2016 Week 8 Preview

Washington Redskins (4–3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3–4) (London)
This should be the best game of the three London matchups. Washington has looked good on offense recently and the Bengals are looking to build off of a win last week against Cleveland. The key for the Redskins is for them to stop AJ Green. If they get into a fire fight with the Bengals, then they should take out the Bengals best weapon. The key to for a Cincinnati win is for them to get to Kirk Cousins. If they can beat up on him a little bit, then he will be more prone to mistakes and might give the Bengals good field positioning. The Bengals should win this one in London.
Prediction
WAS 17 – 21 CIN
 
Kansas City Chiefs (4–2) @ Indianapolis Colts (3–4)
The Chiefs are going to Indianapolis this week to face off with Andrew Luck and the Colts. Kansas City has looked like a better team since their loss to the Steelers in week four and Luck has been the only hope for the Colts so far this season. The key for the Chiefs is to get to Andrew Luck as often as possible. If Luck is unable to get the ball out, then there is no chance for the Colts to win. This might be challenging as the Chiefs only have eight sacks this season, but Andrew Luck has been sacked more than any other quarterback in the league with 25 sacks. The key for the Colts is to protect Andrew Luck. Despite being sacked more than any other quarterback, Luck has still thrown for 296 yards per game, 14 touchdowns and only four interceptions. If he is given a little bit of time, he would be able to beat the Chiefs. Unfortunately for the Colts, they probably won’t be able to beat the Chiefs this week.
Prediction
KC 25 – 19 IND
 
Arizona Cardinals (3–3–1) @ Carolina Panthers (1–5)
Arizona needs to redeem themselves after their tie with the Seahawks last week and should be able to offensively as they travel to Carolina. Carolina’s defense is giving up 29.3 points per game and it seems that Arizona needs every point that they can get. The key for the Cardinals is for Carson Palmer to throw the ball efficiently. The Panthers have a bad secondary and it is the perfect game for Palmer to fix some of his passing problems. The key for the Panthers is to run the ball effectively. The Cardinals are giving up an average of 96.6 yards per game and if the Panthers can capitalize on the run game then they can force Palmer to make some issues. The Cardinals should be able to take care the Panthers this week.
Prediction
ARI 24 – 20 CAR
 
Oakland Raiders (5–2) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3–3)
Oakland is travelling to Tampa to face the Buccaneers in a good matchup. The Raiders have been efficient on offense, but have had trouble on defense. Tampa Bay is on a two game winning streak and had a big win against the 49ers last week. The key for the Raiders is to throw the ball efficiently. If the Raiders can move the ball through the air then it can open up the running game for their running backs. The key for the Buccaneers is to run the ball with Jacquizz Rodgers again. He did a really good job against the 49ers last week and the Oakland rush defense isn’t much better than San Francisco. The Buccaneers should be able to control the ball and win the game.
Prediction
OAK 24 – 30 TB
 
Seattle Seahawks (4–1–1) @ New Orleans Saints (2–4)
The Seahawks are travelling to New Orleans for a big game against the Saints. Seattle is coming off of their tie with the Cardinals and the Saints are coming off of an ugly loss to the Chiefs. The key for Seattle is to get the ball to Jimmy Graham. They are facing New Orleans for the first time since Graham was traded and he should be extra motivated to beat his old team, especially since the game is in New Orleans. The key for the Saints is for Drew Brees to distribute the ball evenly to all of his receivers. If Drew Brees focuses on one part of the Seattle secondary, then he is more prone to throw an interception. Seattle should be able to walk away with the win this week.
Prediction
SEA 27 – 21 NO
 
Detroit Lions (4–3) @ Houston Texans (4–3)
Detroit is riding a three game winning streak into Houston where they will face a team that has lost two of their last three. Detroit has been one of the most efficient offenses in the league and Houston has been one of the worst. The key for the Lions is to run the ball effectively. The Texans have given up an average of 135.4 yards per game this season and if Detroit can run the ball then it will open up the passing game for Matthew Stafford. The key for the Texans is to get the ball to DeAndre Hopkins. He has only averaged five catches per game and hasn’t been getting the looks that he did last year. Detroit’s passing defense is not good, giving up 273 passing yards per game and Osweiler needs to play better to take advantage of that. Detroit should come away with the win this week.
Prediction
DET 23 – 18 HOU
 
