Another week, another slate of NFL games. Let’s predict the winner of each matchup for Week 8.
Conner’s Picks:
Vikings vs Chargers:
Both of these teams need to win this game. The Chargers (4-3) have lost three out of their last four games. The Vikings (3-3) have been solid this year, but have not done anything overly impressive. Their three wins come against teams whose combined record is 10-7.
Carson Wentz is coming off his worst game this season, when he threw two interceptions to the Eagles. However, he managed to keep the Vikings in the game, and could have had a chance to complete the comeback if their defense had stopped the Eagles’ offense late in the game.
As for the Chargers, they lost by 14 to the Colts. The Colts have one of the best offenses in the league, but allowing 38 points is unacceptable, especially since they only let up 17.8 points a game through the first four weeks. Justin Herbert has also lost his case for MVP these past four weeks, having thrown seven touchdowns to four interceptions, leading the Chargers to just one win in the past month.
This game will come down to the wire, as the Vikings always seem to find a way to keep it close. I think the Chargers’ defense will step up from its tough outing last week.
It is also hard to know which team’s offense will put on a show as well, considering both quarterbacks have been shaky the past couple games.
Both teams have comparable defenses over the entire season, with the Vikings allowing only 14.2 fewer yards and 2.5 fewer points a game. However, the Chargers have allowed 28.3 points in their last four games, while the Vikings have given up 19.8 in that same stretch.
Offensively, the Chargers have averaged more yards a game, but they are not scoring as much as the Vikings are — 2.6 fewer points a game.
This game really could go either way, but I think the Chargers prevail. They have more to play for, as they need to keep pace with the Chiefs and Broncos in the AFC West. I also anticipate the defense stepping up after a handful of tough performances. Wentz may play well and the Vikings defense will give them a chance to win, but I think Herbert will come up clutch when he needs to.
Prediction: Chargers 23-22
Actual score: Chargers 37-10
Dolphins vs Falcons:
Both teams are coming off rough losses, but the Dolphins are in a much worse position than the Falcons.
The Dolphins are coming off their worst loss of the season, 31–6, to then-1–5 Cleveland Browns. Tua Tagovailoa played terribly, having thrown three interceptions, now 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions on the season. They are also only averaging 92.4 rushing yards a game. De’Von Achane has played well, averaging 5.3 yards a carry, but it does not mean much when he is the only one significantly contributing to the offense’s production.
Tyreek Hill, who has not played since Week 4, has the second-most receiving yards, whileJaylen Waddle is only recording 57.9 yards a game.
As for the Falcons, their defense played well last week, only giving up 20 points, though their offense stalled out. Bijan Robinson had his fewest total yards in a game last week against the 49ers, with 92. Michael Penix Jr. also had a rough game last week, completing only 55.3% of his passes and leading the Falcons to just 10 points.
However, I think the Falcons’ offense will bounce back. The Dolphins are allowing 29.3 points and 159.3 rushing yards a game. The Dolphins are also only putting up 20 points a game offensively, and the Falcons are allowing just 265.2 yards a game — second in the NFL.
I do not see this game being too close. The Falcons’ offense should have a field day, and the Dolphins’ atrocious offense is going up against one of the league’s best defenses.
**Prediction:**Falcons 27-13
Bears vs Ravens:
Lamar is likely to return for the Ravens (1-5) in this game. Although he is questionable for Sunday’s game, I think he plays. They are at the bottom of the AFC North and cannot afford to lose anymore games.
Lamar at 75% of his full self is better than Cooper Rush at 100%. In the two and a half games he has played, Rush has thrown four interceptions and zero touchdowns. He has also led them to just 13 points in the last two weeks.
While the offense will likely improve with Lamar on the field, their defense is what will really hold them back. This is especially true against a red-hot Bears (4-2) team. They are on a four-game win streak and have put up 26.8 points a game in that stretch.
However, Caleb Williams is coming off his worst performance of the season in their game against the Saints last week. He only completed 57.7% of his passes with one interception and zero touchdowns. But, it did not matter much as the Bears ran for 222 yards.
This game will come down to the Bears’ defense against the Ravens’ defense. The last time the Ravens played, they held the Rams to 17 points. There is hope they could get back to previous Ravens’ defenses we have seen in years past. However, they are allowing 134.3 rushing yards per game, and the Bears are running for over 120 yards a week.
