• Will Bijan Robinson go nuclear against the Dolphins? The Falcons star has a favorable matchup against the Dolphins in Week 8.

• The Packers and Steelers come to blows: Aaron Rodgers has his revenge game against the Packers on Sunday Night Football.

• Unlock your edge with PFF+: Access Premium Stats, dominate fantasy with in-season tools and projections and make smarter bets with the new PFF Player Prop Tool.

Estimated Reading Time: 17 minutes

We’re diving into every matchup in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season — including key storylines, matchups to watch, and injury news. The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers kick things off on Thursday Night Football.

Click below to jump to a game:

MIN@LAC | MIA@ATL | CHI@BAL | BUF@CAR | NYJ@CIN | SF@HOU | CLE@NE | NYG@PHI | TB@NO | DAL@DEN | TEN@IND | GB@PIT | WAS@KC

Storyline of the game: The Chargers’ defense needs to bounce back

Two straight losses have seen the Chargers fall to 4-3 on the season, and the defense has struggled over the last few weeks, falling to 25th in EPA per play allowed. The Vikings’ offense has been inconsistent with Carson Wentz (55.8 grade; 35th) under center, and J.J. McCarthy will miss another contest. If the Chargers’ pass rush can bother Wentz, whose 35.8 overall PFF grade versus pressure is second-last among quarterbacks, they’ll have a good chance of rebounding on Thursday night.

Matchup to watch: Vikings wide receivers vs. Chargers’ pass coverage

Since Jordan Addison (68.0 grade; 40th) returned from suspension, he and Justin Jefferson (78.6 grade; 12th) have rekindled their partnership as one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. In Week 7, they combined for 14 catches for 208 yards against the Eagles.

They take on a Chargers defense with the sixth-highest PFF coverage grade in the NFL (69.3) and two young cornerbacks, Tarheeb Still (69.8 grade; 24th) and Cam Hart (60.5 grade; 55th), looking to turn their luck around.

Additional News

• Chargers’ T Joe Alt (ankle) has been limited in practice and is questionable.

Storyline of the game: Can the Falcons close the gap in the NFC South?

The Falcons are 3-3 after losing to the 49ers on Sunday Night Football, missing out on the opportunity to pull a game within the Buccaneers at the top of the NFC South. However, the Falcons will have a chance to redeem themselves against the Dolphins on Sunday, a team that’s struggled on both sides of the ball in 2025. The Dolphins’ 58.6 team PFF grade is the lowest in the NFL, and Atlanta will seek to bounce back in Week 8.

Matchup to watch: Falcons RB Bijan Robinson vs. Dolphins’ run defense

Any time you have one of the best running backs in the league going against one of the worst run defenses, there’s potential for an offensive explosion. Robinson’s 82.4 overall PFF grade is second among running backs in 2025, and he’s forced more missed tackles (36) than any other back in the league.

The Dolphins’ struggles on defense are well-publicized. They’re dead last in EPA per play allowed and 26th in EPA per rush allowed, while surrendering more explosive runs (30) than any other defense in the league.

Additional News

• Dolphins edge defender duo Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are trade candidates ahead of the deadline in two weeks.
• The Falcons released WR Ray-Ray McCloud.
• The Dolphins have placed TE Darren Waller (pec) on IR and elevated TE Greg Dulcich to the active roster.

Storyline of the game: How will Lamar Jackson fare in his return?

After three weeks on the sidelines, Lamar Jackson is expected to make his return to the field in Week 8 against the Bears, and not a moment too soon. The Ravens are currently 1-5 and have a 41% chance to make the playoffs.

Although Jackson wasn’t playing his best football before his injury — his 62.5 overall PFF grade is 29th out of 37 quarterbacks — the two-time MVP is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and capable of lifting any offense out of the mud. The Ravens, currently dead last in EPA per play on offense, are deep in the mud. They need him now more than ever.

Matchup to watch: Bears’ run game vs. Ravens’ run defense

Over the last few weeks, the Bears’ rushing attack has felt more like a Ben Johnson-designed unit. Since Week 6, the Bears are third in EPA per rush and have totaled 367 rushing yards while defeating the Saints and Commanders. The Ravens’ run defense, by contrast, is 23rd in the NFL and is struggling to stop opposing offenses. Baltimore takes on a Bears unit that’s growing hot.

Additional News

• Ravens’ TE Mark Andrews remains a trade candidate ahead of the deadline.

