The NFL Week 8 schedule brings several marquee matchups as the 2025 season reaches its halfway point.
Aaron Rodgers faces his former team when the Green Bay Packers visit Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football. The Indianapolis Colts look to stay undefeated as massive favorites against Tennessee. Lamar Jackson returns from injury as the desperate Baltimore Ravens host the Chicago Bears.
Check out our NFL Week 8 picks for all 13 games on the schedule. The action starts with the Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football on Oct. 23. The week ends with the Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football on Oct. 27.
Six teams are on bye in Week 8: Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.
All times ET.
NFL Week 8 Quick Picks Recap
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | Predicted Winner | Predicted Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 23 | Vikings at Chargers | 8:15 PM | Chargers | 23-20 |
| Sun, Oct 26 | Giants at Eagles | 1:00 PM | Eagles | 27-17 |
| Sun, Oct 26 | Browns at Patriots | 1:00 PM | Patriots | 24-20 |
| Sun, Oct 26 | Dolphins at Falcons | 1:00 PM | Falcons | 31-17 |
| Sun, Oct 26 | 49ers at Texans | 1:00 PM | 49ers | 23-20 |
| Sun, Oct 26 | Jets at Bengals | 1:00 PM | Bengals | 28-17 |
| Sun, Oct 26 | Bears at Ravens | 1:00 PM | Ravens | 31-24 |
| Sun, Oct 26 | Bills at Panthers | 1:00 PM | Bills | 27-21 |
| Sun, Oct 26 | Buccaneers at Saints | 4:05 PM | Buccaneers | 28-17 |
| Sun, Oct 26 | Cowboys at Broncos | 4:25 PM | Broncos | 27-24 |
| Sun, Oct 26 | Titans at Colts | 4:25 PM | Colts | 38-17 |
| Sun, Oct 26 | Packers at Steelers | 8:20 PM | Packers | 24-23 |
| Mon, Oct 27 | Commanders at Chiefs | 8:15 PM | Chiefs | 31-20 |
We also made a Free Printable NFL Week 8 Pick’em Sheet. You can download it and compete with your friends this week.
Thursday Night Football Prediction, Oct. 23
Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
Location: Inglewood, California
Both teams are struggling as they head into this Thursday night showdown. The Chargers have lost three of their last four games. Two of those losses came by double digits. Minnesota is coming off a disappointing 28-22 home loss to Philadelphia. The Vikings face uncertainty at quarterback.
Carson Wentz struggled against the Eagles. There is speculation about J.J. McCarthy’s availability for this game. The Chargers will look to take advantage of their home field. They also benefit from the Vikings playing on a short week.
Justin Herbert should have enough firepower to edge out Minnesota. This could be a low-scoring affair between two teams trying to find their rhythm.
Prediction: Chargers 23, Vikings 20
Sunday Early NFL Game Predictions, Oct. 26
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m., FOX
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This is a quick rematch from just a few weeks ago. The Giants upset Philadelphia in that earlier meeting. The Eagles bounced back with a solid win over Minnesota. They have extended their division lead in the NFC East.
Jaxson Dart and the Giants are reeling after blowing an 18-point lead in the final six minutes against Denver. They became the first team in NFL history to lose after holding such an advantage that late in the game.
The Eagles will not take the Giants lightly this time around. Playing at home in Lincoln Financial Field gives them an advantage. Saquon Barkley faces his former team again. Philadelphia will be motivated to avenge their earlier loss.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Giants 17
Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots, 1 p.m., FOX
Location: Foxborough, Massachusetts
The Patriots are on fire with four consecutive wins. Drake Maye has been sensational in his breakout season. New England just completed a 3-0 road trip and returns home. They will face a Browns team that snapped its losing streak with a 25-point demolition of Miami in Week 7.
Cleveland leads the NFL in total defense. The Browns hold opponents to a league-low 3.3 yards per rush. The Patriots offense has been clicking lately. Maye’s development has been remarkable this season.
This matchup features the NFL’s best defense against a surging offense. The game should be competitive but New England has the home field advantage.
Prediction: Patriots 24, Browns 20
Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m., CBS
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
The Dolphins season has spiraled out of control. There are reports of internal friction between Tua Tagovailoa and head coach Mike McDaniel. Miami’s defense has been terrible all season. They face an Atlanta team that plays significantly better at home.
Michael Penix Jr. has a 95.2 passer rating at home compared to just 67.8 on the road. The Falcons should dominate this matchup. The Dolphins continue to struggle on both sides of the ball.
Atlanta will take advantage of playing at home in front of their fans.
