Written by: Tyler Deakin
Let’s be honest here, last week’s NFL games were boring. There were 8 blowouts on the week, and the close games were matchups that nobody cared about such as Falcons vs. Dolphins. The Titans & Bengals had statement wins in blowouts over the Chiefs & Ravens respectively, but overall the week lacked the drama & excitement that NFL fans have become accustomed to. I’m hoping for better football to watch this week. What exciting new adventures await football fans this week? Here is my list of contenders for the best games on the Week 8 NFL docket.
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals (Thursday Night Football)
I recently wrote an article about the Cardinals success & said that their season basically boils down to 4 key games: @ Browns (win), vs. Packers, vs. Rams, & @ Cowboys. They passed their first test in destroying the Browns without their head coach a couple weeks ago. Now we’ll see how they fare against another elite NFC team in Aaron Rodgers’ Packers. This matchup features the highest combined winning percentage (.929) by opposing teams entering a Thursday night game since 1934. DE JJ Watt has been ruled out for the Cardinals due to injury, while WR Davante Adams won’t play for the Packers due to a positive COVID test. I’m thinking this should still be the Game of the Week, with obvious playoff implications for both sides.
Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings (Sunday Night Football)
Two NFC heavyweights coming off their bye weeks duke it out in this primetime affair. Both teams love to run the ball & set up the play action passing game, so the time of possession battle here will be critical. QB Dak Prescott is expected to play despite injuring his calf before heading into the bye week. Outside of Prescott’s status, both teams look healthy & ready to play. The Vikings need this win to keep pace with the Packers & Bears in the NFC North, while the Cowboys surely want to pad their division lead on the rest of their NFC East counterparts.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
This is a revenge game of sorts for Saints QB Jameis Winston, who previously played for the Buccaneers. The Bucs replaced Jameis with Tom Brady & the rest is history for them. Winston’s situation played out quite differently, as he settled for a backup QB gig behind Drew Brees for a couple years before being named the starter this year. Anyhow, these two NFC South rivals are once again contending for the division crown so this is an important game for both sides. We all know Tom Brady rises to the occasion in crunch time, so I expect his team to win.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
The biggest question heading into this game is will QB Baker Mayfield play on Sunday? He gave a lukewarm response when asked about the topic this week, so this could go either way. Both teams are trying to keep pace within the best division in football this year, the AFC North. No team in the AFC North has a losing record, and all teams remain in the hunt as we approach the season’s halfway point. Division games such as this one are huge in both drama & playoff implications, so a win here would go a long way for either team’s chances at a playoff berth.
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts
While the AFC North is one of the best divisions in football this year, the AFC South paints a much different picture in the division standings. You’ve got 2 of the worst teams in the league in the Jaguars & Texans in the basement cellar, meaning it’s really a two-horse race between the Titans & Colts for the division crown. That’s why this game looms large for both teams, because it’s possible the division comes down to the wire. Both teams come into this matchup hot after wins over the Chiefs & 49ers respectively. It’s tough to gauge these two Jekyll & Hyde teams though, because the Titans beat the Chiefs & lost to the Jets while the Colts started 0-3 but are now 3-4. Which team gets the key division win in this Sunday afternoon tilt?