2026 NFL Week 8 Preview: Comparisons for Every Game

Minnesota’s defense meets Detroit’s productive passing attack, Kansas City gets a promising rushing matchup in Denver, and Chicago tests Seattle’s defense on Monday night. Those are three of the contrasts I am watching across this week’s fourteen games.

These paths to victory are my opinions based on team statistics, not projected scores or model-generated probabilities. I have not built a game-prediction model yet. Injuries, lineup changes and weather are not incorporated.

Game comparisons

Use Unit, Category and Measure to switch the vertical charts between offense and defense, scoring and yardage, and per-game or adjusted comparisons. Hover over a bar or focus it with the keyboard for its exact value. Records and ranks remain visible above the chart; expand View all matchup data for the complete table. Each chart uses its own scale, shared by the two teams.

All records, ranks and statistics are frozen through Week 7, from the October 29, 2026, 8:28:02 a.m. Eastern source update. Lower Power and Elo ranks mean a higher league position. Elo carries information forward from the previous season. Per-game values account for differences in games played following byes.

Points and yardage are per-game values. Rushing and passing averages divide source totals by games played; total yards combine the two. Adjusted values measure per-game differences from an opponent benchmark. Higher adjusted values are better for offense and defense: positive offense means producing above the benchmark, while positive defense means holding opponents below it. Lower raw points and yards allowed are better on defense. Derived adjusted total yards add the displayed adjusted rushing and passing figures; rounding can affect the last decimal.

Matchups and Eastern kickoff times were checked October 29 against the Week 8 schedule. Houston, New Orleans, the NY Giants and San Francisco are on bye. There are no Saturday or neutral-site games. The Chargers–Rams matchup is a Rams home game at their shared SoFi Stadium. Times are Eastern throughout: Thursday is EDT; Sunday and Monday are EST following the clock change. Times remain subject to schedule changes.

Carolina at Green Bay

Thursday, October 29 · 8:15 p.m. ET

Carolina’s +43.65 adjusted passing and Green Bay’s +53.91 point toward an aerial contest. Green Bay has the stronger adjusted scoring defense (+4.36 versus −4.82), while Carolina has scored more per game.

How Carolina can win: Use the passing game to create touchdown opportunities against a Packers coverage unit that is positive but close to the benchmark. Carolina must also tighten its −32.48 adjusted run defense so Green Bay cannot hide a struggling rushing attack. Letting the Packers gain easy yards on the ground would make their stronger passing game harder to contain.

How Green Bay can win: Build around the passing offense, but test whether Carolina can stop the run before abandoning it. Green Bay’s −51.20 adjusted rushing means that opportunity still requires improvement. The Packers need better scoring conversion than their 20.57-point average while keeping Carolina from turning ordinary completions into quick touchdowns.

Arizona at Dallas

Sunday, November 1 · 1 p.m. ET

Dallas scores 27.00 points per game against Arizona’s 20.29, but the Cowboys’ −43.22 adjusted run defense gives Arizona a possible way to limit the offensive gap.

How Arizona can win: Test Dallas on the ground and use any success to create manageable passing downs. Arizona’s rushing offense is −18.00, so this is a chance to improve rather than an established advantage. The defense must force Dallas to sustain drives instead of giving its +41.06 adjusted passing offense easy scoring plays.

How Dallas can win: Keep the passing game efficient against an Arizona pass defense near the benchmark. Dallas should also make the Cardinals depend on passing by closing the rushing lanes that have been its biggest weakness. Touchdown finishes would put more pressure on an Arizona offense averaging just 20.29 points.

Atlanta at Tampa Bay

Sunday, November 1 · 1 p.m. ET

Both teams have positive adjusted rushing offenses and run defenses. Tampa Bay’s −63.73 adjusted passing is the clearest concern, though Atlanta’s −15.31 pass defense gives it a possible opening.

How Atlanta can win: Keep the run involved without repeatedly forcing it against Tampa Bay’s +22.13 adjusted run defense. Atlanta needs selective passing gains to complement its +34.56 rushing production. On defense, stop Tampa Bay’s ground game and make the Buccaneers rely on the weakest part of their offense.

How Tampa Bay can win: Create manageable downs with the run, then use Atlanta’s coverage weakness to find efficient completions. Tampa Bay cannot assume its +31.76 adjusted rushing will dominate a Falcons run defense at +26.64. The Buccaneers’ positive defense in both phases needs to keep Atlanta from turning its rushing success into touchdowns.

Baltimore at Buffalo

Sunday, November 1 · 1 p.m. ET

Buffalo leads adjusted scoring offense at +9.55 but allows 28.50 points per game. Baltimore’s passing offense is slightly below benchmark, yet Buffalo’s −42.10 pass defense offers a route to keep pace.