New England Patriots (6–1) @ Buffalo Bills (4–3)
The last time that these two teams met, the Bills took advantage of the fact that Tom Brady was out. The Bills only scored 16 points in their last game and that might not be enough against the Tom Brady led Patriots. The key for a Patriots win will be for them to stop Buffalo’s rushing attack. They have only allowed 92.3 yards per game on the ground. McCoy only rushed for 70 yards in their last meeting, but rushed for 290 yards and three touchdowns in their two wins since then. Last week, the Dolphins held him to eleven yards and the Bills couldn’t overcome that. If the Patriots can duplicate what Miami did, they should be able to win. The key for the Bills to win is for them to take out the passing game. The Bills had success last time because New England could only run the ball and Buffalo was able to take advantage of that. The Patriots should come out on fire and redeem their only loss to this point in the season.
Prediction
NE 32 – 23 BUF
 
New York Jets (2–5) @ Cleveland Browns (0–7)
The Jets are travelling to Cleveland to face off with the Browns this week. The Jets won their second game of the season last week and the Browns played their worst game of the season last week and lost their seventh straight game. The key for the Jets this week is to stop Terrelle Pryor. Pryor has been the one bright spot for the Browns and has been the only reason that they have been competitive through this point in the game and if the Jets let him burn them then the Browns could win. The key for a Browns win is for them to run the ball well against the Jets defense to open up some of their receivers. If Isaiah Crowell can run efficiently, the Pryor will be more open to make some big plays. The Jets should be able to get their second straight win and force the Browns to their eighth straight loss of the season.
Prediction
NYJ 24 – 16 CLE
 
San Diego Chargers (3–4) @ Denver Broncos (5–2)
The Chargers are travelling to Denver to face the Broncos for the second time in three weeks. Neither team had a big offensive game in their last meeting and there were only two touchdowns between the two teams during the game. The key for a Chargers win this week is for the offensive line to protect Melvin Gordon and Philip Rivers and let them make plays against the defense. The key for the Broncos is to protect the football. They can’t afford to give the Chargers any good field position or they might come out of this game with a loss. This should be one of the better games of the week and the Chargers should be able to continue their hot streak.
Prediction
SD 20 – 14 DEN
 
Green Bay Packers (4–2) @ Atlanta Falcons (4–3)
The Packers are travelling to Atlanta to face off with the Falcons in one of the better matchups this weekend. Green Bay got an important win against the Bears last week, but it didn’t look all that good. The Falcons have lost two in a row and need a win to stay in control of the NFC South. The key for the Packers is to slow down Julio Jones. The Packers are one of the best teams against the run and should be able to contain Devonta Freeman, but if they let Julio Jones go crazy, there is no chance for them to win. The key for the Falcons is to contain the Packers passing attack. The Green Bay running backs aren’t very reliable and if the Falcons can force them to run, the Falcons could win. This should be a close game, but the Falcons should come out on top.
Prediction
GB 27 – 31 ATL
 
Philadelphia Eagles (4–2) @ Dallas Cowboys (5–1)
The Eagles and Cowboys are meeting in Dallas for a huge NFC East battle. The Cowboys have looked better each and every week, but there has to be concern that the bye week has cooled them off a bit or if they are actually better because of the return of Dez Bryant. The Eagles are coming off of their biggest win of the season against the last unbeaten team in the league. The key for the Eagles is to stop Ezekiel Elliott. The Cowboys base everything that they do off the run and if the Eagles can make Dak Prescott beat them through the air, then that would be the best chance for an Eagles win. The key for the Cowboys is for them to not turn the ball over. One of the biggest reasons that the Eagles beat the Vikings last week was because of how many turnovers the Eagles defense caused. The Cowboys can’t give Carson Wentz good field position or they could walk away with a loss. Ezekiel Elliott should have a big game and lead the Cowboys to their sixth straight victory.
Prediction
PHI 17 – 24 DAL
 
Minnesota Vikings (5–1) @ Chicago Bears (1–6)
The Vikings and Bears are playing each other in an NFC North matchup. The Vikings are coming off of an ugly loss to the Eagles and the Bears are going back to Jay Cutler after Brian Hoyer broke his arm last week. The key for the Vikings is to get some production from the running back position. If Matt Asiata or Jerrick McKinnon can run the ball effectively, then they can open up Stephon Diggs and the passing game. The key for the Bears is to not turn the ball over. The Vikings defense tends to score off of turnovers and Jay Cutler is prone to giving them up. If Cutler gets down early then this team is doomed in this game. The Vikings should return to their winning ways this week and dominate the Bears on Monday night.
Prediction
MIN 27 – 10 CHI
 
Bye Week: Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers

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