Week 7 is officially in the books, and we can now turn our attention to Week 8. It's insane to think that the halfway point of the season is about here, and it's even crazier to think that the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline is a week after this.
There seems to be a record amount of parity in today's NFL, as there are no more unbeaten teams and a ton of teams who can make something notable happen any given week. There are also more than 14 playoff-caliber teams in the NFL right now as well.
The playoff picture across the league is coming into shape, and as the season goes on, the NFL hierarchy will sort itself out. Let's roll out our latest picks and predictions for the entire Week 8 slate of action.
Bye week: Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars
2025 NFL picks and score predictions in Week 8
Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Chargers
Thursday, October 23rd, 8:15 PM ET
Both the Vikings and the Chargers had pretty pathetic losses in Week 7, but both teams can't win in Week 8. We'll either see the Chargers drop to .500 or the Vikings drop to below .500, which is wild to think about.
The Vikings have the biggest issue - they are inconsistent at the QB position and have totally botched it in recent years. As for the Chargers, this team simply does not have the depth to overcome the injuries that have mounted thus far. Overall, LA is the better team and they also get this game at home, so I'd have a hard time seeing how Minnesota can win this one.
JJ McCarthy could also return to action in Week 8, so that might give the Chargers a better chance to win this one.
Prediction: Chargers win, 23-14
Miami Dolphins @ Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, October 26th, 1:00 PM ET
The Miami Dolphins are a horrible football team, and the wheels just keep falling off for this club. It's shocking that a major in-season coaching move hasn't been made yet, and I just have no idea what this front office is waiting for.
Just a couple of years ago, the Dolphins felt like an up-and-coming team in the AFC with a high-flying offense and a solid defense. Miami went from beating the Denver Broncos by 50 points in 2023 and having the best offense in the NFL to being a team that just struggles to get out of bed.
They are in Atlanta to face the 3-3 Falcons, a back-and-forth team coming off of a disappointing primetime loss against the San Francisco 49ers. The Falcons have to get this thing going in the right direction, and much of that will be whether or not Michael Penix Jr can begin to catch on as his de-facto rookie season continues.
He did not begin his rookie campaign as the starter, as that job belonged to Kirk Cousins. Penix has started just nine games in the NFL, and if he can begin slowly playing better, this team is good enough to finish with a winning record and make the playoffs.
The Falcons' defense has played well this year and should be able to intercept Dolphins' QB Tua Tagovailoa multiple times. The Dolphins' defense, on the other hand, is downright awful, so the Falcons' talented offense should be able to feast in this one.
We'll predict a double-digit Falcons' win, seeing them get to 4-3 and back over .500. Meanwhile, the Dolphins drop to 1-7 on the season and see their season continue to drop into utter chaos and madness.
Prediction: Falcons win 31-20
New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, October 26th, 1:00 PM ET
The lone winless team in the NFL, the New York Jets are 0-7 and have absolutely nothing going for them but perhaps the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. On the other hand, the Cincinnati Bengals are now 3-4 on the season and have a 4-4 record staring them right in the face with a win over New York at home.
It's been a very interesting season thus far for the Bengals - they got out to a 2-0 start but lost Joe Burrow for what appears to be a majority of the season with a toe injury. Jake Browning came in for a few weeks and was playing horrific football.
Cincy then traded for Joe Flacco, who began the year with the Cleveland Browns, and all Flacco did in Week 7 was lead the Bengals to a win over the Steelers in primetime. All of a sudden, Cincy has some light at the end of the tunnel.
As for the Jets, Justin Fields got benched in Week 7 for Tyrod Taylor and is continuing to be one of the three worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL, and he is simply unplayable on this Jets' offense at this point.
The Bengals are going to win this game and see Joe Flacco earn a win againt his former team. Flacco, if nothing else, will continue to feed the ball to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, which will open things up on the ground for Chase Brown.
The Jets' falling to 0-8 in our latest picks and score predictions would have a ton of people wondering if Aaron Glenn is really up to the challenge, as the Jets have been a hilariously bad dumpster fire here in 2025.
Prediction: Bengals win 28-13
Cleveland Browns @ New England Patriots
Sunday, October 26th, 1:00 PM ET
It's not always pretty for the New England Patriots, but this upstart team simply knows how to win football games, and there is an entire laundry list of great decisions this team has made in the 2025 NFL Offseason. Rebuilding the offensive line was huge. Hiring Mike Vrabel as the next head coach was an amazing, logical move.
