After a victory for the Bills which feels good against the Buccaneers, it’s now time for the rest of the NFL. This weekend, the Seahawks can strike a big blow. Seattle hosts Cleveland in one of the most indecisive meetings of this week 8 competition. Pete Carroll’s men want to get back on the heels of the 49ers. To do this, we will have to beat the Browns. This is THE match not to be missed this week.
We will also talk about the duel of the draft quarterbacks, Christian McCaffrey, Doug Pederson and supremacy at home. Here is the program for week 8.
The match: the Seahawks against the Browns
Kick-off Sunday at 9:05 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks (4-2) – Cleveland Browns (4-2)
This clash between the Seahawks and the Browns is one of only two games this week between two teams with a positive record. Above all, he is perhaps the most indecisive. It’s hard to say whether Seattle or Cleveland will win. On the one hand, Pete Caroll’s men won 4 of their last 5 matches and are coming off a week of rest. On the other hand, Cleveland impresses with its defense (despite 38 points conceded against the Colts) and can count on a man who never ceases to change matches: Myles Garrett. As you will have understood, these two franchises have arguments to make at the start of the season which has only seen them fall twice.
At the same time, everything is not rosy in this match. Since the start of the season, the Seahawks have made a specialty of taking care of the ball. Before the game against Arizona, the Seahawks had only recorded 3 turnovers. They doubled that total in a single game. With an interception from Geno Smith and 2 fumblesSeattle is now 6 must absolutely avoid losing balls. The Browns won’t be shy about making them pay. Cleveland, for its part, has a problem at the quarterback position. With the Deshaun Watson imbroglio, PJ Walker is now the pitcher behind the line. Over the past two games, he has proven that he is struggling to get this offense going and so the defense has a lot of pressure on his shoulders.
The duel: Bryce Young vs. CJ Stroud
Kick-off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (0-6) – Houston Texans (3-3)
The two men know it, they will be linked forever. Last spring, Carolina and Houston each selected a quarterback in the first two spots in the draft. Two launchers which will be compared for several years. Like for example the Tim Couch–Donovan McNabb, Andrew Luck–Robert Griffin III combos or in the more recent past Marcus Mariota–Jameis Winston and Jared Goff–Carson Wentz. The good thing is that these two are used to it. Young and Stroud have known each other for over 10 years.
Their first meeting dates back to their year of 4th in college when Bryce Young’s Inland Empire Ducks faced CJ Stroud’s Pomora Steelers. Since then, and after numerous confrontations, they have cultivated an unfeigned friendship which has accompanied them throughout their process until the draft. This Sunday, they will be opponents again. Obviously, we will compare them again. For now, CJ Stroud has the advantage of a successful start to the season, but an NFL career is long and Bryce Young may not have said his last word.
The statistic: 10
Kick-off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys (4-2) – Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
That’s the number of consecutive home wins for the Cowboys. It’s simple, Dallas hasn’t lost in its lair since September 12, 2022 and a season-opening loss to Tom Brady’s Buccaneers. Since then, the Bengals, the Eagles, the Lions, the Jets and even the Patriots have suffered the rule of Mike McCarthy’s men. They also have the longest home winning streak currently in the league. A statistic which should reassure Dallas supporters since five of the next seven meetings for the Cowboys will be at A&T Stadium.
A sequence that starts on Sunday with the reception of the Rams. A new success would therefore bring this series to 11 and we would have to go back to the seasons 1991-1992 to find traces of such a long succession of victories. The Cowboys then played in their old Texas Stadium. This week, Dallas will be able to take advantage of a week off to approach this reception from the Rams in the best possible way. The locals are only one defeat behind the Eagles and are still on the right track. We will have to remain uncompromising at home to maintain hope.
The player: Christian McCaffrey
Kick-off Sunday at 9:25 p.m.
San Francisco 49ers (5-2) – Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)
While Christian McCaffrey’s place is already enormous in Kyle Shanahan’s system, events have just given him even more importance. Injuries in this 49ers offense leave the running back as the spearhead of this squad. Deebo Samuel will, in fact, be absent for a second consecutive week, but above all, Brock Purdy, the quarterback, will be absent from the Bengals reception this Sunday. Result, Sam Darnold will be the starting pitcher and there is no doubt that he will want to rely on CMC. It must be said that the runner is on fire at the moment. Since his arrival in California, the running back has scored 24 TDs in 21 matches (regular season and playoffs). He is currently on a series of 16 consecutive matches with at least one touchdown scored and could tie Lenny Moore’s record with one 17th this week-end.
The Bengals have been warned, they must stop this machine to hope for anything. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to have the defensive weapons for this task. Certainly, the Cincinnati squad is strong in the air (213 yards conceded per game, 13th in the league), it’s a whole different story when it comes to defending the ground. Zac Taylor’s men actually authorize no less than 142.8 yards in this area by encounter. Making them the 4th worst franchisee in this sector. Kyle Shanahan is well aware of this and will certainly press where it hurts. In any case, this is the key to this meeting.
