2025 NFL: Previewing Week 8

Before Week 8 kicks off tonight with the Vikings in LA to face the Chargers; let’s review where things stand around the league.

The Division Leaders are New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and Denver in the AFC.  Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay leading the East, North, and South in the NFC. With San Francisco, Seattle, and the LA Rams tied at 5-2 in the NFC West.

In the MVP race, the current odds according to FanDuel are: 

Patrick Mahomes (+125)
Josh Allen (+350)
Drake Maye (+700)
Baker Mayfield (+900)
Matthew Stafford (+1200)
Jared Goff (+1800)

Offensive Player of the Year odds:

Jonathan Taylor (-140)
Jaxon Smith Njiba (+430)
Christian McCaffrey (+650)
Bijan Robinson (+1000)
Puka Nacua (+1300)
Ja’Marr Chase (+1500)

Defensive Player of the Year odds:

Micah Parsons (+165)
Aidan Hutchinson (+380)
Nik Bonitto (+550)
Myles Garrett (+650)
Will Anderson Jr (+900)
Jared Verse (+1800)

Offensive ROY odds:

Jaxson Dart (+100)
Emeka Egbuka (+175)

Defensive ROY odds:

Jihaad Campbell (+220)
Abdul Carter (+230)

Coach of the Year odds: 

Shane Steichen (+115)
Mike Vrabel (+300)

AFC Conference Championship odds: 

Kansas City (+240)
Buffalo (+350)
Indianapolis (+500)
Denver (+900)
Baltimore (+1100)
LA Chargers (+1200)

NFC Conference Championship odds:

Detroit (+370)
Green Bay (+410)
Philadelphia (+490)
LA Rams (+550)
San Francisco (+1100)
Tampa Bay (+1100)

Week 8 Quick Hits: 

All percentages via ESPN’s Match-up Predictor. 

Thursday October 23rd

Minnesota at LA Chargers – The 3-3 Vikings visit the 4-3 Chargers.  Minnesota is 2-1 away, while LA is 2-2 at home. LA is a 3.5 point favorite, and given a 50.8% chance of winning. Minnesota is 22nd overall in DVOA (27th offense, 12th defense), while LA is 23rd overall (17th offense, 22nd defense). LA is a game back of Denver in the West, but does have a head-to-head win over the Broncos. After starting 3-0, the Chargers have dropped 3 of 4. The Vikings are at the bottom of the NFC North, and have alternated wins and losses each week so far this season.

Sunday October 26th

Miami at Atlanta –  The Dolphins (1-6 overall, 0-4 on the road) head to Atlanta to face the 3-3 Falcons. Atlanta is trailing both Tampa Bay and Carolina in the South, and has head-to-head losses vs. both. Atlanta is a 7.5 point favorite, and given a 62.1% chance of winning.

New York Jets at Cincinnati – Joe Flacco will attempt to lead the Bengals to .500, while New York is still searching for win #1.  Cincinnati is a 6.5 point favorite, and given a 57.8% chance of winning. Last week against the Steelers, Flacco threw for 342 yards and had 3 TD’s. The Bengals got 108 yards on the ground from Chase Brown on just 11 carries. Ja’Marr Chase had a ridiculous 16 catches for 161 yards, and a score.

Cleveland at New England – The AFC East leading Patriots have won their last four games, and are a 7.5 point favorite, and given a 68.1% chance of winning. Another start for Dillon Gabriel. He hasn’t thrown a pick yet, but he also hasn’t thrown for a TD the last two weeks (and was also sacked 8 times in those games). Drake Maye has thrown for 12 TD’s, and been picked just twice. He’s also ran for 200 yards with another 2 TD’s on the ground. After a 146 yard receiving game vs. the Bills, Stefon Diggs has had 97 yards total the last two weeks.

New York Giants at Philadelphia – The Eagles host the Giants two weeks after losing to the Giants in New York. Philadelphia ended their two game losing streak last week, with their win in Minnesota. Vegas has the Eagles as 7.5 point home favorites, and ESPN’s analytics are giving Philadelphia a 64.9% chance of winning. New York is 0-4 on the road, losing last week 33-32 in Denver with the Broncos putting up all 33 points in the 4th Quarter! While I’m sure that loss was crushing to Giants fans, Jaxon Dart had another good game, with 3 TD’s in the air, and another on the ground. Rookie RB Cam Skattebo is averaging 4.1 yards per rush. The Eagles enter the weekend 11th overall in DVOA, with the 10th rated offense, and 17th ranked defense.

Buffalo at Carolina – The Bills are currently in an unfamiliar spot, as they’re currently looking up to the Patriots in the East.  DVOA has the Bills 13th overall, with the 6th rated offense, but just the 26th ranked defense. Buffalo will be attempting to end a 2 game slide. Carolina enters the week at a surprising 4-3, and have won 4 of their last 5. The Panthers are 21st overall in DVOA, with the 23rd ranked offense, and 15th ranked defense. The Bills are 7.5 point road favorites, and given a 55.2% chance of winning in Carolina. The Panthers are 3-0 at home, while Josh Allen is 7-0 historically coming off of a bye.