Prediction: Falcons 31, Dolphins 17
San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans, 1 p.m., FOX
Location: Houston, Texas
The 49ers are dealing with significant injuries but remain 5-2. They lead the NFC West with a 3-0 division record. Christian McCaffrey has been carrying the load. He had 201 all-purpose yards in Week 7.
The Texans have struggled at 2-4. They looked lackluster in their Monday night loss to Seattle. Despite playing without Brock Purdy the 49ers championship pedigree should shine through. They are dealing with defensive injuries to Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.
Mac Jones has been managing games effectively. McCaffrey is playing at an elite level right now. San Francisco finds a way to win on the road.
Prediction: 49ers 23, Texans 20
New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Joe Flacco was magnificent in Week 7. He led a game-winning drive capped by a 36-yard field goal with seven seconds left to beat the Steelers. The 40-something quarterback has given Cincinnati life at 3-4.
The Jets are in complete disarray. They may have benched Justin Fields. Questions are swirling about who will start at quarterback. The Bengals are coming off a mini-bye after Thursday night’s game. They should be well-rested and ready.
Flacco’s veteran savvy against a dysfunctional Jets team makes this a comfortable pick for Cincinnati.
Prediction: Bengals 28, Jets 17
Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m., CBS
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
This is a critical game for the Ravens who are 1-5 and desperate for a win. The good news is that Lamar Jackson is expected to return after missing two games with a hamstring injury. The bye week came at the perfect time for Baltimore to get healthy and regroup.
The Bears are 4-2 and riding a four-game winning streak. They are coming off a 26-14 victory over New Orleans. Facing a healthy Lamar Jackson at M&T Bank Stadium is a different challenge entirely.
The Ravens will unleash their offense with Jackson back under center. Baltimore needs this win badly and will play with desperation.
Prediction: Ravens 31, Bears 24
Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., FOX
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
The Panthers have won two straight games. They are suddenly competitive in the NFC South. Carolina sits just one game behind Tampa Bay. They lost quarterback Bryce Young to a high ankle sprain though.
The Bills were on their bye week in Week 7. They watched as the Patriots took sole possession of the AFC East lead. Buffalo will be motivated to bounce back and reclaim their division standing.
The Bills talent should prevail on the road even against a surprisingly feisty Panthers team.
Prediction: Bills 27, Panthers 21
Sunday Late NFL Game Predictions, Oct. 26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints, 4:05 p.m., FOX
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Baker Mayfield has been playing at an extremely high level this season. The Buccaneers defense should feast on Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler threw three interceptions against Chicago in Week 7.
Tampa Bay’s blitz-heavy defense ranks in the top 10 in both blitz rate and pressure rate. New Orleans is running on fumes with a decimated roster. The Buccaneers will take care of business in this NFC South divisional matchup.
Tampa Bay is the better team across the board right now.
Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Saints 17
Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Location: Denver, Colorado
The Broncos showed incredible resilience in Week 7. They scored 33 fourth-quarter points to overcome a 19-0 deficit against the Giants. Bo Nix threw for 174 of his 279 yards in the fourth quarter alone. He ran for two scores as well.
Denver’s defense has been elite all season. They now face a Cowboys team that just exploded for 44 points against Washington. Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP level. He leads the NFL in QBR right now.
This game could be a shootout. Denver’s home-field advantage and defensive prowess should make the difference in a close one.
Prediction: Broncos 27, Cowboys 24
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
The Indianapolis Colts are the NFL’s last undefeated team at 6-0. They are dominating opponents on both sides of the ball. The Colts lead the league in scoring with 32.1 points per game. They just dismantled the Chargers 38-24 in Week 7.
Jonathan Taylor is having an All-Pro season. He leads the NFL in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Taylor has had three games with at least three rushing touchdowns. The rest of the NFL combined has just two such performances this season.
Daniel Jones has been exceptional at quarterback. The offense is firing on all cylinders right now. The Titans are rebuilding with rookie QB Cam Ward. Indianapolis should dominate this game from start to finish.
Prediction: Colts 38, Titans 17
Sunday Night Football Prediction, Oct. 26
Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This is the marquee matchup of Week 8. Aaron Rodgers returns to face the Green Bay Packers. This is the team where he became a legend and four-time MVP. Rodgers is looking to become just the fifth player in NFL history to beat all 32 teams. The storylines write themselves for this one.
The Packers are 4-1-1. They just took over the No. 1 seed in the NFC after the Vikings loss to Philadelphia. Green Bay rallied from behind to beat Arizona 27-23 in Week 7. The Steelers are 4-2 and lead the AFC North. They are coming off a disappointing 33-31 loss to Cincinnati on Thursday night.
Rodgers will be extremely motivated for this game. The Steelers defense should give the Packers offense some trouble despite its Week 7 struggles. Pittsburgh’s pass rush led by Micah Parsons will look to pressure Jordan Love. This game should be a nail-biter with emotions running high.
