Week 8 brings the first big rematch of the season. It also brings a chance for the reigning Super Bowl champions to solidify their status as repeat division champions.
Games begin with Thursday's NFC game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4) visiting the Minnesota Vikings (5-2). Get more on Sporting News' NFL scoreboard. Here's what we seen for this week (all times ET):
Game of the Week
New York Giants (5-2) at Dallas Cowboys (3-3) (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX). It looked like the Cowboys might turn the corner as a potential playoff team when they beat the Giants in Week 1. Since then, it's been another roller coaster for Dallas. In fact, it's been the Giants who have put it all together since, only losing once.
Quarterback Eli Manning looks locked in. The running game has emerged to be a big factor. The defense is healthy up front and delivering in the pass rush again. Tom Coughlin has his team playing disciplined and making few mistakes.
The Cowboys have had all kinds of offensive mistakes, penalties, clock management and a lack of execution in critical times. Now they have a key defensive injury, losing linebacker Sean Lee for the season.
The Giants can't afford being swept by Dallas, as they've already lost to Philadelphia. In what should be the typical shootout between Manning and Tony Romo, they will rope in the Cowboys late in the fourth quarter —and take midseason control of the NFC East. Prediction: Giants 31, Cowboys 27. | Video preview | Fantasy Source matchup
Manning of the Week
New Orleans Saints (2-4) at Denver Broncos (3-3) (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC). Peyton Manning didn't play in the Colts' 62-7 loss in his hometown of New Orleans on Sunday night last season, so this is the first time he and Drew Brees have hooked up since the Saints beat the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. This time, Tracy Porter, the cornerback who returned a Manning interception for the game-changing touchdown in that game, is Manning's teammate, playing against Brees.
It should be quite a prime-time air show with Manning and Brees trading big pass plays, but it's easy to like the Broncos' defense at home to make a few key stops over the sputtering Saints' defense on the road. Prediction: Broncos 42, Saints 27. | Video preview
LINEMAKERS: Video on tonight's Bucs-Vikings game | Updated Week 8 lines
FANTASY SOURCE: Week 8 experts picks
Vick of the Week
Atlanta Falcons (6-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX). Michael Vick is charged with the task of upending his undefeated former team, and will get plenty of help to do it. The Eagles are an unflappable, undefeated post-bye team under Andy Reid, and will see in this matchup, they can get running back LeSean McCoy going against Atlanta's biggest weakness. The Falcons are No. 28 against the run, allowing 5.2 yards per carry. It's also a game to wake up the dormant Philadelphia pass rush under new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Prediction: Eagles 23, Falcons 20. | Video preview | Fantasy Source matchup
Trip of the Week
New England Patriots (4-3) vs. St. Louis Rams (3-4) at Wembley Stadium, London (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS). Move over, Prince Harry. Rob Gronkowski is bringing the party to London town. The Patriots' tight end should be a hit in Britain, and now that he's fully healthy again, he'll go full tilt inside against a good Rams defense that's stronger at covering receivers outside. Jeff Fisher will roll out everything he can to try to beat Bill Belichick, but Tom Brady will help Gronk put on a jolly good show as New England rolls in Old England. Prediction: Patriots 28, Rams 14. | Video preview | Fantasy Source matchup
Upset of the Week
Cleveland Browns (1-6) over San Diego Chargers (3-3) (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS). The Chargers had a bye to think about their second-half meltdown against Denver, and are rewarded with a long trip from sunny Southern California to cold Eastern Ohio. The Browns will greet them with a promising offense, led by rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden. They'll get help from Joe Haden on defense and Josh Cribbs on special teams to steal this one against a mistake-prone, middling AFC opponent. Prediction: Browns 23, Chargers 20. | Video preview
Lock of the Week
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) over Washington Redskins (3-4), at Pittsburgh (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX). The Steelers' "dink and dunk" passing offense might not be exactly to Ben Roethlisberger's liking, but it's a great game plan this week. His top three receivers, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Heath Miller can give Washington's coverage all sorts of problems, and his mobility will neutralize its pass rush. Then Big Ben's mobile counterpart, Redskins rookie Robert Griffin, will get the full wrath of Dick LeBeau's blitz packages. Prediction: Steelers 34, Redskins 17. | Video preview
Rest of the Week
Carolina Panthers (1-5) at Chicago Bears (5-1) (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX). The Panthers have lost their offensive way as Cam Newton is trying his best to lift an unbalanced attack. The Bears, unfortunately, aren't the opponent to help them get their bearings. They will test Carolina's patience and smell turnovers to consistently put their offense in good positions. Chicago also will run for big second-half chunks with Matt Forte and Michael Bush. Prediction: Bears 23, Panthers 14. | Video preview
Indianapolis Colts (3-3) at Tennessee Titans (3-4) (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS). It likely will be rookie Andrew Luck dueling with savvy Matt Hasselbeck, instead of Jake Locker in a Pac-12 rematch of athletic quarterbacks. The Titans have rediscovered their offensive rhythm with a more explosive Chris Johnson leading the way. Tennessee's porous defense will keep Luck and his teammates in the game, but Hasselbeck just has more weapons at home. Prediction: Titans 31, Colts 27. | Video preview | Fantasy Source preview
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) at Green Bay Packers (4-3) (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS). Aaron Rodgers will pick apart his third straight opponent, and given the injury-riddled Jaguars' lack of playmakers, the Packers' quarterback will do all the necessary discount double-checking in the first half. It's been a long three-game stretch away from Lambeau Field, and unfortunately, Jacksonville will take the brunt of the return. Prediction: Packers 45, Jaguars 10. | Video preview |
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS). When the Jets haven't played the 49ers, they have played very well at home. It's credit to coach Rex Ryan how they have fought hard despite mounting injuries and shaky quarterback play. This sets up as an ugly defensive-minded rematch, and that's the kind of game New York is built to win at the moment. The receiving corps isn't completely lifeless without Santonio Holmes, as Jeremy Kerley and Dustin Keller make the difference. Prediction: Jets 23, Dolphins 19. | Video preview
Seattle Seahawks (4-3) at Detroit Lions (2-4) (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX). The Seahawks' defense won't be kind to Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, but they have the talent to make a few big plays to take a tight one. The Lions' defense is playing well, and their linebacker corps will stuff the run and force rookie Russell Wilson into critical mistakes. With the Tigers in the World Series, the home team has to be inspired. Prediction: Lions 17, Seahawks 13. | Video preview | Fantasy Source matchup
Oakland Raiders (2-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS). Neither of these AFC West archrivals is all that good, but there are some dynamic running backs here in Jamaal Charles and Darren McFadden. Unfortunately for Kansas City with Brady Quinn at quarterback, McFadden has the better supporting cast with Carson Palmer. Like last week vs. Jacksonville, this has the makings of a sloppy, yet somehow entertaining game decided by a late Sebastian Janikowski field goal. Prediction: Raiders 23, Chiefs 20. | Video preview | Fantasy Source matchup
San Francisco 49ers (5-2) at Arizona Cardinals (4-3) (Monday, 8:30 p.m., ESPN). The Niners' pass rush will become a gold rush, with John Skelton hitting the deck often as usual. The Cardinals' defense against Alex Smith will allow them to hang around early but once Frank Gore plays closer in the second half, it will be tee-off time on Skelton. Prediction: 49ers 24, Cardinals 13. | Video preview | Fantasy Source matchup
Stats of the Week
This week's record: 0-0
Last week's record (straight up): 13-0
Season-to-date record (straight up): 69-35
Locks record: 5-2
Upsets record: 5-2
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