Six quarterbacks were selected in the first 12 picks of this year’s NFL Draft, and picks 1 (Caleb Williams), 2 (Jayden Daniels) and 12 (Bo Nix) have started every game for their teams so far this season. Pick 3, Drake Maye, has started the past 2 games for the Patriots, while Michael Penix Jr., the eighth pick, is sitting behind Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, other than throwing and completing a 14-yard pass this past Sunday. J.J. McCarthy, pick #10, suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during the Vikings’ first preseason game and is out for the season.
We give you that background because Williams and Daniels could face off on Sunday — if Daniels can come back from a rib injury that knocked him out of the game in the first quarter last week. Williams has the Bears at 4-2 and has thrown for 1,317 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniels has led the Commanders to a 5-2 start, hasn’t lost at home, has the best completion percentage (75.6%) and third-best quarterback rating (73.7) in the NFL, and has added four rushing TDs. If you like the NFL, you’ve got to hope for this showdown this weekend.
There are no byes this week, so all 32 teams are in action. Here’s a summary of all the Week 8 games with insights and player projections from NFL Next Gen Stats.
Vikings (5-1, 2-0 Away) vs. Rams (2-4, 2-1 Home)
Thursday, 8:15pm on Prime
Category | Vikings | Rams |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 28.0 (6th) | 19.0 (23rd) |
Point Differential | +61 (4th) | -40 (24th) |
Record in Close Games | 3-1 | 2-3 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 12.6 (14th) | 4.0 (30th) |
Turnover Differential | +4 (7th) | +1 (14th) |
Total Penalties | 45 (19th) | 30 (1st) |
Matchup Insights from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Sam Darnold has completed a league-high +14.1% of his passes over expected against the blitz. Darnold has pushed the ball downfield against the blitz, averaging 12.3 air yards per attempt (2nd-most). This has translated to a league-leading 140.8 passer rating against the blitz.
The Vikings have gained more yards than expected at the highest rate in the league against base defenses this season (43.3%). The Vikings have recorded an explosive run against base defense on 14.7% of attempts in 2024 (6th-highest). The Rams have used a base defense against the run on 56.8% of rush attempts this season (3rd-highest in NFL).
The Vikings are the only team to send 5 or more pass rushers on over half (50.2%) of the early down dropbacks they’ve faced this season. However, the Vikings have blitzed at the 8th-lowest rate on third downs (25.4%), a 24.8% decrease, the largest in the NFL.
Ravens (5-2, 3-1 Away) vs. Browns (1-6, 0-3 Home)
Sunday, 1pm on CBS
Category | Ravens | Browns |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 31.1 (1st) | 15.6 (29th) |
Point Differential | +38 (10th) | -53 (28th) |
Record in Close Games | 3-2 | 1-4 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 9.6 (18th) | 5.0 (28th) |
Turnover Differential | +1 (14th) | -3 (21st) |
Total Penalties | 56 (30th) | 60 (32nd) |
Matchup Insights from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Lamar Jackson converted for a first down on 49.1% of his play action dropbacks this season, highest in the NFL. Lamar Jackson has recorded a 57.9% success rate on play action dropbacks this season, 5th-highest among quarterbacks.
Derrick Henry has recorded the most rushing yards over expected (+264) among running backs this season, including the 2nd-most first downs over expected (+6). Henry has averaged a career-high 2.3 rushing yards over expected per carry this season, having been contacted behind the line of scrimmage at his lowest rate (37.0%) since 2016.
Myles Garrett leads the NFL with 19 quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds) this season, having recorded the 2nd-quickest pass rush get off time (0.67 seconds) among edge rushers, minimum 100 pass rushes. Garrett has generated a 20.0% pressure rate this season, 3rd-highest in the NFL.
