Key Matchups, Predictions For The Cowboys-broncos Showdown And More

The play is almost halfway through, but nan NFL playoff races are starting to return shape. 

In Week 8, location are a host of games that could person a wide-ranging effect connected nan playoff picture. One of those matchups is happening successful Baltimore, wherever nan one-win Ravens are getting Lamar Jackson backmost aft he missed 2 games pinch a hamstring injury. Baltimore will return connected nan Bears, who are riding a four-game winning streak. 

Meanwhile, nan Panthers and Bills will meet successful a conflict of teams trending successful other directions. Carolina is complete .500 aft beating nan Dolphins, Cowboys and Jets successful consecutive weeks, while nan Bills dream to extremity a two-game losing streak coming disconnected nan bye. 

In nan precocious window, nan Broncos and Cowboys will meet successful a conflict betwixt a staunch defense and a high-flying offense. All this comes earlier Sunday night, erstwhile Aaron Rodgers takes connected nan Packers astatine Acrisure Stadium, playing against Green Bay for nan first clip since leaving successful 2022. 

But we commencement pinch nan Bears and Ravens, successful an absolute must-win for Baltimore. 

Spread: Baltimore -6.5

Key matchup: Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson vs. Chicago’s tally defense

Key stat: The Bears are allowing 5.3 yards per carry, 31st successful nan NFL.

Date, Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS

If Baltimore has immoderate chance of getting to nan playoffs, it starts by snapping its four-game losing streak and beating nan Bears astatine home. 

Coming disconnected their bye, nan Ravens are likely getting Jackson back for nan first clip since Week 4. Coach John Harbaugh should usage Jackson’s legs, provided his hamstring is afloat healed aft a period of rehabbing. 

Chicago has struggled against nan run, ranking 31st successful yards per transportation against (5.3) and 28th successful rushing yards permitted per crippled (137.7). Despite each their issues this season, nan Ravens are 2nd successful YPC astatine 5.3, and that’s without Jackson for 3 games. Henry besides seemed to find his groove aft 4 games pinch a mixed 148 rushing yards, going for 122 yards connected 24 carries against nan Rams. 

If nan Bears can’t extremity nan rush, expect Baltimore violative coordinator Todd Monken to enactment connected nan ground.

Verderame’s verdict: Ravens 30, Bears 21

Bills (4–2) astatine Panthers (4–3)

Spread: Buffalo -7

Key matchup: Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard vs. nan Bills’ tally defense

Key stat: The Bills are permitting 5.8 yards per carry, worst successful nan NFL.

Date, Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS

If nan Panthers are going to found themselves arsenic a morganatic playoff contender, it’ll beryllium pinch Dowdle and Hubbard pounding nan rock. 

In Carolina’s 4 wins this season, it has averaged 5.0 yards per carry. In nan 3 defeats, a afloat gait little astatine 4.0. With Andy Dalton replacing Bryce Young, who is retired pinch a precocious ankle sprain, nan Panthers are trying to springiness some Dalton and their seventh-ranked defense nan champion chance to win against a Bills squad that ranks 3rd successful yardage (378.3) and 4th successful points per crippled (27.8). 

For Buffalo, nan cardinal is getting Carolina retired of its tally crippled by scoring early and often. The Bills coming a unsocial situation pinch Josh Allen and James Cook successful nan backfield. If Buffalo can’t get up by a fewer scores, nan Panthers tin tally consistently against nan worst tally defense successful nan convention by YPC (5.8), allowing Carolina to some shorten nan crippled and support Allen connected nan sideline. 

Verderame’s verdict: Bills 30, Panthers 24

San Francisco moving backmost Christian McCaffrey leads nan convention successful yards from scrimmage. / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Spread: Houston -1.5

Key matchup: Christian McCaffrey vs. Houston’s linebackers

Key stat: McCaffrey has 981 full yards, astir successful nan league

Date, Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, FOX

The 49ers person been 1 of nan league’s champion stories. They’re 5–2 contempt being without Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Ricky Pearsall, Brandon Aiyuk, Demarcus Robinson and George Kittle for either each aliases immoderate of nan season. 