Storyline of the game: A good opportunity for the Bills’ defense to gain some momentum

The Bills are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the NFL, but in recent weeks, the defense has provided some talking points. It’s a struggling unit that’s currently 20th in EPA per play allowed, and has allowed 781 yards of offense in its last two games. Teams have comfortably cut through Buffalo at points this season, but Week 8 could prove different. The Bills take on the Panthers, who will be without Bryce Young and with Andy Dalton set to start.

Matchup to watch: Bills’ run defense vs. Panthers’ run game

With Andy Dalton starting at quarterback, expect the Panthers to lean into a ground game that has solidified itself as one of the best units in the NFL in 2025. The Panthers are fifth in EPA per rush and are averaging a league-leading 5.5 yards per carry, with Rico Dowdle (67.2 grade; 28th) carrying the ball 70 times for 468 yards over the last three weeks. The Bills’ defense is second-last in EPA per rush allowed, and permitted 210 rushing yards to the Falcons in Week 6.

Additional News 

• Bills TE Dalton Kincaid (oblique) has started the week limited in practice.

Storyline of the game: Can the Bengals make a playoff push with Joe Flacco?

The Bengals enter Week 8 with a 27% chance of making the playoffs after a 33-31 win over the Steelers a week ago, leaving them at 3-4 on the season. The offense already looks better with Joe Flacco (71.7 grade; 18th) under center, and the veteran quarterback has been able to get the Bengals’ top-two receivers, Ja’Marr Chase (86.3 grade; 4th) and Tee Higgins (71.9 grade; 32nd), more involved.

In Week 8, the Bengals take on the 0-7 Jets, fresh off a quarterback change, and have the ninth-easiest remaining schedule. Can they start to make a push for the postseason?

Matchup to watch: Jets CB Brandon Stephens vs. Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase

With Jets’ CB Sauce Gardner likely missing the Week 8 contest due to a concussion, the task of slowing down Chase is up to Brandon Stephens, who has impressed at times in 2025. Stephens’ 70.4 PFF coverage grade is 21st among cornerbacks, and he’s fifth in pass breakups (5). Chase has dominated over the last three weeks, catching 32 of 44 targets for 365 yards and four touchdowns, compiling a 90.1 overall PFF grade in that span.

Additional News

• Jets CB Sauce Gardner (concussion) is unlikely to play.
• The Jets designed LB QuincyWilliams (shoulder) to return from injured reserve.

Storyline of the game: A must-win game for the Texans

The Texans are in desperate territory. The defense has been one of the top units in the NFL through seven weeks — and is currently third in EPA per play allowed — but the team is languishing at 2-4 and has a 35% chance of making the playoffs, with Houston’s odds slipping as the Colts continue to grow their lead.

As the Colts battle the Titans in Week 8, a game you’d expect them to win, the Texans cannot afford to lose any more ground as they take on a strong, but injured, 49ers team. With pressure mounting, particularly on an offense that’s 23rd in EPA per play, the margin for error becomes increasingly thin for the Texans.

Matchup to watch: 49ers’ pass-protection vs. Texans’ pass-rush

The upside for the Texans is that they possess one of the best pass rushes in the NFL. The Texans lead the NFL with an 89.4 PFF pass-rushing grade, and their 41.5% pressure rate is fifth among defenses.

The Texans’ two big hitters, Will Anderson (91.4 grade; 4th) and Danielle Hunter (84.7 grade; 15th) have combined for 60 pressures and eight sacks and face off against a 49ers team that’s 21st in pressure rate allowed. At the same time, San Francisco has surrendered the 13th-lowest pressure rate off the edge, with tackles Trent Williams (74.3; 22nd) and Colton McKivitz (74.7; 19th) top-25 in PFF pass-blocking grade at their position.

Additional News

• The 49ers could be buyers at the deadline and may pursue an edge rusher.

Storyline of the game: Can the Browns’ defense slow down Drake Maye?

Despite their 2-5 record, the Browns’ defense has been one of the best units in the NFL. Cleveland’s 89.3 PFF grade on defense leads the NFL and is also third in EPA per play allowed, but the unit faces a tough test against the rolling New England Patriots offense, led by QB Drake Maye (87.3 grade; 4th). By contrast, the Patriots’ offense is fourth in EPA per play, and that’s with a run game that hasn’t always looked at its best. Can the Browns slow down New England?