How Baltimore can win: Use the run to create favorable situations and take passing opportunities against Buffalo’s coverage. Baltimore needs touchdowns from those opportunities, not just extra yardage. Its own defense must slow Buffalo’s +43.14 adjusted rushing so the Bills cannot control the game while choosing when to pass.

How Buffalo can win: Keep the ground game central and use the passing attack to punish Baltimore for overcommitting. Buffalo’s defense needs to make the Ravens earn completions instead of helping a below-benchmark passing offense. The Bills’ scoring strength provides an advantage only if they avoid repeatedly giving the points straight back.

Cleveland at Pittsburgh

Sunday, November 1 · 1 p.m. ET

Pittsburgh allows 19.71 points per game and has a +27.11 adjusted run defense. Cleveland’s rushing offense is near the benchmark, while its passing output is −32.79. The Browns need an answer beyond simply running into Pittsburgh’s strongest unit.

How Cleveland can win: Use efficient early-down passes against Pittsburgh’s slightly negative pass defense to avoid long third downs. Cleveland must improve its own passing execution to use that opening. Defensively, make the Steelers sustain drives and keep their near-benchmark offense from finding easy touchdown opportunities.

How Pittsburgh can win: Force Cleveland to depend on its passing game by containing the run. Pittsburgh can test the Browns’ slightly negative run defense to stay ahead of the chains, but it still needs better finishing from an offense averaging 21.86 points. A sound defensive performance should not be wasted on empty offensive possessions.

Indianapolis at Jacksonville

Sunday, November 1 · 1 p.m. ET

Jacksonville’s +28.36 adjusted run defense meets Indianapolis’s +18.57 rushing offense. The Jaguars allow few points but carry a −64.53 adjusted pass defense, giving the Colts an opportunity that their own passing numbers have not yet justified.

How Indianapolis can win: Take early-down passing opportunities against Jacksonville’s coverage rather than forcing the run into its strongest unit. Indianapolis’s −47.83 adjusted passing means execution must improve. The Colts need touchdowns from their best drives because the Jaguars have allowed passing yardage without conceding many points.

How Jacksonville can win: Keep Indianapolis’s run contained and prevent coverage gaps from becoming quick scores. Jacksonville can use its positive passing offense against the Colts’ −10.02 pass defense. Finishing those possessions would force Indianapolis to lean further on a passing game that remains below benchmark.

Las Vegas at NY Jets

Sunday, November 1 · 1 p.m. ET

Las Vegas’s +50.62 adjusted passing faces the Jets’ +39.70 pass defense. The Raiders’ rushing offense is −44.18, while the Jets’ offense has struggled in both phases. New York’s clearest opening is against Las Vegas’s run defense.

How Las Vegas can win: Find patient passing gains without assuming the Jets’ coverage will surrender easy explosives. Las Vegas should test New York’s −19.11 run defense, but its own rushing struggles make that a secondary opportunity. The Raiders must also improve their −21.63 run defense to prevent New York from controlling possession.

How NY Jets can win: Use the Raiders’ run-defense weakness to create manageable downs, while recognizing the Jets’ own rushing offense is −13.50. New York’s coverage needs to force Las Vegas into long drives and difficult finishes. The offense must reward those stops with more than its usual 19.57 points per game.

Minnesota at Detroit

Sunday, November 1 · 1 p.m. ET

Minnesota allows only 12.33 points per game, while Detroit scores 30.67. The Lions’ +70.31 adjusted passing meets Minnesota’s +58.33 pass defense. Minnesota has a potential passing opportunity of its own, but its offense is far less convincing in that phase.

How Minnesota can win: Use the running game to create easier passing situations against Detroit’s −61.21 adjusted pass defense. Minnesota’s own passing offense is −68.90, so the matchup is an opening rather than proof of an advantage. The Vikings must finish scoring chances and keep Detroit from turning its passing production into quick touchdowns.

How Detroit can win: Keep the passing game patient against Minnesota’s strong coverage and make the defense handle repeated scoring situations. Detroit needs better coverage of its own so Minnesota cannot escape its offensive weakness. Forcing the Vikings to sustain passing drives would give the Lions’ stronger offense more room to matter.

Tennessee at Cincinnati

Sunday, November 1 · 1 p.m. ET

Cincinnati’s +37.06 adjusted passing faces Tennessee’s −27.79 pass defense. The Titans score only 15.43 points per game, though Cincinnati’s own −26.64 pass defense offers a chance to improve.

How Tennessee can win: Test Cincinnati’s coverage with manageable throws and avoid depending on a rushing offense at −30.79 against a positive run defense. Tennessee needs touchdowns from its limited opportunities. The defense must keep Cincinnati from creating easy passing scores that would demand a large comeback.

