NFL WEEK 8 GAME PREVIEWS
Bye week: Cowboys, Ravens
Seahawks (5-2) at Falcons (1-6) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Seahawks by 31⁄2 Seahawks’ keys: Get out to a fast start and stay aggressive. Look for Seattle to take deep shots to WRs Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.
Falcons’ keys: Air the ball out with QB Matt Ryan (assuming he plays). The Falcons have the weapons with TE Austin Hooper and WRs Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Getting Seattle to settle for field goals is the only way Atlanta will stay in the game.
Who wins? Expect a high-scoring game, but the Falcons will have trouble containing Wilson, who’s playing some of the best football of his career. Seahawks, 31-28
Eagles (3-4) at Bills (5-1)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Bills by 11⁄2
Eagles’ keys: If the Eagles commit to RBs Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders because of a tough Buffalo secondary, there’s a chance of finding a big play with QB Carson Wentz’s arm.
Bills’ keys: Fresh off his first sack, rookie DT Ed Oliver hopes to lead the pass rush from the middle of their defensive line and make it even easier for Buffalo’s secondary to control the game. A banged-up Eagles secondary could be an opportunity for QB Josh Allen to finally reach the 300-yard passing plateau in his career.
Who wins? Buffalo’s defense thrives off the home crowd and will flex its muscle against one of the best offensive lines it will face this season. Bills, 23-20
Chargers (2-5) at Bears (3-3)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Bears by 31⁄2
Chargers’ keys: With the Chargers facing a Bears pass rush that includes OLB Khalil Mack, who has 41⁄2 sacks and four forced fumbles, the goal is simple: protect QB Philip Rivers by getting rid of the ball quickly and leaning heavily on RB Melvin Gordon.
Bears’ keys: Their defense has been a force, and they’ll need to bring the pressure. Chicago needs to get QB Mitchell Trubisky into a rhythm, either by establishing the run with RB David Montgomery or setting up Trubisky for easy completions.
Who wins? The Bears have the defensive talent to continue to frustrate and force mistakes against a Chargers offense looking for consistency. Bears, 24-13
Giants (2-5) at Lions (2-3-1)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Lions by 51⁄2
Giants’ keys: RB Saquon Barkley needs to have a big game against a leaky Detroit run defense. That will allow rookie QB Daniel Jones to take more shots downfield. Ball security also is critical for an offense that has committed a league-worst 18 turnovers.
Lions’ keys: They must convert long drives into TDs and not settle for field goals. QB Matthew Stafford has been outstanding at throwing the long ball to WRs Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay, but the offense stalls too frequently when the deep ball is taken away by a short field.
Who wins? The Lions have the defensive playmakers to stymie Jones and the Giants’ offense. Lions, 30-24
Broncos (2-5) at Colts (4-2)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Colts by 51⁄2
Broncos’ keys: RBs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman will need to carry the offense. Lindsay has been efficient between the tackles, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, while Freeman has been a big part of the passing game with 25 receptions for 177 yards.
Colts’ keys: They must take advantage of their matchups defensively. Offensively, QB Jacoby Brissett must continue his efficient ways following a fourTD game.
Who wins? The Colts are coming off two big wins, are at home and are playing with extreme confidence. Colts, 20-14
Jets at (1-5) Jaguars (3-4)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS.
Line: Jaguars by 51⁄2
Jets’ keys: They have to get RB Le’Veon Bell going to make this game easier on QB Sam Darnold. The production hasn’t quite been there from the veteran, whom the Jets made the third-highestpaid running back.
Jaguars’ keys: Stopping the run is where it starts for their defense. Another way Jacksonville will look to do that is through time of possession by using star RB Leonard Fournette.
Who wins? With the opportunity to get back to .500, the home crowd will spur the Jaguars on to a close win. Jaguars, 24-21
Bengals (0-7) vs. Rams (4-3)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS, at Wembley Stadium in London
Line: Rams by 131⁄2
Bengals’ keys: Protecting QB Andy Dalton has been an issue all season. The offensive line will be challenged by DT Aaron Donald and the Rams’ pass rush.
Rams’ keys: CB Jalen Ramsey is the star of the defensive backfield now and should be even more comfortable in his second start with the Rams. The offense, which has declined since last season, must move the ball on the ground.
