NFL+: Top five Sunday games to watch in Week 8 of 2024 NFL Season

• WHERE: Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati)
• WHEN: 1 p.m. ET | CBS

The Bengals seem to be coming into form after a slow start, having won three of their last four games. Joe Burrow is a top five QB in completion percentage, touchdowns and passer rating, which has made up for a running game that ranks in the bottom five in yards per game. The defense has shown steady improvement since the start of the year, although they rank 28th in overall rushing efficiency (NFL Pro), which is not ideal heading into a matchup versus Saquon Barkley. 

The Eagles are in the exact opposite position as Cincinnati. With a passing offense ranked 19th in overall passing efficiency (NFL Pro) and 27th in total passing yards, the running game, namely Barkley, is carrying the bulk of the offensive load.  

NFL Pro Insight for Eagles-Bengals 

A.J. Brown has caught four of his five deep targets (20+ air yards) for 170 yards and three touchdowns this season, averaging a league-high 15.5 yards per route (min. 10 routes). He 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, the second most in the NFL behind only Ja’Marr Chase (+247).  

The Bengals defense has allowed just six completions for 241 yards on 25 deep targets this season, including three touchdowns and three interceptions. Their 24% completion percentage allowed on such targets is sixth-lowest in the NFL. 

• WHERE: Northwest Stadium (Landover, Md.)
• WHEN: 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS

The status of Jayden Daniels will be the biggest thing to monitor here as he’s considered week-to-week with a rib injury. If he is sidelined, Marcus Mariota would play in his place, who gave an encouraging performance in Washington’s win over Carolina in Week 7. Either way, the Commanders still have a versatile offense and an improving defense. They are ranked second in overall passing and rushing efficiency and first in points per game and rushing touchdowns. Defensively, Weeks 1-4 saw Washington allow 357 yards and 25.5 points per game. Over the last three games, they’ve allowed 292 yards and 25.5 points per game.  

The Bears stand to test the Commanders here with a strong defense and a budding offense that’s coming fresh off a bye week. In the three games proceeding the bye week, Caleb Williams completed 74% of his passes for 687 pass yards, seven touchdowns and only one interception. Backed by a defense that allows fewer than 300 total yards per game (fifth in NFL), there is something special going on in Chicago. This will be their biggest test since facing the Texans in Week 2 and could potentially define their identity one way or the other.  

NFL Pro Insight for Bears-Commanders

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin has caught 17 of his 28 targets for 361 yards and three touchdowns on targets 10+ yards downfield this season, tied for the fourth most receiving yards on such routes in the NFL. He has also generated +4.4 receptions over expected on such routes this season, second 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 two receptions for 63 yards on nine targets 10+ yards downfield this season, with opposing quarterbacks recording a 16.7 passer rating when doing so (fifth-lowest among cornerbacks with at least five targets). 

• WHERE: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
• WHEN: 1 p.m. ET | FOX

These 4-3 NFC South rivals will meet for the second time this season. Their first meeting, which ended in a 36-30 overtime win for Atlanta, sets the bar high for this rematch.  

Baker Mayfield has continued his dominance in having the best start to a season in his career -- his 18 passing touchdowns leads all QBs and he ranks in the top three in completion percentage and yards. Unfortunately, he will be down his top two receivers -- Mike Evans and Chris Godwin -- so the playbook is likely going to look different than it has the last few weeks.  

Kirk Cousins and the Falcons are coming off an ugly loss to the Seahawks where Seattle had their number from the jump. However, we’ve seen what they’re capable of more than once this season, including against the Bucs where Cousins put up 509 yards and four touchdowns. If they can regain control of the defense they seemingly lost in Week 7, this is a winnable game while Tampa Bay is down their WR1 and WR2. 

NFL Pro Insight for Falcons-Buccaneers

The Buccaneers defense has played zone coverage on a league-high 82.1% of their drop backs faced inside the red zone this season, nearly 30% above the NFL average (52.2%). 

Cousins has completed every one of his nine passes when facing zone coverage inside the red zone for 73 yards and three touchdowns this season (one sack). He completed both attempts for 30 yards and two touchdowns on such drop backs in Week 5 against the Buccaneers. 

• WHERE: Lumen Field (Seattle)
• WHEN: 4:05 p.m. ET | FOX

Seattle in Weeks 4-6 was a very different Seattle than the one that dominated the Falcons in Week 7. The defense had their best performance of the year with two picks and a strip sack fumble returned for a touchdown. Geno Smith and the offense put up 34 points -- the most by a Falcons opponent so far this year. The problem is, you never know if you’re getting this version, or the one that gave up 29 points to the Giants.  

The Bills got a taste of life with Amari Cooper in their arsenal with a convincing albeit slow starting 34-10 win over the Titans. They rejoined the top five in NFL Power Rankings and have a +63-point differential (second in NFL) and +10 turnover differential (first in NFL), leaving Week 7. Their big issue is that they’ve had some trouble with playing four complete quarters. That may not be an issue this week, as Seattle has the same problem, but it will be against teams like the Chiefs, 49ers, and Lions, all of whom are on their remaining schedule.  

NFL Pro Insight for Seahawks-Bills

The Seahawks cornerbacks have aligned in press coverage on 30.6% of their snaps this season, the third highest rate in the NFL. When in press coverage, they’ve allowed just 195 total yards through seven weeks. Devon Witherspoon, who has played 95.9% of defensive snaps for Seattle, has allowed zero yards when in press coverage.  

Bills WR Keon Coleman has accounted for 222 of Buffalo’s 375 receiving yards as a team vs press coverage this season (59.2%). Coleman’s 222 receiving yards vs press are the most of any receiver this season and the fourth most of any rookie receiver through the first seven weeks of a season since 2016. 

• WHERE: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)
• WHEN: 1 p.m. ET | FOX

With Tua Tagovailoa expected to return, I’m going to give an optimistic outlook here. Kyler Murray and Co. squeaked out a win against the Chargers on Monday Night Football to jump to 3-4. Despite the sub-.500 record, the Cardinals deserve context where it’s due: through seven weeks, they’ve had to face the Bills, Lions, Commanders, 49ers and Packers. Performances have been a mix of good and bad, but one part of their defense has been a bright spot for this team, particularly over the last three weeks, as they’ve allowed a league-low 27.7% of red zone drives end in a touchdown.  

Despite the dumpster fire on offense, Miami has done well on the other side of the ball. Their secondary has held teams to a league-low 154.5 passing yards per game and their pass rush ranks first in pressure rate, per NFL Pro. The offense has been the heart of the issue in Miami in the absence of their quarterback, though that all could change this week. This is an absolute must-win for the Fins if they want any chance at narrowing the gap in the AFC East.  

NFL Pro Insight for Cardinals-Dolphins

The Dolphins defense has generated a league-leading 43.6% pressure rate this season, including the quickest average time to pressure (2.46 seconds). They have also registered the fourth highest pressure rate (38.3%) when rushing with four or fewer defenders.  

Murray has averaged 4.9 yards per attempt while under pressure this season, the seventh fewest among qualified quarterbacks. In contrast, Murray has averaged 7.3 yards per attempt when not pressured, close to league average (7.5).