How Cincinnati can win: Attack through the air, while using Tennessee’s −27.74 adjusted run defense to keep the offense balanced. Cincinnati must also make the Titans earn passing gains rather than supplying an easy answer to their struggles. Consistent touchdown finishes would put the burden on Tennessee’s weakest unit.

LA Chargers at LA Rams

Sunday, November 1 · 4:05 p.m. ET · SoFi Stadium (Rams home game)

The Rams average 399.14 yards per game to the Chargers’ 287.17. The Chargers’ +25.92 adjusted pass defense offers resistance, but their −62.61 passing offense faces a Rams pass defense at +41.39.

How LA Chargers can win: Run at the Rams’ −11.03 adjusted run defense to create manageable downs and keep the passing game out of obvious catch-up situations. The Chargers need to contain the Rams’ air attack and turn their own best possessions into touchdowns. Their 15.00-point average leaves little room for wasted scoring chances.

How LA Rams can win: Keep the offense balanced, using a slightly positive rushing attack against the Chargers’ −14.47 run defense when passing windows close. The Rams must convert their yardage into points. On defense, contain the run and force the Chargers to challenge the stronger coverage unit through the air.

Kansas City at Denver

Sunday, November 1 · 4:25 p.m. ET

Kansas City’s +24.19 adjusted rushing faces Denver’s −16.71 run defense. Denver’s passing offense is −42.01, but Kansas City’s −31.22 pass defense offers a possible route to offensive improvement.

How Kansas City can win: Build around the rushing matchup and make Denver defend manageable passing situations as well. Kansas City must improve its coverage enough to keep a struggling Broncos offense from finding easy completions. The Chiefs need better scoring conversion than their near-benchmark adjusted scoring suggests.

How Denver can win: Contain the run well enough to force Kansas City into Denver’s stronger pass defense. The Broncos must then use the Chiefs’ coverage weakness to produce efficient passing gains, rather than assume the matchup fixes their own offensive problems. Touchdown finishes are essential for an offense averaging 20.57 points.

New England at Miami

Sunday, November 1 · 4:25 p.m. ET

New England is positive in both offensive yardage phases and both defensive phases. Miami’s +23.17 adjusted rushing is its strongest offensive asset, but the Patriots’ +23.49 run defense presents direct resistance.

How New England can win: Test Miami’s slightly negative run defense and use the positive passing attack to keep the Dolphins from focusing on one phase. New England should force Miami away from the run and toward its −52.74 adjusted passing offense. Finishing drives would make that defensive approach more consequential.

How Miami can win: Create manageable downs with the run despite New England’s resistance, then take selective passing opportunities without forcing a shootout. Miami needs its defense to make the Patriots earn long touchdown drives. An offense averaging 16.33 points cannot afford repeated empty possessions or easy scores conceded.

Philadelphia at Washington

Sunday, November 1 · 8:20 p.m. ET

Philadelphia’s passing offense is −60.13 after adjustment, but Washington’s −39.72 pass defense offers an opening. Washington has a more practical rushing matchup: +8.33 offense against Philadelphia’s −18.74 run defense.

How Philadelphia can win: Use Washington’s coverage weakness to find efficient completions and avoid repeatedly forcing a poor rushing attack against a positive run defense. Philadelphia must contain Washington on the ground so the Commanders cannot dictate the pace. The Eagles need touchdown finishes to improve on 18.14 points per game.

How Washington can win: Run efficiently against Philadelphia’s weaker defensive phase and use favorable downs to simplify the passing assignment. Washington’s coverage must avoid helping the Eagles escape their offensive struggles. Making Philadelphia drive the field would give the Commanders’ more balanced offense a chance to control the game.

Chicago at Seattle

Monday, November 2 · 8:15 p.m. ET

Chicago’s +45.95 adjusted rushing and +32.48 passing meet a Seattle defense positive in both phases, including +81.57 against the pass. Seattle allows only 233.86 yards per game, making this a demanding test of the Bears’ balanced offense.

How Chicago can win: Keep both phases involved and resist forcing throws into Seattle’s strongest unit. Chicago needs its rushing attack to create manageable situations, even against a +33.83 run defense. The Bears’ own −6.86 pass defense must prevent Seattle from answering hard-earned possessions with easy completions.

How Seattle can win: Contain Chicago on the ground and force the Bears to repeatedly challenge the coverage. Seattle can use its modestly positive passing offense against Chicago’s weaker defensive phase rather than lean on the run against a +19.50 run defense. Touchdown finishes would make the Seahawks’ defensive advantage count.

Ratings and statistical sources

These comparisons use my Power ratings, Elo ratings, offense statistics and defense statistics, updated October 29 at 8:28:02 a.m. Eastern through Week 7. Those pages update during the season; this preview preserves their Week 7 snapshot.