Five things to watch out for in Week 8 of the NFL season | CNN - CQO News

We saw blowouts aplenty in Week 7 as six games were decided by 20 or more points.

We could see more this week as for the first time this season, three teams – the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs – are all favored by 10 or more points.

Here are five things to know for Week 8 of the National Football League season.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chris Conley and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie vie for the ball on October 20 in Santa Clara, California.

Green Bay Packers kicker Brandon McManus celebrates with fans after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Houston Texans in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 20. The Packers won 24-22.

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers on October 20 in Landover, Maryland. The Commanders won 40-7.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton runs out of the tunnel prior to the game against the New England Patriots in London on October 20. The Jaguars won 32-16.

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch, center, celebrates an interception with his teammates during a game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, October 13. The Lions trounced the Cowboys 47-9.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs dives for a touchdown in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 13. The Packers beat the Arizona Cardinals 34-13.

Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II stands for the national anthem ahead of the Broncos' 23-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Denver on October 13.

Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson stops Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku in Philadelphia on October 13. The Eagles won 20-16.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Claudin Cherelus pressures Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 13. The Panthers lost 38-20.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams walks down the tunnel after his team beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 35-16 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on October 13. Williams completed 23 of his 29 pass attempts and throwing for 226 yards and four touchdowns.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel makes a catch during his team's 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday, October 10. Samuel became the first wide receiver in NFL history with 20 touchdown receptions and 20 touchdown runs after scoring on a 76-yard touchdown catch.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom and safety Ji'Ayir Brown break up a touchdown pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf in Seattle on October 10.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. signs autographs for a young Kansas City Chiefs fan before the start of the game between the teams in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday, October 7. Gay played for the Chiefs for four seasons before signing with the Saints during the offseason. The Chiefs beat the Saints 26-13.

Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum celebrates after a play during a game against the New York Jets in London on Sunday, October 6. The Vikings extended their win streak with a 23-17 victory.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman scores on a 49-yard touchdown reception during the Bills' 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans in Houston on October 6.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence eats a cupcake to celebrate his birthday after his team beat the Indianapolis Colts 37-34 at home in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6. It was the Jaguars' first win of the season.

Green Bay Packers punter Daniel Whelan grabs a high snap during a game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California, on October 6. The Packers won 24-19.

Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6.

Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn celebrates with teammates after kicking a 59-yard field goal on the last play of his team's victory over the Buffalo Bills in Houston on October 6.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir runs for a touchdown after a blocked field goal during a game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, California, on October 6. The Cardinals came back to narrowly upset the 49ers 24-23.

Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss celebrates after an interception in Denver on October 6. The Broncos beat the Las Vegas Raiders 34-18.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after his team's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London on October 6. Rodgers was intercepted three times.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels passes in the first half of the team's 42-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, September 29.

Denver Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith celebrates as a field goal attempt by New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein misses in the fourth quarter in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 29. The Broncos won 10-9.

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders fights off the tackle attempt by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 29. The Bengals beat the Panthers 34-24.

Houston Texans safety Eric Murray celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the Texans' 24-20 victory in Houston on September 29.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle catches a touchdown pass in the end zone in Santa Clara, California, on September 29. The 49ers beat the New England Patriots 30-13.

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton bobbles the ball as he runs against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks during the Giants' 20-15 loss to the Cowboys in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 26.

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills celebrates an interception during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Orchard Park, New York, on Monday, September 23. This was his first career interception and latest milestone since he suffered from a cardiac arrest on the field in early 2023.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III runs with the ball for a touchdown during the Steelers' 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 22.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold throws the ball to tight end Johnny Mundt in Minneapolis on September 22. The Vikings beat the Houston Texans 34-7.

Kadeem Telfort of the Green Bay Packers takes a selfie with a fan after the Packers beat the Tennessee Titans 30-14 on the road in Nashville on September 22.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones lands in the end zone for a touchdown in Minneapolis on September 22.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescotts sits on the field after a play during the team's 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington, Texas, on September 22.

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard runs past New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin for a touchdown in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 19. The Jets won 24-3.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney scores a touchdown during the team's 22-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia on Monday, September 16.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill during the Chiefs' 26-25 victory in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday, September 15. The defending Super Bowl champs moved to 2-0 on the season.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. during a game in Minneapolis on September 15. The Vikings would go on to win the game 24-17.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara runs the ball during the Saints' 44-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on September 15. Kamara had four touchdowns in the game.

