NFL Week 8 preview: Bills vs. Ravens headlines loaded slate

There are sure weeks of the NFL season the place the marquee matchups are few and much between.

But that is not the case in Week 8, because the schedule is loaded with battles between contenders.

To get you set for the loaded slate, this is a have a look at all the largest video games.

Lamar Jackson returns for one more assembly with Josh Allen

The degree of intrigue for Sunday’s sport between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills hinged closely on the standing of Lamar Jackson.

Thankfully, Jackson has been cleared to return after lacking Baltimore’s previous three video games with an ankle damage, establishing one other matchup between two of the sport’s finest.

Both members of the 2018 draft class, the 2 star QBs have met 4 occasions within the common season, every profitable twice.

Allen has had Jackson’s quantity within the playoffs, nonetheless, with an ideal 2-0 report in opposition to the Ravens. Meanwhile, relating to accolades, Jackson has two MVPs to his identify whereas Allen has one.

“He’s been one of the best, if not the best quarterback. And what he’s consistently done when he’s on the field is unbelievable,” Allen mentioned of Jackson this week. “He’s a really particular participant, and I’ve obtained a lot respect for him.

“That’s why you play this game is to have matchups like this.”

It’s a pivotal sport for each groups, however much more so for the Ravens, who, regardless of a 4-3 total report, enter Week 8 final within the very aggressive AFC North.

Helping their case is that Jackson is returning to face a leaky Bills defence, as Buffalo is giving up 28.5 factors per sport this season — the third most within the league.

But the Bills are nonetheless 5-1, and that is primarily because of Allen and the offence, which leads the league with 32.8 factors per contest.

Allen also needs to get a pleasant increase this week, as his No. 1 receiver D.J. Moore is anticipated to return after a three-game absence of his personal.

It’s all establishing for one more basic between the 2 famous person pivots.

Vikings face litmus take a look at in opposition to Lions

For the one remaining undefeated group within the league, there’s nonetheless plenty of skepticism surrounding the Minnesota Vikings.

But Sunday’s divisional conflict with the Detroit Lions brings an ideal likelihood to quiet the naysayers.

There isn’t any query the place the power of this Vikings group lies, as Brian Flores’ defence has been an absolute nightmare for opponents. Minnesota is giving up simply 12.3 factors per sport this season, far and away the very best mark within the league.

However, issues have been somewhat extra strenuous on the opposite aspect of the ball. Don’t imagine us? Just check out this stat:

As good because the Vikings’ defence is, they’re going to want the offence to select issues up a tad in the event that they wish to be thought of true Super Bowl contenders.

And they may in all probability have to in the event that they wish to win in Week 8, because the Lions are scoring 30.7 factors per sport, which trails solely the Bills.

One manner or the opposite, Sunday goes to inform us loads about who these Vikings actually are.

Browns vs. Steelers in unlikely battle for first place

When the NFL schedule was launched again in May, a Week 8 matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers in all probability wasn’t circled on plenty of calendars.

But it’s now, as the 2 AFC North squads are each 5-2 and enter Sunday’s sport tied for first place within the division.

Neither group has seemed notably dominant over their first seven video games, however every has discovered a system that is led to wins.

The Browns depend on their stout defence to maintain them in video games early earlier than DeShaun Watson comes alive within the fourth quarter. In Cleveland’s 5 wins, Watson has orchestrated a game-winning drive in every.

Meanwhile, the Steelers seem to have discovered a system on offence, which is to run issues by way of operating again Jaylen Warren and take the stress off 42-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers.

If there was one squad going through a tad extra stress Sunday, it might be the Steelers, as they already misplaced to the Browns in Week 4. A 0-2 report in opposition to Cleveland may show large later within the season.

The Browns have not swept the season collection in opposition to the Steelers since 1988. But if they will discover a technique to break that streak on Sunday, they may discover themselves within the AFC North driver’s seat.

Game to look at: Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) @ Denver Broncos (5-2) — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Both the Chiefs and Broncos enter Sunday’s sport with one thing to show.

Kansas City is trying to bounce again after getting completely dominated in Seattle on Monday. The Chiefs managed simply three factors in opposition to the Seahawks en path to their first lack of the season.

With the Seahawks shutting down Kenneth Walker III, the Chiefs’ lack of a constant passing assault was evident. They ought to get a little bit of a lift on Sunday, nonetheless, as No. 1 receiver Rashee Rice will play for the primary time since tweaking his hamstring in Week 4.

Meanwhile, the chip on the Broncos’ shoulder dates again to the opening week of the season after they have been blown out 31-10 by the Chiefs in prime time.

The Broncos have received 5 of six since that assembly, and third-year QB Bo Nix is coming off his finest sport of the season, which included a 62-yard scamper for a landing.

Only including to the stakes is the truth that it seems to be a two-horse race within the AFC West, with the 5-1 Chiefs holding a slim lead over the 5-2 Broncos.

If the Broncos wish to declare their second straight division title, splitting the season collection in opposition to the Chiefs would go a good distance.

Forrest’s favourites (Season report: 7-8)

Raiders @ Jets — Pick: Raiders -1.5: The vibes across the Jets aren’t nice proper now, and Kirk Cousins may be taking part in for his job. Take the Raiders.

Bills @ Ravens — Pick: Bills -3.0: Asking Jackson to maintain up with Allen and the Bills is a tricky project in his first week again from an damage.

Chiefs @ Broncos — Pick: Chiefs -1.5: The return of Rice needs to be massive for the Chiefs to seek out somewhat extra traction on offence and bounce again with a win.

Full Week 8 schedule (all occasions ET):

Thursday, Oct. 29
Green Bay Packers 27, Carolina Panthers 17

Sunday, Nov. 1
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. ET
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET
Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 4:25 p.m. ET
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders, 8:20 p.m. ET

Monday, Nov. 2
Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m. ET

Bye week: Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers