Week 8 delivered something the 2025 NFL season had been missing: predictability. After weeks of upsets and unexpected outcomes, most top-tier teams took care of business, creating minimal fluctuation in Super Bowl futures. The Kansas City Chiefs continue leading the pack at +450 odds, slightly improved from +500 following their Monday night triumph over Washington.
Chiefs Stay No. 1 Before Critical Bills Showdown
Kansas City’s fourth victory in five outings showcased their balanced attack against a quarterback-depleted Commanders team. The win nudged their championship odds favorably, but bigger tests loom ahead.
Next up: a pivotal AFC rivalry clash with the Buffalo Bills (+750) that could reshape the conference hierarchy. The Chiefs then get their bye week before facing Denver and Indianapolis in crucial divisional matchups. String together wins in this challenging stretch, and Kansas City positions itself as the clear AFC favorite heading into December.
Buffalo desperately needed their dominant 42-10 dismantling of Carolina after dropping consecutive games. Running back James Cook exploded for a career-high 216 yards, while Josh Allen looked refreshed and decisive. Even with defensive personnel issues, Buffalo’s pass rush terrorized Carolina for seven sacks, getting a boost from Michael Hoecht’s return from suspension.
The Bills carry momentum into their Week 9 home matchup at Highmark Stadium, though Kansas City enters as slight road favorites. This result will likely dictate the next shift in AFC Super Bowl odds.
Colts Emerge as Dark Horse AFC Threat
Flying under the radar with the NFL’s best 7-1 record, the Indianapolis Colts saw their odds improve from +1200 to +1100 after steamrolling Tennessee. Their explosive offense gets its biggest test yet next week on the road against Pittsburgh’s AFC North-leading Steelers.
Indianapolis faces relatively few daunting matchups down the stretch, with their Week 12 visit to Kansas City standing out as the most significant obstacle. How they navigate that game could determine their playoff seeding.
Detroit Heads NFC Pack Into Make-or-Break November
November shapes up as the NFC’s defining month, with the conference’s three strongest teams facing a brutal round-robin schedule:
- Week 10: Eagles at Packers (Monday Night Football)
- Week 11: Lions at Eagles (Sunday Night Football)
- Week 13: Packers at Lions (Thanksgiving)
The Detroit Lions (+600) used their Week 8 bye to fine-tune, seeing their odds tick up from +650. They return to action with a favorable matchup against Minnesota’s struggling squad in Week 9.
Green Bay (+700) delivered an impressive road performance, with Jordan Love outshining former Packers legend Aaron Rodgers in a second-half explosion that produced 28 points. The Philadelphia Eagles (+1000) maintained their odds after exacting revenge on the Giants, and with their offense finding its rhythm, the defending champions enter a bye week before November’s gauntlet.
The Los Angeles Rams (+1000) jumped from +1300 during their bye week despite avoiding November’s NFC elite. They face their own challenges with back-to-back NFC West battles against San Francisco and Seattle, followed by a home date with Tampa Bay.
Ravens Finally Break Through After Rough Stretch
Most second-tier contenders saw minimal odds movement after beating weaker Week 8 opponents, but the Baltimore Ravens (+2000) stand out after snapping their four-game skid with a convincing home victory over Chicago.
What made the performance more impressive: backup quarterback Tyler Huntley filled in admirably for injured star Lamar Jackson. Baltimore’s defense looked revitalized coming off their bye, suggesting the Ravens might be finding their form at the right time.
Despite their 2-5 record, Baltimore ranks fourth among AFC teams in Super Bowl odds, partly due to an upcoming soft schedule. The Ravens won’t face a single team with a winning record over the next five weeks, including two crucial matchups with division-leading Pittsburgh. Jackson should return for Thursday night’s showdown with Miami.
Broncos Roll On Despite Injury Scare to Star Defender
The Denver Broncos (+2000) maintained their AFC West lead with a crushing victory over Dallas, extending their win streak to five games. Their odds have held steady as they keep pace with the favored Chiefs in the division race.
Denver faces potential disaster with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II suffering a left pectoral strain. The injury’s severity remains unclear, though he could miss up to four games if placed on injured reserve.
Seahawks and Bucs Hold Steady While Chargers Gain Ground
Both the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers sit at +2500 odds. Seattle, fresh off their bye, gets a favorable road matchup at Washington, where the Commanders’ quarterback situation remains murky.
Tampa Bay improved to 6-2 with an easy win over New Orleans and enters their Week 9 bye before a challenging stretch against New England, Buffalo, and the Rams.
The Los Angeles Chargers made a small jump from +3000 to +2800 following their Thursday night demolition of Minnesota.
Patriots Rise While 49ers Stumble in Rare Week 8 Loss
The New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers both carry +3000 odds, though they’re trending in opposite directions. New England climbed from +3500 after a workmanlike victory over Cleveland.
San Francisco stands as the only team among BetMGM’s top 14 contenders to lose in Week 8, dropping from +2000 after an uninspiring defeat at Houston. The 49ers desperately need to get healthy and regain their early-season form to remain legitimate championship threats.