Prediction: Packers 24, Steelers 23
Monday Night Football Prediction, Oct. 27
Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
The Chiefs have found their groove at the perfect time. After some early-season struggles Kansas City demolished the Raiders 31-0 in Week 7. The defense spent just 18 minutes on the field. They allowed only 95 total yards on 10 drives. Rashee Rice made his season debut after a six-game suspension. The offense looked balanced and dangerous with Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown all healthy.
The Commanders face a major question mark at quarterback. Jayden Daniels suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7 against Dallas. He may not be available for this game. Marcus Mariota struggled badly in relief. He went 4-for-10 with a pick-six when he came in.
Patrick Mahomes is back in MVP form. The Chiefs are peaking at the right time this season. Even if Daniels plays through the injury Kansas City should control this game from start to finish at Arrowhead Stadium.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Commanders 20
Week 8 Storylines to Watch
The Colts Perfect Season Continues
Indianapolis has been the surprise of the 2025 season. At 6-0 they are the only undefeated team remaining. Daniel Jones has seamlessly transitioned from the Giants. Jonathan Taylor is having a historic season. The Colts lead the NFL in scoring. They have wins over quality opponents. The Broncos, Rams and Chargers all fell to Indianapolis. Their 14-point spread against Tennessee shows just how dominant they have been this year.
Aaron Rodgers Homecoming
The Sunday Night Football matchup between the Packers and Steelers is must-watch TV. Rodgers spent years in Green Bay before being traded to Pittsburgh. This will be his first game against his former team. The emotional storyline adds layers to an already compelling matchup. Both teams are playoff contenders right now.
Ravens Season on the Brink
At 1-5 the Ravens are in serious trouble. Lamar Jackson’s return from injury could not come at a better time. The bye week allowed Baltimore to get healthier. They face a tough Bears team riding a four-game winning streak. The Ravens season may hinge on this game. A loss would put them at 1-6 and virtually eliminate playoff hopes.
Patriots Resurgence Under Vrabel
Mike Vrabel has transformed New England. Drake Maye is playing like a franchise quarterback. The Patriots four-game winning streak has them atop the AFC East. Maye recently broke Tom Brady’s franchise efficiency record. Their matchup against Cleveland’s top-ranked defense will test just how real this turnaround is. Can the Patriots make it five wins in a row?
NFC Playoff Picture Shaping Up
The Lions, Rams and Seahawks are on bye this week. The NFC West race takes a brief pause. The NFC North battle between the Packers and the 5-2 Lions is heating up. The Eagles have pulled away in the NFC East. The NFC South remains wide open with the Buccaneers, Panthers and Falcons all in contention.
Lead Changes and Parity
Through seven weeks there have been 26 games with lead changes in the final two minutes of regulation. This is the most in NFL history at this point in the season. The average margin of victory is just 10.8 points. That is the fourth-lowest since 1922. This parity makes every game unpredictable and exciting for fans.
Game Analysis and Key Matchups
The Colts face the Titans as heavy favorites. Indianapolis has been dominant all season. Their offense leads the league in scoring. The defense has also stepped up in recent weeks.
The Chiefs host the Commanders in what could be a lopsided affair. Kansas City is rolling right now. Washington may be without their rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The injury situation makes this game less competitive.
Several games feature teams separated by exactly seven points in the expert predictions. Eagles vs Giants, Patriots vs Browns, and Ravens vs Bears all fall into this category. These games could go either way based on a single score or turnover.
The Ravens vs Bears matchup has high-scoring potential. Both teams can put points on the board. Lamar Jackson’s return should spark Baltimore’s offense. The Bears have been scoring consistently during their winning streak.
Browns vs Patriots and 49ers vs Texans project as lower-scoring contests. Both games feature strong defensive units. The weather and field conditions could also play a factor in these matchups.
The Browns traveling to New England presents an interesting challenge. Cleveland has the NFL’s best defense. Seven points separating these teams shows how competitive this game should be. Defense often travels well in the NFL.
Final Thoughts
Week 8 brings critical games across the NFL. The Colts aim to stay perfect at 6-0. The Ravens desperately need a win with their season on the line. Aaron Rodgers faces his former team in an emotional Sunday Night Football matchup.
Six teams rest during bye week. The playoff picture will become clearer over the next few weeks. Competitive games fill the Sunday schedule. Two primetime matchups feature compelling storylines.
Top games include Packers at Steelers for the Rodgers reunion. Commanders at Chiefs tests Washington against the defending champions. Titans at Colts shows if anyone can slow Indianapolis. Bears at Ravens marks Lamar Jackson’s return. These matchups will shape the playoff race moving forward.
