SportsLine NFL expert Mike Tierney has released his best parlay betting picks for Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season, offering one parlay consisting solely of favorites and another of underdogs. Tierney, a veteran sportswriter whose work has appeared in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times and who has covered seven Super Bowls, holds a 320-271-16 record over the past four seasons, returning $1,867 to $100 players, including a 130-101 against-the-spread mark (56.3%) over the last two seasons.
Favorites Parlay
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts: The Jaguars return home after a two-game stint in London and a bye week, eyeing a playoff push, while the Colts have traded away defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and guard Quenton Nelson, signaling a shift toward a rebuild. Quarterback Daniel Jones has thrown four touchdowns and seven interceptions in seven starts.
Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens: Buffalo has won its last 11 games following a bye week. Quarterback Josh Allen has won four of six matchups against Lamar Jackson, and the Bills' offense averages 32.8 points per game. Jackson, coming off an injury break, has often struggled in such situations.
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: The Lions are backing the last unbeaten team to fall. Minnesota has scored only ten touchdowns in six games, relying heavily on a blitz-heavy defense. Detroit quarterback Jared Goff completes 70% of his passes when facing extra pass rushers.
Underdogs Parlay
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Both teams are run-oriented with strong run defenses. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has thrown three touchdowns with no interceptions in his last two games since returning from injury. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield attempted only 11 passes in his return last week, suggesting his hand injury remains an issue. Tampa Bay has failed to cover the spread in all four home games this season.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. New York Jets: The Raiders rank eighth in scoring at 26.1 points per game, while the Jets rank 27th at 19.6. Las Vegas opened the season with two road wins and has lost four straight to perennial playoff teams. The Raiders are healthier, both physically and mentally, while Jets head coach Aaron Glenn faces mounting pressure.
Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks: Seattle may suffer a letdown after an emotional win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Chicago's offense under quarterback Caleb Williams has shown flashes, and the defense ranks eighth in yards allowed. The Bears acquired pass rusher Jeffrey Simmons from Tennessee, while the Colts traded Quenton Nelson to the Bears in a separate deal; Simmons could disrupt Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold.
