The NFL Week 8 slate features several high-profile matchups, including Lamar Jackson's return against Josh Allen and the Bills, the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings visiting the Detroit Lions, and a Monday night showdown between the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks. For bettors targeting anytime touchdown props, here are five value plays that avoid the obvious stars and extreme long shots.
1. Samaje Perine (+210)
The Cincinnati Bengals' rushing attack has struggled, averaging 81.2 yards per game (third-worst in the NFL), and starter Chase Brown ranks 27th in rushing with 285 yards on 82 carries. Perine, however, scored a touchdown on four carries for 16 yards last week against the Baltimore Ravens after posting 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 work. 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 raising questions about his status, the 6-foot-1, 235-pound Allen is expected to lead the New York Jets' backfield. The 22-year-old has topped 100 rushing yards in two of the last three weeks but has only one touchdown. The Jets' red-zone struggles are offset by a favorable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, who own the NFL's third-worst defense.
3. Ollie Gordon II (+125)
The Miami Dolphins rookie has scored rushing touchdowns in four consecutive games and can become the first Dolphins player since Karim Abdul-Jabbar in 1997 to score in five straight. Gordon has also recorded two 100-yard rushing games in his last three outings, making him a compelling pick at this price.
4. Chig Okonkwo (+310)
With Terry McLaurin ruled out for the season, the Washington Commanders will lean more on tight end Chig Okonkwo 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 a 7-for-69 performance against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. He seeks his first touchdown reception with Washington in a Sunday night rivalry game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
5. Brian Thomas Jr. (+330)
Despite playing just 15 snaps in his last game, the Jacksonville Jaguars may showcase the second-year receiver ahead of the trade deadline against the Indianapolis Colts. Head coach Liam Coen said, "He's going to help us make plays this week. I know it... We gotta continue to put him in the best position to do so." 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." As a rookie in 2024, he caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns; this season he has nine catches for 105 yards and one score in six games.
