Thoughts and score predictions for every game on the NFL Week 8 weekend slate.
The NFL season is almost to its halfway point, but there’s almost no clarity as to which teams are truly Super Bowl favorites.
That could change in the coming weeks, though, with the Week 8 slate playing a pivotal role in shaping that picture.
The Sunday/Monday schedule features three potential conference championship game matchups and a couple of other pivotal division matchups.
First, former NFL MVPs Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen duke it out in Buffalo as Jackson returns from a three-game injury absence to rejuvenate a Ravens team that scuffled without him in losses the last two weeks against a Bills team searching for answers on defense. Baltimore-Buffalo was a popular AFC championship game pick before the season, and there’s no reason to think it can’t still end up a reality.
In the late afternoon window Sunday, AFC West rivals the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs clash in not only a key divisional battle but also another potential AFC championship game preview.
And then on Monday night, the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks meet after both teams upgraded their rosters with headline-stealing trades this week. They might be the two best teams in the NFC with this showdown providing an important measuring stick for both.
All the while, Week 8 features key division games between the Minnesota Vikings vs. the Detroit Lions, the Cleveland Browns vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Atlanta Falcons vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
We have thoughts and score predictions for every game on the schedule.
NFL Week 8 Schedule
(All game times ET; all point spreads via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Thursday
Green Bay Packers 27, Carolina Panthers 19: Jordan Love passed for 288 yards and 3 TDs, Christian Watson took a mid-game ambulance ride to and from the hospital and returned to finish off an 8-catch, 113-yard performance and the Packers rolled to a comfortable victory over the Panthers. Green Bay has won four of its last five games to improve to 5-3 while the Panthers are 3-4 after back-to-back losses.
Sunday 1 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Buffalo Bills (5-1): The game of the week comes early Sunday as QB Lamar Jackson makes his return to lead the Ravens into Buffalo in a matchup of Super Bowl contenders. Baltimore went 1-2 without Jackson as he tended to an ankle injury. It remains to be seen if he’ll be as mobile and dynamic with his legs as usual, but either way Jackson’s return is a massive boost to a Ravens offense that mustered just 23 points combined the last two weeks in losses to the Browns and Bengals. That unit should have an easier time Sunday against a Bills defense that ranks 31st in the NFL in yards allowed (386.8/game) while being especially porous in pass defense (285.8 yards/game). Zay Flowers has been one of the most prolific WRs in the league this year with 40 catches for 608 yards and 3 TDs in six games. Expect a full-on shootout with the Bills (tops in the NFL in scoring at 32.8 PPG) counting on Josh Allen to be at his MVP form. He’s thrown for 1,504 yards 9 TDs and 4 INTs despite missing top WR D.J. Moore most of the season while rushing for 240 yards and 8 TDs. Moore (shoulder) is reportedly expected to play for the first time since Oct. 4 while TE Dalton Kincaid (chest) is more of a game-time decision. The Ravens will be without rookie right guard Vega Ioane (knee). Buffalo is a 3-point favorite. Prediction: Bills 33, Ravens 30
Minnesota Vikings (6-0) at Detroit Lions (4-2): The Vikings are the last remaining unbeaten team in the NFL thanks to a defense that has given up the fewest points in the league (12.3/game) and second-fewest yards (252.8/game). But it hasn’t been pretty for Minnesota, which ranks 29th offensively (281.7 YPG) and 24th in scoring (20.8 PPG). Kyler Murray has thrown for just 812 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs (with 132 rushing yards) in a little more than four games, and as a result it’s been another quiet season for star WR Justin Jefferson (23 catches for 302 yards and 3 TDs). Will the Vikings’ defense be able to disrupt Detroit’s vaunted offense enough to level the scales? The Lions rank second in the league in yards (397.3) and scoring (30.7) as Jahmyr Gibbs makes his case for NFL Offensive Player of the Year with 620 rushing yards, 270 receiving yards and 9 total TDs while Amon-Ra St. Brown is having another typically elite season (46 receptions for 525 yards and 5 TDs) as Jared Goff’s top target. But the Lions are like the Vikings in reverse as their offensive prowess is offset by the league’s worst defense (32nd at 391.0 YPG allowed, 26th at 27.5 PPG allowed). That makes this a uniquely compelling matchup of opposing strengths and weaknesses and a pivotal NFC North clash. Detroit is a 3-point favorite. Prediction: Lions 24, Vikings 20
