NFL WEEK 8 GAME PREVIEWS
Patriots (2-4) at Bills (5-2)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Bills by 31⁄ 2
Patriots’ keys: Putting pressure in Buffalo QB Josh Allen’s face is one way of slowing him up, but opposing secondaries in recent weeks have started to run more zone coverage, causing him to struggle to move the ball consistently. Patriots figure to be missing WR Julian Edelman (knee).
Bills’ keys: Buffalo RB Devin Singletary has to find success on the ground. Stopping Patriots running backs will be of massive importance on defense. Who wins? Bills 27-24
– Nick Wojton, Bills Wire
Titans (5-1) at Bengals (1-5-1)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Titans by 5 Titans’ keys: Tennessee won its first five games by leaning on a heavy dose of RB Derrick Henry.
Bengals’ keys: Find ways to stretch the field with QB Joe Burrow, especially against a team that put up 31 or more points in four of the first five games. Who wins? Titans 30-20
– Chris Roling, Bengals Wire
Raiders (3-3) at Browns (5-2)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Browns by 3
Raiders’ keys: The offense needs to click early against a pass defense that relies heavily on sacks and takeaways. QB Derek Carr has been incredibly accurate and should find big TE Darren Waller and nifty slot WR Hunter Renfrow over the middle of the field.
Browns’ keys: Cleveland’s hit-and-miss passing game needs to exploit a Raiders pass defense that is prone to giving up big plays. This would be a good game for rookie return man Donovan Peoples-Jones to flip the field position.
Who wins? Browns 33-28
– Jeff Risdon, Browns Wire
Colts (4-2) at Lions (3-3)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Colts by 2 1⁄ 2
Colts’ keys: Coming off their bye, the Colts are hoping for the return of several injured players. Stopping the Lions’ passing attack is a focus for defenses, and DT DeForest Buckner’s pass-rushing dominance will be a huge factor.
Lions’ keys: Control the pace. With the Colts strong up the middle on defense, Detroit is going to want to test the edges. Lean on rookie RB D’Andre Swift to establish the run game.
Who wins? Colts, 24-20
– Erik Schlitt, Lions Wire
Vikings (1-5) at Packers (5-1)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Packers by 7
Vikings’ keys: Control the ball and win the important situational downs and the turnover battle. If RB Dalvin Cook can produce, that will Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers on the sideline.
Packers’ keys: Contain Cook, keep QB Kirk Cousins under pressure. On offense, if Rodgers is protected, the Packers will like the matchups. Who wins? Packers 30-20
– Zach Kruse, Packers Wire
Jets (0-7) at Chiefs (6-1)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Chiefs by 19 1⁄ 2
Chiefs’ keys: It’s easy to forget about the running game when you have Patrick Mahomes and a bevy of receiving weapons around. This team is at its best this season when it is balanced.
Jets’ keys: Head coach Adam Gase finally gave up play-calling duties in Week 7 to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, and the offense found some immediate success.
Who wins? Chiefs, 40-7
– Charles Goldman, Chiefs Wire
Rams (5-2) at Dolphins (3-3)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Rams by 3 1⁄ 2
Rams’ keys: Prevent Miami’s aggressive defense from teeing off on QB Jared Goff on third downs. On defense, blitz to create confusion in the protections and create mental errors.
Dolphins’ keys: The quarterback change from Ryan Fitzpatrick to rookie Tua Tagovailoa is going to provide a chance to implement more run-pass option concepts into the game plan. Who wins? Dolphins, 30-27
– Kyle Crabbs, Dolphins Wire
Steelers (6-0) at Ravens (5-1)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Ravens by 4
Steelers’ keys: Apply pressure on Baltimore’s offense early, physically and mentally. Send quick pressure against QB Lamar Jackson to force him into quick throws, where he tends to regress. Dropping linebackers back seems to throw him off.
Ravens’ keys: One of the most physical teams last year needs to remind itself of that by bullying the Steelers at the line. Defensively, the Ravens need to protect against the big play and put QB Ben Roethlisberger on his back.
Who wins? Steelers, 20-17
– Matthew Stevens, Ravens Wire
Chargers (2-4) at Broncos (2-4)
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Chargers by 3
Broncos’ keys: Denver QB Drew Lock won his first career start against the Chargers last season, but a lot has changed for both teams. With WR Courtland Sutton, who had two TD passes, sidelined for the season (knee), Tim Patrick and Jerry Jeudy have stepped up. OLBs Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed need to generate pressure to rattle Los Angeles rookie QB Justin Herbert.
Chargers’ keys: Denver has contained most of the running backs it’s faced, so Herbert needs to move the ball through the air with WR Keenan Allen and TE Hunter Henry featured on offense. Who wins? Broncos, 28-20
– Jon Heath, Broncos Wire
Saints (4-2) at Bears (5-2)
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Saints by 4
Saints’ keys: Versatile playmaker RB Alvin Kamara can break off big plays. An area of weakness on Chicago’s defense has been the play against the run. The New Orleans defense needs to bring the pressure on QB Nick Foles.
Bears’ keys: Bring the pressure on Saints QB Drew Brees, something OLBs Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn and DT Akiem Hicks do well. On offense, the Bears need to establish a rhythm. Who wins? Saints, 24-20
– Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire
49ers (4-3) at Seahawks (5-1)
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Seahawks by 3
49ers’ keys: Riddled by injuries early, the 49ers have been mounting an honorable campaign. San Francisco signalcaller Jimmy Garoppolo needs to do a little “cooking” of his own.
Seahawks’ keys: Expectations are high that Jamal Adams can recover from his lingering groin injury in time. QB Russell Wilson and Co. have been able to cover for what Seattle’s defense has not, but it’s doubtful the momentum can carry throughout the whole season.
Who wins? Seahawks, 34-28
– Liz Mathews, Seahawks Wire
Cowboys (2-5) at Eagles (2-4-1)
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC BetMGM.com line: Eagles by 9
Cowboys’ keys: If QB Andy Dalton (concussion) can’t go, rookie Ben DiNucci will make his first NFL start. Dallas will need to lean on the running game, feeding Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, while taking shots downfield to WRs Amari Cooper and Michael Gallop.
Eagles’ keys: With the Cowboys just as banged up as Philadelphia, the Eagles will need to establish a physical running game led by Miles Sanders, who should return (knee), and Boston Scott. Who wins? Eagles, 31-10
– Glenn Erby, Eagles Wire
Bucs (5-2) at Giants (1-6)
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN BetMGM.com line: NL
Giants’ keys: Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham must devise a game plan that results in relentless pressure on Bucs QB Tom Brady. New York must find some combination along its O-line to keep QB Daniel Jones upright.
Buccaneers’ keys: With a heavy focus on pressuring Brady, it will provide Tampa Bay an opportunity to ride RB Ronald Jones. If a ground game can be established, it will pull S Jabrill Peppers into the box, leaving WRs Mike Evans and Antonio Brown in one-on-ones. Who wins? Buccaneers, 31-17
–Dan Benton, Giants Wire
Byes: Arizona, Houston, Jacksonville, Washington