It's Halloween Week in the NFL, and we're back with a Halloween edition of the Bets Dressed newsletter to kick off Week 8. We are scarily close to crossing the halfway point of the 2022 NFL season.

Thursday Night Football has been in a bit of a rut matchup wise, but that all changes tonight. Ravens at Buccaneers features a pair of first place teams with serious box office talent. The terrifying Lamar Jackson strikes fear into the heart of every defense he faces. While the ageless Tom Brady may be showing some very real signs of mortality. Sure, the Bucs are coming out of a tailspin. But don't count Tom Terrific out just yet. The GOAT still has a few tricks (and treats) up his sleeve.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Nevermore in Neverland Bowl!

A quick note on methodology.

As always, I’m analyzing every NFL uniform matchup and picking a winner against the spread based on who dresses best. And just because a team’s wardrobe is ranked higher in the Power Rankings doesn’t mean that it will automatically win the uniform matchup. It’s what you wear in the instant matchup that counts.

And don’t forget the Triple Mismatch Club wrinkle. I’m making three unit plays whenever the best dressed team in the matchup is a member of the Club (different colored helmet, jersey, and pants). And nine unit plays if both members of the week’s best matchup are members.

Week 7 Recap.

Before we get to Thursday Night Football and Week 8 Fantasy Plays, let’s revisit Week 7:

6-8. The pull of the .500 magnet continues to be strong. Either just below, just above, or right on the money week in and week out. I could complain, but who would listen? Time to press on. Let's blow this thing wide open this week.

Thursday Night Football Uniform Matchup (and Best NFL Uniform Matchup of Week 8).

This matchup just has a Halloween feel to it. Dark skies and rough seas. Edgar Allan Poe and Long John Silver. Ravens and Buccaneers. For those surprised this is the best matchup of the week, look at the Week 8 slate and tell me I'm wrong.* The white-over-purple look is the best Ravens road outfit. And it's hard to find anything negative to say about the Bucs in red and pewter. Black, purple, pewter, and red. The colors are really going to pop in this one, and I'm excited to see it on the screen.

This is the 21st issue of the Bets Dressed newsletter, and I've already said plenty of things that aged poorly. But last week's preview of Panthers-Bucs takes the cake: "it's hard to envision any outcome where the Panthers pull off an upset here". Guess I need to work on my vision because the Bucs were embarrassed for the second week in a row as a double-digit favorite.** And while Tampa Bay appears to be at rock bottom, they're still tied for first place and remain the favorite in the NFC South. Like the Bucs, the Ravens are likewise tied for their own division lead in the AFC North. And also like the Bucs, the Ravens haven't necessarily lived up to Super Bowl contender status during the first seven weeks of the season. But no matter how we got here, Lamar Jackson versus Tom Brady is a big deal, and the winner of this one can use the win as a springboard to re-enter the championship contender conversation. For our purposes, we want points, points, and more points. And both Brady and Lamar should be up to the task.

*I had Packers-Bills circled in pencil as best of the week when the schedule was announced during the offseason. But the Bills refuse to quit the blue unitards. And it leaves much to be desired.

**Panthers-Bucs (and this season overall) is a good reminder of what makes the NFL the best professional sports league in the world: on any given Sunday, any team can beat any other team.

The Pick: Over 45.5 (-110)

Triple Mismatch Club 3x Play

Club SDR - Week 8 Fantasy Plays.

Last week was another nice one for the Single Digit Revolution. Amari Cooper and Daniel Jones delivered while Kyler Murray fell a few pass attempts short. 11-9 on the year. I feel a 3-0 week coming. Power of positive thinking.

Marcus Mariota - Over 200.5 Passing and Rushing Yards (-115)

The Panthers know that Arthur Smith wants to pound the rock and run at all costs. Knowing this, it wouldn't be surprising if the Panthers do everything they can to take the run game away from the Falcons and force the game into Marcus Mariota's hands. Carolina is giving up 248 combined passing and rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks per game. And Mariota has cleared the number in four of seven games this season. I like him to do it again against the Panthers.

DeVonta Smith - Over 55.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

Following a Week 1 goose egg, DeVonta Smith is averaging 79 receiving yards per game since. The high flying Eagles offense is firing on all cylinders, and Smith (with his freakish wing span, super glue hands, and smooth route running) has become a security blanket for breakout quarterback Jalen Hurts. The undefeated Eagles are coming off the bye for a date with the Steelers, the league's third worst pass defense by yards allowed. I think Smith keeps the party going.

Zay Jones - Over 42.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

A lot of eyebrows were raised when the Jaguars gave Zay Jones a three year, $30 million contract in the offseason. But Jones has been a solid WR2 for the Jaguars, having earned Trevor Lawrence's trust and trailing only Christian Kirk in targets, receptions, and yards. He's averaging 47 yards per game, and I expect Broncos lockdown corner Patrick Surtain to spend most of his time with Kirk. I like Jones to clear the number here.

The Gridiron Uniform Database.

The uniform graphics you see here are courtesy of The Gridiron Uniform Database. If you’ve never paid their site a visit, stop what you’re doing right now and check it out. It is my favorite site on the Internet and an invaluable resource to uniform nerds and casual fans alike.

Drop me a line.

You can always find me on Twitter at NFL Fashion Advice (@fashion_nfl) or via email at [email protected]. Come talk uniforms and all things football, and let me know what you think of the newsletter.

Coming Attractions.

Bets Dressed Week 8 coverage continues this Sunday with a breakdown of the full slate (plus Monday Night Football).

We're heading back to London this week, so look for the Sunday issue to hit your inbox bright and early. As I’ve noted previously, we live in a world without a uniform scheduling czar, so it’s sometimes a chore finding out a team’s wardrobe ahead of time. In instances where it’s not 100% clear, I’ll make a best guess and update the issue later.

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And always remember: Look Good. Feel Good. Pay Good.