NFL Week 8 point spread: Redskins vs. Patriots, Saints vs. 49ers

This Week 8 football preview will start with the point spread on the games Washington Redskins vs. New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers.

NFL Week 8 point spread: Redskins vs. Patriots, Saints vs. 49ers We start this week's NFL point spread preview with the match-up between the Washington Redskins (4-2) and the undefeated New England Patriots (7-0). The Pats have been rolling over each team they met this season and beating them by at least 17 points and it's no surprise that at Bodog Sports the point spread on the Washington Redskins vs. New England Patriots is set at -17 points chalk the Patriots and the total is sitting at 48.5 points. There is no doubt that at the moment the Patriots remain the best team in the NFL, but the Redskins are not a team that you should easily wave off.

The chances that they will beat New England this week are very slim, listed with odds +1100 at Bookmaker, but they would certainly give the Pats a hard time at covering the spread. The Washington Redskins are 3rd in the league by points allowed - only 14.7 on average per game and 5th in total defense with 276.8 yards allowed. But offensively the Redskins with 304.5 yards cannot even compare to the 1st in the league Patriots with 432.9 yards per game. Tom Brady had a limited Wednesday practice with right shoulder problems and this is something to keep an eye on. New England's LB Eric Alexander and RB Sammy Morris missed the Wednesday practice completely. Washington is 2-4-2 against the spread in its last 8 games and New England is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games. The total has gone OVER in 5 of New England's last 5 games at home.

The Sunday NFL game between the New Orleans Saints (2-4) and the San Francisco 49ers (2-4) will be much more interesting, as it could go either way not only on the spread, but on the betting odds, as well. The point spread for the New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers is favoring the Saints -3 points with a total of 40 points at Bodog Sports. The odds on the Saints to win are -150 and 49ers are +130 at Bookmaker. New Orleans is 1-8 against the spread in its last 9 games, but 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games on the road. San Francisco is 2-3-1 against the spread in its last 6 games.

While the New Orleans Saints are improving, by winning the last two games after a 0-4 start, it's completely the opposite with the San Francisco 49ers, who started the season 2-0, but lost the last four games, currently the league's worst in total offense with 213.8 yards, passing yards (125) and total points at only 78. San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith still has problems with his shoulder, but did a full practice on Wednesday and may show up on Sunday against the Saints. However, RB Frank Gore, DT Bryant Young, T Bryant Young and top-gun wide receiver Darrell Jackson all missed the Wednesday practice due to various injuries. A the Saints camp only defensive tackle Brian Young missed yesterday's practice. Overall the New Orleans Saints appear to be the more motivated and healthy team and should be able to cover the point spread this week.

Published on 10/25/2007