NFL WEEK 8 PRIMER

ON BYES: Arizona, Houston, Jacksonville, Washington

2020-11-01 -

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, but secondaries in recent weeks have run more zone coverage, causing him struggles. Bills’ keys: Buffalo RB Devin Singletary has to find success. Stopping Patriots running backs will be of massive importance on defense.

– 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, who leads the league with 663 rushing yards. 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.

– 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: 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.

– 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⁄

Colts’ keys: Coming off their bye, the Colts are hoping for the return of several injured players. Stopping the Lions’ pass attack is a focus for defenses. Lions’ keys: 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.

– 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. If RB Dalvin Cook can produce, that will keep 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 thrive.

– 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. This team is at its best when it is balanced.

Jets’ keys: Head coach Adam Gase finally gave up playcalling duties in Week 7 to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, and the offense found some success.

– 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.

Dolphins’ keys: The QB change from Ryan Fitzpatrick to rookie Tua Tagovailoa is going to provide a chance to implement more run-pass option concepts.

– 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: 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: Defensively, the Ravens need to protect against the big play and put QB Ben Roethlisberger on his back.

– 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: 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.

– 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 RB Alvin Kamara can break off big plays. An area of weakness on Chicago’s defense has been the play against the run. Bears’ keys: Bring the pressure on Saints QB Drew Brees, something OLBs Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn and DT Akiem Hicks do well.

– 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. 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 Seattle’s defense so far this season.

– 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: 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.

– 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: Devise a game plan that results in relentless pressure on Bucs QB Tom Brady. 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 leave dangerous WRs in one-on-ones.

–Dan Benton, Giants Wire