NFL Week 8 Preview 2026: Every Game, Key Stats & Predictions

The 2026 NFL season heads into November with the playoff picture beginning to take shape, and Week 8 brings some fascinating matchups.

The Minnesota Vikings remain the NFL’s only unbeaten team, but face a huge test against the Detroit Lions. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs need to bounce back from their shock defeat in Seattle, while the Baltimore Ravens travel to Buffalo for a potentially explosive AFC encounter.

There are also some crucial divisional games, with Cleveland facing Pittsburgh and Philadelphia visiting Washington.

Here’s the UK Rookie NFL Week 8 preview, covering every matchup, standout statistics, key talking points and our predictions.

Team records are entering Week 8. All kick-off times are UK GMT.

Thursday Night Football — 29 October

Carolina Panthers (3-3) @ Green Bay Packers (4-3)

Result: Packers 27–19 Panthers

Green Bay got Week 8 underway with a much-needed victory at Lambeau Field.

Key stats and talking points:

• Green Bay entered the game at 4-3, having suffered a narrow 20–17 defeat to Detroit in Week 7.
• Jordan Love had faced a league-high 148 pressures through seven weeks, making offensive-line protection a major concern.
• Carolina arrived after a heavy 43–13 defeat against Tampa Bay.

UK Rookie verdict: Green Bay responded to its divisional defeat with a valuable home victory, improving to 5-3.

Sunday Early Games — 1 November, 6pm UK

Baltimore Ravens (4-3) @ Buffalo Bills (5-1)

One of the standout games of Week 8 features two teams with serious AFC playoff ambitions.

Key stats and talking points:

• Buffalo lead the NFL in scoring, averaging 32.8 points per game.
• Josh Allen has accounted for 17 touchdowns this season, including eight rushing scores.
• Baltimore’s quarterback situation is crucial, with Lamar Jackson’s availability a major storyline after missing three games.
• The Bills won the last meeting 41–40 in September 2025.

UK Rookie verdict: Bills win. Buffalo’s offensive production and home advantage give them the edge, particularly if Baltimore are without a fully fit Jackson. Should be another high scoring one.

Tennessee Titans (1-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)

Cincinnati have the opportunity to build on one of the most impressive performances of Week 7.

Key stats and talking points:

• Joe Burrow has thrown eight touchdown passes across his last two appearances.
• The Bengals scored 35 unanswered second-half points against Baltimore last weekend.
• Tennessee’s Tony Pollard rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns against Cleveland, but the Titans still lost 27–24.
• Cincinnati have scored touchdowns on 30.5% of their offensive possessions, compared with Tennessee’s 14.9%.

UK Rookie verdict: Bengals win. Cincinnati’s passing attack should have too much firepower for a Titans team struggling to turn improved performances into victories.

Arizona Cardinals (2-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (3-4)

Dallas will be looking to follow up their statement victory over Philadelphia with another strong offensive performance.

Key stats and talking points:

• The Cowboys scored a season-high 38 points against the Eagles in Week 7.
• Dallas produced 204 rushing yards in that game, their best total of the season.
• Arizona have converted just 42.9% of red-zone opportunities into touchdowns, the lowest rate in the NFL.
• The Cardinals have won four consecutive meetings with Dallas.

UK Rookie verdict: Cowboys win. Dallas appear to be finding their offensive rhythm, and Arizona’s red-zone struggles could prove costly.

Minnesota Vikings (6-0) @ Detroit Lions (4-2)

The NFL’s last unbeaten team faces perhaps its toughest test of the season.

Key stats and talking points:

• Minnesota’s defence leads the league in opponent success rate and sack rate.
• The Vikings have allowed just six offensive touchdowns all season.
• Detroit quarterback Jared Goff leads the NFL with a 112.5 passer rating.
• The Lions are unbeaten at home this season, with a 3-0 record.
• Minnesota have scored only nine offensive touchdowns in six games despite their perfect record.

UK Rookie verdict: Lions win. This could be the week Minnesota’s unbeaten run ends. Detroit’s explosive passing attack and home advantage make them narrow favourites in our eyes.

Indianapolis Colts (2-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)

Jacksonville return from their bye week with an opportunity to strengthen their grip on the AFC South.

Key stats and talking points:

• The Jaguars average 25.7 points per game while allowing just 17.3.
• Jacksonville have the NFL’s third-best scoring defence.
• Indianapolis have lost three consecutive games, scoring just four offensive touchdowns during that stretch.
• The Jaguars won both meetings with the Colts in 2025.

UK Rookie verdict: Jaguars win. Jacksonville’s stronger defence, home advantage and extra preparation time should prove decisive.

Las Vegas Raiders (3-4) @ New York Jets (2-5)

Two AFC teams searching for consistency meet at MetLife Stadium.

Key stats and talking points:

• Las Vegas have lost four consecutive games after opening the season 3-0.
• The Raiders were beaten 35–21 by the Rams in Week 7.
• New York lost a close 28–25 divisional game against Miami.
• Both teams enter the game with losing records, making this an important opportunity to rebuild momentum.

UK Rookie verdict: Jets win. Home advantage could be decisive in a difficult matchup to predict. Expect a competitive game with little separating the teams.

Cleveland Browns (5-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)

One of the week’s most important divisional games, with first place in the AFC North potentially at stake.

Key stats and talking points:

• Both teams enter Week 8 with identical 5-2 records.
• Cleveland beat Tennessee 27–24 last weekend, while Pittsburgh defeated New Orleans 16–10.
• The Steelers have allowed just 10 points in each of their last two games.
• These teams know each other extremely well, and divisional encounters often come down to turnovers and field position.