Titans (1-5, 1-2 Away) vs. Lions (5-1, 2-1 Home)
Sunday, 1pm on FOX
Category | Titans | Lions |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 17.7 (25th) | 30.3 (3rd) |
Point Differential | -38 (23rd) | +62 (3rd) |
Record in Close Games | 0-3 | 3-1 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 19.0 (2nd) | 13.2 (12th) |
Turnover Differential | -9 (31st) | +6 (3rd) |
Total Penalties | 42 (13th) | 47 (21st) |
Matchup Insights from NFL Next Gen Stats:
The Lions defense has allowed the second-fewest yards after contact per carry to running backs (2.5) this season, allowing opposing running backs to register just 22 missed tackles forced (T-3rd-fewest in the NFL).
Jared Goff has recorded league-highs in EPA (+27.4) and completion percentage over expected (+6.3%) on play action dropbacks this season. Opposing quarterbacks have recorded league-lows in EPA (-22.2) and CPOE (-19.1%) on play action dropbacks against the Titans this season.
Harold Landry has generated a team-high 18 pressures and 4 sacks on 139 pass rushes this season for the Titans, averaging a get-off time of 0.72 seconds, the fastest of his career. Landry has accounted for 40% of the Titans sacks this season, the 2nd-highest sack share in the NFL.
Colts (4-3, 1-2 Away) vs. Texans (5-2, 3-0 Home)
Sunday, 1pm on CBS
Category | Colts | Texans |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 22.1 (18th) | 23.6 (14th) |
Point Differential | +6 (17th) | +6 (17th) |
Record in Close Games | 4-3 | 4-1 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 4.2 (29th) | 7.0 (25th) |
Turnover Differential | +2 (10th) | +3 (8th) |
Total Penalties | 34 (4th) | 56 (30th) |
Matchup Insights from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Despite missing Weeks 5-6, along with most of Week 4, Anthony Richardson has recorded 123 rushing yards off of scrambles this season, generating +44 rushing yards over expected (2nd-most in the NFL).
Texans rushers have recorded 273 yards and 5 touchdowns across 59 carries against loaded boxes this season, generating +47 rushing yards over expected (6th-most in the NFL).
Alec Pierce has caught 5 of his 11 vertical targets this season for 230 yards and a touchdown, the 7th-most receiving yards off vertical routes in the NFL.
Packers (5-2, 2-1 Away) vs. Jaguars (2-5, 2-1 Home)
Sunday, 1pm on FOX
Category | Packers | Jaguars |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 26.6 (7th) | 20.7 (21st) |
Point Differential | +43 (7th) | -49 (26th) |
Record in Close Games | 3-2 | 1-2 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 10.0 (17th) | 9.5 (19th) |
Turnover Differential | +6 (3rd) | -4 (27th) |
Total Penalties | 54 (28th) | 42 (13th) |
Matchup Insights from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Jordan Love has recorded the most EPA (+38.4) and yards per attempt (9.3) when not blitzed. The Jaguars have blitzed at the lowest rate in the league (17.3%), with their season-high blitz rate (31.4%) coming against the Bills in Week 3.
Tank Bigsby has recorded a the most yards after contact per carry (5.3) and the 4th-highest missed tackles forced rate (37.3%) among running backs with at least 25 carries this season.
The Packers Evan Williams (78.6%, 2nd) and Xavier McKinney (75.0%, T-3rd) both rank top 5 in coverage success rate among safeties with at least 50 coverage snaps.