Nevertheless, I still think the Ravens pull it out. They have a lot more to play for and are scoring 32.3 points a game when Jackson starts. Even though the Bears are coming into this game with a lot of momentum, Williams has not been that impressive. Plus, the Bears defense is allowing 25.8 points a game. This means that the game could be a shootout, and I prefer Lamar in that scenario.
**Prediction:**Ravens 28-27
Jets vs Bengals:
The Jets (0-7) are one of the worst teams the NFL has seen in recent years. This does not really come to much of a surprise. They have a first-year defensive-minded head coach, Aaron Glenn. This meant their offense was likely to struggle heading into the season, especially with Justin Fields under center.
Fields has not been good so far in his career and especially not this season. Last week against the Panther, he was benched for Tyrod Taylor. Taylor went on to throw two interceptions.
Their defense has actually been solid, especially recently, allowing just 13 points a game in their last two weeks. However, that is irrelevant if you cannot move the ball down the field.
For the Bengals (3-4), they are coming off a strong 33-31 win over the Steelers (4-2). Joe Flacco had a great game, throwing for three touchdowns and 342 yards. Ja’Marr Chase had 161 of those passing yards. Their offense looked electric with Flacco.
As for their defense, it is still the second worst, only ahead of the Cowboys in terms of yards allowed. They are also allowing 30.6 points a game.
Luckily for the Bengals, they are going up against the Jets’ offense. The Jets may also be without their top-receiving option in Garrett Wilson. Defensively, the Jets have the advantage, but they may be without Sauce Garnder.
Even though I think the Jets have a chance to pull off the upset, the Bengals should win. Their offense is way better than the Jets’. Although the Jets’ defense may be better, the Bengals put up 33 points against the highest-paid defense in the league last week.
Prediction: Bengals 22-17
Bills vs Panthers:
The Bills (4-2) are coming into the game off a bye week. Regardless, they dropped two consecutive games to the Patriots (5-2) and Falcons (3-3) heading into the bye. In hindsight, those losses are a bit more excusable, especially seeing that those teams have a combined record of 8-5. However, Josh Allen threw four touchdowns to three interceptions in those games. Their defense played better in those two games, only allowing 23.5 points on average.
For the Panthers (4-3), their defense has been solid overall this season, allowing only 21.7 points each game. However, this does include a game where they did not allow a single point to the Falcons. They also allowed just six points to the Jets last week. As for their offense, they have been inconsistent. Bryce Young has thrown 11 touchdowns to five interceptions on the year, which is solid, but they have had three games where they put up around 10-13 points and three games where they put up 27 or more.
The Panthers are also undefeated at home this season. They have scored an average of 28 points a game at home. The Bills have allowed 22.8 points a game.
Overall, this game really could go either way, but I think the Bills will prevail. This a must-win matchup as if they lose, they could possibly give the Patriots a two-game division lead. I also anticipate a Josh Allen bounce-back week against a solid, but also shaky Panthers defense. The Bills are putting up 27.8 points a game this season. The Panthers could match, but even if they do, it would mean an Allen versus Young shootout. I prefer Allen in that situation. Allen is also 7-0 in his career in games after a bye week.
Prediction: Bills 30-24
49ers vs Texans:
The 49ers (5-2) just keep finding ways to win. Last week, surprisingly, their defense without Fred Warner and Nick Bosa won them the game. Mac Jones only threw for 152 yards and had an interception with no touchdowns. Their pass rush was relentless all night, helping to ice the game. They even held Bijan Robinson to 92 total yards, his fewest in a game this season. However, unsurprisingly, they lost another key player: pass rusher Bryce Huff. Huff had a forced-fumble sack. Linebacker Tatume Bethune also stepped up nicely in Warner’s absence, recording 10 tackles.
The Texans (2-4) are coming off a rough 27-19 loss to the Falcons. C.J. Stroud has definitely regressed since his rookie season, throwing for less than 200 yards a game on average. However, their defense has been amazing. They are only giving up 14.2 points a game and 274.2 yards a game. But, last week they were exposed.
This game I think will come down to which offense can play better, and I think it will be the Niners. Christian McCaffrey had 201 total yards last week and averaged 5.4 yards a carry. This was against arguably the team with the best defense in the NFL, the Falcons. Also, when George Kittle is on the field, the entire offense is better, and that showed last week. Stroud could have a bounce-back game, but I do not think he will go off on this young, energetic 49ers’ defense that is only allowing 19.7 points a game.