Vrabel bringing back Josh McDaniels, a Hall of Fame coordinator on offense, was a masterful decision, and adding a weapon like Stefon Diggs has worked out well. The Patriots are not 5-2 on the season and have a strong 6-2 record staring them in the face.
They've got an easy schedule the rest of the way and could stack 11 or 12 wins if this keeps up. They are also in first place in the AFC East because of their win a couple of weeks ago over the Buffalo Bills.
On the flip side, the Cleveland Browns won in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins, arguably the worst team in the NFL. The Browns do have a stingy defense that could keep the offense in the game, but the Browns' offense is an incomplete product and obviously a giant work in progress.
I do see the strong rookie class for the Browns laying the foundation for the future, but Cleveland isn't going to win many more games this year. The Patriots should be able to continue this magical season with a huge Week 8 win, getting to 6-2 on the season and perhaps having the best record in the AFC when Week 8 concludes.
The Browns manage to score four field goals in our predictions, but the Patriots put up 21 and get to 6-2. Are the Patriots legitimate contenders in the AFC in 2025?
Prediction: Patriots win 21-12
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, October 26th, 1:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia Eagles may have figured something out in Week 7 with a very solid away win against the Minnesota Vikings. Jalen Hurts had a phenomenal day throwing the football, but Saquon Barkley still could not get going.
It was odd to see, as the Vikings tend to struggle a bit against the run and are stronger against the pass, but the Eagles excelled at throwing the ball in Week 7, so it was a bit unexpected in that regard.
In Week 7, the New York Giants went into Denver and carried a 19-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter. It was truly something to witness (as someone who was at the game). However, the Giants managed to surrender nearly 300 yards of total offense and a whopping 33 points in the fourth quarter alone.
If we take a step back here, rookie QB Jaxson Dart definitely held his own against the Broncos in a hostile environment. Dart is far from a finished product and nearly left Denver with a win in his back pocket, which would have been insane.
I understand, though, why Giants’ fans would be so distraught after a loss like this, and that’s the type of loss that could spiral an already shaky season out of control. I believe the Eagles get the huge win here, as they built something nice offensively in Week 7, and the Giants’ heartbreaking loss could spill over into Week 8.
Philadelphia wins and puts 38 points on the board in one of the more lopsided NFL games you’ll see.
Could this type of loss force the New York Giants to make a major coaching change?
Prediction: Eagles win 38-13
Buffalo Bills @ Carolina Panthers
Sunday, October 26th, 1:00 PM ET
The Buffalo Bills are coming out of their bye week and simply have to get a win against the Carolina Panthers. Buffalo lost two games in a row heading into their bye, and it’s just not been a great season for the Bills. We are seeing their defense get exposed a bit and the offense not nearly as efficient as they were in 2024.
On paper, this roster isn’t special, frankly, and the Bills just do not feel like a contender at the moment. I can only imagine how hard it might be for the players and coaches to operate on a bye week with back-to-back losses. Fortunately for the Bills, there isn’t a clear-cut contender in the AFC, so Buffalo can still figure this thing out.
Buffalo looks to get to 5-2 against the Carolina Panthers, also a team with four wins. Carolina has really begun to put things together, as it seems like second-year head coach Dave Canales has really done a solid coaching job thus far.
Bryce Young did leave the game in Week 7 with an injury, so Andy Dalton might be in line to get the start here, but Dalton is a battle-tested veteran and someone who could absolutely lead Carolina to a win.
No matter who is under center for the Panthers, I actually think they can keep it close in Week 8, but my main worry with the Panthers is actually not the Panthers - Buffalo tends to respond well after a loss, as they seem to be pretty good at finding that motivation to correct the wrongs.
In this matchup, Carolina drops to 4-4 with a loss, and Buffalo snaps their two-game losing streak with a complete performance coming out of the bye.
Prediction: Bills win 27-17
Chicago Bears @ Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, October 26th, 1:00 PM ET
With Lamar Jackson not yet back at practice, I have to wonder if this is going to be yet another game in the 2025 season that Jackson isn’t on the field, and his presence is going to be huge for the Ravens’ chances in Week 8, obviously. Baltimore is now 1-5 on the season and have not only dealt with a horrible defense, but also some mounting injuries on both sides of the ball.
It’s unfortunately impressive how many injuries they have suffered, as this team is among the most talented in the NFL on paper, so none of us would have been surprised if Baltimore was 5-1 at this point, but it’s been a season to forget.
I have seen people here and there on social media call for a regime change, but I don’t think things are quite that dire yet. Here is my line of thinking here; if Lamar Jackson is healthy and in the lineup, the Ravens can win this one.