Matchup to watch: Browns’ pass coverage vs. Patriots QB Drake Maye

Maye has been one of, if not the best, deep passers in the NFL this season. Maye leads all quarterbacks in deep PFF passing grade (99.9) and completion percentage on deep passes (77.8%), and he’s tied for second in touchdowns (5) on such attempts.

The Browns have been strong in coverage and have permitted the sixth-fewest explosive passing plays (33) in the NFL. Corner Tyson Campbell, whom the team just traded for, has registered a 76.1 PFF coverage grade in his first two games with the Browns.

Additional News:

• The Patriots have been linked to receivers Jakobi Meyers and Jordan Addison ahead of the deadline.

Storyline of the game: The Eagles look to build on a strong passing performance

The Eagles’ offense hasn’t looked at its best in 2025, often struggling for connectivity between the pass and run games. But, the passing game was as potent as it has been all season against the Vikings in Week 7, with Jalen Hurts compiling a 94.9 PFF passing grade, and receivers DeVonta Smith (90.5 grade) and A.J. Brown (85.2 grade) combining for 304 receiving yards and three touchdowns. After an embarrassing 34-17 loss to the Giants two weeks ago, the Eagles will be looking to lean on their passing game for revenge.

Matchup to watch: Giants’ run game vs. Eagles’ run defense

The Giants’ offense has impressed in recent weeks, with the rookie duo of quarterback Jaxson Dart (61.9 grade; 30th) and running back Cam Skattebo (80.6 grade; 3rd) helping lift the offense to 17th in EPA per play.

New York’s run game has been a consistent point of emphasis for the team, too, as the Giants rank eighth in EPA per rush on the season, averaging 125.1 rushing yards per game (11th). The Eagles have occasionally struggled against the run and are 21st in EPA allowed per rush, while allowing the eighth-most explosive runs (20) in the league.

Additional News

• EDGE Brandon Graham has come out of retirement to rejoin the Eagles.

Storyline of the game: Can the Saints take advantage of a banged up Buccaneers team?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been one of the best teams in the NFL this season, and lead the NFC South with a 5-2 record. However, the Tampa Bay offense has taken a hit in recent weeks due to several injuries — losing receiver Mike Evans (63.2; 71st) for much of the rest of the season, as well as running back Bucky Irving (60.1 grade; 44th) and receiver Chris Godwin (56.8 grade) for several games. On top of that, rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka (73.8 grade; 25th) is also banged up.

The Saints are 1-6 but have consistently played hard this season. New Orleans could look to sneak a win over a Bucs team reeling after a tough loss to the Lions on Monday Night Football.

Matchup to watch: Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean vs. Saints WR Chris Olave

Dean has been excellent for the Buccaneers in 2025, and his 86.4 overall PFF grade is the highest among all cornerbacks in the NFL. He’s allowed just 10 receptions on 25 targets for 171 yards and has secured three interceptions on the year, allowing a passer rating of just 24.3 when targeted.

Dean will go up against Saints receiver Chris Olave (72.3 grade; 31st), who has notched the second-most targets in the NFL (68) through seven weeks — and who will likely get another heavy workload again. The two will likely face off often, and though Dean has impressed, he is averaging 17.3 yards per reception on the rare occasion he gets beaten.

Additional News

• Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (clavicle) is out indefinitely.
• Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) has been ruled out.

Storyline of the game: A matchup between an elite offense and defense

The Broncos were expected to be one of the best defenses in the NFL (5th in EPA per play allowed), but the Cowboys’ inclusion as one of the elite offenses (2nd in EPA per play) is a little more surprising. However, Dak Prescott (91.3 grade; 2nd) has lifted the Dallas offense in 2025, and the addition of receiver George Pickens (82.5 grade; 5th) has helped.

The Broncos’ defense has surrendered the fourth-fewest points per game in the league through seven weeks. Any time we have a matchup that features an unstoppable force vs. an immovable object, there’s intrigue.

Matchup to watch: Cowboys WR George Pickens vs. Broncos CB Pat Surtain II

Pickens has been one of the breakout stars of the 2025 NFL season, catching 36 passes (11th) for 607 yards (4th) and six touchdowns (2nd) while filling the void left by CeeDee Lamb after the latter missed three games with an injury. Lamb has returned to the lineup, but Pickens — who lines up out wide on 88.3% of his snaps — will likely draw the attention of Pat Surtain (67.1 grade; 31st) for large stretches of the game.

