Sports writer Guy Broom gives a preview to the top games and teams of NFL Week 8.
Week 8 of the NFL is approaching and will be one of the most important game weeks of the season. With the trade deadline fast approaching on Oct. 31, teams will get one last look at players they may trade for to make a push or have one more round with their players before sending them off to new teams. This week has matchups that are important for setting the tone for the rest of the season. Here is a look at some of the top games this week:
Saints vs. Colts
A must-see game of the week is the matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts, without its first-round quarterback, Anthony Richardson, is looking to do its best with Gardner Minshew behind the line and has been doing well so far. The Saints, with Derek Carr, is looking to get on the right track to climb up to the top of the tightly contested NFC South and avoid going into a losing streak. The Colts, while being without Richardson, still have the advantage, especially with Jonathan Taylor back on the team and being against a Saints team whose offense is barely starting to click.
Falcons vs. Titans
In another battle between the NFC and AFC South, we have the Atlanta Falcons going up against the Tennessee Titans in what is a battle to see who possesses a better running offense. Expect both teams to heavily rely on their running game and barely touch their receivers. The Falcon’s defense has shown to be one of the best in the NFL, and this has the slightest chance of slowing Titan’s workhorse Derrick Henry in proving to the league why he is the number one running back. He is a noteworthy player when looking at the gameplay. With rumors going around the league of the Titans’ trading their star running back, you could assume that this could be the last time we see Henry in the Titans’ uniforms. Overall the Falcons, with their running game combined with their defensive play, have a good chance to hand the Titans a loss.
Browns vs. Seahawks
This should be an interesting match to see just how well the Browns can continue playing without Deshaun Watson. The Browns, as long as it continues to play how it played against San Francisco, can probably sneak away from the season with its first division title since coming back to Cleveland. On the other hand, the Seahawks has been doing its best to stay afloat within the NFC. With its resurgent quarterback, Geno Smith, the Seahaks has remained competitive in the NFC even after Russel Wilson’s trade to the Broncos. With this matchup, the Browns’ defense alone, especially when putting it against the Seahawks, should make this a must-watch. If the Browns can pull away with those key defensive plays, it has a good shot at taking this game.
Bengals vs. 49ers
This game sees a Super Bowl matchup that could have happened, with both teams just coming up short in the conference championships. Both teams are on their quest to make it back and hopefully clear the hurdle and to their second Super Bowl in the last four years. Both have huge star potential and are going to make sure that this is a close matchup. The big question for the 49ers this season is whether quarterback Brock Purdy is the answer for the 49ers to get over that hurdle. While being somewhat successful in the stat field, many believe that Purdy is simply a system quarterback who is carried by the likes of Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. With the Bengals, they have had a rough start with quarterback Joe Burrow hitting an apparent slump at the start. Other questions are should the Bengals trade their star receiver, Tee Higgins, to another team, and if this year is simply not theirs? This game could answer both questions and will be a hot contest that the Bengals will need to pull off a crucial win in their season.
Commanders vs. Eagles
Perhaps the most need-to-see game of the week is that between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles. The differences between these two teams has been incredibly even in the last couple of games they have met. Their last meeting, being played back in week four, went into overtime where the Eagles won by kicking a field goal. Even in-between matchups, the Eagles, who are trying to get back to the Super Bowl, added former all-pro receiver Julio Jones to their wide-receiver room consisting of stars Davonte Smith and A.J. Brown. This group is only capitalized with star quarterback Jalen Hurts. With this star-studded cast, the Eagles have a good chance of walking away with a win.