The Niners also contained Robinson to 40 rushing yards last week, so I think they can contain Chubb this week. Overall, the game will be tight, but the 49ers have found a lot of different ways to win games this season. As a result, I think the 49ers roll on and get their sixth win of the season.
**Prediction:**49ers 24-20
Browns vs Patriots:
The Browns (2-5) come into this game with a bit of momentum. They destroyed the Dolphins 31-6 last week. However, they played the now-1-6 Dolphins. Regardless, Dillon Gabriel played well, throwing for 116 yards with a 72.2 completion percentage. He did not need to do much because Quinshon Judkins had three rushing touchdowns. They also have arguably the best defense in the league. They are allowing just 21.7 points a game and only 256.1 yards a game.
But, unfortunately for the Browns, they are taking on the 5-2 Patriots. The Patriots are on a four-game win streak and put up 30.3 points on average in their last four games. Their defense has also been on lock down, allowing just 19 points a game.
Drake Maye has played phenomenally this season, having thrown for 12 touchdowns to two interceptions with a 75.2 completion percentage. Last week, he set the Patriots’ franchise record for completion percentage in a game, with a minimum of 20 pass attempts, completing 91.3% of his passes against the Titans. Their top-two wide receivers Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs are both averaging over 50 receiving yards a game.
The Patriots, in general, have a lot of momentum heading into this game. Therefore, even though Cleveland’s defense could make it a game, I do not think they will do enough to contain Maye. Even if they do, I do not think that Gabriel will perform how he will need to for the Browns to win. This one could be close, but it will come down to who can make more big plays, and I think that favors the Pats.
Prediction: Patriots 23-14
Giants vs Eagles:
The Giants (2-5) are coming off one of the worst losses in recent NFL memory. Up 26-8 with 7:12 left, the Giants had a 99.8% chance to win. However, they let the Broncos comeback to win 33-32, in large part due to two missed extra points by Giants’ kicker Jude McAtamney.
Regardless, just 10 days prior, they destroyed the Eagles by 17 on Thursday Night Football.
This time, however, I think the game will go differently. The Giants have not defeated the Eagles in Philadelphia since 2013.
The Eagles also bounced back last week against the Vikings, in a game that saw Jalen Hurts have a perfect passer rating. He threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns against the seventh-highest-rated passing defense, in terms of average yards allowed.
Although Saquon is yet to have a breakout game, he is going up against the Giants, his former team. The Giants are also allowing 130.7 rushing yards a game. Last time, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry against the Giants. I think if they give him the ball more, he can do a lot of damage.
As for the Giants, Jaxson Dart has played well this season, throwing seven touchdowns to three interceptions and leading the team to 25.3 points a game when he plays. Cam Skattebo has also been great, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He also did score three touchdowns against the Eagles last time.
Defensively, both teams are comparable. The Eagles are allowing 1.7 fewer points a game, 34 fewer passing yards and 6.4 fewer rushing yards. These are relatively comparable. However, the Eagles have not allowed 33 points in one quarter of a game this season, like the Giants have.
Both teams have played well this season, but the Giants are coming off a deflating loss, while the Eagles have momentum after a bounce-back game against the Vikings. The choke by the Giants was the type of loss that could ruin a team’s season. While I do not think it will “ruin” their season, I do think it will negatively impact their performance this game. Also, the Giants have not swept the Eagles since 2007, and I think Barkely and Hurts will get their revenge over Skattebo and Dart.
**Prediction:**Eagles 26-23
Abe’s Picks:
Buccaneers vs Saints:
Coming off a loss to the Lions, the Bucs will be out for blood. Unfortunately, they will likely be shorthanded for the rest of the season. Injuries to Mike Evans, who broke his collarbone, and Chris Godwin, who has not returned to his former self, include the ankle and shoulder injury to Bucky Irving.
The Bucs offense has relied heavily on Baker Mayfield, who, for the most part, has shown up. Star rookie Emeka Egbuka will have to continue his impressive freshman season if the Bucs want any chance at real Super Bowl contention.
