NFL Week 8 Preview: Key Matchups and Playoff Implications

Week 8 of the NFL season kicks off on Thursday night with the Minnesota Vikings visiting the Los Angeles Chargers in a primetime showdown on Prime Video, setting the stage for a loaded slate of games on Sunday. The early window features several intriguing battles, including the high-powered Miami Dolphins against the Atlanta Falcons, the Chicago Bears facing a tough Baltimore Ravens defense, and a crucial AFC East clash as the Buffalo Bills take on the Carolina Panthers. Other matchups include the Jets meeting the Bengals, the 49ers battling the Texans, and the Browns traveling to Foxborough to challenge the Patriots. NFC East rivals collide as the Giants square off with the Eagles, while later in the day the Buccaneers meet the Saints, the Cowboys take on the Broncos, and the Titans face the Colts in divisional duels. Sunday night features a heavyweight contest with the Green Bay Packers visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers on NBC, before Week 8 wraps up Monday night with the Washington Commanders heading to Arrowhead to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. With six teams on a bye—Arizona, Detroit, Jacksonville, the Rams, Las Vegas, and Seattle—every game carries extra weight in the playoff race.

Dates Times Network Picks

Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Chargers 10/23/2025 8:15p Prime Video Chargers

Miami Dolphins vs Atlanta Falcons 10/26/2025 1:00p CBS Falcons

Chicago Bears vs Baltimore Ravens 10/26/2025 1:00p CBS Ravens

Buffalo Bills vs Carolina Panthers 10/26/2025 1:00p FOX Bills

New York Jets vs Cincinnati Bengals 10/26/2025 1:00p CBS Bengals

San Francisco 49ers vs Houston Texans 10/26/2025 1:00p FOX 49ers

Cleveland Browns vs New England Patriots 10/26/2025 1:00p FOX Patriots

New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles 10/26/2025 1:00p FOX Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints         10/26/2025 4:05p FOX Buccaneers

Dallas Cowboys vs Denver Broncos 10/26/2025 4:25p CBS Cowboys

Tennessee Titans vs Indianapolis Colts 10/26/2025 4:25p CBS Colts

Green Bay Packers vs Pittsburgh Steelers 10/26/2025 8:20p NBC Steelers

Washington Commanders vs Kansas City Chiefs       10/27/2025 8:15p ESPN/ABC Washington

Total:

BYES: Arizona, Detroit, Jacksonville, L.A. Rams, Las Vegas, Seattle