If not, the Bears will win, and with the way things are trending right now, I do not believe Jackson is going to suit up in Week 8. On the flip side, the Chicago Bears have won four games in a row and are now a solid 4-2 on the season.
Second-year QB Caleb Williams has definitely played well this year and is someone who could keep getting better as the season goes on. First-year head coach Ben Johnson has largely done a great job with this team.
And if Williams can play better as the season progresses, the Bears could slide into a Wild Card spot. Even with this game being in Baltimore, the Bears are going to win, as I think the offense is going to have a day, and I do not believe Lamar Jackson suits up.
Prediction: Bears win 24-16
San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans
Sunday, October 26th, 1:00 PM ET
The Houston Texans host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8. Houston is playing the late window on Monday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks, and I would expect that Houston loses that one, as their offensive line simply isn’t going to hold up against a fierce Seahawks’ pass rush and defense led by Mike Macdonald, who is excellent.
The Texans have regressed a bit since the 2024 NFL Season, and it’s really been due to their offensive line, which is a shame. The defense in Houston is Super Bowl-caliber, and the weapons are solid, too.
However, until this offensive line gets fixed, Houston is going to struggle, but they do host a reeling San Francisco 49ers team, and, despite San Francisco’s strong 5-2 record, this team keeps losing key players to injuries.
This is one of the weaker 5-2 teams you’ll ever see, as starting QB Brock Purdy has missed most of the season with a toe injury. I do believe Houston could hold the fort down at home in this one and send the 49ers home with a loss.
Houston’s pass-rush against an OK 49ers’ offensive line could be the deciding factor here. CJ Stroud won’t have to deal a ton with a competent pass rush, as San Fran doesn’t have Nick Bosa, obviously.
Give me the Texans in a close, likely low-scoring defensive battle. They still have a chance to turn this thing around and perhaps make a run at one of the last AFC Wild Card seeds this year. The 49ers begin to see some cracks develop, as they drop to 5-3 in our predictions, and it does not appear like they are getting healthier.
For context, the 49ers won six games all of 2024.
Prediction: Texans win 20-17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints
Sunday, October 26th, 4:05 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing on Monday Night Football against the Detroit Lions and are looking to really make their stamp in the NFC with a win. They’d have a two-game advantage over the Lions if they won in Week 7, sending Detroit to 4-3 and the Bucs to 6-1.
The Lions winning would make the NFC even more complicated, but with the Buccaneers, one thing we do know is that Baker Mayfield has played his tail off this year and is definitely playing like an MVP candidate thus far.
He’s truly remade himself in Tampa and is simply one of the best QBs in the NFL right now, which is wild to say, but it’s the truth. Tampa does have some concerns on the defensive side of the ball, but getting healthier on the injury side could fix things there.
The Saints are a different story. New Orleans is 1-6 on the season after a pretty sloppy Week 7 loss at the Chicago Bears, but the one silver lining has been the steady and overall solid play of Spencer Rattler, someone who might be worth building around in 2026 and beyond.
New Orleans used a second-round pick on Tyler Shough, but I am not sure we’ll see him at all this year. The Saints are poorly built and just a broken franchise in need of a reset. GM Mickey Loomis has made a series of horrendous decisions that have left the Saints where they are now.
I would be flat-out shocked if New Orleans won this game, and I don’t really think there is much else to say here - whether Tampa loses on MNF or wins is irrelevant. The Buccaneers will take care of business in this game and send to Saints to 1-7 on the season, which would keep them in the running for the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 35-13
Dallas Cowboys @ Denver Broncos
Sunday, October 26th, 4:25 PM ET
The Denver Broncos somehow scored zero points in the first three quarters of what was going to be a blowout loss against the New York Giants, but in the fourth quarter, all they did was put up nearly 300 yards of total offense and score 33 points, winning the game on the final play.
That was simply something you won’t see again for years. Bo Nix and the Broncos simply find a way when they need to have it the most, and while that’s a great quality to have, them being a non-existent unit in the first three quarters is simply not sustainable.
Denver has mounted fourth quarter comebacks against the Eagles and Giants, and these types of wins are going to stop at some point. Sean Payton is going to have to figure out how to get this offense on the right track earlier in the game before he’s forced to throw the ball down the field.
In Week 8, Denver is not only wearing their 1977 throwback jerseys, but they host the Dallas Cowboys, a 3-3-1 team with a top-notch offense riding a huge win over the Washington Commanders. Dallas’ offense against Denver’s defense could be the matchup of the season, and both units are going to do some damage.
