simply not getting enough love.

Here’s a look at my top three underdog plays of the week (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook):

Pittsburgh Steelers (+160) vs. Cleveland Browns

The Steelers are a curious bunch. Their defense has the potential to rule football, yet, so far this season they’ve been middling in every category. Pittsburgh ranks 17th in yards allowed per rush (4.3) and 17th in yards allowed per pass (7.4), which has equated to a 12th-ranked 22.0 points allowed per game. The defense also ranks 27th in takeaways per game, impossibly.

Yet, here’s a game the Steelers can win. Even with Browns QB Baker Mayfield (shoulder) and RB Nick Chubb (calf) possibly back in Week 8, I believe this defensive line can push and get to the quarterback, forcing Mayfield into some bad errors. Based on the history between these two teams, that’s not unreasonable to expect.

The Steelers also absolutely love to throw the football and will enjoy doing just that against a Browns secondary that’s proven to be one of the weakest in football. While this defensive line has gotten to the passer a lot, Roethlisberger has utilized the check down to rookie RB Najee Harris brilliantly. I think Pittsburgh can get this done.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+145) vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks kept things close and covered the spread against the New Orleans Saints in Week 7; however, there were several factors at play there. For starters, the rain was an equalizer. Then, there was Saints QB Jameis Winston, who had difficulty making the right decisions with the football and finding his open men. Both combined to make this Seahawks secondary look better than it is.

This is still a team ranked 27th in passing yards allowed per game. Even against rookie QB Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars, they are susceptible.

The Seahawks also had absolutely no way to move the football in the game against the Saints with QB Geno Smith under center. This should be priced as more of a coin toss.

Washington Football Team (+145) vs. Denver Broncos

I get it. The Washington defense was vaunted a year ago but has really failed to impress so far this year. That performance we saw in 2020-21 may have been fraudulent. With that said, you have to be kidding me with this line.

The Broncos were ineffective on offense against the Browns in Week 7. They picked up just 182 yards through the air with QB Teddy Bridgewater, and RB Melvin Gordon averaged just 2.3 yards per carry. Now, we’re supposed to expect there’s a way through this talented group on defense?

Denver’s defense has also wilted in recent weeks and is a prime candidate to be picked apart by the surprisingly-good Taylor Heinicke. I’ll be on the Football Team.