Somehow, someway, we're basically at the halfway point of the NFL season.
It seems like just yesterday we watched the 49ers take down the Rams in the second game of the season in Melbourne.
But now seven Thursdays later, we're faced with a loaded slate of games, headlined by some important divisional clashes.
Here's all you need to know about Week 8 in the NFL:
Davidson's record (12-19-1)
Thursday, Oct. 29
Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers: 8:15 p.m. ET
The Green Bay Packers have been one of the most intriguing teams so far through seven weeks. Some great QB play has gotten them past their lack of running game, while the defence has either been stout or full of holes.
Josh Jacobs is back in the fold, and despite the Packers only gaining 60 yards on 19 carries last week, there's more optimism that the ground game can get going. That will be even more important if breakout WR Matthew Golden (questionable with shoulder/foot injuries) doesn't suit up on Thursday.
On the other sideline is a Panthers squad that just got lit up by the Buccaneers, and will once again be down high-priced free-agent acquisition Jaelan Phillips.
Quarterback Bryce Young struggled last week, but he has been rock solid for most of the season. If Week 7 was just a one-off, Carolina will make this one close, but we'll give the Packers the edge at Lambeau.
(Pick: Packers -4)
Sunday, Nov. 1
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars: 1 p.m. ET
We're still a few days away from kickoff in Jacksonville, meaning even more change could come to the Colts roster by Sunday.
Indianapolis dealt key veterans Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner away on Tuesday for three draft picks, while some other names continue to surface in the rumour mill ahead of the trade deadline.
Regardless of whether more players get dealt before this divisional clash, this is a Colts squad that has been struggling in all phases.
Facing a rested Jaguars team coming off a bye week doesn't bode well for Daniel Jones and company, and the writing is on the wall for a blowout in Florida.
(Pick: Jaguars -9)
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1 p.m. ET
Michael Penix Jr. led Atlanta's upset over the previously undefeated 49ers last week, and now faces another tough test in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But despite the Bucs' rout of Carolina in Week 7, there are still some question marks surrounding QB Baker Mayfield.
The QB struggled early in the season and the Panthers matchup marked his return to the lineup after missing three games. Add in the fact that he only threw the ball 11 times in the win, and there might still be some rust to work through.
Time to ride the hot hand with the Falcons.
(Pick: Falcons +2.5)
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions: 1 p.m. ET
It's not so often an undefeated team is an underdog, but that's the case in Week 8 with the 6-0 Minnesota Vikings.
They've been carried by their heroic defence through the first part of the season, handling every challenge thrown their way. But now they face a fearsome Lions offence, one far more explosive than any to line up across from Brian Flores' unit all season.
The Vikings' calling card is their blitzing, as they send extra rushers a whopping 71 per cent of the time. But if there's anyone equipped to handle it, it's Jared Goff and his second-best 123.3 passer rating against the blitz.
Detroit's shortcomings this season have come on defence, but it received a major boost last week with the return of Pro Bowl DB Brian Branch, and another may be on the way with Kerby Joseph returning to practice.
With or without Joseph, this NFC North clash should be a tight one. It's just difficult to place much faith in Kyler Murray right now.
(Pick: Lions -3.5)
Las Vegas Raiders @ New York Jets: 1 p.m. ET
After coming out of the gates flying with three straight wins, the Las Vegas Raiders have crashed back down to earth with a 3-4 record.
Luckily for them, up next is a date with the New York Jets in a Geno Smith revenge game.
For as bad as the Raiders have been, the Jets have struggled even more. Their two wins this season are against the Browns and Titans, and although Breece Hall is expected to return, there just seems to be more momentum with the Silver and Black.
(Pick: Raiders +1.5)
Tennessee Titans @ Cincinnati Bengals: 1 p.m. ET
It's never easy to bet a team to win by 10-plus points.
The Titans enter Sunday's game as major underdogs, but so far this season, they've only managed to lose by 11 or more twice.
Given the state of the team on the field, that's quite an accomplishment. Although Tennessee is facing a tough Bengals squad on the road, a 10.5-point spread is just too heavy to rely on.
