NFL 2024 (Week 8)

Believe it or not, we're almost at the halfway point of the NFL season.  And, even though things are starting to sort themselves out, there's still a lot up in the air.  The entire NFC North would be in the playoffs if they started today.  How long can that last?  Will struggling teams that were supposed to be contenders step up?  And can anyone in the AFC challenge Kansas City?  So much left to be answered!

Thursday Night: Minnesota (Loss)

Eagles (4-2) at Bengals (3-4): Philadelphia-Cincinnati has won three out of four, with each of those victories coming on the road.  I wouldn't go around proclaiming that the Bengals have righted the ship, though, seeing as those wins came against Carolina, the Giants and Cleveland.  This week, they're back at home, trying to get to .500 against an Eagles team that absolutely destroyed the Giants last week.  If they do manage to win this one, then maybe I'll start to think that they're on the right track.

Ravens (5-2) at Browns (1-6): Baltimore-Watch the Browns suddenly become better now that their hand has been forced about Deshaun Watson.  They didn't want to admit it to themselves, but he's a huge part of their problems.  Anyway, I'm curious to see how their new offensive dynamic looks against Baltimore.  The real question, though, is whether they can shut down the suddenly potent Ravens offense.

Titans (1-5) at Lions (5-1): Detroit-Order seems to have been restored in the NFC and the Lions don't just lead the North, they hold the No. 1 seed in the conference right now.  That win over Minnesota was close, but those are the types of games good teams win.  Good teams also don't lose games at home to an opponent they're far superior to like the Titans.

Cardinals (3-4) at Dolphins (2-4): Miami-On paper, Arizona is probably the smart choice here.  The Cardinals improved to 3-4 with that last-second field goal in the Monday night ESPN+ exclusive.  The Dolphins, meanwhile, are sitting at 2-4 after scoring just 10 points in a loss to the Colts and don't have much of an offense to speak of.  So, I may be crazy and I'm probably way off to pick them in this one.  I just have a feeling, though, and the Cardinals' having to travel cross country for an early game on a short week is a big reason why.  So, I'm sticking with the Miami pick.

Jets (2-5) at Patriots (1-6): Jets-It's been 24 years since the Jets swept the season series with the Patriots, but that's exactly what'll happen if they get the victory here.  They've actually won two straight against New England and are looking to make it three in a row for the first time since a four-game streak from 1999-2001 (aka, right before Belichick got there and the game where Mo Lewis changed NFL history).  The Jets actually haven't won since the last time they played the Patriots, who, unfortunately for them, they won't face again until the 2025 season.

Falcons (4-3) at Buccaneers (4-3): Tampa Bay-Three weeks ago in Atlanta, the Falcons had that crazy comeback to beat the Bucs on a walk-off touchdown.  If they can win the rematch, they'll have the NFC South all but wrapped up.  It was tough to watch what happened to Tampa's top two receivers on Monday night, too.  Losing both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in the same game is obviously a pretty big blow.  For some strange reason, I can see them overcoming it and taking over the division lead, though.

Packers (5-2) at Jaguars (2-5): Green Bay-Green Bay doesn't really have a choice but to keep winning.  The rest of the NFC North isn't going to, so they have to take care of their own business since it doesn't look like they'll be getting any help from their division rivals.  Jacksonville, meanwhile, is back stateside after its two-week sojourn to London, where they got a win over a Patriots team that they're better than.  They are not, however, better than the Packers.

Colts (4-3) at Texans (5-2): Houston-There are only seven AFC teams with a winning record right now.  The Colts are one of them, which means Indianapolis is currently in playoff position.  They're only a game behind the Texans in the division, but they already lost to Houston in Week 1, so this week is huge for both teams.  Either the Colts tie Houston for the division lead and earn a season split or the Texans take a two-game lead and clinch the tiebreaker, setting them up really nicely for the second half of the season.

Saints (2-5) at Chargers (3-3): Chargers-To say it's been a busy week in LA would be an understatement.  The Rams had a home game Thursday night.  USC was home.  The Lakers and Clippers opened their seasons at home.  The Dodgers hosted the first two games of the World Series.  Now it's the Chargers' turn to close out the weekend.  All of the others won, so they need to do the same in order to keep pace.  Especially since their opponent is a struggling Saints team.

Bills (5-2) at Seahawks (4-3): Buffalo-I don't really know what to make of the Seahawks.  They've looked great on the road, but have been oddly vulnerable at home.  In Seattle's last two home games, the Giants and 49ers, two teams they should beat, both came into what used to be one of the toughest places in the NFL for the road team and gotten.  Yet, despite that, they're still in first place in the NFC West.  The Bills, meanwhile, are on the road for the fourth time in five weeks.  I do like their chances to hand Seattle its third straight home loss, though.

Panthers (1-6) at Broncos (4-3): Denver-Doesn't it seem like a lifetime ago when these two faced each other in the Super Bowl?  Neither one has been any good since then, although the Broncos are definitely headed in the right direction.  Denver's won four out of five after starting 0-2 and is currently holding onto a wild card spot.  Look for the Broncos to make that five out of six against lowly Carolina.

Chiefs (6-0) at Raiders (2-5): Kansas City-The Chiefs aren't going undefeated.  I don't think there's anyone who thinks they will.  They've played too many close games and their division rivals are too good.  The crazy thing, though, is that they haven't really played that well yet, either.  Their last loss, in fact, was against the Raiders last Christmas.  Their next one won't come here.

Bears (4-2) at Commanders (5-2): Washington-They flexed the Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels into the late national window, and with good reason.  It's not just the No. 1 and 2 picks from the draft.  They've both helped immediately turn their teams around.  If the playoffs were to start this week, the Bears and Commanders would both be in.  So, this is actually a good, entertaining one that deserves to be a national game instead of the fourth regional option in the 1:00 window.  The Commanders are slightly better and the game's in Washington so they're the pick.

Cowboys (3-3) at 49ers (3-4): San Francisco-Most people figured that Dallas and San Francisco would be two of the top teams in the NFC when they met on a midseason Sunday night.  Instead, they're both struggling, on the outside looking in at the playoff picture, and both badly in need of a win.  For the 49ers, it can give them some momentum heading into their bye week.  The Cowboys, meanwhile, have had two weeks to think about getting absolutely shellacked by the Lions.  Going to San Francisco won't make them feel better about themselves.

Giants (2-5) at Steelers (5-2): Pittsburgh-Another week, another primetime home game for the Steelers against a crappy New York team.  They beat the Jets fairly comfortably.  Why should it be any different against the Giants?  Although, the Giants have been a better team on the road this season, and one of their wins came in notoriously tricky Seattle.  Still, though, it would definitely be shocking if Pittsburgh loses this game.

This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 9-6
Overall: 60-48