NFL Week 8 Essentials
By Tony Mejia
This Sunday’s NFL card is the lightest of the regular season, so the joke can be made that the league is taking it easy on its viewership. Oh, we’ll watch, but could use a pick-me-up through a few well-played, competitive games given what we’ve had to sit through of late. With one last game being played in London for 2016, we’re still going to be exposed to a marathon Sunday with 14 consecutive hours of pro football consumption available. Behave responsibly. Here’s what you need to know before wagering on Week 8:
Sunday, Oct. 30
Cincinnati vs. Washington: Corner Josh Norman and TE Jordan Reed traveled with the ‘Skins overseas and are expected to pass through concussion protocol to take the field at Wembley. The biggest draw would be a Norman-A.J. Green matchup, the first meeting between the two. Green leads the NFL with 50 receptions and should get opportunities considering Washington struggles to stop the run and can’t really get away with selling out on coverage. Jeremy Hill ranks 15th in the league in rushing yards (439) and is averaging 5.2 yards per carry after last week’s monstrous 9-carry, 168-yard effort against Cleveland. Tyler Eifert (back/ankle) made his debut last week, so the Bengals offense is whole since tackle Andrew Whitworth has overcome his concussion issues. Cincinnati is hoping to win consecutive games for the first time this season in order to get back to .500, while the ‘Skins attempt to keep pace in the competitive NFC East. Reed, offensive linemen Trent Williams (knee) and Brandon Scherff (shoulder) and CBs Norman and Bashaud Breeland will all likely play, but RB Matt Jones has been ruled out. Rookie Robert Kelley is expected to get the bulk of the carries. Cincy has won three straight meetings against Washington, who hasn't won in this series since 1991.
New England at Buffalo: The last time the Patriots saw the Bills, rookie Jacoby Brissett was gutting it out through a thumb injury as Tom Brady sat the final of his four-game suspension and Jimmy Garoppolo was sidelined by shoulder pain. Buffalo won 16-0. Now that Brady has won all three games since returning, putting up an average of 31.7 points per game, New England will look to avenge its lone loss and get over against a defense that shut it out for the first time since ’06. The Pats have beaten the Bills in eight of the last 10 and are 28-4 against them since Dec. 2000, so they’ll be looking to avoid the first sweep at the hands of their AFC East rival since 1999. Rex Ryan never swept Belichick while with the Jets, but did beat him twice in the same season after splitting the ’10 regular-season meetings before winning an AFC Divisional Playoff. You can count on both coaches pulling out all the stops to get this one, but Buffalo’s realistic hopes for an upset hinge on whether LeSean McCoy and Marcell Dareus make an impact as they try to overcome hamstring injuries. It's not certain they'll even play. Many key Bills missed practices this week, so New England is the healthier team in the rematch.
N.Y. Jets at Cleveland: QB Josh McCown will return to the Browns lineup after breaking his collarbone in Week 2, replacing Cody Kessler (concussion) after working with the starters most of the week. McCown threw for 260 yards and two scores and helped his team get out to a 20-2 lead against the Ravens, so he’s certainly capable of helping Cleveland avoid an 0-8 start. WR Terrelle Pryor and standout CB Joe Haden will play, so the Browns are as healthy as they've been in weeks. The Jets will have a major absence up front with center Nick Mangold (ankle) stuck in a walking boot and have tackle Ryan Clady dealing with a shoulder issue, so we’ll see how the offensive line holds up for the next phase of angry Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. the world. RBs Matt Forte (toe) and Bilal Powell (knee) are expected to suit up for New York, which has won three straight over the Browns, last losing in ’07.
Detroit at Houston: The Texans, at least for this week, are hoping that their horrendous play on the road is of no consequence as they look to move to 5-0 at NRG Stadium, taking an AFC South lead into their bye week. Brock Osweiler has had a miserable time in losses at New England, Minnesota and Denver, averaging 4.1 yards per pass and completing just 52.4 percent. He’s been more effective at home, but has still thrown six interceptions, which makes this matchup against a vulnerable Lions defense one Osweiler must perform well in. Top corner Darius Slay will miss this game with a hamstring injury suffered last week, but the Lions should have DT Haloti Ngata back up front. Offensively, they’ll keep Houston’s hands full with RB Theo Riddick and TE Eric Ebron both back from ankle injuries. Only Indianapolis and New Orleans have fewer picks than these two teams, so taking chances in the downfield passing game could be part of both game plans against banged up secondaries. Matthew Stafford has thrown 15 TD passes and just four INTs this season and is on a run of three straight games without being picked off, posting wins over Philly, Washington and L.A. while throwing for 716 yards and eight scores.
