WEEK 8 MUST-SEE MATCHUPS: There were plenty of must-watch games last weekend. There was a Super Bowl rematch in San Francisco, a Monday night shootout between the Ravens and Bucs, and a matchup between the Lions and Vikings in a battle of the NFC North titans. We had to do some research this week, and while it may be a stretch to say that all five of these games are “must sees,” these are the most fascinating matchups in Week 8.
Houston Texans (5-2) vs. Indianapolis Colts (4-3) on Sunday, October 27 at 1:00 p.m. ET
As previously stated, this is a significant divisional matchup coming out of the AFC South, but it is not the most intriguing matchup we have ever predicted. Two second-year quarterbacks who have had somewhat different career starts square up against one another. While the No. 2 overall pick earned Rookie of the Year in a historic season, Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick, missed the majority of his rookie season due to a shoulder injury and had to watch C.J. Stroud and the Texans win the division.
Despite being underappreciated this season, the Colts are 4-3 and quietly enjoying their season. Despite Joe Flacco performing well and filling in when Richardson was injured, they are determined to keep Richardson at quarterback. The Texans just suffered a close defeat at Green Bay on a day when C.J. Stroud had more trouble than we have ever seen him. With a victory on Sunday, he hopes to recover and give his club a two-game lead in the division.
Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (3-4), Sunday, October 27th @ 1:00 p.m. ET
Are both of these teams now finding their rhythm after sluggish starts? After losing their first three games of the season, the Bengals have already won three of their last four games, and it appears that Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are beginning to play the way we know them to.
They still haven’t had a big victory, but this would give them the push they need in the middle of the season to think they can compete with some of the NFL’s top teams. The Eagles just suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the New York Giants. When Jalen Hurts has all of his weapons at his disposal, the Eagles offence can be extremely effective, as demonstrated by Saquon Barkley’s explosive performance against his former team. Paycor is going to do well with this one.
Atlanta Falcons (4-3) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3), Sunday, October 27th @ 1:00 p.m. ET
Two teams that are probably going to be vying for the top spot in the NFC South at the end of the season square off in another division matchup. The Seattle Seahawks overran Mercedes Benz Stadium and thrashed the Atlanta Falcons, causing the team to suffer its worst defeat of the season.
Kirk Cousins and the offence will need to recover from a formidable Tampa defence that will be carrying an extra degree of responsibility for the remainder of the season. The Bucs’ Monday night loss to the Ravens wasn’t their only setback. As Chris Godwin and Mike Evans suffered severe injuries that will keep them out for a long period, they lost their best players to receiving options. The Bucs will be hoping to exact revenge in Tampa this weekend after the Falcons won the first game against Atlanta.
Chicago Bears (4-2) vs. Washington Commanders (5-2), Sunday, October 27th @ 4:25 p.m. ET
The rookie quarterbacks are competing. Or at least that’s what we’re hoping. Both Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels have had outstanding start to their careers after being selected first and second, respectively, in this year’s NFL Draft. Although it took him a little while to get going, Caleb Williams has won back-to-back games while leading his team.
In the Bears’ most recent game against the London Jags, he scored four touchdowns. With Jayden Daniels on the sidelines for almost the entire game, the Commanders dominated the lowly Carolina Panthers, forcing Chicago to head home and go on their BYE week. We shall all sit and hope that Daniels will be healthy for this rookie quarterback battle in the nation’s capital after he sustained a rib injury during the Commanders’ opening series and sat the remainder of the time.
Dallas Cowboys (3-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (3-4), Sunday, October 27th @ 8:20
Which team is more in need of a victory? The Cowboys or the Niners? On Sunday, two sides that have been dreadfully lacklustre will play each other in the Bay. Three of the Niners’ best receivers were sidelined during their dismal defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. Brock Purdy had his team in a position to win the game in the second half, but an interception in the end zone ended the Niners’ chances of a comeback against the Chiefs, and they fell to below.500 despite missing Christian McCaffery, Deebo Samuel, and Jauan Jennings, as well as losing Brandon Aiyuk for the season.
The Cowboys have experienced their own defensive injury issues, but the offence should more than make up for it with the money Jerry Jones spent this offseason. That hasn’t happened. Following a 47-9 thumping by the Detroit Lions, they entered their BYE week. They will now have to travel west, which could be a good thing given that they have 119 points from their three home games.
