Get excited football fans, Week 8 is treating us to numerous
great games, and they are bound to be filled with drama.
As the dog days of the season set in, teams are starting to
pull away from the pack while others are in full on tank mode. The Rams for
example are the lone undefeated group in football, and for good reason. They
are beginning to really pull away from the competition in the NFC, but a big
game against the Green Bay Packers looms.
On the other hand, teams like the Raiders and Giants are
amidst full-blown rebuilds and are content with tanking. From here on out, it
is actually worse for them to win games as it will only hurt their draft
position.
With that being said, all five teams this week are playoff
contenders that could use a victory.
5. LOS ANGELES RAMS
I know what you’re probably thinking, the Rams are 7-0, why
are they on this list of teams that must win? Well, two reasons. One, they are
undefeated and can continue pushing ahead of the field by improving to 8-0. The
second, they are playing the Packers who are obviously led by Aaron Rodgers who
is without a doubt the most talented quarterback in the league.
Looking ahead to next week, the Rams will face off against
the Saints who are likely the second best team in the NFC. A win against the
Packers heading into that game would be a good way to keep the momentum
flowing.
Also, it is impressive enough to beat Rodgers who has a
knack for winning games that his team had no business winning. The Rams are an
incredible team, and while this wouldn’t exactly be classified as a “must win”,
it will surely be a good win for a Rams team that has yet to really be
challenged.
4. KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS
The electric Kansas City Chiefs team finds itself on this
list once again due to the nature of their upcoming game. The Denver Broncos
are coming to town and that almost always means a hard-fought game is in store.
It was only a few weeks ago that the Broncos pushed the Chiefs to the limit but
eventually fell 27-24.
If this next game is even close to being as dramatic as the
first, fans are in for a treat. Heated divisional games are always enjoyable to
watch, but they are even better when the teams have the talent to fuel the
rivalry.
After a big prime time win over the Bengals last week, the
Chiefs are sitting atop the AFC West with a 6-1 record. The Broncos are
currently in third place with a 3-4 record but could be right back in the thick
of things with a win this week. On the other hand, if the Chiefs dispatch of
the Broncos once again, their season is essentially a wash.
Arrowhead Stadium will be rocking and young quarterback
Patrick Mahomes will have yet another opportunity to set the NFL world ablaze
with an insane play (like his left-handed throw against the Broncos in the
previous meeting).
A win would help keep the Chiefs season rolling along,
improving them to an AFC best 7-1 record. And while a loss is not overly
damaging to their season prospects, it is never fun to lose to a division
rival.
3. CINCINNATI
BENGALS
As per usual, Andy Dalton and the Bengals had an absolute
meltdown on prime time television against the Chiefs last week. They looked far
from the 4-2 team that topped the AFC North, and much more like the typical
Bengals teams of the last few years that struggled to compete. Last week can be
attributed to a lot of different things, and I truly believe the Bengals are
still a talented team that can make some noise in the final nine weeks.
This week they square off with the Buccaneers who have had
their own struggles thus far. This presents the Bengals with a perfect
opportunity to quickly forget last week, and put it behind them. If they take
care of business and wipe the floor with the Bucs in front of their home fans,
it will be easier to be positive about their season outlook.
A loss on the other hand will all but bury the Bengals as it
would be their third consecutive defeat following their 4-1 start to the
season. The Buccaneers are very beatable and have one of the worst defenses in
the league, if the Bengals cannot take advantage of that, what can they do?
A win would go a long way in restoring some of the
confidence that the team surely lost after the shellacking they took from the
Chiefs. Expect Dalton and the Bengals to bounce back in a big way this week.
2. CAROLINA
PANTHERS
Last week against the defending champion Eagles, the
Panthers completed one of the most impressive comebacks of the season. Down 17
heading into the fourth quarter, the Panthers scored three unanswered
touchdowns to win 21-17. Led by Cam Newton and exciting young running back
Christian McCaffrey the Panthers have one of the best running attacks in the
NFL.
Back at home this week, the Panthers play host to Baltimore
Ravens who make the trip down the coast. The Ravens have one of the best
defenses in the league and that is a bit of an understatement. In nearly every
facet of the word, they are elite. The biggest question will be whether the
Panthers offense will be able to penetrate the Ravens stout defense.
At 4-2, the Panthers are keeping pace in the stacked NFC
South division. They are only one game back of the division-leading Saints who
are 5-1. A win over a very good Ravens team would not only be a huge confidence
boost, but it would truly legitimize the Panthers as a playoff contender.
The Panthers come into the contest as home underdogs, which
may fuel them even more. The Ravens are a good team, and Cam Newton may be a
little banged up. But I think the Panthers are more than capable of coming out
with a much-needed victory on Sunday.
1. MINNESOTA
VIKINGS
By the skin of their teeth the Vikings are on top of the NFC
North division with a 4-2-1 record. Their lone tie came against the Packers,
and their two losses were against the Rams (makes sense) and the Bills
(really?). Regardless, the Vikings are one of the most talented football teams
in the league, but have battled the injury bug thus far.
If the Vikings want to reach the NFC Championship again this
season they need to start taking care of business, and execute the little things
better. Perhaps this week would be a good one to really get back to basics as
they have a huge game against the Saints. Luckily for them, the Vikings are at
home, where they perform much better.
As I have already mentioned, the Saints are probably the second
best team in the NFC and the Vikings aren’t too far behind them. A win for the
Vikings would prove to everyone that they belong in the conversation of best
teams in the league, and that their loss against the Bills can be chalked up to
a fluke.
Now, the Saints are by no means an easy match up, but they
are exploitable. Talented running back Dalvin Cook remains out with a hamstring
injury, but that shouldn’t matter too much as the Vikings will surely try to
take advantage of a Saints secondary that has been underperforming. The Saints
just added Eli Apple via trade, but he won’t transform the defense in less than
a week.
Look for Kirk Cousins to have an incredible day and lead the
Vikings to a huge win over the Saints.
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