1. [2-5] Washington Redskins at [6-1] Dallas Cowboys
This is a huge rivalry game. The Cowboy’s and Redskins are legendary for the hate both fan bases have for one another. This is their first meeting and so far the Redskins have had three quarterbacks this season.
This will be Colt McCoy’s first time on Monday Night Football and his first start since 2011. The Cowboys are looking strong and are only getting healthier as time goes on. First round pick Demarcus Lawrence is eying his return and Bruce Carter is back from injury. This is a pivotal game in the NFC East; the Cowboys would go to 7-1 pushing them well ahead of the pack and padding a possible playoff run.
The Redskins are trying to get on the right track, but against the Cowboys might not be the best place to start. Murray will look to have another 100 yard game after breaking Jim Browns 56 year old record last week, and Dez Bryant will look to have a huge game against a weak Washington secondary.
Fun fact Cowboys WR Terrance Williams has had a TD in every home game this season. The Redskins will look to win back to back games for the first time in two years, while the Cowboys will look to have their longest winning streak since 2007.
2. [5-2] Green Bay Packers at [2-4] New Orleans Saints
The Packers have looked better and better each week, while the Saints have looked worse. I still cannot write off the Saints season just yet, whatever that is not clicking needs to click and soon. During this years march to the playoffs, all division leaders have just one loss so far.
Heading into week 8, the Packers will have to continue to string along the wins in order to keep pace with the NFC North rival the Detroit Lions. Drew Brees has thrown three touchdowns in his last three games against the Packers, but has yet to throw three in a game this season.
Aaron Rodgers has thrown three or more touchdowns in each of the last four games this season. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb will look to be the first receiving tandem to have touchdowns in five straight games. The final story line to this matchup; will Jimmy Graham bounce back from his injuries and return to form against a familiar foe.
3. [5-2] Baltimore Ravens) at [3-2-1] Cincinnati Bengals
In the first meeting between these AFC North titans, the Bengals stormed back in the fourth quarter to give the Ravens their only loss on the season. AJ Green caught the game winning touchdown and showed the big play capabilities of the Bengal’s offense.
Heading into week 8 the Bengals have gone winless and earned a tie. This is due largely to the loss of AJ Green who went down with a toe injury. The second option Marvin Jones has yet to play a snap all season due to his own injury issues.
This left the burden on Mohamed Sanu who has been up to the task in recent weeks; however his stats have not translated into wins. The Ravens have leaned on Justin Forsett since the Ray Rice scandal and he has delivered earning his spot as a top ten running back in the NFL.
The Ravens defense also has an impressive 15 sacks on the season led by defensive captain Elvis Dumervil. A win for the Bengals would throw them back into the divisional race, expect fireworks from both teams.
4. [3-3] Seattle Seahawks at [3-3-1] Carolina Panthers
Last week Russell Wilson became the first quarterback to ever throw for over 300 yards and rush for over 100 yards in one game.
This great performance was met with an untimely loss when the Rams surprised the Seahawks late in the fourth quarter to win the game. Despite their record, Seahawk’s running back Marshawn Lynch has been the tenth most rushing yards in the NFL, and the Seahawk’s defense has allowed the 8th fewest yards per game.
Cam Newton has come into his midseason form finding his favorite targets Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen for big plays regularly. Kelvin Benjamin leads the rookie wide receivers in the NFL with the most receiving yards and touchdowns, while Greg Olsen leads tight ends in receiving yards.
Cam Newton will need to have the game of his life to keep his team in the lead of the dreadful NFC South. Russell Wilson is eight and two coming off losses; he will need to be nine and two if the Seahawks want to get themselves out of the dog house in the NFC West.
5. [5-1] Philadelphia Eagles at [5-1] Arizona Cardinals
The Eagles will be traveling to Arizona to take on the best run defense in the NFL. LeSean McCoy looked great in the Eagles win over the Giants racking up a season high 149 rushing yards. The Eagles defense also shut out the Giants, and has been a spark producing 16 sacks in the last 3 games.
The McCoy and this fiery Eagle’s defense will look to continue their dominance in week 8 against the best NFC West team, the Arizona Cardinals. If the Eagle’s had an obvious weak spot it would be at quarterback. Nick Foles has thrown seven interceptions this season after throwing 2 all of last season.
Foles will likely have an easier time against the 31st ranked Cardinal’s pass defense. On the other side of the ball the Cardinal’s quarterback Carson Palmer missed three games, but since his return he has two victories and 4 touchdowns.
Andre Ellington has looked stellar all season as a threat in the backfield and as a receiver. The Cardinal’s wide receiver corps is solid with Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and rookie John Brown, who leads the team in touchdowns.
The Cardinals will look to defend first place in the NFC West while the Eagles will try to keep pace with the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East.