UK Rookie verdict: Steelers win. Pittsburgh’s home advantage and improving defensive form give them a narrow edge. Don’t expect a high-scoring contest.

Atlanta Falcons (3-4) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5)

Atlanta and Tampa Bay meet in an NFC South contest with both teams trying to establish some momentum.

Key stats and talking points:

• Atlanta ended San Francisco’s unbeaten start with a 29–20 victory in Week 7.
• Tampa Bay produced a season-high 43 points against Carolina.
• The Buccaneers won their previous game by 30 points, their biggest margin of victory this season.
• Both teams enter this matchup having delivered arguably their most impressive results of the campaign.

UK Rookie verdict: Falcons win. Atlanta’s victory over San Francisco was particularly impressive, and we’ll back them to carry that confidence into another divisional encounter.

Sunday Late Games — 9:05pm / 9:25pm UK

Los Angeles Chargers (0-6) @ Los Angeles Rams (3-4)

The battle of Los Angeles sees two teams experiencing very different seasons.

Key stats and talking points:

• The Chargers remain the NFL’s only winless team at 0-6.
• The Rams scored 35 points in their Week 7 victory over Las Vegas.
• Both teams share SoFi Stadium, removing the usual travel disadvantage associated with an away fixture.
• The Chargers have struggled to convert competitive stretches into victories throughout the season.

UK Rookie verdict: Rams win. The Rams have the stronger recent form and should have enough offensive quality to extend the Chargers’ difficult start.

Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) @ Denver Broncos (5-2)

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs head to Denver looking to recover from their first defeat of the season.

Key stats and talking points:

• Kansas City managed just three points in their 20–3 defeat against Seattle.
• The Chiefs were held without a touchdown for the first time this season.
• Denver have won three consecutive games, including a 30–16 victory over Arizona.
• Both teams enter the matchup with five victories, making this a crucial AFC West encounter.

UK Rookie verdict: Chiefs win. Kansas City’s offensive collapse in Seattle was surprising, but we’re backing Mahomes to respond. Denver’s home advantage makes this one of the week’s closest calls.

New England Patriots (4-3) @ Miami Dolphins (1-5)

An AFC East rivalry that could have significant consequences for both teams.

Key stats and talking points:

• New England enter Week 8 at 4-3, having lost to Chicago in Week 7.
• Miami recorded their first victory of the season with a 28–25 win against the Jets.
• The Dolphins will be looking to build on that breakthrough after opening the season with five consecutive defeats.
• New England need a response to maintain their position in the AFC playoff race.

UK Rookie verdict: Patriots win. Miami should be more confident following their first victory, but New England have been the more consistent team over the opening seven weeks.

Sunday Night Football — Monday, 1:20am UK

Philadelphia Eagles (2-5) @ Washington Commanders (1-4-1)

Two NFC East rivals meet with both desperate to turn around disappointing campaigns.

Key stats and talking points:

• Philadelphia have lost five consecutive games.
• The Eagles conceded 38 points against Dallas on Monday Night Football.
• Washington enter the game with just one victory and a tie from six appearances.
• Both teams are struggling to keep pace with the improving Cowboys and Giants in the NFC East.

UK Rookie verdict: Commanders win. Neither team inspires enormous confidence, but Washington’s home advantage could be important against an Eagles side struggling badly for momentum.

Monday Night Football — Tuesday 3 November, 1:15am UK

Chicago Bears (5-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-3)

Week 8 finishes with a fascinating NFC matchup between two teams beginning to establish themselves as playoff contenders.

Key stats and talking points:

• Seattle held Kansas City to just three points in their Week 7 victory.
• The Seahawks restricted Patrick Mahomes to 165 passing yards.
• Chicago have won five of their opening seven games.
• The Bears’ Caleb Williams faces a Seattle defence that has just delivered one of the season’s most impressive performances.

UK Rookie verdict: Seahawks win. Seattle’s defensive performance against Kansas City was exceptional. If they can reproduce anything close to that level, Chicago could find points difficult to come by.

UK Rookie’s Week 8 Predictions

Matchup	Predicted winner
Panthers @ Packers	Packers (confirmed)
Ravens @ Bills	Bills
Titans @ Bengals	Bengals
Cardinals @ Cowboys	Cowboys
Vikings @ Lions	Lions
Colts @ Jaguars	Jaguars
Raiders @ Jets	Jets
Browns @ Steelers	Steelers
Falcons @ Buccaneers	Falcons
Chargers @ Rams	Rams
Chiefs @ Broncos	Chiefs
Patriots @ Dolphins	Patriots
Eagles @ Commanders	Commanders
Bears @ Seahawks	Seahawks

Final Thoughts: What to Watch in Week 8

There are several games worth staying up for this weekend, but three stand out.

Vikings @ Lions: Can Minnesota’s remarkable defence preserve the NFL’s last unbeaten record against one of the league’s most explosive offences?

Chiefs @ Broncos: How will Patrick Mahomes respond after being held to just three points against Seattle?

Ravens @ Bills: Two AFC heavyweights meet in a game that could have major playoff implications, particularly if Lamar Jackson is fit to return.

For UK fans, the action begins at 6pm on Sunday, with the late games starting at 9:05pm and 9:25pm. Sunday Night Football follows at 1:20am, before Bears versus Seahawks closes the week on Tuesday morning.

Keep up with the latest NFL coverage on UK Rookie, check our NFL on TV UK guide and join the conversation in the UK Rookie NFL Forum.

Records and statistics are based on completed games entering Week 8. Predictions may be affected by late injury and team-news developments.