NFL Sunday Tips: Back the Bills to pile misery on Aaron Rodgers' Packers

The 2022 NFL season is as competitive as ever, and multiple teams still have a realistic chance of making the post-season - here, expert Jack Goddard offers his week 8 predictions.

Miami Dolphins (-3.5) @ Detroit Lions (+3.5)

Kick-off: 5pm Sunday GMT

The Dolphins finally got their franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back last week after he missed the previous couple of games with a concussion. His continuing presence will be music to the ears of wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who will hope to do some serious damage again. Interestingly, neither receiver has caught a touchdown in five weeks - the last time they found the endzone was against the Ravens back in mid-September.

DeAndre Swift is expected to return for the Detroit Lions (although Jamaal Williams is still about to snake all the touchdowns for you fantasy players!), while Amon-Ra St. Brown could also make a comeback. They will need them as the Lions have put up just six combined points over their last two games. Both these playmakers will need easing back though and the Lions are still woeful on defense.

Prediction: Miami -3.5 @ 2

Tennessee Titans (-2.5) @ Houston Texans (+2.5)

Kick-off: 8.05pm Sunday GMT

The Titans have put a bit of a run together of late, winning their last four matchups since the 41-7 shellacking by the Bills back in week two. A large part of that success is thanks to Derrick Henry, who rushed for a total of 427 yards over those four games. A smaller, but still significant part of that success is due to the Titans playing the Colts twice in their winning run. Indianapolis have been so poor that they have already given up on quarterback Matt Ryan.

Meanwhile, the Houston Texans are arguably worse than the Colts. They snuck a win against a lifeless Jacksonville side a couple of weeks ago but have otherwise lost all their games since their opening-day tie. Dameon Pierce has been a breakout star for them at running back, but Houston’s defence allowed Josh Jacobs to post 7.2 yards per carry against them last time out. Expect Derrick Henry to grind them into submission and help the Titans cover the spread.

Prediction: Tennessee -2.5 @ 1.91

Green Bay Packers (-11.5) @ Buffalo Bills (+11.5)

Kick-off: 12:20am Monday GMT

Aaron Rodgers is a double-digit underdog as a starter for the first time in his entire career, and it’s easy to see why. The Green Bay quarterback was so outraged after his fourth defeat of the year on Sunday that he basically said that some of his offensive team mates just aren’t good enough. 

Aaron Jones nearly bailed Rodgers and the Packers out against the Commanders with two receiving touchdowns - one of which was a spectacular grab - but now the team’s leading receiver against Washington, Allen Lazard, is likely to be ruled out when his team and quarterback need him most.

Josh Allen’s Bills have been totally dominant so far this year, beating everyone (apart from the Dolphins) who dare to give them a game, and utterly destroying anyone who’s not up to scratch. It’s hard to envisage Rodgers succumbing to a blood bath, but Buffalo have won 41-7 and 38-3 at home so far this year. Cue another comfortable win.

Prediction: Buffalo -9.5 @ 1.79

NFL Week 8 Predictions

Dolphins @ Lions: Miami -3.5 @ 2
Titans @ Texans: Tennessee -2.5 @ 1.91
Packers @ Bills: Buffalo -9.5 @ 1.79