NFL Week 8 Weekend Slate Preview

It's not the greatest slate this week, but some games may pique your interest.

Eagles vs. Bengals

Both teams are heading into Week 8, going 3-1 in their last four. Both teams have beaten the Browns and Giants in their past two games. There are a lot of similarities between these teams. Cincinnati obviously had a rough start to the year, going 0-3 to start. What was once a joke about slow starts has now become a nightmare. The Bengals are 0-3 at home and could be 0-4 if they lose to the 4-2 Eagles. That's not going to bode well for Head Coach Zac Taylor. Cincinnati's offense is in the top five of passing DVOA but sinks to 23rd in the run game. There is no consistency or game control for the offensive unit. Burrow needs to be great through the air, which they can be against a Philly secondary ranked 23rd in passing DVOA.

The Eagles appear to be finding their identity on the legs of Saquon Barkley. Entering Week 8, Philly is third in rushing DVOA. Barkley also averages 6.1 yards per carry with over 600 yards to start the year. Cincinnati's defense is below average this year, especially against the run. There is a real advantage for the Eagles in the ground game. It also will help Jalen Hurts. The Eagles passing attack has been lacking this year, which can be attributed to AJ Brown only playing in three games. Cincinnati needs a win at home to keep pace with the Steelers and Ravens. For the Eagles, a win keeps them even with the Commanders and in control of their playoff destiny.

Colts vs. Texans

Indianapolis probably should keep Joe Flacco as the quarterback, but they need to figure out (and fast) what they have in Anthony Richardson. So far, the second-year QB has been oft-injured, erratic, and a bruiser when running the ball. He's a boom-or-bust quarterback, and at a minimum, no shell coverage can cap his arm. A prime example is that the Colts are fourth in the NFL in explosive play rate but are 15th in DVOA. He is such a freak athlete that Indy finds it hard to shelve him for Flacco, who is not sexy but plays more consistently. Defensively, the unit is one below average with an anemic pass rush. The Colts are 31st in Pressure Rate Productivity, meaning they rarely hit the QB. That doesn't bode well for a secondary that can feast on lesser opponents but get exposed when facing talented teams.

The Texans beat the Colts in Week 1, arguably Anthony Richardson's best game. Since then, Houston has slowly been putting their offense back together as injuries have accumulated. Still, they are sitting 5-2 and controlling the AFC South. The Texans, in theory, should dominate this game, but the Colts can stick around when making big plays. Stroud plays really well at home, too. DeMeco Ryans' defense is sitting second in DVOA heading into this week. More people would be talking about their dominance this year if it weren't for the Vikings. Win, and the Texans control their destiny from here on out and put the next-best team in their division in a massive 0-2 head-to-head hole.

Bills vs. Seahawks

Image: AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Buffalo has one of the best offenses in the NFL, and adding Amari Cooper gives them more schematic fluidity. It also takes the pressure off of one of the more underrated players in the NFL, Khalil Shakir. Mostly, this is a mismatch versus the Seahawks' defense, which is getting healthy. The play on that side of the ball for Seattle has been inconsistent because of the injuries up front and issues at linebacker. The Seahawks traded for former Rams and Titans ILB Ernest Jones IV this week. Last year, he ranked as the #4 LB in Havoc Ratings. This year, he currently sits 20th overall. He adds a blitzing element that the Seahawks desperately need.

When Buffalo is on defense, they will have to contend with Geno Smith, who is playing at an extremely high level. The Seattle run game needs to improve, but Kenneth Walker has big play potential. If the Bills get up early, the Seahawks tend to abandon the run. Buffalo's defense is ranked seventh in run DVOA. Still, Seattle is a dangerous team at home and looking to hold on to the top spot in the NFC West. With injuries to most of the 49ers' major weapons, there is a chance Seattle can hold on to that top spot.