Surtain has allowed 16 receptions for 166 yards when targeted, and has forced the second-most pass breakups (7) in the NFL. As one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, Surtain will provide Pickens with his toughest test of the season in what should be a hotly contested matchup.

Additional News

• Broncos coach Sean Payton claims that postgame comments about wanting to face Jaxson Dart after Week 7 were not meant to spite Russell Wilson.

TennesseeTitans vs. Indianapolis Colts (-14)

Storyline of the game: Can the Colts solidify their grasp of the No. 1 seed in the AFC?

A question that not many people could have predicted in 2025. Through seven weeks, the Colts are 6-1 and have the best record in football, and sole possession of the top seed in the AFC. There’s still a lot of football left to be played, but the Colts lead the NFL in EPA per play on offense, with the play of Daniel Jones (79.2 grade; 9th) and Jonathan Taylor (75.2 grade; 12th) helping elevate the team.

The Colts enter Week 8 as 14-point favorites against the 1-6 Titans and have an excellent chance to build a lead at the peak of the AFC.

It’s a shame that Jeffery Simmons (84.5 grade; 5th) is on a 1-6 team, because the three-time Pro Bowler is playing some of the best football of his career on a bad Titans defense. Simmons leads all defensive tackles in PFF pass-rush grade (91.1) and is second in total pressures (27) and sacks (5).

He goes face-to-face against a Colts offensive line playing incredibly well, but in particular All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson (88.2 grade; 1st), who is also performing at an elite level. Nelson has allowed just nine pressures and zero sacks in 2025, and the matchup in the trenches will go a long way in defining the outcome of this game.

Additional News

• NFL insider Jordan Schultz has reported that the Colts may be on the hunt for defensive playmakers ahead of the trade deadline.

Storyline of the game: The Aaron Rodgers revenge game

The storyline writes itself. Aaron Rodgers (64.3 grade; 25th), the grizzly veteran, hosts his former team in a primetime matchup on Sunday night, looking to get one over one of the best teams in football in the ultimate revenge opportunity.

Rodgers and the Steelers are rolling at 4-2, looking to extend their record to 5-2 while widening the gap at the top of the AFC North. The Packers are 4-1-1 and are legitimate Super Bowl contenders while possessing the top seed in the NFC. Only one side can leave happy, but expect there to be fireworks.

Matchup to watch: Packers EDGE Micah Parsons vs Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers

Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons (93.4 grade; 1st) is going to be hunting for Rodgers all game. Although Rodgers has been pressured on just 26.7% of his dropbacks, the second-lowest rate in the NFL, Parsons will likely make life hell for Rodgers for four quarters. Parsons has accrued the third-most pressures (36) and seventh-most sacks (6) among edge rushers.

Rodgers has struggled against pressure in 2025. His 43.3 overall PFF grade when pressured is 28th among quarterbacks. The Packers will be looking for ways to flush the pocket and consistently pressure Rodgers.

Additional News

• Packers T Zach Tom (back) was a limited practice participant to start the week.

Storyline of the game: Is the Chiefs’ offense truly back?

The Chiefs’ offense has really hit its stride in recent weeks, looking like one of the best units in the league, and is currently third in EPA per play. With Rashee Rice back on the field, Patrick Mahomes (74.8 grade; 15th) has reunited with his best target and is playing some of his best football. The Chiefs have added an element of explosiveness that has been missing in recent seasons — they currently lead all offenses in explosive plays (68). That’s a dangerous prospect for the rest of the league, especially if they can continue to grow into themselves against the Commanders.

Matchup to watch: Commanders CB Mike Sainristil vs Chiefs WR Rashee Rice

Rice dominated the short field in his return in Week 6, catching seven of nine targets for 42 yards and two touchdowns and compiling an 86.5 overall PFF grade in the 31-0 win against the Raiders. The former SMU star will feature prominently in the slot against the Commanders, facing off against CB Mike Sainristil (53.2 grade; 88th).

Sainristil has struggled at times in 2025, allowing 278 yards in coverage (13th-most), and 144 of those yards have come when playing out of the slot (2nd-most). Rice will likely be the fulcrum of the Chiefs’ passing game, and the Commanders corner will have his work cut out.

Additional News

• Commanders’ QB Jayden Daniels (hamstring) is expected to miss the game.