Week 8 of the NFL season has already started with a bang. Let’s recap the Vikings window closing and preview the rest of the North action while the Lions win the bye.
Chargers 37 Vikings 10
Woof. No run defense and no protection for an injured Carson Wentz. Kevin O Connell used injuries as an excuse in his post game presser but really the Vikings are not good and were not prepared. Can JJ McCarthy save them?
Bears at Ravens 1 PM ET
Lamar Jackson (130 QB rating) should be back making this a much tougher game for the Bears on the road. Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, Kyle Van Noy and Travis Jones are all back for the Ravens coming off their bye too.
Ravens are big mad and want to save their season at 1-5 (only four 1-5 teams have ever made playoffs).
Chicago has won four in a row beating Dallas, Washington with banged up Daniels (away), Raiders (away) and Saints. Caleb Williams is doing ok at 92.9 QB rating (Matt Ryan special) but DeAndre Swift has picked it up with 4.7 YPC and 419 yards. Odunze leads the way in year 2 with 359 yards and 5 TDS and DJ Moore has 258 yards and a TD while banged up. Colston Loveland with 78 yards is not what they expected when they passed on Tyler Warren.
The Bears defense needs more pass rush but leads the league in turnovers forced under Dennis Allen. Containing Lamar (if he can run) and Derrick Henry will be the key to the game because the Bears probably wouldn’t win a shootout. Turnovers forced will be key for short fields for Chicago.
Ravens 27 Bears 20
Packers at Steelers Sunday Night Football
Aaron Rodgers (105 QB rating) faces the Packers for the first time since he left. You know he is motivated to stick it to Green Bay. The Steelers played poorly against Joe Flacco last week so the Packers offense has a shot against a should be good Steelers defense. Jaylen Warren runs at 4.4 YPC and DK Metcalf is a big threat with 406 yards and 4 TDs. TE Pat Freiermuth (187 yards and 2 TDs) woke up last game. TJ Watt (4 sacks) is a menace still and Alex Highsmith is a good 2nd OLB to rush. The Steelers run game was stout until last Thursday.
Jacobs running the ball well will be the key to open things up. Christian Watson should be back for Green Bay which will make their passing game more interesting with Golden and Doubs and Kraft. Protection for Love will be key on the road.
I see a shootout in this one with Rodgers doing his 1 up celebration.
Steelers 34 Packers 31
Lions win the bye with all 3 North teams losing. Lions to first place.