Who wins? It’s hard to imagine the Bengals coming up big against the Rams, who have a talented roster despite myriad injuries. Rams, 34-27 Cardinals (3-3-1) at Saints (6-1) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Saints by 111⁄2
Cardinals’ keys: Arizona has to find ways to pressure the Saints’ quarterback (whoever ends up starting). On offense, it’s critical that the Cardinals try to take advantage of RB Chase Edmonds’ electric style of play.
Saints’ keys: The biggest question surrounds the quarterback position. This game has been the goal Drew Brees set for himself as when he hoped to return from thumb surgery. But backup Teddy Bridgewater has managed things well.
Who wins? New Orleans is one of the deepest teams in the league, even with Brees and RB Alvin Kamara on the mend. Saints, 20-17
Bucs (2-4) at Titans (3-4)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Titans by 21⁄2
Buccaneers’ keys: Winning the turnover battle. QB Jameis Winston had five interceptions in Week 6.If the Bucs can get going quickly on offense, they stand a much better chance of pulling off the win.
Titans’ keys: Solid play from QB Ryan Tannehill and keeping him comfortable in the pocket is important for a struggling offense.
Who wins? The Bucs have a track record of having the better offense between the two teams in 2019. Buccaneers, 20-13
Panthers (4-2) at 49ers (6-0)
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: 49ers by 51⁄2
Panthers’ keys: Carolina has been unbeatable since Kyle Allen took over the starting quarterback job for injured Cam Newton. Carolina also will need to rely heavily on MVP candidate RB Christian McCaffrey as a versatile piece who can confuse San Francisco’s fast, aggressive defensive front.
49ers’ keys: Their formula has been to rush the passer and run the football. Generating a couple of turnovers might be enough to end the Panthers’ fourgame winning streak. The onus will be on QB Jimmy Garoppolo to continue converting third-down throws.
Who wins? It’s difficult to imagine Carolina scoring enough to win against a 49ers defense that’s allowing just 12.8 points per game. 49ers, 23-20
Raiders (3-3) at Texans (4-3)
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Texans by 61⁄2
Raiders’ keys: If given the choice at the opening coin toss, defer to the second half. The Texans have won four of their last six when deferring. The Raiders must develop the run game with RB Josh Jacobs to be able to keep Houston’s pass rush off balance and give QB Derek Carr a little more time to throw.
Texans’ keys: Protecting QB Deshaun
Watson, who has been sacked just three times in the past three games. WR DeAndre Hopkins has to be worked into the game plan early.
Who wins? The Texans have to keep pace with the Colts after dropping a Week 7 encounter. The Raiders are on the second week of a Central Time Zone road trip. Texans, 27-23
Browns (2-4) at Patriots (7-0)
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Patriots by 121⁄2
Browns’ keys: QB Baker Mayfield making good use of WR Odell Beckham Jr., who has a tough matchup with CB Stephon Gilmore. They also need to feed the ball to RB Nick Chubb.
Patriots’ keys: They should keep racking up sacks at their impressive pace. LB Jamie Collins will have extra motivation to beat the Browns after they released him this offseason.
Who wins? The Browns have shown flashes of potential to be the playoff team most thought they’d be. But the Patriots’ defense will stump Mayfield and company. Patriots, 24-10
Packers (6-1) at Chiefs (5-2)
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC Line: Packers by 41⁄2
Packers’ keys: They have a huge advantage – the Chiefs will be without QB Patrick Mahomes, last year’s NFL MVP. If OLBs Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith, who have combined for 13 sacks, can make fill-in QB Matt Moore uncomfortable, it will be a long day for the Chiefs.
Chiefs’ keys: The defense must continue to play well; it had nine sacks against Denver in Week 7.
Who wins? The Chiefs need to find a way to steal a game over the next few weeks. They have momentum despite losing their star quarterback. Chiefs, 27-26
Dolphins (0-6) at Steelers (2-4)
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN Line: Steelers by 141⁄2
Dolphins’ keys: Miami is going to have to figure out a way to move the football and score points against an improving Steelers defense. Defensively, the Dolphins need to stuff the run game.
Steelers’ keys: Despite the return of QB Mason Rudolph, look for Pittsburgh to keep things conservative on offense, run the football and continue to use the short passing game.
Who wins? The Steelers are still pushing to win the AFC North, and Miami seems content in stockpiling draft picks and tanking the season. Steelers, 35-13