Miami Dolphins players attend to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he took a hit to the head in the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Thursday, September 12. Tagovailoa was later ruled out with a concussion.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and teammates wait in a tunnel before a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California, on Monday, September 9. This is the first game back for Rodgers since tearing his Achilles tendon last year after his first game of the season.

Los Angeles Chargers players and Las Vegas Raiders players clash after a play during the second half of their game in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, September 8.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott celebrates after a touchdown during the Cowboys' 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland on September 8. Hours before the game, Prescott agreed to a record four-year, $240 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. breaks a tackle from Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt in Tampa, Florida, on September 8. The Buccaneers beat the Commanders 37-20.

Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle celebrate a touchdown during a 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8. Hill was detained for a short time by police after a traffic incident earlier in the day. Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels said Sunday that an investigation has begun into the incident and one of the officers involved is being placed on administrative duties.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields signals during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on September 8. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 18-10.

Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, right, and Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson tumble in the end zone in Chicago on September 8. Okonkwo made the catch for a touchdown, but the Titans ultimately fell 24-17 to the Bears.

Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals defenders in Cincinnati on September 8. The Patriots beat the Bengals 16-10.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, center, celebrates his interception return for a touchdown during the Vikings' 28-6 victory over the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 8.

Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars players pray together at the end of the game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, top, dives for the end zone for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Justin Jones is unable to make the tackle in Orchard Park, New York, on September 8. The Bills won 34-28.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love walks off the field after taking a hit in the final seconds of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo early Saturday, September 7. The Eagles won 34-29.

Brazilian and American flags are presented on the field at Neo Química Arena – also known as Corinthians Arena – in São Paulo ahead of the game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, September 6. It was the first NFL game in South America.

Grammy Award-winning singer Taylor Swift cheers on boyfriend Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs during the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, September 5.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as time expires at the end of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5. The Chiefs won 27-20.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles during the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5.

Fans enter Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, ahead of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.

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If I told you before the season that, after six games, Patrick Mahomes had just six touchdowns and eight interceptions, what would you have guessed the Chiefs record was?

2-4? 3-3?

Well, how about 6-0!? They are the only undefeated team remaining in the league. Steve Spagnuolo has the Chiefs defense playing as good as anyone. And when they need a play to be made, Mahomes – somehow, some way – still gets it done.

This week, the Chiefs are in Las Vegas. The last team to beat Kansas City was the Raiders last year on Christmas when they pulled off a 20-14 upset, so this is a revenge game of sorts for the Chiefs.

DeAndre Hopkins has joined Mahomes at the Chiefs.

When they to take the field on Sunday, Mahomes will have a new target on offense after the Chiefs traded for Tennessee Titans receiver Deandre Hopkins this week.

Hopkins is in his 12th NFL season and we will see if his addition helps Mahomes get back to the two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion we are used to.

All signs are pointing to Tua Tagovailoa making his return to action this week.

Many former players and pundits called for Tagovailoa to retire after he suffered his third diagnosed concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.

But this week, the Miami Dolphins QB said he never considered retiring, adding: “I appreciate your concern, I really do. I love this game and I love it to the death of me.”

Tua Tagovailoa was back in practice this week after suffering a concussion.

Tagovailoa has been on the injured reserve list for the past five weeks and returned to practice for the first time on Wednesday. The Dolphins went 1-3 without him under center.

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill couldn’t have been happier to have Tua back, saying: “He looked great. Felt like old times. Me and him connected on a few deep shots today, and that kind of got me feeling good today.

“I missed that and I missed him. I told him I’ve got to take him and his wife to dinner because I missed him so much.

“Sh*t was so beautiful. That sh*t almost made me cry today, like just having him in the lineup, having him call the plays, having him direct the offense, like just hearing his voice.”

The Dolphins are 2-5 on the season and host the Cardinals on Sunday.

2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young will be starting once again for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday against the Broncos.

But the turn of events is because of extraordinary circumstances: Andy Dalton, who took over for Young in Week 3, was involved in a multi-vehicle car accident in Charlotte on Tuesday.