(Pick: Titans +10.5)
Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills: 1 p.m. ET
There are few matchups that will excite fans more than Josh Allen versus Lamar Jackson.
Luckily, Jackson was at practice on Wednesday after the star missed the last three games, giving some hope that both star QBs will be on the field come Sunday.
Allen in front of Bills Mafia is always a safe bet, and a four-point win is firmly in the realm of possibilities.
(Pick: Bills -3.5)
Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers: 1 p.m. ET
In another Week 8 divisional matchup, we have the Steelers hosting the Browns.
Both teams enter the contest on a hot streak, with Pittsburgh emerging victorious in its last three and Cleveland winning two straight.
In this rivalry, the home team has won the last 10 games, winning by four or more points eight times.
Let's side with history on this one.
(Pick: Steelers -3.5)
Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys: 1 p.m. ET
A battle between two teams with suspect defences. What could go wrong?
We all know the struggles Dallas has had on that side of the ball, but the Cardinals are struggling as well. They allowed the Broncos — who have had quite an anemic offence early — to score 30 while Bo Nix produced the highest average depth of target (aDOT) of any QB last week. If Nix is slinging it against you, something's up.
But while the Cards have been leaky on D, so have the Cowboys, and with arguably the best tight end in football in Trey McBride, plus rookie RB Jeremiyah Love expected back in the fold, look for a shootout in Arlington.
(Pick: Cardinals +7)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Los Angeles Rams: 4:05 p.m. ET
Injuries, injuries and more injuries have plagued the Chargers through seven weeks, but not all of their struggles can be blamed on a poor bill of health. Nothing works on offence, and the defence just isn't the same as it was since former DC Jesse Minter took over as the head coach in Baltimore.
The Rams haven't been as good as expected either, but unlike the Bolts, they have some wins under their belt.
Davante Adams' absence won't be enough to slow the Rams down, and Matthew Stafford will lead a convincing win in the battle of L.A.
(Pick: Rams -6.5)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos: 4:25 p.m. ET
A divisional clash between two AFC West heavyweights looks a little murky with injury questions on both sidelines.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice has missed the past handful of games with a hamstring injury, while the Broncos are uncertain of Patrick Surtain II's, Talanoa Hufanga's and Jaylen Waddle's statuses.
Assuming both squads get to or near full strength, look for Denver to get revenge from its embarrassing Week 1 loss on home turf.
(Pick: Broncos +1)
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins: 4:25 p.m. ET
The 2026 Miami Dolphins are nowhere close to the same as years past. New front office, coaches, quarterback and really an entire roster have the South Florida squad in rebuild mode.
But trends are fun to ride while they're going, and Miami hasn't lost to the Patriots by a touchdown or more at home in the last six matchups.
The Dolphins are now a one-win team after beating a divisional opponent last week, and will hope to double their total against another AFC East team.
(Pick: Dolphins +7)
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders: 8:20 p.m. ET
This season couldn't have be going any worse for the Philadelphia Eagles.
A banged-up offensive line, no Jalen Hurts, and potentially no Saquon Barkley or DeVonta Smith leave a major uphill climb on Sunday Night Football for Nick Sirianni's team.
Now, the Washington Commanders aren't perfect either, and Jayden Daniels has lost his last eight starts.
But if there's any game to get back in the win column, it's on primetime against a beat-up divisional foe.
(Pick: Commanders -5)
Monday, Nov. 2
Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks: 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 8's edition of Monday Night Football brings us one of the games of the week in a battle between two NFC contenders.
The visiting Chicago Bears have been playing some great football while featuring one of the most explosive offences. But the solution to a great offence is a fantastic defence, and there might not be one better than the unit in Seattle that helped the Seahawks hoist the Lombardi Trophy in February.
Seattle may also get a big boost to its rushing attack, with both Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price expected to practise this week.
A field-goal spread seems about right in this one, and the money should be on Caleb Williams to do his thing in primetime.
(Pick: Bears +3)
BetMGM lines are subject to change.
