Underdog Fantasy NFL Picks Week 8 MNF: Josh Jacobs & Jahmyr Gibbs Picks for Raiders vs Lions
NFL Week 8 wraps up tonight with the Las Vegas Raiders vs Detroit Lions matchup on Monday Night Football. Before MNF kicks off, let's check out top NFL Underdog Fantasy picks for the Raiders vs Lions game. Our top NFL picks today include Raiders RB Josh Jacobs and Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs. As always, keep an eye on the latest NFL injury updates for MNF as both teams have notable names to monitor. Enjoy these NFL Underdog top plays and Monday Night Football picks as you watch tonight's game. If you're making more NFL picks tonight or setting NFL DFS lineups, check out our NFL daily projections. Now, let's dive into the top NFL Week 8 MNF picks on Underdog Fantasy for tonight's games.
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NFL Underdog Fantasy Top Picks
Week 8 Monday Night Football Raiders vs Lions Predictions
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders – LOWER Than 61.5 Rushing Yards
Last year, Josh Jacobs had a career season with his league-leading 1,653 rushing yards. In 2023, the Las Vegas Raiders running back isn’t anywhere near the same pace. Jacobs has only 347 rushing yards through seven games for an average of 49.6 yards per game. He’s been held under 62 yards in four of seven games while averaging just 2.9 yards per carry. If you want to pencil in a Raiders loss tonight with the Detroit Lions favored by a touchdown at home, then Jacobs' rushing yards have a better chance of being lower. He has 62 or fewer rushing yards in all four losses this season, averaging 38.3 yards in those L’s. When the Raiders have lost, Jacobs has naturally seen a lower rushing workload with the offense throwing more while trailing.
Then we have this tough matchup. The Lions' defense allows just 76.3 rushing yards per game, the second-best mark in the NFL. Plus, opposing No. 1 RBs are averaging only 35.6 rushing yards per game against Detroit. Only one opposing running back has eclipsed 60 rushing yards against the Lions this season. That came last week when Ravens RB Gus Edwards ran for 64 yards. However, that blowout loss to Baltimore was an uncharacteristic result for the Lions and their defense. Expect a bounce-back effort tonight to limit Jacobs and the Raiders offense overall. In Detroit’s five wins this season, opposing lead RBs are averaging only 27 rushing yards per game.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions – HIGHER Than 26.5 Receiving Yards
With David Montgomery ruled out, we can expect Jahmyr Gibbs to take on the lead-back workload for the Detroit Lions again tonight. Last week with Montgomery out, Gibbs logged 65 of the 72 offensive snaps (87%) while backup Craig Reynolds only saw seven snaps. In his bigger role, Gibbs had nine receptions for 58 yards on 10 targets. Yes, some of that receiving production came with the Lions trailing in a blowout loss to the Ravens. Still, it’s encouraging to see Detroit get Gibbs involved more as a pass-catcher.
The Las Vegas Raiders defense has been susceptible to opposing running backs catching passes more often than not this season. It's not a ton, but the Raiders are allowing about 30 receiving yards per game to opposing RBs. In seven games, three opposing RBs have gone for 30+ yards. However, Vegas has yet to face as talented a pass-catching back like Gibbs. When they did go up against good receiving backs, Samje Perine had 37 yards and James Cook had 36 yards – which both came in Raiders losses.
The Lions are dealing with some notable offensive line injuries which could aid in Gibbs having more success as a pass-catcher than a runner tonight. Center Frank Ragnow is doubtful to play, guard Jonah Jackson is out, and guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai is questionable. If the Lions aren't having much success in the run game, they could look to give Gibbs more quick passes and dump-offs just to get him the ball – especially to get him in space and make defenders miss. Plus, stud wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is questionable with an illness and may not be as effective tonight. That boosts Gibbs up a bit more as one of the Lions' top all-around playmakers.
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Other NFL Links:
- NFL DFS Week 8 Monday Night Playbook for DraftKings and FanDuel
- NFL Week 8 Best Bets: Las Vegas Raiders vs Detroit Lions Picks for Monday Night Football
- NFL DFS Player Projections
- Fantasy Football Weekly Matchups
- Fantasy Football Weekly Rankings
Player News
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Ja’Lynn Polk (shoulder) won’t play against the Vikings in preseason Week 2.
Polk appeared to suffer an injury during Friday night’s game against the Commanders. He’s been sidelined with a shoulder injury for most of the offseason, though it’s unknown if this is the same shoulder. It’s certainly possible that the Patriots waive/injured Polk or place him on injured reserve in the coming weeks, as the second-rounder never seemed to make a real push in what has become a stacked New England receiving room.
Buccaneers signed RB Jase McClellan, formerly of the Falcons.
McClellan was a fourth-round pick of the Falcons last season and was let go by the team in June. His signing comes just days after Rachaad White suffered a groin injury, but White was mentioned as being day-to-day by head coach Todd Bowles. There could be nothing to this signing, but the timing of it is interesting. McClellan rushed 13 times for 32 scoreless yards last season and should be considered a long shot to make the final 53-man roster if White is healthy by roster cut down day.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said he pulled Hendon Hooker “early” against the Falcons due to Hooker’s turnovers.
Hooker completed 7-of-10 passes for 38 yards against the Falcons in Preseason “Week 1" (the Lions played in the Hall of Fame game), but fumbled twice and the Lions lost both balls. None of what we’ve seen from Detroit this offseason, from the signing of Kyle Allen to the rhetoric about how Hooker has played, speaks well to the job Hooker has done heading into his third season. It’s entirely possible Allen passes him for the QB2 role.
49ers placed RB Ameer Abdullah (ribs) on injured reserve.
As always in preseason, it’s possible an injury settlement is worked out to make Abdullah a free agent. The veteran hurt his ribs in preseason Week 1 action. We would only be speculating on his return to play timeline from the injury listing, but rib injuries are not often season-enders and it’s possible he could return at some point in 2025.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Eagles LG Landon Dickerson “is thought to have suffered a meniscus injury to his right knee.”
Giants coach Brian Daboll said Jaxson Dart was “Efficient, effective, aggressive, and confident in the pocket” in his preseason debut against the Bills.
The Athletic’s Dan Duggan said that Daboll was “uncharacteristically effusive in his praise of Dart before adding disclaimers that it was only one game.” The Giants likely will not turn the quarterback position over to Dart early in the season, but the better he looks in the preseason, the easier it would be for them to pull the plug on Russell Wilson. Dart’s 154/1 passing debut on 19 attempts probably helped the rookie’s odds of appearing sooner rather than later.