Dalton’s wife, three children and his dog were in the car at the time of the accident, but according to a team spokesperson, no one had to be taken to the hospital.

Bryce Young will be back in the Panthers lineup.

Dalton, though, did suffer a sprained thumb on his throwing hand. Head coach Dave Canales said Dalton is week to week and could be the backup on Sunday in Denver.

Canales told reporters on Wednesday that Young, though, is “excited about (the opportunity).”

“He’s been an absolute stud through this whole process. He’s been engaged and involved in what we’re doing, and so he’s excited about this opportunity. I’m fired up for him to have another opportunity to get in there and play some football.”

Young told reporters that, despite his benching, he always prepared like the team’s No. 1 QB: “My job is always, no matter what, it would be the same level of preparation. You always have to prepare like you’re going to play no matter where it is.

“So it doesn’t change my approach or anything. For me, I never was out of it. That’s just out of respect for the game and respect for the team and knowing just how the league is,” he said, per the Panthers. “There’s never a ‘take a step back or phone it in for a week.’ I have too much love for a game to do that.”

Young has not thrown a touchdown pass and has three interceptions in the two games he’s played this season and it won’t be easy for him on Sunday as the Broncos have the third best defense in the league.

We have two big matchups with first place in the AFC South and NFC South divisions on the line Sunday.

The Indianapolis Colts visit the Houston Texans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hosting the Atlanta Falcons in two rematches from earlier this season.

The Colts are looking to take top spot in the AFC South.

The Texans beat the Colts 29-27 in Week 1, while the Falcons beat the Bucs 36-30 in overtime in Week 5.

Houston is coming off losing at the last second to the Packers, with CJ Stroud throwing a career-low 86 yards in that game, so expect him to bounce back in a big way at home.

Indianapolis, meanwhile, is coming off a 16-10 win over the Dolphins and has now won four of its last five.

The Falcons and the Bucs are vying for top spot in the NFC South.

In the NFC South showdown, the Falcons would love to repeat three weeks ago when they beat the Bucs in a Thursday night thriller.

In that game, Kirk Cousins threw for a franchise-record 509 yards, including a 45-yarder to KhaDarel Hodge to win the game in OT.

This time around, the game is in Tampa, but the Bucs are struggling with injuries, especially with receivers.

Chris Godwin is likely out for the year with an ankle injury, while Mike Evans is likely out until Week 11 with a hamstring injury.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield is going to have to make some magic happen if Tampa Bay hopes to avenge its loss from earlier this month.

The marquee matchup on Sunday is the San Francisco 49ers hosting the Dallas Cowboys.

This is one of the best rivalries in football, but this season, both teams have fallen on hard times.

The 49ers and the Cowboys revive one of football's best rivalries.

The 49ers continue to deal with the dreaded Super Bowl hangover. After losing to the Chiefs this past Sunday, the Niners are now just 3-4 on the season.

They have been bitten hard by the injury bug this season.

Star running back Christian McCaffrey is still yet to play a game as he continues to deal with Achilles soreness, while they lost receiver Bandon Ayiuk for the season after he tore his ACL on Sunday against the Chiefs.

The 49ers now have a whopping 10 players on the injured reserve list.

San Francisco is looking to make it four wins in a row against the Cowboys.

But San Francisco has dealt with a Super Bowl hangover before. After losing to the Chiefs in 2020, they were poised to have another good season but, like this campaign, were hit hard with injuries.

The Cowboys have also been underwhelming this season but are much better on the road than at home. They are 3-0 in road games but 0-3 at AT&T Stadium.

The 49ers lead the all-time series 20-19-1, including winning the past three matchups.

Away @ home

Thursday

Minnesota Vikings (5-1) @ Los Angeles Rams (2-4), 8:15 p.m. ET

Sunday

Atlanta Falcons (4-3) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3), 1 p.m. ET

Arizona Cardinals (3-4) @ Miami Dolphins (2-4), 1 p.m. ET

Baltimore Ravens (5-2) @ Cleveland Browns (1-6), 1 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers (5-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5), 1 p.m. ET

Indianapolis Colts (4-3) @ Houston Texans (5-2), 1 p.m. ET

New York Jets (2-5) @ New England Patriots (1-6), 1 p.m. ET

Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-4), 1 p.m. ET