A number of NFL teams could see their fortunes drastically change as they head into Week 8. Teams such as Atlanta Falcons, who face Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Philadelphia Eagles facing the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Houston Texans, who go up against the Indianapolis Colts, are all about to face significant challenges. Additionally, the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, both of whom have struggled recently, will meet on Sunday night. Notably, the spotlight will fall on the NFC North, with the Vikings (now 5-2) losing to the Rams on Thursday night and the Bears (against Commanders), Lions (versus Titans), and Packers (against Jaguars) all playing on Sunday.
NFL writers Mike Sando, Zak Keefer, and Jeff Howe agree that Detroit is a clear favorite to win the NFC North, largely due to their impressive existing victory at Minnesota. The writers believe this, along with Detroit’s top-tier roster and extensive experience within the coaching staff and player roster, places Detroit in good stead. However, they caution against believing that all four teams from the division will make the playoffs, largely due to the fact that the NFC North teams will likely be in fierce competition with one another in the coming weeks.
As teams prepare for an important showdown between the Falcons and Buccaneers, attention turns to the impact of injuries on the competition. With key players such as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out of action for the Bucs, the Falcons are presented with a golden opportunity to overtake them. The loss of these key players may be too much for the Bucs to overcome, particularly with upcoming games against last year’s Super Bowl teams; the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
A further point of contention in Week 8 revolves around a complicated situation in Cleveland, as the futures of Deshaun Watson and his contract are uncertain. The writers suggest that Watson should be released after June 1, in hope of another team taking on some of the major financial burdens of Watson’s contract. They suggest this release of Watson would be the simplest solution for moving forward, although it would mean that Watson’s existing scheduled 2025 cap charge would rise from nearly $73 million to nearly $119 million.
Despite the issues at hand for teams like Cleveland, the writers largely agree that the future of the 49ers and Cowboys hinders less on financial decisions and more on on-field performances. To secure a coveted win, the writers suggest the 49ers must exploit Dallas’ weak run defense, working to control the game flow and provide an easy role for quarterback Brock Purdy. Conversely, the Cowboys must rely on a strong game from Dak Prescott and generate some dynamic play on the special teams.
In conclusion, while prospects for teams such as Detroit and San Francisco are looking bright, others like Cleveland face tough decisions regarding player contracts. Regardless, it’s clear that the coming weeks will be vital in shaping the future of the NFL’s landscape.
