Dallas Cowboys

NFL Week 8: Best Games to Watch

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:38 p.m. ET

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Oct 9, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates with quarterback Dak Prescott (4) after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Take a look at the top five games to look forward to for NFL Week 8.

Between Tom Brady and the New England Patriots looking for revenge against the Buffalo Bills to a classic showdown between NFC East rivals, fans should be satisfied over what’s in store for NFL Week 8.

When the Patriots and Bills met in Week 4, Brady was forced to sit out as the quarterback was finishing up his four-game suspension, which means Rex Ryan‘s squad will be the unfortunate victims of playing against an even more motivated quarterback. After New England was shutout at home against Buffalo a few weeks ago, don’t be surprised if Brady comes out firing in this one to make a statement about the Patriots being the team to beat in the AFC East.

Speaking of division rivalries, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles squaring off for the first time this season. However, nobody could have predicted this game to be so meaningful with two rookie quarterbacks. In fact, the NFC East is turning out to be one of the toughest divisions in football. All four teams have a winning record, which makes this matchup between the Cowboys and Eagles even more exciting to follow.

Now that all of this is out of the way, it’s time to take a look at where these teams stand on the list of top five games for NFL Week 8.

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) greets Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

5. Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers

Who would have thought after these two teams squared off against each other in the NFC Championship last January, the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers would be entering Week 8 with non-winning records facing a must-win situation?

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After a 1-3 start, the Cardinals seemed to be turning their season around after winning two in a row before last weekend’s 6-6 tie against the Seattle Seahawks. For a team that many expected to be one of the top contenders in the NFC at the beginning of the season, it’s been frustrating to watch Arizona this season as Bruce Arians‘ squad has failed to reach their true potential.

As for the Panthers, the argument can be they have been one of the biggest disappointments of the 2016 season with a 1-5 record. Apparently the departure of Josh Norman has been tougher on Carolina than originally expected as the team has surrendered at least 41 points in two of their last three games.

These two teams may not be off to the start they were hoping for, but both Carolina and Arizona realize how big a win on Sunday will be when it comes to staying in the playoff hunt for the NFC.

Oct 2, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) tries to break free from New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) during the second half of the Buffalo Bills 16-0 win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

4. New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills

Don’t be fooled by what happened in Week 4 as this matchup between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills will be much different this time around, mainly because Tom Brady will be in the lineup.

The future Hall of Fame quarterback missed the previous meeting between these two teams, which could work against the Bills as Brady will be playing with an extra chip on his shoulder. The rivalry between the Patriots and Rex Ryan always lives up to the hype. And after the Bills took the first meeting, there’s nothing the head coach would love more than to sweep his biggest division rival for the 2016 season.

Prior to last weekend’s loss to the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo was considered one of the hottest teams in football after winning four in a row following an 0-2 start. As for New England, well, let’s just say Brady has been nearly perfect since his return from suspension after throwing eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first three games.

Even if the Bills won the first meeting a few weeks back, don’t be surprised if Brady comes out firing in this one to help the Patriots remain one of the hottest teams in the league.

Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback Craig Mager (29) reacts after recovering a fumble by Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

3. San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos

Thanks to NFL scheduling, the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos get to go head-to-head for the second time in three weeks. But if the first matchup is any indication of what to expect, this could turn out to be quite entertaining from a fan perspective.

After back-to-back losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Chargers, the Broncos were able to get back on the winning track following last Monday’s 27-9 win over the Houston Texans. While the team will have to adjust to life without C.J. Anderson in the backfield, Denver should still feel confident enough with rookie Devontae Booker carrying the load at running back.

Plus, the Broncos have plenty of dangerous weapons for Trevor Siemian to work with in the passing game.

San Diego may have found a way to win the first time these two teams met, but Mike McCoy knows this matchup on the road is going to be a lot tougher this time around. Of course, if the Chargers do find a way to beat the Broncos for the second time in 2016, it would put them in much better shape when it comes to competing with the rest of the teams in the AFC West. That alone should provide a little extra motivation.

Oct 20, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hands off the ball to wide receiver Ty Montgomery (88) in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/The Post-Crescent via USA TODAY Sports

2. Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons

On paper, this game between the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons has the potential to be one of the highest scoring games of Week 8 thanks to two of the league’s top quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan.

While the Packers barely got by the Chicago Bears in Week 7, the Falcons look to turn things around after suffering two-straight losses against the Seattle Seahawks and Chargers. There’s still plenty of football left to be played, but if the first seven weeks are any indication, there’s a good chance these two teams could be battling for a playoff spot in the NFC when the time comes.

So what should fans expect from this game on Sunday? Well, from an offensive perspective, this season has been quite the surprise for the Packers as Rodgers has struggled to live up to his usual MVP form. To top it off, Rodgers has been forced to throw the football even more than usual thanks to the injuries between Eddie Lacy and James Starks.

As for the Falcons, Ryan has done a phenomenal job helping his team have one of the best offenses in the league. The quarterback will need all of the support he can get if Atlanta is going to have any chance in this one. When looking at all of the star wide receivers featured in this game, how can fans not be excited about this epic matchup between Atlanta and Green Bay?

Oct 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) reacts with running back Ryan Mathews (24) and wide receiver Nelson Agholor (17) after a two point conversion Minnesota Vikings during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

1. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys

Normally, the rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles tends to be one of the best in the NFL. With the way the two teams have been playing in the first half of the 2016 season, Sunday’s meeting could take this rivalry to a whole new level.

Between Tony Romo‘s injury and the Eagles getting rid of anything Chip Kelly left behind, this was supposed to be a rebuilding year for both squads in the NFC East. Instead, the Cowboys are sitting on top of the division with a 5-1 record with the Eagles right behind them at 4-2 thanks to the surprise emergence of two rookie quarterbacks.

Not only has Carson Wentz developed quicker than originally expected, but Dak Prescott has turned into one of the biggest steals from this year’s draft as the rookie. Dallas’ rookie quarterback looks more like a veteran than a rookie. Just think, this is only the beginning for Wentz and Prescott as this will hopefully be the first of many epic meetings between these two rivals.

With one of the league’s top offenses in the Cowboys going against one of the top defenses the league has to offer in the Eagles, what’s not to love about this Sunday night game?

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