After seven weeks of grueling football, the AFC North has proven the doubters wrong as the toughest division in the league. All four teams have a record of .500 and above which makes the race for the division winner wide open as we head to the halfway point of the regular season. In week 8, the Baltimore Ravens are the only team that plays a team under .500, which means the other three will be the focal point of our attention this week. So how will these teams fare in these games? In this article, we preview and predict the best five matchups in week 8.
Last week’s recod: 2-3
Overall record: 20-15
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) at Buffalo Bills (4-3) -Thursday, 8:20 p.m., Prime Video
These two teams have struggled in back-to-back weeks and lost last week against their divisional matchups. The Bills fell behind the Patriots 13-3 at halftime but mounted a comeback behind Josh Allen to take the lead 25-22 late in the fourth quarter. However, the Bills defense struggled to pressure Mac Jones, who threw a game-winning touchdown to Mike Gesicki to break the hearts of Bills Mafia. Despite the lackluster performance, I still have the Bills winning this game at home because the Buccaneers offense is struggling even more in comparison. Baker Mayfield has thrived in the past in a play-action offense where the run game dominates, but the Bucs have averaged only 59.5 in their consecutive losses. I have the Bills winning comfortably on Thursday Night Football.
Bills 30-Bucs 17
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)-Sunday, 1 p.m. CBS
The Pittsburgh Steelers have surprised many with their start to the season. The team is 4-2 but have been out-gained by their opponents nearly 600 yards during the season. It means the team plays fundamentally sound football in tight football games, which is a credit to Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff. The Steelers will face a tough test with Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars heading into town. The team from Duval County has won their last four games and will have four extra days of rest. I think this will be a tough matchup of two good defenses, but the key for the Jaguars will be to protect the football because the Steelers thrive on turnovers. I think this will be a close game on the road.
Jaguars 23-Steelers 20
3. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) at San Francisco 49ers (5-2) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET CBS
This will be the game of the week. The 49ers offense struggled with back-to-back losses on the road to the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings. The biggest concern for the 49ers should be the struggles of Brock Purdy, who seemed flustered under pressure with three interceptions in the two-game losing streak. The Bengals will have the advantage of rest after coming off their bye and will be ready to implement the same game plan against their opponent. Before the break, Joe Burrow seemed to be getting back to his best, and I think this will continue against a 49ers’ defense that struggled against Kirk Cousins who went 8 for 13 on third down. I have the Bengals’ defense slowing down the 49ers just enough for their quarterback to win it at the end of the game.
Bengals 27-49ers 24
4. Cleveland Browns (4-2) at Seattle Seahawks (4-2)-Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET Fox
The Browns will have the best player on the field in this matchup because Myles Garrett is a one-man wrecking crew. The 2017 number one overall pick single-handedly won his team a game last week against the Colts by finishing with two sacks and a blocked punt in a 39-38 win. The Browns will stay on the road for the second consecutive week and head to the Pacific Northwest to play the Seattle Seahawks. Last week, the Seahawks enjoyed a dominant home performance- against the lowly Cardinals. The Browns have played well without injured starting quarterback DeShaun Watson, but I think it catches up with them in this matchup. The Seahawks have held the last three teams to 30 points in total. I think they will find a way to win in a low-scoring home game.
Seahawks 20-Browns 17
5. Las Vegas Raiders at Detroit Lions Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
The Lions will be hosting a Monday Night Football game for the first time since 2018. On that disastrous night, the home team lost 48-17 in Matt Patricia’s debut as Lions Head Coach. I think the Lions are in a much better place under the helm of Dan Campbell. Last week, the team was wounded by the Ravens, who mercilessly tore them apart to a lopsided 38-6 loss. Like a wounded Lion in the jungle, I think Detroit will come out on fire in front of their home crowd and beat a poor Raiders squad. I think they will win this game comfortably and show that last week was an aberration.
Lions 30-Raiders 15