Kansas City at Indianapolis: The Chiefs have won 14 of their last 16 regular-season games, the best record in football during that stretch. By comparison, the Colts are 7-9. Although no one is running away with the AFC South, Indianapolis has a tough schedule ahead that features road games against Green Bay, Minnesota and Oakland, so winning tough home dates are a must. There have been 48 or more combined points scored in every Colts game thus far, aided by 20 or more points scored in all but one fourth quarter they’ve been involved in. The Chiefs will have CB Phillip Gaines back after he missed last week’s win with a knee injury, so they’re among the league’s healthiest teams as they return to Indy for the first time since that memorable 45-44 loss in January of 2014 ended Andy Reid’s first season at the helm. The Colts are 6-1 against Kansas City since ’07.
Seattle at New Orleans: Coming off that 6-6 tie in Arizona, the Seahawks haven’t lost since that 9-3 Week 2 setback in L.A. on Sept. 19, finding ways to thrive despite Russell Wilson’s hampered state, injuries across the defense and a porous offensive line. Although they miss him terribly, they’ve also survived the retirement of Marshawn Lynch, who ended the last playoff run these Saints made the last time these teams squared off with two beast-mode TD runs in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. That was three seasons ago. New Orleans has gone 7-9 twice since and is back under .500 again, surrendering a league-worst 32.5 points per game. Drew Brees will likely face a Legion of Boom that will be missing safety Kam Chancellor for a second straight game, but Richard Sherman (leg) is expected to play after being hurt against the Cardinals. The Saints have injury concerns along the offensive line and throughout the defense, so it’s not surprising to see them in a home underdog role again.
Oakland at Tampa Bay: The Bucs rallied from a 14-0 deficit in San Francisco last week, shaking off a groggy start coming off their bye to head back cross-country with a 34-17 win. They’re in search of their first three-game winning streak since 2013 as they host a Raiders squad that was already in Florida when the Bucs left the Bay Area, having beaten Jacksonville and training in-state the rest of the week. Oakland is 5-2 for the first time since ’01, sharing the AFC West lead with Denver. The Raiders are a perfect 4-0 on the road, while Tampa is winless in two outings at Raymond James Stadium and are just 6-23 at home over the past four seasons. Jameis Winston was the Bucs’ grand prize for all of their suffering but has had an inconsistent second season. He’ll be looking to take advantage of a defense that has allowed more passing yards than any in the league, while counterpart Derek Carr hopes to continue a strong run that has seen him throw for a touchdown in every game while being picked off just three times. Dating back to Tampa’s 48-21 Super Bowl XXXVII win, all four meetings between these teams this century have featured at least 50 points.
Arizona at Carolina: Only the Browns, Bears and 49ers have a worse record than the Panthers, whose chances to rally in time to defend their NFC title this postseason are on life support. For them, the sky has truly fallen. It just feels like the same has happened to the Cardinals, whose kicking miscues cost them a chance to climb above .500 for the first time all season. As it is, Arizona hasn’t lost since Oct. 2, but are relying heavily on RB David Johnson because QB Carson Palmer hasn’t been able to get comfortable behind his offensive line. That presents an interesting dilemma for this game since the Norman-less Carolina secondary has been so vulnerable. Palmer, who threw four interceptions in a 49-15 loss during his last trip to Charlotte for the most recent NFC Championship, will get speedster John Brown (hamstring) back, but x-factor Michael Floyd is a game-time decision. The Cardinals would love to pick up such a significant road win entering their bye week, allowing them to regroup for the season’s second half feeling like they’re in good shape. Meanwhile, the Panthers come out of their off week looking to prove that their season isn’t over. This should be their Super Bowl. Can Cam Newton win this one? His team is healthier than it has been all season and has won the last two games in this series.
