Games of the Week

 


There are no byes in Week 8, so we get all 32 teams back in action for one week. That means a full Sunday slate with 14 games, most of which take place during the early window. Which of those games should you be checking out? Below are the five games on the Sunday slate I’m most interested in seeing.

Early Window

Minnesota Vikings (3-4) at Green Bay Packers (2-4)
About: Believe it or not, this is a battle for second place in the NFC North. While the Lions have a comfortable lead for now, the Vikings have won two straight and with a third could move back to .500. That seemed like a long shot after a 1-4 start that saw them lose Justin Jefferson. The Packers, meanwhile, started OK but have slumped of late. They lost last week in Denver and are desperate for a win to get back on track. This should be a great divisional battle.

Los Angeles Rams (3-4) at Dallas Cowboys (4-2)
About: This is a battle of teams that are fighting to be in that second tier in the NFC. The Cowboys are 4-2 with some strong wins but a couple rough losses, including being blown out by the 49ers. They’re fresh off a bye and back at home. Getting a win here would move them closer to another playoff berth. The Rams, meanwhile, have had some nice moments. But the home loss to the Steelers last week was a blow. Another loss here and the Rams will start fading from the playoff conversation.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
About: The Jaguars have opened up a nice lead in the AFC South, but their aspirations run further than a division crown. The Jaguars are hoping to make a splash in the AFC and enjoy another playoff run. The Steelers, meanwhile, have quietly put together a solid opening stretch. The team sits at 4-2 in the thick of the race in the AFC. Can the Steelers keep winning and keep moving toward a playoff berth? This game will go a long way toward making the case for both teams.

Late Window

Cleveland Browns (4-2) at Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
About: These are two teams in the thick of the race for the playoffs. The Browns have struggled with injuries, losing Nick Chubb and seeing Deshaun Watson in-and-out of the lineup. Despite that, the team has kept winning, beating the 49ers in Week 6 and topping the Colts in Week 7. The Seahawks have also quietly had a strong season. The Seahawks beat the Lions on the road and are right in the thick of the playoff race again in the NFC. Both these teams need a win to improve their position and this figures to be a heck of a battle.

Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) at San Francisco 49ers (5-2)
About: Based on my pre-season predictions, I thought this could be a Super Bowl preview. The Bengals haven’t looked that strong to start the season, mostly owing to Joe Burrow’s calf injury. But they’re fresh off a bye which likely has the quarterback looking stronger. The 49ers, meanwhile, have lost two straight after a 5-0 start. This is a pair of teams with lofty aspirations both hoping to get the win in Week 8.

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