Bears vs. Commanders

Image: AP

Washington's defense has slowly crawled its way out of the abysmal start to the year. As well as the offense has been playing, that is how bad most view this defense. It is not clear whether Jayden Daniels will play this Sunday. The Commanders have feasted on bad teams, and their two losses have come at the hands of the Bucs and Ravens. The former looked like a playoff team until this past Sunday.

Chicago has one of the best secondaries in the NFL. QB Marcus Mariota played well against the Panthers, but again, it was the Panthers. The Bears are out to prove they are a real contender in the toughest division in football. Caleb Williams has been trending upward in the past few weeks. Chicago is in the same boat as the Commanders, both playing a fourth-place schedule. Each team has beaten the poor teams on their schedule but has struggled against good competition. Both teams are looking to be taken seriously and get a marquee win. The Bears are probably the better team, and if Jayden Daniels doesn't play, it may be hard for the Commanders to move the ball on the Bears. If Daniels plays, all bets are off. Still, the matchup should be a fun one.

One other to watch, Falcons vs. Buccaneers: I don't know who Mayfield will throw the ball to, but the race for the NFC South is far from over. Both teams have a lot to play for.

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Sunday Night

Cowboys vs. 49ers

Image: AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter

Most would have had this circled on the calendar at the beginning of the year. Fast forward to mid-October, and this matchup has no bite. The 49ers offense is a shell of itself, while the Cowboys are just a two-man band. Defensively, San Fransisco is still one of the best and, for the most part, healthy. They do struggle against the run, but against the Cowboys, who are 26th in run DVOA, that might not matter. Offensively, that is another story. San Fransisco is limping into this marquee matchup with the Cowboys. Deebo was sick last game and couldn't finish. Aiyuk is lost for a year, Juan Jennings is banged up (and might not play), and McCaffery isn't returning anytime soon. It's the Purdy and Kittle show for the time being. The offense has struggled against man coverage, and Dallas is built to run it, even though Zimmer doesn't run it that often.

The Cowboys feel like a team in free fall. Dak and CeeDee are still producing, but they are just not the same. Dallas' run game is anemic, and Dak has to do much of his work on 3rd Downs, where they are tenth in conversion rate. Still, the Cowboys Stuff Rate, a run tackled for negative or no gain, is ranked third in the NFL; they just aren't getting explosives. Look for Dallas to utilize some 12 personnel and attack on the edges; the 49ers have constantly struggled with this all year. Plus, it isolates Lamb.

Monday Night

Giants Steelers

Tomlin shocked the football world by sitting Justin Fields for the embattled Russell Wilson. The result against the Jets was jarring for many, with apologies hitting social media post-game. Wilson went 'bombs away' on an injured Jets secondary. George Pickens ended the night 5-111 with one TD. The ground game showed up, too, with Najee Harris rushing for over 100 yards. Tomlin, in fact, knew what he was doing. Pickens is the quintessential 'hero-ball' receiver, and Wilson might throw the best Fade route in the NFL. With a healthy run game, this offense looked functional. The defense is still a top-ten unit with one of the best run-stopping fronts in the game. The secondary is spotty, but against Daniel Jones and the Giants, it might not matter. Most will watch this game to see if Pittsburgh can recreate what they did last week.

What looked like a glimmer of hope for New York quickly faded away the past two weeks. The more Saquon Barkley rushes for in Philly, the worse the Giants look for letting him walk. Xavier McKinney is also having an All-Pro year in Green Bay. Extending Jones left the organization little wiggle room for other weapons. New York looks to be a bottom dweller again this year. Still, there is hope. The defensive weapons they drafted look to be solid. Dru Phillips has ascended to the top of the list regarding Slot defenders and Safety. Tyler Nubin looks to be a future star (though, like Love and McKinney, they will probably get rid of him). The Giants' front line is also showing up. New York has one of the best pressure rates in the NFL, and if they can get Wilson to take some sacks, they might be able to keep this close.

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