NFL Week 8 Most Anticipated Matchups

CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 12: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals jogs off the field after beating the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 in overtime of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Week 8 of the NFL season starts Thursday night with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading to Buffalo to take on the 4-3 Buffalo Bills. The Bills will look for a major bounce back after a brutal loss in New England to what was a struggling Patriots team. While I think this could be a good game especially for a Thursday night game which usually lack buzz. I don't like having Thursday night games in my most anticipated games list, as the football itself is usually below average and can be a tough watch.

With that said, this is another weak slate of games in the NFL, so I'm going to break down the 4 games I'm most looking forward to this weekend.

New Orleans Saints v Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles speaks to referee Scott Novak #1 at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5) @ Washington Commanders

With another weak slate of games, I think an NFC East rematch between the Eagles and the Commanders deserves to make the list. The Eagles almost lost to the Commanders earlier in the season but managed to pull out an overtime victory. These teams seem to be headed in opposite directions, as the Eagles just had their biggest win of the year against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night football. While the Commanders are coming off a 14-7 loss to the New York Giants.

On paper, this should be an Eagles blowout, but I have a sense there could be a little bit of a letdown for Philadelphia coming off such a big win.

Jalen Hurts will look to keep the Philly offense rolling against a pretty good Commanders defense. However, the Commanders' offense could be in for a long day as Sam Howell has been the most sacked QB this season and the Eagles' stout defensive line will look to add to that total. I expect an Eagles win, but weird things happen in the NFL, and you never know which teams are going to no show on any given Sunday.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 11: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at AT&T Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Rams (+6.5) @ Dallas Cowboys

The second game I want to take a look at this weekend is between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams. The Cowboys are coming off a bye week after a win two weeks ago on Monday night football against Justin Herbert and the Chargers. While the Rams are coming off a disappointing performance against the Steelers.

The Rams had been one of the surprise teams in the league, but a misstep against the Steelers and now a tough matchup against the Cowboys could have them behind the eight-ball in the NFC West. The Cowboys are looking to gain ground on the Eagles in the NFC East and should be expected to play well coming out of a bye.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 22: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown score in the first quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

New England Patriots (+10) @ Miami Dolphins

Patriots-Dolphins is the third game I’m excited to watch this weekend. Two weeks ago this game would be an afterthought with many expecting the Patriots season to be over, but after a massive win in Foxboro on Sunday against the Bills, the Patriots are showing signs of life. While the Dolphins are coming off their worst game of the season. In some cases this may look like a good bounce back spot for the Dolphins, but now that Bill Belichick, Mac Jones and Bill O'Brien seem to be finding a rhythm a once sure thing now becomes a tough week for the Dolphins.

Mac Jones and the Patriots' offense are coming off far and away their best offensive performance of the season. Jones and new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien finally seem to be on the same page, as O’Brien executed a great game plan against a tough Bills defense.

Mac Jones was the story as he engineered a game winning drive late in the fourth that ended with a touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki. With Miami coming off their worst offensive performance of the year, this will be an interesting watch, with the top 3 teams in the AFC East being within a game and a half of each other.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up during a timeout in a 30-23 49ers win over the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Bengals, 49ers is the game of the weekend in my opinion. A few weeks ago it seemed like a sure thing a Brock, Purdy, and the 49ers who are the best team in the NFC. Now they’ve lost to in a row to an inferior Browns team and an inferior Vikings team. All the while, Brock Purdy has started to look very average.

Purdy was 21/30 for 272 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the 49ers Monday night loss to the Vikings. Christian McCaffrey was also held in check by the Vikings, rushing 15 times for only 45 yards. The 49ers are struggling at an inopportune time with Joe Burrow and the Bengals coming to town.

The Bengals are coming off their bye week and should be well rested and ready to go against a tough 49ers defense. Burrow and the Bengals got off to a tough start to the season but ripped off two wins against the Seahawks and Cardinals heading into the bye week. This game is a good litmus test for both teams, as they’re trying to prove they deserve to be talked about with the elite teams of the league.

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James ScaramozzinoEditor

James Scaramozzino is the producer of the Joe Murray show weeknights on the Sports Hub. James is a graduate of Bridgewater State University and the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. An avid sports fan who was always obsessed with sports radio, he started on the Sports Hub’s street team. Then started working overnights at the station and filling in on any show that needed him. James has produced Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots games to go along with filling in producing every show on the station when needed. James writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.

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NFL Week 8 Most Anticipated Matchups

Week 8 of the NFL season starts Thursday night with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading to Buffalo to take on the 4-3 Buffalo Bills. The Bills will look for a…

James Scaramozzino

Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5) @ Washington Commanders

Los Angeles Rams (+6.5) @ Dallas Cowboys

New England Patriots (+10) @ Miami Dolphins

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