Cardinals (3-4, 1-2 Away) vs. Dolphins (2-4, 1-2 Home)
Sunday, 1pm on FOX
Category | Cardinals | Dolphins |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 21.4 (19th) | 11.7 (32nd) |
Point Differential | -28 (22nd) | -59 (29th) |
Record in Close Games | 2-2 | 2-1 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 11.3 (16th) | 4.0 (30th) |
Turnover Differential | +1 (14th) | -3 (21st) |
Total Penalties | 35 (6th) | 49 (25th) |
Key player projections from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Cardinals
QB Kyler Murray: 214.8 passing yards, 1.3 pass TD, 39.8 rush yards
RB James Conner: 63.0 rush yards, 12.1 receiving yards
WR Marvin Harrison Jr.: 4.3 receptions, 63.5 receiving yards
Dolphins
RB De’Von Achane: 50.5 rush yards, 28.8 receiving yards
WR Tyreek Hill: 6.7 receptions, 92.1 receiving yards
TE Jonnu Smith: 3.1 receptions, 30.9 receiving yards
Jets (2-5, 1-3 Away) vs. Patriots (1-6, 0-3 Home)
Sunday, 1pm on CBS
Category | Jets | Patriots |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 18.3 (24th) | 14.1 (30th) |
Point Differential | -17 (21st) | -76 (31st) |
Record in Close Games | 1-3 | 1-2 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 14.0 (8th) | 6.0 (27th) |
Turnover Differential | -3 (21st) | -1 (19th) |
Total Penalties | 55 (29th) | 44 (16th) |
Key player projections from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Jets
QB Aaron Rodgers: 232.6 passing yards, 1.7 pass TD
RB Breece Hall: 79.9 rush yards, 26.3 receiving yards
WR Davante Adams: 5.7 receptions, 70.8 receiving yards
Patriots
QB Drake Maye: 181.6 passing yards, 1.0 pass TD
RB Rhamondre Stevenson: 48.9 rush yards, 18.1 receiving yards
WR Demario Douglas: 4.0 receptions, 43.9 receiving yards
Falcons (4-3, 2-0 Away) vs. Buccaneers (4-3, 2-2 Home)
Sunday, 1pm on FOX
Category | Falcons | Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 23.3 (15th) | 29.9 (4th) |
Point Differential | -6 (20th) | +27 (11th) |
Record in Close Games | 3-2 | 1-1 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 6.8 (26th) | 15.5 (5th) |
Turnover Differential | -3 (21st) | +1 (14th) |
Total Penalties | 45 (19th) | 44 (16th) |
Key player projections from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Falcons
QB Kirk Cousins: 233.2 passing yards, 1.5 pass TD
RB Bijan Robinson: 69.7 rush yards, 26.1 receiving yards
WR Drake London: 5.6 receptions, 73.5 receiving yards
Bucs
QB Baker Mayfield: 251.1 passing yards, 1.7 pass TDs
RB Rachaad White: 36.3 rush yards, 21.6 receiving yards
WR Mike Evans: 4.3 receiving yards, 65.0 receiving yards
Eagles (4-2, 2-1 Away) vs. Bengals (3-4, 0-3 Home)
Sunday, 1pm on CBS
Category | Eagles | Bengals |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 22.3 (17th) | 25.4 (10th) |
Point Differential | +19 (14th) | +12 (16th) |
Record in Close Games | 3-1 | 1-4 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 9.2 (20th) | 9.0 (21st) |
Turnover Differential | -6 (28th) | +2 (10th) |
Total Penalties | 39 (10th) | 33 (3rd) |
Matchup Insights from NFL Next Gen Stats:
A.J. Brown has caught 4 of his 5 deep targets (20+ air yards) for 170 yards and 3 touchdowns this season, averaging a league-high 15.5 yards per route (min. 10 routes). Brown has also generated a league-high +16.9 receiving EPA on such targets this season despite missing three games. Brown has totaled +147 receiving yards over expected across all routes this season.
Trey Hendrickson has generated 34 pressures this season, 4th-most in the NFL and 22 more than the next closest Bengal (B.J. Hill, Joseph Ossai). Hendrickson has exceeded his pressure total through seven weeks last season (26), while also matching his sack total through seven weeks (7.0).
Saquon Barkley has totaled 658 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns across his 108 carries this season, generating +226 rushing yards over expected (2nd-most in the NFL). Barkley has also added 103 yards and a touchdown on 16 receptions through the air this season.