Tennessee Titans (1-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-2): The Titans officially waived the white flag on this season by shipping off star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Bears this week. The rest of 2026 is essentially a final audition for second-year QB Cam Ward (1,179 passing yards, 4 TDs and 5 INTs) as the Titans evaluate whether they have to draft a QB this spring. (We can save them the time and tell them that, yes, they do.) The Bengals scored 66 points over the last two games in wins over the Dolphins and Ravens and should keep rolling with Joe Burrow (1,653 yards, 15 TDs and 3 INTs) and wideouts Ja’Marr Chase (32-351-5) and Tee Higgins (33-571-2) leading the way. Cincinnati is a 12.5-point favorite. Prediction: Bengals 27, Titans 13
Arizona Cardinals (2-5) at Dallas Cowboys (3-4): Trusting the Cowboys to show any consistency from one week to the next is a perilous decision, but one would think they have some fresh momentum after scoring 38 points in a dominant win over the Eagles last week. Right? The key in that performance was a recommitment to the run game as Javonte Williams broke free for 155 yards and a TD on 25 carries. Expect Dallas to continue to lean on Williams and take at least some of the pressure off Dak Prescott (1,851 yards, 13 TDs and 5 INTs) and CeeDee Lamb (53-651-6). Fellow wideout George Pickens has been listed as questionable all week but is expected to play. The Cardinals get first-round rookie RB Jeremiyah Love (245 yards on 3.7 YPC) back from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since Week 5. Dallas is a 7-point favorite. Prediction: Cowboys 31, Cardinals 21
Las Vegas Raiders (3-4) at New York Jets (2-5): Despite significant offseason investment in expediting their rebuild, this is shaping up as another disappointing season for coach Aaron Glenn and the Jets, who lost to the previously winless Dolphins last week. One positive of late has been the emergence of first-round rookie WR Omar Cooper Jr., who has 11 catches for 218 yards and 2 TDs the last two games. RB Breece Hall remains out with a quad injury, meanwhile, as Braelon Allen (418 yards and 2 TDs on 4.6 YPC) continues to lead the rushing attack. The Raiders have lost four straight since a 3-0 start, but each of those losses was against playoff contenders. They should be plenty competitive against the underwhelming Jets, with 38-year-old QB Kirk Cousins (1,877 yards, 16 TDs and 5 INTs) and TE Brock Bowers (34-455-3 in five games) leading the way. New York is a 1.5-ponit favorite. Prediction: Raiders 27, Jets 24
Cleveland Browns (5-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2): Once-maligned QB Deshaun Watson (1,482 yards, 7 TDs and 3 INTs) has led five game-winning drives for the NFL’s biggest surprise team, and yet the Browns still have a -13 point differential despite their record. Both teams come into this clash tied for first in the AFC North with Cleveland having won the first meeting 27-24 on a late field goal. Pittsburgh has ripped off three straight wins over the Colts, Buccaneers and Saints with veteran QB Aaron Rodgers (1,699 yards, 13 TDs and 5 INTs) throwing for 6 TDs and 1 INT in that stretch. Meanwhile, Jaylen Warren had another 100-yard rushing performance last week to continue what is shaping up as a career year for the RB with 561 rushing yards, 294 receiving yards and 2 TDs in seven games. For Cleveland, first-round rookie WR KC Concepcion is coming off a breakout game with 8 catches for 129 yards (and 23 rushing yards). Pittsburgh is a 3.5-point favorite. Prediction: Steelers 24, Browns 21
Atlanta Falcons (3-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5): The Buccaneers managed to blowout the Panthers 43-13 last week despite getting just 64 passing yards from QB Baker Mayfield in his return to action. They used 4 turnovers and 5 sacks to control the game, but that’s not a dependable weekly recipe. Tampa Bay will need a lot more from Mayfield — even with WR1 Emeka Egbuka (foot) set to miss a second straight game — along with continued strong play from RB Bucky Irving (558 rushing yards on 4.7 YPC, 5 total TDs). Especially against an Atlanta team that is averaging 31 PPG since Michael Penix Jr. (1,157 yards, 9 TDs, 1 INT) took over at QB and helped opened up the offense for stars Bijan Robinson (704 rushing yards, 203 receiving yards, 5 total TDs) and Drake London (38-616-1). This is a pivotal NFC South matchup with no team yet to truly assert itself in the division (to no surprise). Tampa Bay is a 2.5-point favorite. Prediction: Falcons 26, Buccaneers 23
Indianapolis Colts (2-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2): The Colts have also waived the white flag on this season. They traded standout left guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks and DT DeForest Buckner to the 49ers this week with WR Josh Downs having formally requested a trade as well and star RB Jonathan Taylor still the subject of trade talks, making his status for Sunday something to watch. Either way, it’s a bleak situation in Indianapolis and the Jaguars and QB Trevor Lawrence (1,480 yards, 14 TDs, 4 INTs) should roll in this one. Jacksonville is a 10-point favorite. Prediction: Jaguars 27, Colts 10
Sunday 4:05/4:25
