Friday Five, Week 8

We’ve reached Week 8 of the NFL Season. We’re near the mid-way point and we’re still in the midst of bye weeks. But for the first time since the bye weeks began, we have only two teams out of action in the Chargers and Chiefs. That leaves us with 13 games on Sunday, including a number of high-quality matchups. Below are the five games on the Sunday slate I’m most excited to see.

Sunday Early Games:

New England Patriots (3-4) at New York Jets (5-2)
About: Divisional matchups are always fun but this has an extra layer of intrigue. The Patriots are fresh off a drubbing at home on Monday night Football. They also sit in last place, the only team in the AFC East below .500. Add to that something of a quarterback controversy between Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones, and the Patriots have issues. The Jets, meanwhile, are one of the league’s hottest teams. They sit at 5-2 and could be on the way to a playoff berth. They were dealt a blow as rookie running back Breece Hall tore his ACL but they traded to acquire James Robinson. How will this new back work with the team? Can they keep this win streak going against the Patriots? This one ought to be fun.

Sunday Late Games:

Washington Commanders (3-4) at Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1)
About: Both these teams made big moves at quarterback this off-season. The Colts shipped Carson Wentz to the Commanders and then traded for Matt Ryan. Both teams thought these acquisitions would solve their quarterback issues. Instead, in Week 8 of the season, we’re seeing these teams clash with Taylor Heinicke and Sam Ehlinger at the helm, respectively. So, it’s fair to say things didn’t play out according to plan. Both teams are in need of a win to remain in the race and it will be interesting to see which back up quarterback can get it done.

San Francisco 49ers (3-4) at Los Angeles Rams (3-3)
About: The Rams and 49ers have had many interesting clashes the past few seasons, including in last year’s NFC Championship Game. Earlier this season the teams met in San Francisco and the 49ers won easily. Since then, the Rams have gotten to .500 and had a bye. The 49ers, meanwhile, made a huge trade but lost two straight games. Can the 49ers get the season sweep and move back into contention in the NFC West? Can the Rams split the season series and put some distance between themselves and the 49ers. This one has high stakes and plenty of intrigue.

New York Giants (6-1) at Seattle Seahawks (4-3)
About: Seven weeks ago, seeing the Giants and Seahawks on the schedule wouldn’t have moved the needle. What a difference two months can make. The Giants are one of the league’s hottest teams, sitting at 6-1 and competing for a playoff berth with new coach Brian Daboll. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are surprisingly atop the NFC West, the only team above .500. So, which of these surprising contenders will get the win Sunday afternoon? The stakes are high for this one.

Sunday Night Football:

Green Bay Packers (3-4) at Buffalo Bills (5-1)
About: The Bills are the AFC’s best team. The Bills beat the Chiefs in Week 6 before a bye week. Now, they come out of the bye at home and facing Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Heading into the season this looked like an epic matchup on the schedule. Now, it looks potentially one-sided. The Bills have delivered as expected. The Packers, meanwhile, have lost recent games to the Jets, Giants and Commanders. They’ve below .500 and in real danger of missing the playoffs. Now, the Packers have to figure out their offensive issues while dealing with the fierce Bills defense and trying to keep pace with Josh Allen. All that adds plenty of intrigue to the final game of Sunday on Week 8.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.