The schedule makers could not have provided us with a better slate of football games in Week 8 than what we have this weekend. The biggest headline surrounds the possibility of two of the game’s greatest legends in Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers facing an uphill task to make the playoffs. Also, there are brutal divisional matchups like the Patriots-Jets, and Rams-49ers where these teams will slug it out for the victory. Then, we have two in-state battles between the Eagles-Steelers and the Browns-Bengals to decide who rules Pennsylvania and Ohio. The cherry on top is Geno Smith’s drive to get even with the team that gave up on him. Yes, I am taking the Eagles and Bengals to win the in-state battles but let’s break down and pick the five hottest games in week 8.
1. Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)-Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Amazon)
All eyes will be on this Thursday Night Football in a high-profile matchup that pits two former MVPs in Tom Brady and Lamar Jackson. The Buccaneers are currently on a two-game losing streak and struggling primarily due to its offense. The unit has been sloppy with dropped passes, Brady out of sync with his receivers, and playing without its usual spark. On the other hand, the Ravens’ offense has played well all season with Lamar Jackson at the helm. The problem all season for the team is giving up double-digit leads in the 4th quarter in their losses. On a short week for both teams, the edge goes to the home team, and they will need to play with a sense of desperation because this e a must-win game. Brady has a 14-3 record with a 103.6 QB rating all-time on Thursday Night Football. Therefore, history is on his side.
Bucs 27-Ravens 21
2. New England Patriots (3-4) at New York Jets (5-2)-Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
The Jets have become the Cinderella team in 2022. A team that has surprised the masses by playing physical football on both lines of scrimmage. It is a recipe that bodes well in this matchup against the Patriots that got stomped on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. The Bears ran for 243 yards in the matchup, and the Jets will try to replicate the same game plan. The task got a bit tougher with Breece Hall’s injury, and so it will be left to Michael Carter and the recently acquired James Robinson to fill the void. The Patriots’ biggest kryptonite over the years is trying to stop a powerful mobile quarterback, and it reared its head on Monday with Justin Fields getting 82 yards on the ground. However, I like the Patriots this week because Zach Wilson is the pro-typical quarterback, and they will be the more desperate team because a loss will end their playoff chances.
Patriots 21-Jets 17.
3. San Francisco 49ers (3-3) at Los Angeles Rams Sunday (3-4) at 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)
This is a big game for the Rams because they lost to their divisional rival earlier this season, and a second loss would mean a 2-game advantage in the event of a tiebreaker. It is also important to the Superbowl champions because they are coming off a bye and have two weeks to prepare for this game. The team has looked shaky all season with injuries and poor play. The 49ers also have been inconsistent and were trounced last week by the Chiefs at home. However, the 49ers have the advantage against the Rams and have won seven consecutive regular-season games against the Rams. I think it continues this week with Christian McCaffery settling into the offense and the 49ers’ pass rush giving the Rams fits to protect Matt Stafford.
49ers 24-Rams 20
4. New York Giants (6-1) at Seattle Seahawks (4-3) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)
This is a surprise hot commodity game heading into the season but here we are in 2022. The matchup will feature Geno Smith against his former team after they chose not to build around him as a young quarterback. Smith is proving the doubters wrong this season by completing 73% of his passes, 1712 yards, 11 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. I have picked against the Giants this season, and they have proved me wrong. However, I am going with the Seahawks because I think the run game will be effective against the Giants who struggle to stop the run.
Seahawks 27- Giants 23
5. Green Bay Packers (3-4) at Buffalo Bills (5-1)-Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
For the first time in his NFL career, Aaron Rodgers will enter this game as an 11.5-point underdog. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers must see this game as a must-win to keep in touch with the Minnesota Vikings. However, Buffalo is quietly becoming the biggest home-field advantage in the NFL, and the Bills will be well-prepared for this game after a bye week. I don’t see how the Packers offense will improve enough to put up points against the vaunted Bills’ defense.
Bills 31- Packers 21
Last Week: 4-1
Overall Record: 21-14