San Diego at Denver: These teams will square off for the second time this month. The Chargers held serve at home on the Thursday night that opened Week 6, pulling out a 21-13 upset. Trevor Siemian returned from a shoulder injury but struggled, leading the offense to just three points through three quarters as San Diego’s defensive line dominated to help snap Denver’s 15-game road winning streak against AFC West opponents. The victory saved the Chargers season and was followed by last week’s OT upset in Atlanta, so they’re looking to get back to .500 if they can pull off the first season sweep of the Broncos since ’10. Both teams harbor significant injury concerns on defense. The defending champs could be without LBs DeMarcus Ware and Brandon Marshall, DT Derek Wolfe and top corner Aqib Talib, who are all game-time decisions. San Diego safety Jahleel Addae, corner Brandon Flowers and LB Denzel Perryman, the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week will also be touch and go. The ‘under’ has prevailed in three of the last four games between these teams.
Green Bay at Atlanta: The Falcons have to be a little spooked, looking to avoid a collapse for the second consecutive year. After a 6-1 start last season, they ended up 8-8. After upsetting the defending champs, Atlanta was 4-1, but has since dropped consecutive games and enter this one with its tandem of backs both hobbling. Tevin Coleman will miss the game due to a hamstring injury, while Devonta Freeman will play after overcoming a hip issue. The Packers own the league's top run defense, leading the NFL in fewest yards allowed, yards per carry and rushing TDs allowed. Receiver Randall Cobb and LB Clay Matthews are both questionable with hammy issues, while Packers corners Damarious Randall and Quinton Rollins are likely to miss a second straight. Green Bay is on the road for the first time since Sept. 18, so we’ll see how Aaron Rodgers handles this test and whether his offensive line will give him time to get comfortable on the road. The officiating crew assigned to this one leads the NFL in defensive pass interference calls, so count on deep balls to Julio Jones and Jordy Nelson being a part of this one. The Packers have won the last four matchups with Atlanta, scoring over 40 points in two of the victories.
Philadelphia at Dallas: Another ref-related note highlights the Sunday night clash, since lead official Jerome Boger’s crew has thrown over 20 penalty flags per game, tops in the NFL. We’ll see how that affects the league’s top offensive line, although you figure they would have the advantage at home. The Cowboys rank third in the NFL in rushing yards and first in touchdown runs, riding their offensive front to make life easier for rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. Even though Tony Romo began practicing, he won’t be a part of this one, but his presence will indeed be felt in the shape of pressure for Prescott to perform. The Eagles defense uncharacteristically used heavy doses of blitzing to dominate previously unbeaten Minnesota last week, so we’ll see what Jim Schwartz has in store in his first game as defensive coordinator against this NFC East rival. Rookie Carson Wentz will get his first look at Dallas’ defense, which will have CBs Morris Claiborne and Orlando Scandrick available. DE DeMarcus Lawrence (shoulder) will be in the lineup too. Philadelphia’s offensive line is already without the suspended Lane Johnson, but will have future Hall of Famer Jason Peters (bicep) in the mix. Dez Bryant, who suffered a hairline fracture in his knee a few weeks back, is also expected to return.
Monday, Oct. 31
Minnesota at Chicago: After three straight nights in the spotlight hosting the World Series, the Windy City will be on center stage once more thanks to this Monday night game, and as with the goings-on in Wrigley, you need to be aware of what Mother Nature is up to before picking aside, particularly on the total. Wind gusts should affect this contest, which sees the Vikings looking to avoid consecutive losses after faltering against the Eagles. Mike Zimmer, who has only had one losing streak of two games since taking the Minnesota gig, called out his offensive line for awful play in Philadelphia and is counting on a better effort. Jerick McKinnon, who took over for Adrian Peterson and gives the Vikes offense a different look as an option QB, is questionable with an ankle injury, the same ailment afflicting key safety Andrew Sendejo. Jay Cutler (thumb) returns to the Bears lineup after missing a month of action and is 8-5 against Minnesota despite a three-game losing streak. He’s thrown 26 touchdowns, but has only beaten Zimmer once. He many have RB Jeremy Langford back from a significant ankle injury, so Chicago should have a decent combination in play with him and rookie Jordan Howard available, but that’s likely to depend on whether starters Jake Long and Josh Sitton are back up front. Both were brought on board to stabilize a shaky offensive line, a prerequisite for beating Minnesota.
