week 8 best bets: a sunday double
Michael Norbury brings you his best Week 8 bets for the afternoon slot on Sunday:
LA Chargers @ Denver Broncos
An all AFC West encounter involving two teams with similar stories so far in 2020. Both have suffered from key players being in the treatment room rather than on the field, and as a result they share 2-4 records and bring up the rear in the West.
Denver’s aforementioned injury problems have coincided with a pretty brutal schedule. Their four defeats have come against the Titans (5-1), Steelers (6-0), Buccaneers (5-2) and Chiefs (6-1). Defensively, they have looked sound both on the ground and through the air, ranking towards the top of the NFL in both – even their recent blowout against Kansas where they conceded 43 points contained a pick-six and a kick off return touchdown. They face an intriguing offense led by offensive rookie of the year candidate Justin Herbert, who hasn’t looked back since taking the quarterback role and has carried the Chargers to 5th in passing yards per game (281.3). Austin Ekeler’s absence leaves them looking short in the running game. Herbert will have to be at top of his game against this resilient defense.
This season has been a non-starter for the Broncos offense as they’ve seen injuries to key players in Drew Lock, Noah Fant, Phillip Lindsay and Courtland Sutton. All but Sutton are fit this week and Denver will be hoping they can finally get something going on offense. The Chargers have been okay defensively but have been vulnerable at times through the air, with injuries in the secondary to Derwin James and Chris Harris Jr. taking their toll. Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa are both available once again to from a fearsome edge rushing duo. Can Drew Lock build on his promising 2019 performances?
This looks a close match-up on both sides of the ball between two evenly matched teams. Take the +3.5 on the Broncos. Widely available at 10/11.
New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears
Two teams who’ve amassed winning records in very different fashions meet in Chicago on Sunday night.
Picture a docile puppy and you’ve got the Chicago Bears offense. Now picture a docile puppy with no teeth and you’ve got the Chicago Bears offense without Allen Robinson, which may just be the case on Sunday night. They have no running game and two misfiring quarterbacks to choose from. It’s a desperately bad offensive situation in Chicago. The usually solid Saints have had their struggles on defense this year, giving up 29 points per game, but this is the perfect opportunity to address those issues and instil some confidence in the unit.
The Bears defense is legitimately one of the best in the league and has carried them along to a 5-2 record, a monstrous front seven backed up by a solid secondary. The Saints have continued to put points on the board despite the absence of 2019 receiving yards leader Michael Thomas, This is largely down to the brilliant Alvin Kamara, who has shaken off the injury concerns of 2019 and is firmly in the argument for the most complete offensive player in the NFL. There are issues with Drew Brees and his aging arm, but he still has enough guile to move the sticks. Expect an arm wrestle between these two high quality units.
Take the under 42.5 (10/11 multiple sites); this Bears defense is too good to be blown away, and the offense is too bad to put up points – even against a struggling defense.
Selections
DENVER BRONCOS +3.5 (10/11 MULTIPLE SITES)
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ CHICAGO BEARS – UNDER 42.5 POINTS (10/11 MULTIPLE SITES)
DOUBLE PAYS 2.64/1 (£20 PAYS £72.89)
Michael norbury
nfl betting analyst
MICHAEL’S INTEREST IN THE NFL BECAME AN OBSESSION ONCE HIS ATTENDANCE AT SUNDAY DINNER WAS NO LONGER MANDATORY, HE FOLLOWS THE RAVENS AND HAS A SOFT SPOT FOR THE DOLPHINS. YOU CAN FIND HIM ON TWITTER @NORBURYMIKE.