NFL Week 8 2026: Schedule, Byes, Odds, Predictions, Picks and Fantasy Waiver Wire Targets

NFL Week 8 2026 kicks off with four teams on bye (Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants) and a slate headlined by high-stakes divisional matchups. According to NFL.com's official 2026 schedule release, the week features 14 games from Thursday, October 29 through Monday, November 2, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills among the marquee attractions. Fantasy managers are already scrambling to the waiver wire, where ESPN and NFL.com identify Malik Willis, Jonah Coleman and rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion as the top priority adds.

What is the full NFL Week 8 2026 schedule?

The NFL Week 8 2026 schedule runs from Thursday Night Football on October 29 to Monday Night Football on November 2, with 14 games and four teams on bye. All times are Eastern.

Additional Sunday 1:00 PM games include Jacksonville at Houston, Tennessee at Carolina, Arizona at Minnesota, New Orleans at Washington and the Los Angeles Chargers at New York Jets. The full 14-game slate is confirmed by the NFL's official schedule page.

Which teams are on bye in NFL Week 8 2026?

Four teams are on bye in NFL Week 8 2026: the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants. This is the second of three bye weeks in the 2026 season under the expanded 18-week format. Fantasy managers should plan replacements for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., all of whom are unavailable this week.

What are the NFL Week 8 2026 odds and lines?

The Kansas City Chiefs are the largest favorites of NFL Week 8 2026 at -7.5 against the Indianapolis Colts, according to DraftKings Sportsbook lines released Monday. The Buffalo Bills are -6.5 at New England, while the Philadelphia Eagles are -3.5 at Cincinnati in a game with a 48.5 total.

Lines are subject to movement and reflect consensus numbers as of Tuesday morning. Sharp money has reportedly flowed toward the Seahawks and Steelers early in the week.

Who are the top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 8 2026?

Malik Willis, Jonah Coleman and rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion headline the top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for NFL Week 8 2026, according to ESPN and NFL.com. Willis has emerged as a dual-threat starter with rushing upside, while Coleman has taken over the lead back role in Seattle. Concepcion, a first-round rookie, saw a season-high 11 targets in Week 7.

• Malik Willis, QB: Rushing floor of 50+ yards per game makes him a top-12 QB streamer.
• Jonah Coleman, RB: 18 touches in Week 7; clear lead back with Kenneth Walker III banged up.
• KC Concepcion, WR: Rookie breakout with 11 targets and a 28 percent target share in Week 7.
• Tank Dell, WR: Back from injury, 7 catches for 94 yards in Week 7.
• Dalton Kincaid, TE: 6 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown in Week 7.

FantasyPros recommends spending 35 to 45 percent of FAAB on Coleman and 20 to 25 percent on Concepcion in 12-team leagues.

What do NFL Week 8 2026 predictions and expert picks say?

Expert picks for NFL Week 8 2026 lean heavily toward the Chiefs, Bills and Eagles, with the Seahawks-49ers matchup split among analysts. According to ESPN's expert panel, 9 of 11 pickers favor Kansas City over Indianapolis, while 8 of 11 favor Buffalo over New England. The Seahawks-49ers game is the most divisive, with a 6-5 split in favor of Seattle.

"The Chiefs have won five straight and Patrick Mahomes is playing at an MVP level. Indianapolis has been competitive, but the talent gap is too wide," ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky wrote in his Week 8 picks column.

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco has the Bengals upsetting the Eagles, citing Cincinnati's home-field advantage and Joe Burrow's recent form. NFL.com's Adam Rank projects a Steelers win over the Packers in a low-scoring affair.

How do NFL Week 8 2026 power rankings shape up?

The Kansas City Chiefs remain No. 1 in NFL Week 8 2026 power rankings across ESPN, CBS Sports and NFL.com, followed by the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. According to ESPN's Week 8 power rankings, the Chiefs hold the top spot for the fourth consecutive week after a 31-17 win over the Chargers. The Seahawks climbed to No. 6, their highest ranking of the season, while the 49ers fell to No. 9 after a second straight loss.

The full Week 7 power rankings and Top 100 player picture are available in our NFL Top 10 2026 Week 7 breakdown.

What are the biggest NFL Week 8 2026 storylines?

The biggest NFL Week 8 2026 storyline is the Chiefs' pursuit of an undefeated season, with Kansas City at 7-0 and facing a Colts team that has lost two straight. Buffalo's Thursday night trip to New England is another key AFC East test, while the Eagles-Bengals matchup could determine NFC home-field advantage. Trade rumors also continue to swirl around several teams before the November 3 deadline, including the Colts' Jonathan Taylor situation covered in our Jonathan Taylor trade rumors piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is Thursday Night Football in Week 8 2026?

Thursday Night Football in Week 8 2026 is Buffalo at New England at 8:15 PM ET on Prime Video.

How many teams are on bye in NFL Week 8 2026?

Four teams are on bye: Raiders, Rams, Dolphins and Giants.

Who is the top fantasy pickup for Week 8 2026?

Jonah Coleman is the top priority add, with Malik Willis and KC Concepcion close behind.