The main key here, though, is if the Broncos’ offense can keep up with what the Cowboys are able to do, and with this game being in Denver, the Broncos could make one more stop than Dallas and win their fifth game in a row, getting to 6-2 and still standing atop the AFC West for a second week in a row.
Give me the Denver Broncos in a very close game where Dallas hangs around until the end.
Prediction: Broncos win 28-27
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, October 26th, 4:25 PM ET
The Indianapolis Colts are 6-1 and a total juggernaut in the NFL, and no, this isn’t the Peyton Manning era. It’s been quite the ride for Indy thus far, and a side-bar here is just how bad Anthony Richardson must have been if the Colts look this good with Daniel Jones.
The Colts are a well-built team from top to bottom - GM Chris Ballard absolutely knows what he is doing on that front, but he got cute with the QB position for years and years, and it felt like the Daniel Jones signing this past offseason was going to be another failed veteran.
But they clearly saw something that we did not see. Jones was cut by the New York Giants in 2024, signed with the Minnesota Vikings soon after, and then signed a one-year deal with Indy. Jones and the Colts are the best team in the NFL right now and get to host the reeling Titans, arguably the worst team in the NFL.
Indy blew out Tennessee the first time these two teams played earlier in the season, and I actually think this could be an even bigger blowout loss. The Colts are simply firing on all cylinders and can take this thing deep into the playoffs.
The Titans lost at home against the New England Patriots in Week 7 and fired now former head coach Brian Callahan a couple of weeks ago. The Titans have a bad roster, a struggling rookie QB, and are simply trying to end this season and move on to the offseason.
Tennessee might again end up picking first in the 2026 NFL Draft at this rate. The Colts wi,n and the Titans descend more into dysfunction. It’s going to take years for this team to rebuild and get back to competency.
Prediction: Colts win 45-9
Green Bay Packers @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, October 26th, 8:20 PM ET
How about this matchup? The long-time Packers’ great Aaron Rodgers has enjoyed a pretty efficient season with the Pittsburgh Steelers thus far, but Pittsburgh lost in Week 7 on Thursday Night Football to the Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Flacco.
Overall, even with the loss, the 4-2 Steelers are still in a position to win the AFC North this year. The Bengals did get to 3-4, but they shouldn’t be much of a factor. The Ravens and Browns are honestly non-factors at this point.
After a bad loss on TNF in Week 7, Pittsburgh really has a great chance to make up for it with a primetime win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. I would give an early edge to the Packers, but the Steelers getting this game at home could make things much more even.
The Steelers haven’t really been able to ascend into that elite tier for years now, and the Packers are honestly in the same boat. These are two of the most ‘good’ teams in the NFL, but I would trust Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur over Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers.
In what could be a low-scoring, defensive affair, the Green Bay Packers get a pretty signature win in the 2025 NFL Season and eek out a one-point win. The defense is going to have a solid day, and the Packers’ offense is going to lead a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter.
Give me the Packers in a close win, advancing to 5-1-1 in the process and dropping the Pittsburgh Steelers to 4-3. Pittsburgh loses their second game in a row, but it paints a similar picture. This team isn't going to amount to much until they get serious about finding a long-term QB solution.
Prediction: Packers win 21-20
Washington Commanders @ Kansas City Chiefs
Monday, October 27th, 8:15 PM ET
The final game of the Week 8 slate sees the Washington Commanders traveling to face the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that is heating up at the right time. The Chiefs shutout the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7 and also got Rashee Rice back from suspension.
Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes has played extremely well this year and is back to his old antics on the field. The Chiefs also started the season 0-2 and have since won four of their previous five games, so the entire team is beginning to figure this thing out, and it’s not like they weren’t.
The Washington Commanders are a bit of a different story, though, as they lost a stinker to the Dallas Cowboys and dropped to 3-4 on the season. Washington lost five regular season games all of 2024, so they are easily approaching regression status, which isn’t ideal.
The Commanders also saw Jayden Daniels get banged up again, so his status for this game is up in the air. The main issue with Washington is their lack of top-end talent. This roster just isn’t that special on either side of the ball, and it seems like they need another offseason of adding more talented players all across the roster.
The Chiefs actually don’t have a spectacular roster themselves, but it’s the Chiefs, so we all know what they’ll end up doing. Kansas City continues their resurgence in 2025 and wins in double-digit fashion against Washington.
The Commanders top to two games below .500, and their season continues to spin down the drain.
With the AFC clearly being wide open right now, the Kansas City Chiefs might again have a clear path to a fourth-straight conference title. They're going to do it again, aren't they?