Week 8 football spread: Eagles vs. Vikings, Steelers vs. Bengals

The point spread and odds preview of the NFL Week 8 games continue with Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals.

Week 8 football spread: Eagles vs. Vikings, Steelers vs. Bengals Talking about thin point spread, we have to go to the Sunday game between the Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) and the Minnesota Vikings (2-4). At the betting website Bodog Sports the point spread for the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings is currently favoring the Eagles by only -1 point with a total at 37.5 points. Before the start of the season it would've been ridiculous to think that the Eagles will be 2-4 by Week 7, but to be only one point favorite against the spread was unheard of last season. And at Bookmaker Philadelphia is favorite to win on the odds at -120 and the Minnesota Vikings are barely underdog paying out EVEN. But it is what it is, Philadelphia is 2-4 against the spread in its last 6 games and Minnesota is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home.

Statistically, the Eagles lead on the Vikings offensively with 349.3 yards per game, but other than that, these two NFL teams are very close in stats. The Vikings will have to home advantage but injuries may prevent them from winning this game. Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson had limited Wednesday practice and so did DE Erasmus James, TE Visanthe Shiancoe and running back Chester Taylor. RB Naufahu Tahi and LB Vinny Ciurciu completely missed practice. If those players miss the game, the Eagles would easily cover the spread on Sunday. In Philadelphia tight ends Brent Celek and L.J. Smith did a full practice yesterday, which LB Takeo Spikes missed. Both teams are struggling so keep your eye on the injury list when betting the spread.

The Week 8 match-up between the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) and the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) promises a little more action. At Bodog Sports the point spread on the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals is sitting at -4 points chalk the Steelers with total at 48 points. For this AFC North battle Pittsburgh is also favorite at Bookmaker with betting odds -200 to win and the Bengals are once again underdog at home with odds +170. Pittsburgh is 8-3 against the spread in its last 11 games and Cincinnati is 4-2 against the spread in its last 6 games at home.

Approach this game with caution, especially after the Steelers performance last week, when they not only failed to cover the -3.5 spread against Denver, but lost the game to the Broncos 31-28. Against the Broncos Pittsburgh decided to go with a passing instead of their strong rushing game and of course lost the matchup. After watching that game, even though the Bengals are at the bottom of AFC North, if the Steelers play the same passing game as last week, Cincinnati has a good shot at whopping them, that is if they are not struck by injuries. In Cincinnati linebackers Ahmad Brooks and David Pollack are out, Caleb Miller missed and Corey Mays had a limited Wednesday practice. RB Antonio Chatman also had limited practice and Rudi Johnson missed practice with hamstring injury. The situation in Pittsburgh isn't any better, linebacker Clint Kriewaldt, DE Aaron Smith and WR Hines Ward all missed practice on Wednesday and CB Bryant McFadden and TE Heath Miller did a limited one.

Published on 10/25/2007