Los Angeles Chargers (0-6) at Los Angeles Rams (3-4): The battle for SoFi Stadium. The dueling tenants are both off to disappointing seasons, though to much different degrees. The Rams are still viewed as Super Bowl contenders and could get star EDGE Myles Garrett (knee) back on the practice field as soon as next week. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford entered the week leading the league with 1,959 passing yards (14 TDs and 7 INTs), Puka Nacua (45-485-2 in five games) is carrying a heavier load in that passing attack with Davante Adams sidelined indefinitely and the RB tandem of Kyren Williams (492 yards and 5 TDs on 5.1 YPC) and Blake Corum (316 yards and 2 TDs on 4.9 YPC) is as good as any in the league. The Chargers, on the other hand, are the only winless team in the league as QB Justin Herbert (1,141 passing yards, 5 TDs, 8 INTs, 21 sacks taken) looks lost and the coaching staff looks befuddled by it all. The Rams are a 6.5-point favorite. Prediction: Rams 26, Chargers 20
Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) at Denver Broncos (5-2): One of the biggest games of the week. The Chiefs not only took their first loss of the season last week, but it was a concerning 20-3 defeat to Seattle that revealed how little alternative options Kansas City’s offense has when RB Kenneth Walker III is contained. Going up against another good defense this week that will look to replicate that formula and keep Walker (701 yards and 6 TDs on 5.8 YPC but just 36 yards on 14 carries last week) in check. Patrick Mahomes (1,474 passing yards, 9 TDs and 4 INTs) simply doesn’t have much to work with in the passing game unless Rashee Rice is playing at a high level. After missing essentially the last month with a hamstring injury, Rice is cleared for return Sunday, which can only help KC. With good news comes bad news, though, as impressive rookie CB Mansoor Delane (shoulder) has been ruled out while fellow CB L’Jarius Sneed landed on injured reserve. The question is whether Denver QB Bo Nix (1,271 yards, 7 TDs and 3 INTs) can take advantage of that. Nix has been held under 200 yards passing in four of seven games this season, ranks 26th in QBR (45.2) and passer rating (80.7) and 29th in yards per pass attempt (5.8). The Denver running game hasn’t been impressive either, but intriguing rookie Jonah Coleman looked great last week in his return from injury (9 carries for 54 yards, 15 receiving yards vs. the Cardinals) and should continue to grow his role in the backfield. WR Jaylen Waddle, questionable with a chest injury, is expected to play, per the latest reports. Kansas City is a 1.5-point favorite. Prediction: Chiefs 24, Broncos 21
New England Patriots (4-3) at Miami Dolphins (1-5): The Dolphins got their first win of the season last week, beating the Jets 28-25, as Ollie Gordon II rushed for a season-high 103 yards and a TD on 25 carries. But expecting Miami to keep pace offensively with the Patriots is a whole other challenge. WR A.J. Brown (knee/ankle) has been ruled out for New England along with RB TreVeyon Henderson (illness), but Drake Maye (1,784 yards, 13 TDs, 8 INTs) should be able to find a way in this one regardless. New England is a 7-point favorite. Prediction: Patriots 31, Dolphins 17
Sunday Night Football (8:20 p.m. on NBC)
Philadelphia Eagles (2-5) at Washington Commanders (1-4-1): Not exactly the primetime matchup the NFL (or NBC) was hoping for with this one. The Eagles might be one more loss from throwing in the towel on this season with the trade deadline approaching. The team reportedly will not move star RB Saquon Barkley, however. He’ll be leaned on as a focal point of the offense to whatever extent his hamstring allows after he played through obvious limitations last week. The Eagles will need whatever he can provide with backup Tanner McKee continuing to start at QB the rest of the way and top WRs DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvon Wicks (knee) out. Washington, on the other hand, is at all times seemingly one bad loss away from perhaps making a decision on coach Dan Quinn’s future. Jayden Danels (759 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs, 213 rushing yards and 2 TDs) has looked impressive at times in two games back from his latest left elbow injury, and he’ll look to keep Washington’s season afloat Sunday night. Washington is a 6.5-point favorite. Prediction: Commanders 26, Eagles 20
Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. on ESPN)
Chicago Bears (5-2) at Seattle Seahawks (4-3): A potential NFC championship game preview? The Bears fortified their defense this week in trading two first-round draft picks to Tennessee for stud DT Jeffery Simmons. If he gets Chicago’s defense even to a league average level, the Bears have the offensive firepower to be a legit Super Bowl contender with the way QB Caleb Willams (1,020 yards, 5 TDs and 1 INT in four games) is playing. WR Luther Burden III (35-491-2) is coming off one of the best games of his young career with 4 catches for 130 yards and a TD in a big win over New England last week. Meanwhile, the Seahawks made a power move of their own in acquiring elite left guard Quenton Nelson from the Colts to fortify what has been an underwhelming rushing attack for the most part. But more help arrives in that regard as RB Zach Charbonnet makes his season debut after working back from a torn ACL and first-round rookie Jadarian Price also returns from injured reserve this week. Seattle, which boasts the stingiest defense in the league at 233.9 YPG allowed, could find its Super Bowl form again if the rushing attack can again become a dependable identity for the offense and take pressure off QB Sam Darnold (1,290 passing yards, 8 TDs and 8 INTs). Seattle is a 3-point favorite. Prediction: Bears 27, Seahawks 25
