NFL - Week Eight Preview

The biggest game on the NFL schedule this weekend is the Sunday Night Football game between the Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) and the Dallas Cowboys (5-1) being played in Dallas.
The Cowboys have won five straight games to take over first place in the NFC East. The Eagles are coming off a big win at home last week against the Minnesota Vikings. The Eagles defense sacked Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford six times in the win to set the tone against the previously unbeaten Vikings.
Dallas has been riding high on two rookies (QB Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott) so far this season. In fact, Elliott leads the league in rushing yardage (703 yards, 5.1 ypc average and five TD) and has been the main cog in their offense with wide receiver Dez Bryant being sidelined with injuries.
The Eagles started strong at 3-0 , including a 34-3 blowout win against Pittsburgh before losing two close games. They dismantled the Vikings in Philadelphia last week and now face the challenge of the mighty Dallas Cowboys in prime time.
Stay tuned.

The rest of the action around the NFL follows in capsule form with the Heftyinfo predictions for all of the games.  Last week, the picks were a stellar 13-1-1 . . .  so once again, here goes nothing.

Washington (4-3) vs. Cincinnati (3-4) - (Game played in London, England) - London calling for the final time in the 2016 season . . .  take the Bengals.

Kansas City (4-2) at Indianapolis (3-4) - This game could go right down to the wire . . . toss up.

Oakland (5-2) at Tampa Bay (3-3) - The Buccaneers could vault into first place in the NFC South with a win.

Seattle (4-1-1) at New Orleans (2-4) - The Seahawks better be ready because the Saints usually bring it at home.

Detroit (4-3) at Houston (4-3) - Another game in the NFL that could go either way.

NY Jets (2-5) at Cleveland (0-7) - This could be the best opportunity for the Browns to get a win before December.

Green Bay (4-2) at Atlanta (4-3) - Really Dan Quinn?  The Falcons gave one away last weekend and the Packers are looking to move into a possible first place tie in the NFC North.

New England (6-1) at Buffalo (4-3) - The Bills shut the Pats out in Gillette Stadium last time they faced each other ... but that was when New England was without Tom Brady.

San Diego (3-4) at Denver (5-2) - The Broncos want pay back after losing to San Diego two weeks ago. The Chargers have to be the best sub .500 team in pro football.

Arizona (3-3-1) at Carolina (1-5) - These two teams faced each other for the NFC championship a year ago ... what has happened since then?

Philadelphia (4-2) at Dallas (5-1) - This is a HUGE game in "prime time" with first place in the NFC East on the line.

Minnesota (5-1) at Chicago (1-6) - The Monday Night Football game on Halloween night between two teams on opposite ends of the football spectrum.


The Heftyinfo picks for Week Eight    (Home teams are listed in bold;  Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)

Tennessee over Jacksonville
Cincinnati over Washington  (game played in London, England)
Indianapolis over Kansas City
Tampa Bay over Oakland
Seattle over New Orleans
Houston over Detroit
Cleveland over NY Jets
Atlanta over Green Bay
NEW ENGLAND over Buffalo
Denver over San Diego
Carolina over Arizona
Dallas over Philadelphia
Minnesota over Chicago

Last Week's Record:  13-1-1

SEASON RECORD:  68-38-1

Lock of the Week Record:  7-0