NFL Week 8 features a loaded slate with marquee matchups including Lamar Jackson's return against Josh Allen and the Bills, the undefeated Minnesota Vikings facing the Detroit Lions, and a Monday night showdown between the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks. Anytime touchdown bets remain popular for their longer odds and parlay potential.
Last week's National Tight Ends Day saw successful picks on Mike Gesicki (+330), Kyle Pitts (+255), and Tucker Kraft (+175). Here are five anytime TD bets to consider for Week 8, avoiding predictable stars and extreme long shots.
1. Samaje Perine (+210)
The Cincinnati Bengals' rushing attack ranks third-worst in the NFL at 81.2 yards per game, with Chase Brown 27th in rushing (285 yards on 82 carries). Perine scored a touchdown on four carries for 16 yards against the Baltimore Ravens last week, after 14 carries for 68 yards and a receiving touchdown against the Miami Dolphins. Facing the Tennessee Titans, who are without defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, Perine could see increased goal-line usage. Notably, Perine is Oklahoma's all-time leading rusher, 81 yards ahead of Adrian Peterson.
2. Braelon Allen (+125)
With Breece Hall's cryptic social media post suggesting a reduced role, the New York Jets may turn to Braelon Allen as lead back. The 22-year-old, 6-foot-1, 235-pound runner has topped 100 rushing yards in two of the last three weeks but has only one touchdown. The Jets' red-zone struggles meet the Las Vegas Raiders' third-worst defense in the NFL.
3. Ollie Gordon II (+125)
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II has scored rushing touchdowns in four consecutive games and could become the first Dolphins player since Karim Abdul-Jabbar in 1997 to score in five straight. Gordon has recorded two 100-yard rushing games in his last three outings.
4. Chig Okonkwo (+310)
With Terry McLaurin out for the season, the Washington Commanders are expected to target tight end Chig Okonkwo more in the passing game. Last year with the Titans, he led the team with 560 receiving yards on 56 catches. He has topped 60 receiving yards in each of his last two games, including seven catches for 69 yards against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. Okonkwo seeks his first touchdown reception with Washington in a Sunday night matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
5. Brian Thomas Jr. (+330)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. played only 15 snaps in his last game, but head coach Liam Coen indicated the team plans to showcase him ahead of the trade deadline against the Indianapolis Colts. "He's going to help us make plays this week. I know it," Coen said. Thomas added, "I feel like I still know what I can do, I just have to go out there and do it. Show everybody what I can do." The rookie caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, but has just nine catches for 105 yards and one touchdown in six games this season.