The 1 constant? McCaffrey leads nan NFL pinch 981 violative yards. The moving backmost has been absurdly bully arsenic a walk catcher arsenic well, ranking eighth successful nan convention pinch 516 yards. On Sunday, he’ll beryllium facing an diversion group of Houston linebackers led by Henry To’oTo’o and Azeez Al-Shaair.

In six games this year, nan Texans person allowed 18 receptions for 109 yards to moving backs. Houston would beryllium thrilled to licence that mean to McCaffrey (three catches for 18 yards) but would astir apt settee for a number 3 times that high.

If McCaffrey can’t get loose, San Francisco will request to trust connected Kendrick Bourne, Pearsall and nan precocious activated Kittle to triumph their matchups.

Verderame’s verdict: 49ers 17, Texans 9

Cowboys (3-3-1) astatine Broncos (5–2)

Spread: Denver -3

Key matchup: The Broncos’ walk unreserved vs. nan Cowboys’ violative line

Key stat: Denver has recorded sacks connected 13.3% of dropbacks, nan champion successful nan league. 

Date, Time, TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, FOX

The NFL’s champion discourtesy against nan league’s astir vaunted defense. A lucifer made for shot fans. 

Dallas leads nan NFL pinch 390.6 yards per crippled while averaging an NFC-leading 31.7 points per game. Dak Prescott has been excellent, throwing for 1,881 yards and 16 touchdowns against only 3 interceptions while being sacked conscionable 8 times. However, he’s facing a Broncos defense pinch 34 sacks, connected gait to shatter nan 1984 Bears grounds of 72. 

Up front, nan Cowboys person survived various injuries to surrender sacks connected 2.9% of dropbacks, 2nd only to nan Colts. Of quarterbacks pinch astatine slightest 5 starts, Prescott has been sacked nan second-fewest. If that inclination continues connected Sunday, nan Broncos could beryllium successful trouble. Against Indianapolis successful Week 2, Denver sacked Daniel Jones only erstwhile and watched him propulsion for 316 yards (9.3 YPA) and a touchdown successful a 29–28 win. 

Still, nan Broncos are unbeaten astatine home, averaging 4.3 sacks per crippled pinch nan crowd sound providing an advantage. It won’t beryllium easy for Dallas to support Prescott clean, moreover pinch CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens to target—a duo that has mixed for 939 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Verderame’s verdict: Cowboys 27, Broncos 23

Steelers backmost Aaron Rodgers will look nan Packers for nan first clip successful his career. / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Spread: Green Bay -3

Key matchup: Packers’ walk onslaught vs. Steelers’ secondary

Key stat: Pittsburgh ranks 31st successful walk defense, allowing 258.8 yards per game.

Date, Time, TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC

This crippled is going to beryllium billed arsenic nan Rodgers revenge circuit against nan Packers, but nan crippled will beryllium decided erstwhile he’s opinionated connected nan sideline. 

Green Bay doesn’t person a voluminous passing game, ranking 12th pinch 225.8 yards per game. However, Jordan Love is directing 1 of nan league’s astir businesslike attacks, pinch nan Packers 4th successful YPA (8.2) and tied for 3rd pinch 11.8 yards per completion. Additionally, Green Bay has 5 players getting astatine slightest 20 targets this play and eclipsing 130 yards. 

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has struggled to extremity nan pass. The Steelers person been outgained successful full yardage successful 5 of their six contests. Last Thursday, nan secondary was lit up for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns successful a 33–31 nonaccomplishment to Joe Flacco and nan antecedently two-win Bengals. 

If Pittsburgh can’t incorporate Love, Rodgers will watch his first crippled against nan Packers move into a showcase for his protégé connected nationalist television.

Verderame's verdict: Packers 26, Steelers 21

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