For the Saints, this year has been a complete wash. Being poised for a top-five pick, their only game plan is to lose and make it competitive, and have something to build on. Spencer Rattler has shown flashes of how good he can be, but he isn’t the ideal QB for a Kellen Moore offense. He doesn’t have the attributes of other QBs Moore coached; he doesn’t have the mindset and decision-making of Jalen Hurts or the tight window throws and accuracy of Dak Prescott. With the Saints being positioned for a high draft pick, the Saints will be looking for this franchise QB via the draft or trade this offseason.
Prediction: Bucs 27 – 10
Titans vs Colts:
The surprise of this season has been the Colts; Daniel Jones’ career resurgence has arguably been more surprising than Geno Smith’s in 2022. Shane Steichen finally found his QB after the No.4 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Anthony Richardson, who ended up being a bust thus far.
Jones has put up nearly 1,800 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and has posted an 80.2 quarterback rating, ranking second in the NFL. Steichen has found a way to utilize Jonathan Taylor, turning back into his offensive player of the year self. The entire Colts team has blended well together, and when you are dominant in all three parts of football, offense, defense and special teams, you are going to win a lot of games.
The Titans have been terrible. NFL veteran Tyler Lockett asked to be released mid-season due to the terrible play and coaching. No.1 pick Cam Ward’s turnovers have followed him from WSU and Miami to the NFL. Ward has thrown five picks and four touchdowns this season, having a QBR of 23.9 out of 100, ranking 33rd. It is important to note that there are only 32 NFL teams, meaning he is worth more than 32 other QBs.
Prediction: Colts 45-17
Cowboys vs Broncos:
Sean Payton made headlines this week, sneak-dissing Russel Wilson, who was with Payton for one year in Denver. Wilson clapped back, mentioning how Payton was guilty of incentivizing players to hurt opposing players. This is not the only loss Payton will be taking this week; the Broncos have gotten away with terrible offensive execution and lucky wins against the Jets and Giants.
The Cowboys have the No.1 offense in the NFL, and Dak Prescott should be the MVP favorite. Unfortunately, wins/losses have a big part of the award. The Cowboys are coming off a dominant win against the Commanders. The defense had its best game of the season, holding the Commanders to 22 points, along with Daron Bland returning an interception all the way to the house. Dak came off a 264-yard passing game with three touchdowns and RB Javonte Williams ran for over 115 and added a touchdown. If the Cowboys’ defense can hold up, there is potential for the playoffs.
Prediction: Cowboys 31-24
Packers vs Steelers:
Both of these teams are the worst good teams we have seen in years. The Steelers, with 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, have found ways to win. DK Metcalf has not been consistent, something that Steeler fans were complaining about when they traded for the $30 million receiver. The only notable team they have played is the Seahawks, who put on a dominant showing in Week 2, beating the Steelers 31-17.
The Packers traded for Micah Parsons in the pre-season and awarded him with a $47 million yearly salary. Has he played like a guy who deserves that? No. Parsons has put up 16 tackles and five sacks this season, while his impact isn’t solely based on the box score; he has opened up opportunities for others who haven’t stepped up to the plate. QB Jordan Love has been mediocre this season, ranked around 15th in every QB statistic. Which wouldn’t be a problem if he weren’t collecting $55 million, along with a $75 million signing bonus. There are QBs making a lot less with better stats like Sam Darnold and Mac Jones.
Prediction: Packers 31-30
Commanders vs Chiefs:
Rashee Rice made his season debut after his six-game suspension for a high-speed car crash in March 2024. Rice had seven catches for 42 yards and two touchdowns in his debut. The Chief offense has been finding its groove before Rice was back but with him, and they are poised to get back to their dominant passing offense. The defense has also gotten better week by week. With no Jayden Daniels the defense will be dominant against Marcus Mariota this week.
The Commanders have been the disappointment of the season. Injuries to Austin Ekeler, Deebo Samuel, Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels have made this year a wash. Sitting at 3-4 with the Chiefs, Seahawks, and Lions coming up, the Commanders are staring at the potential end of their season if they don’t find a way to win with injuries. Joe Whitt is in his first year as defensive play-caller, and it might be time for him to hang it up or ask Dan Quinn for advice on how to utilize players. For example, Frankie Luvu made second team all-pro last season due to Quinn’s playcalling and allowing Luvu to free roam and blitz. Whitt seems to think Luvu is best in coverage of a facet of the game he and fellow linebacker Bobby Wagner are bottom of the league in.
Prediction: Chiefs 27-10