Saints (2-5, 1-2 Away) vs. Chargers (3-3, 1-1 Home)
Sunday, 4:05pm on FOX
Category | Saints | Chargers |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 25.3 (11th) | 17.7 (25th) |
Point Differential | -3 (19th) | +23 (12th) |
Record in Close Games | 0-2 | 1-2 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 31.0 (1st) | 14.0 (8th) |
Turnover Differential | +2 (10th) | +6 (3rd) |
Total Penalties | 41 (12th) | 34 (4th) |
Matchup Insights from NFL Next Gen Stats:
With Rashid Shaheed off the field this season Saints quarterbacks have completed 0 of 5 attempts of 20 or more air yards, compared to 6 of 22 with Shaheed on the field, including 3 touchdowns. Shaheed has recorded 14 targets of 20+ air yards this season (tied for the most in the NFL), while the rest of the Saints pass catchers have combined for 13 such targets.
The Saints defense has allowed a league-most +206 rushing yards over expected on designed rushes (+1.8 RYOE/C) since Week 3, after recording a league-low -76 rushing yards over expected in Weeks 1 and 2 (-2.2 RYOE/C).
The Chargers ground game has been more successful on designed rushes from under center this season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry on such attempts (7th), compared to 3.7 from the shotgun (26th)
Bills (5-2, 2-2 Away) vs. Seahawks (4-3, 2-2 Home)
Sunday, 4:05pm on FOX
Category | Bills | Seahawks |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 28.4 (5th) | 25.7 (8th) |
Point Differential | +63 (2nd) | +16 (15th) |
Record in Close Games | 2-1 | 2-0 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 18.2 (3rd) | 12.5 (15th) |
Turnover Differential | +10 (1st) | -3 (21st) |
Total Penalties | 40 (11th) | 51 (27th) |
Key player projections from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Bills
QB Josh Allen: 258.0 pass yards, 1.7 pass yards
RB James Cook: 67.4 rush yards, 15.3 receiving yards
WR Amari Cooper: 4.7 receptions, 65.5 receiving yards
Seahawks
QB Geno Smith: 238.3 pass yards, 1.4 passing TD
RB Kenneth Walker III: 68.6 rush yards, 23.1 receiving yards
WR DK Metcalf: 4.2 receptions, 61.1 receiving yards
Bears (4-2, 0-2 Away) vs. Commanders (5-2, 3-0 Home)
Sunday, 4:25pm on CBS
Category | Bears | Commanders |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 24.7 (12th) | 31.1 (1st) |
Point Differential | +47 (6th) | +66 (1st) |
Record in Close Games | 2-2 | 2-1 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 14.5 (7th) | 18.0 (4th) |
Turnover Differential | +6 (3rd) | +3 (8th) |
Total Penalties | 37 (9th) | 44 (16th) |
Matchup Insights from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Terry McLaurin has caught 17 of his 28 targets for 361 yards and 3 touchdowns on targets 10+ yards downfield this season, tied for the 4th-most receiving yards on such routes in the NFL. McLaurin has also generated +4.4 receptions over expected on such routes this season, 2nd-most in the NFL and nearly matching his previous career-high of +4.8 set during his rookie season (2019).
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has allowed just 2 receptions for 63 yards on 9 targets 10+ yards downfield this season, with opposing quarterbacks recording a 16.7 passer rating when doing so (5th-lowest among cornerbacks with at least 5 targets).
Brian Robinson Jr. Has totaled 396 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns across 85 carries this season, generating +76 rushing yards over expected, 9th-most among running backs.