Coach: Doug Pederson
Kick-off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) – Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2)
Here is the other match of the week which pits two teams with positive results against each other. While Mike Tomlin, on the Pittsburgh side, has accustomed us season after season to getting the best out of his players, for the Jaguars it’s new. From now on, Jacksonville is one of the big teams in this AFC. Victorious in the playoffs last year, they assume their status this season with already 5 wins in 7 matches. A good start which is largely to the credit of Doug Pederson. While he took on a team in great difficulty a year and a half ago, the former coach of the Eagles has raised the bar. The first three games were lackluster, but since then the Floridians have not lost.
They are currently on a series of 4 consecutive successes and aim for nothing less than victory in Pittsburgh. Despite an average pass-rush, the Jacksonville defense still manages to weigh on the match. Sunday, she will be able to cause problems for the Steelers who are still frustrating offensively. Conversely, the duel between the Jaguars’ offense and the Steelers’ defense may be much more indecisive. TJ Watt, who already displays 8 sacks this season, will notably face rookie tackle Anton Harrisson who will have a lot to do.
Division duels
Kick-off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Green Bay Packers (2-4) – Minnesota Vikings (3-4)
Kick-off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Miami Dolphins (5-2) – New England Patriots (2-5)
Kick-off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Washington Commanders (3-4) – Philadelphia Eagles (6-1)
Kick-off Sunday at 9:25 p.m.
Denver Broncos (2-5) – Kansas City Chiefs (6-1)
We are already attacking the “return matches” in these divisional duels. In the AFC for example, New England and Miami face each other again after a first match on the Foxborough side in week 2. The Dolphins had won 24-17 and want to move forward after their defeat against the Eagles. After Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa will once again find himself in a long-distance duel with a former Alabama pitcher: Mac Jones. Later in the evening, the Chiefs will also play a return match against the Broncos. Kansas City now displays 16 consecutive victories against Denver and should not see this series continue this weekend.
In the NFC too, there will be a return match. In the East, the Eagles find a Washington team which often poses problems. The Commanders notably pushed the reigning NFC champion to overtime during week 4 (34-31). This Sunday, the match will be in the federal capital and could well be close again. Finally, in the NFC North, the Vikings want to capitalize on their great victory on Monday Night Football over the 49ers. The objective is to continue their great series of 3 wins in four matches. To do this, it will be necessary to win against Green Bay in one of the historic rivalries of the NFL.
The rest
Kick-off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
New York Giants (2-5) – New York Jets (3-3)
Kick-off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Tennessee Titans (2-4) – Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
Kick-off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Indianapolis Colts (3-4) – New Orleans Saints (3-4)
Kick-off Sunday at 9:25 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (1-6) – Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
Kick-off during the night from Sunday to Monday 1:20 a.m.
Los Angeles Chargers (2-4) – Chicago Bears (2-5)
Kick-off on the night of Monday to Tuesday at 1:15 a.m.
Detroit Lions (5-2) – Las Vegas Raiders (3-4)
In the rest of the matches of this week 8THE “derby” from New York will catch our attention. The level of play will perhaps not be spectacular, but in a meeting that promises to be locked down, it will be interesting to know who, the Jets or the Giants, will manage to get the better of their opponents. At the same time, Tennessee will host the Falcons. The opportunity for Titans fans to perhaps see their future quarterback since Ryan Tannehill is absent, Mike Vrabel announced the start of rookie Will Lewis. Always at 6 p.m., the Colts and the Saints will face each other in Indiana for a meeting that promises to be close.
Later in the evening, the Ravens will travel to Arizona with the goal of continuing their good streak. Baltimore may not have reached its full potential yet, but it still finds itself among the best teams in the AFC right now. If not the best, given the dynamics of his opponents. Finally, the two matches in prime-time of the weekend will not necessarily be the most exciting. Sunday evening, Los Angeles will host the Bears still without Justin Fields. The next day, Detroit will hope to recover from the slap suffered against Baltimore with the reception of Raiders, well within its reach.
All posters
Kick-off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (0-6) – Houston Texans (3-3)
Dallas Cowboys (4-2) – Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
Green Bay Packers (2-4) – Minnesota Vikings (3-4)
Indianapolis Colts (3-4) – New Orleans Saints (3-4)
Miami Dolphins (5-2) – New England Patriots (2-5)
New York Giants (2-5) – New York Jets (3-3)
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) – Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2)
Tennessee Titans (2-4) – Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
Washington Commanders (3-4) – Philadelphia Eagles (6-1)
Kick-off Sunday at 9:05 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks (4-2) – Cleveland Browns (4-2)
Kick-off Sunday at 9:25 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (1-6) – Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
Denver Broncos (2-5) – Kansas City Chiefs (6-1)
San Francisco 49ers (5-2) – Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)
Kick-off during the night from Sunday to Monday 1:20 a.m.
Los Angeles Chargers (2-4) – Chicago Bears (2-5)
Kick-off on the night of Monday to Tuesday at 1:15 a.m.
Detroit Lions (5-2) – Las Vegas Raiders (3-4)
