Wow, what a crazy Week 8 it was and now that the results are in, we can take a look at how much our Top 10 deck has been shuffled. We have updated our Power Rankings and also have the latest lines for Week 9, as well as our Power Line which will give us the Betting Edge, providing our readers an advantage in their NFL picks.
Remember you can go over our nifty tool explanation with our Week 1 post and remember to check back every Tuesday for analysis of the adjustment in the positions.
Now, let’s review our Top 10 teams and see if you agree.
Top 5
1. Tampa Bay Bucs (6-2 SU, 3-5 ATS) Next: BYE – The Bucs dropped a 36-27 decision to the Saints down on the bayou last week and will have two weeks to lick their wounds and think about their second loss of the season. Despite the setback, they remain at the top of the OddsTrader Power Rankings because even the best teams lose every now and again.
2. Buffalo Bills (5-2 SU, 5-2 ATS) Next: at Jaguars – The Bills decided to sleepwalk through the first half against their division rivals from Miami but awoke from their collective slumber by scoring 23 of their 26 points in the second half. It wasn’t a dominating win by any stretch but there are no style points in the NFL.
Despite their first-half malaise, the Bills covered the NFL odds for those who bet them early at anywhere from -13.5 to -14.5 while those who waited got a push at -15. That is why it pays to shop for the best lines at the top online sportsbooks!
3. Arizona Cardinals (7-1 SU, 6-2 ATS) Next: at 49ers – The Cardinals got knocked off of their undefeated perch last week in a 24-21 loss to the Packers in the desert. It was a stern test for what is the most improved team in the league this season and the Redbirds will get a crack at the 49ers this week and hope to remain atop the NFC West with the Rams.
4. New Orleans (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) Next: vs. Falcons – It’s difficult to consider a win over the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Bucs as a Pyrrhic victory but losing the new and improved (and stunningly cautious) Jameis Winston to an ACL tear for the season certainly qualifies. Taysom Hill would be the logical replacement but he has been in concussion protocol since Week 5 which would leave Trevor Siemian to do the honors. The Saints should get the job done with either quarterback this week against the lowly Falcons.
5. Los Angeles Rams (7-1 SU, 4-4 ATS) Next: vs. Titans – Matthew Stafford continues to thrive under center for the LA Rams after being released from his 12-year sentence in the NFL wasteland called Detroit. Last week was more of the same as he tossed three touchdown passes and threw for 305 yards in a 38-22 win over the lowly Texans. But the big news is that this relentless defense just added the incomparable Von Miller in a trade with the Broncos. Look out!
It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)
6. Indianapolis Colts (3-5 SU, 5-3 ATS) Next: vs. Jets – Yes, it is unusual to see the Colts this high based on their record but OddsTrader considers a multitude of factors in its Power Rankings including injuries, strength of schedule, etc. The Colts lost a heartbreaker to the Titans but it’s fair to say they have the cure that ails them on Thursday night when the Jets come to town.
7. Green Bay Packers (7-1 SU, 7-1 ATS) Next: at Chiefs – The scheduling gods certainly aren’t making it easy on the Packers with a road trip to the desert to meet the Cardinals last week and another highway adventure to Arrowhead this week to say hello to the Chiefs. Despite the offseason drama with Aaron Rodgers threatening to take his ball and go home, the Pack is back and they’re plenty dangerous.
8. Baltimore Ravens (5-2 SU, 3-4 ATS) Next: vs. Vikings – The Ravens should return well-rested after their Week 8 bye as they welcome Minnesota to their lair. Baltimore is still smarting after their Week 7 thrashing at the hands of their division rivals, the Bengals, and should be ready to take it out on the Vikings.
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-1 SU, 7-0) Next: vs. Broncos – Give the Cowboys credit. They packed up and faced a solid Vikings squad in their own sandbox and came away with a workmanlike, 20-16, win as four-point road dogs, and did it all without their best player on the field.
Cooper Rush replaced an injured Dak Prescott as a game-time decision and all he did was toss a pair of touchdowns, one being the game-winner with just 51 seconds remaining, and 325 yards through the air. Expect Dak to be back against the Broncos this week.
10. Tennessee Titans (5-2 SU, 6-2 ATS) Next: at Rams – The Titans won a thriller over the Colts last week in hostile territory but now they will venture to where playoff pretenders go to die, SoFi Stadium to meet the LA Rams…with Von Miller no less!
For the complete list of the OddsTrader Power Rankings click here. And remember to check back for more betting strategy at the OddsTrader blog. Happy betting!