Chicago at Baltimore – The Bears are 4-2, and the Ravens are 1-5; and Vegas doesn’t care. The Ravens are 6.5 point favorites, and given a 60% chance of winning. Chicago has won their last 4 games, and are 19th overall in DVOA (with the 20th ranked offense, and 19th ranked defense). In their four game winning streak, Caleb Williams has been under 30 pass attempts in three of the four games. D’Andre Swift has had back-to-back 100+ yard rushing days, and his yards per carry for the season is up to an impressive 4.7.  2nd year WR Rome Odunze has 5 TD’s, and is averaging 15 yards per reception. Obviously it’s a must win game for the Ravens, as they will begin to try and climb out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves.

San Francisco at Houston – The Texans are a disappointing 2-4, but are a 2.5 point home favorite and given a 56.2% chance of winning here. The Niners enter the week 5-2 overall, 3-1 on the road. Despite the record, Houston is 8th overall in DVOA (24th ranked offense, 3rd ranked defense). San Francisco is 18th overall in DVOA (12th ranked offense, and 21st ranked defense). SF was able to beat Atlanta last week, despite Mac Jones throwing for just 152 yards and no scores.  Christian McCaffrey has been productive all year as a receiver out of the backfield, but last week was his first strong game running the ball (129 yards, 5.4 per attempt). Former MD Terp Sam Okuayinonu had a sack.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans – The Bucs are 3-1 on the road.  The Saints are 1-6 overall. TB is a 4.5 point favorite, and given a 64.1% chance of winning. Mayfield has thrown for 13 TD’s, and has just 2 picks. Mike Evans returned Monday vs. the Lions, but is facing additional surgery for a broken collarbone. That will keep him out around 8 weeks. Chris Godwin will be available for just the third time this year. The Bucs have 20 sacks on the season, with three different players having at-least 2. DVOA has Tampa Bay 16th overall, with the 13th ranked offense, and 14th ranked defense.

Dallas at Denver – The Broncos have won their last four, after their fourth quarter explosion vs. the Giants last week. Denver is leading the AFC West at 5-2, and is 14th overall in DVOA (19th ranked offense, and 8th ranked defense). Dallas is 1-3 on the road, while Denver is 3-0 at home. Dallas is 3-3-1 and 9th overall in DVOA with the 4th ranked offense, but the 30th ranked defense. Denver is a 3.5 point favorite, and given a 54.6% chance of winning. JK Dobbins is 7th overall in the league with 523 rushing yards, and is averaging 5 yards a carry. For the Cowboys, former Bronco Javonte Williams has 592 rushing yards which is good for 2nd overall in the league, and is averaging 5.3 yards per attempt. 2x All-Pro Patrick Surtain vs. CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens is a fun match-up.  As a whole, you’ve Denver’s strong defense vs. Dallas’ quality offense; but the story of the game will probably be Dallas’ inept defense.

Tennessee at Indianapolis – The Colts have won 6 of their first 7, and are facing the Titans for the second time. Indianapolis already has two 3 game winning streaks. Indianapolis is a 14.5 point favorite, and given a 82.8% chance of winning. Indianapolis has a fantastic play action game with Jonathan Taylor and Daniel Jones.  Taylor’s already rushed for 10 TD’s. Rookie TE Tyler Warren is leading the Colts with 439 yard receiving yards on 33 catches. Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce both have over 300 yards receiving as well. DeForest Buckner and Tyquan Lewis lead the Colts with 3 sacks each. Former Terp Nick Cross is having a strong year at Safety. The Titans are 1-6, with their lone win being a 1 point victory over Arizona.  The Colts are 3rd overall in DVOA with the top ranked offense, and 16th ranked defense.

Green Bay at Pittsburgh – Aaron Rodgers vs. Green Bay. The 4-2 AFC North leading Steelers vs. the 4-1-1 NFC North leading Packers. Green Bay has won their last two games. The Steelers enter this game coming off of their loss at Cincinnati. Green Bay is a 2.5 point favorite, and given a 55.2% chance of winning. The Packers are 6th overall in DVOA, with the 8th ranked offense, and 7th ranked defense. The Steelers are 10th overall in DVOA with the 9th ranked offense, and 20th ranked defense. Jordan Love’s completion percentage is up to 69.3% vs. 63.1% last year. Josh Jacobs practiced today in a limited capacity. He’s averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. He does have 8 TD’s rushing, and has also caught 16 passes. TE Tucker Kraft and WR Romeo Doubs have combined for 47 catches and 8 TD’s. Rashan Gary, and Michah Parsons both have 5.5 sacks. Rodgers is averaging 7.4 yards per attempt vs. 6.7 last year. DK Metcal is averaging 18.5 yards per reception, and has 4 TD’s. TJ Watt and Nick Herbig have combined for 8.5 sacks.

Monday October 27th

Washington at Kansas City – The Chiefs offense has perked up as bodies have returned. KC is 4-3, and a game back of Denver in the West. KC is up to 5th overall in DVOA, and now have the 2nd ranked offense, and the 9th ranked defense. Washington is 7th overall in DVOA with the 14th ranked offense, and the 18th ranked defense. Kansas City is a 11.5 point favorite, and given a 74.6% chance of winning. Washington is 3-4 overall, and will be without Jayden Daniels in this game. Washington is giving up 7.8 yards per pass attempt, and allowing 364.3 yards per game.