NFL - Week Eight Preview

The NFL season is getting to the midway point as Week Eight is here and the Philadelphia Eagles (6-1) own the best record in the NFL. This weekend they host the San Francisco 49ers (0-7), who along with the Cleveland Browns (also 0-7) have the worst record in the league.
Recipe for disaster right?
Not necessarily because the Eagles are flying high while the 49ers seem to find ways to lose football games, no matter whether the scores is close or not.
Quarterback Carson Wentz (pictured at right) is starting to get consideration when it comes to Most Valuable Player talk.
Yes, Carson Wentz.
He is in the discussion at this point along with Tom Brady, Alex Smith, Aaron Rodgers (until his injury), Kareem Hunt, etc. for the award.
There is always the expectation of the old phrase "On any given Sunday" which bodes well for the 49ers in this one, but the Eagles (even with their top offensive lineman out for the year with injuries) are a formidable foe this year and should win again, which would push their winning streak to six games. They have been the class of the NFC to this point.
Three teams are at 5-2 in the AFC with the Pittsburgh Steelers leading the way, followed by Kansas City and the New England Patriots are currently the number three seed. But there is still a lot of football to be played.
The Steelers are in Detroit facing the Lions on Sunday night while the Chiefs host the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.
Meanwhile, the Patriots will be hosting the up and coming Los Angeles Chargers, who have won three straight games after an 0-4 start, which included three losses by a one-score count. The Patriots dismantled the Atlanta Falcons last week for their third consecutive win.
All three teams will likely win their games this weekend and keep the log jam at the top of the  AFC playoff standings intact.


The rest of the action for Week Eight is in capsule style preview form with the Heftyinfo predictions following up.

Minnesota (5-2)  at Cleveland (0-7) (London, England) - The fourth and final London game for the 2017 season. Vikings should win this one rather easily.

Oakland (3-4) at Buffalo (4-2) - These two teams always have good battles and this one could down to the wire.

Indianapolis (2-5) at Cincinnati (2-4) - The Bengals need a game like this . . . The Colts looked pathetic last week in a shutout loss to the Jaguars.

Chicago (3-4) at New Orleans (4-2) - Two teams on a roll so something has to give.

Atlanta (3-3) at NY Jets (3-4) - The Jets could win this one, the Falcons have been terrible the last three games.

Carolina (4-3) at Tampa Bay (2-4) - Raise the Jolly Roger flag in Tampa this weekend.

Houston (3-3) at Seattle (4-2) - Seahawks roll !

Dallas (3-3) at Washington (3-3) - The loser of this game is likely out of the race for the NFC East title.

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

Baltimore over Miami
Minnesota over Cleveland  (London, England) 
Buffalo over Oakland
Cincinnati over Indianapolis
New Orleans over Chicago
Atlanta over NY Jets
Philadelphia over San Francisco 
New England over LA Chargers
Tampa Bay over Carolina 
SEATTLE over Houston
Dallas over Washington 
Pittsburgh over Detroit 
Kansas City over Denver

Last Week's Record -  14-1

SEASON RECORD -  65-41

Lock of the Week Record -  5-2