Panthers (1-6, 1-3 Away) vs. Broncos (4-3, 1-2 Home)
Sunday, 4:25pm on CBS
Category | Panthers | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 15.7 (28th) | 20.7 (21st) |
Point Differential | -133 (32nd) | +39 (9th) |
Record in Close Games | 0-0 | 1-3 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 14.0 (8th) | 14.8 (6th) |
Turnover Differential | -6 (28th) | 0 (18th) |
Total Penalties | 48 (24th) | 50 (26th) |
Key player projections from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Panthers
QB Andy Dalton: 192.7 pass yards, 1.0 pass TD
RB Chuba Hubbard: 54.7 rush yards, 16.1 receiving yards
WR Diontae Johnson: 4.9 receptions, 58.8 receiving yards
Broncos
QB Bo Nix: 228.8 pass yards, 1.3 pass TD
RB Javonte Williams: 48.2 rush yards, 23.3 receiving yards
WR Courtland Sutton: 4.3 receptions, 55.9 receiving yards
Chiefs (6-0, 3-0 Away) vs. Raiders (2-5, 1-2 Home)
Sunday, 4:25pm on CBS
Category | Chiefs | Raiders |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 24.3 (13th) | 17.7 (25th) |
Point Differential | +43 (7th) | -59 (29th) |
Record in Close Games | 4-0 | 2-1 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 7.2 (24th) | 3.5 (32nd) |
Turnover Differential | -3 (21st) | -13 (32nd) |
Total Penalties | 31 (2nd) | 42 (13th) |
Matchup Insights from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Brock Bowers has been targeted on 30.3% of his routes this season, the 5th-highest rate in the NFL (min. 100 routes) and the highest by any rookie tight end through the first seven weeks of a season since 2018. His +64 receiving yards over expected trails only Kyle Pitts among rookie tight ends over that span.
In 12 matchups against Mahomes since 2018, the Raiders have played Cover 0 on over 10% of dropbacks just once (17% Week 5, 2022). Mahomes has thrown 9 touchdowns against the Raiders Cover 0 over the last six seasons, all of which have come in the red zone.
Kareem Hunt has generated the 8th-most EPA per carry among running backs since Week 5 (+0.05, min. 25 rushes).
Cowboys (3-3, 3-0 Away) vs. 49ers (3-4, 2-2 Home)
Sunday, 8:20pm on NBC
Category | Cowboys | 49ers |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 21.0 (20th) | 25.7 (8th) |
Point Differential | -42 (25th) | +22 (13th) |
Record in Close Games | 2-1 | 0-3 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 8.0 (22nd) | 14.0 (8th) |
Turnover Differential | -6 (28th) | +2 (10th) |
Total Penalties | 47 (21st) | 36 (7th) |
Matchup Insights from NFL Next Gen Stats:
Jordan Mason has forced 53 missed tackle this season, the most in the NFL. Mason’s 53 missed tackles forced are 13 more than the next closest player (Bijan Robinson, 40).
The Cowboys have missed a tackle on 15.8% of their tackle opportunities this season, the highest rate in the NFL. The Cowboys recorded the lowest missed tackle rate in the league in 2023 (8.0%).
Dak Prescott (22.8%) and Brock Purdy (21.8%) have thrown into tight windows (less than 1 yard of separation) at the two highest rates in the NFL this season, and career-highs for both quarterbacks. Prescott has completed 15 of his 51 attempts into tight windows (29.4%) for 223 yards, one touchdown and one interception this season, while Purdy has completed 15 of 47 (31.9%) for 219 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.
Giants (2-5, 2-1 Away) vs. Steelers (5-2, 2-1 Home)
Monday, 8:15pm on ESPN
Category | Giants | Steelers |
|---|---|---|
Points per Game | 14.1 (30th) | 23.0 (16th) |
Point Differential | -50 (27th) | +60 (5th) |
Record in Close Games | 1-2 | 2-2 |
Av. Margin of Victory | 7.5 (23rd) | 13.2 (12th) |
Turnover Differential | -2 (20th) | +9 (2nd) |
Total Penalties | 36 (7th) | 47 (21st) |
Matchup Insights from NFL Next Gen Stats:
The Steelers have 3 different edge rushers that have each generated 10 or more pressures (T.J. Watt, 18; Nick Herbig, 14; Alex Highsmith, 11), tied for the most in the league.
The Giants have allowed opponents to generate -0.42 EPA per dropback on pass plays over 2.5 seconds, the 3rd-fewest in the NFL. The Giants have generated the highest sack rate (24.4%) and 7th-highest pressure rate (55.1%) on such pass attempts this season.
The Giants are one of only two teams in the NFL to not generate positive rushing EPA on designed runs between the tackles in any of their games this season (Jets). Overall, they have generated -29.5 rushing EPA on such carries, the fewest in the NFL.
