As we approach the unofficial mid-point of the 2013 NFL season, we’ve witnessed many exciting match-ups and even more interesting storylines. Heading into this weekend’s slate of Week Eight match-ups, let’s look at five important things to watch for:
First and foremost, I don’t think anyone expected the Kansas City Chiefs to be the last remaining undefeated team in the NFL, but they’ve proven us all wrong. With a refocused Andy Reid at the helm, the most ferocious, attacking defense in the NFL, and one of the league’s best playmakers in Jamaal Charles in the backfield, this team has exceeded even the wildest expectations of its fan base. They play host to the Cleveland Browns this weekend and their pass rush will be sure to give new Browns starting quarterback Jason Campbell fits. Don’t bet against the Chiefs this week folks.
An exciting AFC East match-up between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins isn’t as thrilling as it could be. Both teams are struggling right now, and have cooled off considerably since their hot starts. After the Patriots’ heartbreaking overtime loss to the Jets last week, they will look to assert their dominance in the division they’ve run roughshod over for years. The Gronk is back and there’s gonna be trouble. On the opposite side of the field, the Dolphins’ undefeated start has been long forgotten by now. In an effort to bolster one of the league’s weakest offensive lines, the ‘Phins traded for former Ravens left tackle Bryant McKinnie. There’s no guarantee that the move will pay dividends, but the franchise must to whatever it can to keep sophomore quarterback Ryan Tannehill on his feet. He is absorbing way too many sacks, and it’s hard to win football games with your franchise QB on his back.
-The Denver Broncos finally lost a football game, and wouldn’t you know it would be at the hands of the Colts. Peyton Manning has got to be furious, and when Manning plays angry, he’s downright terrifying. Look for a shootout when the Bronco’s play host to the Washington Redskins on Sunday afternoon. The Redskins and Broncos pass defenses have been quite generous this year, and with Manning and a newly healthy RGIII chucking passes all day, this one should be a serious contender for game of the week.
-The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings meet up in a Sunday night NFC North showdown, and both teams are hurting. The Vikings quarterback carousel continues as Christian Ponder looks to draw the start in place of Josh Freeman (concussion). The Vikes have just one win on the season, and have struggled mightily to remain competitive this season. The Packers, on the other hand, just keep winning football games in spite of injuries to seemingly every pass-catcher on the team. Randall Cobb is on Injured Reserve/Designated for return, James Jones is week to week, and Jermichael Finley’s immediate football future is up in the air after a scary spinal injury last week. This has left Jordy Nelson as Aaron Rodgers’ only reliable target. With that said, the Pack received an excellent contribution from youngster Jarrett Boykin last week, and it looks as though he’ll fill a “Randal Cobb-like” role for the team going forward. In spite of all of these key injuries (including a hand injury that will keep Clay Matthews for a while) the Packers find ways to win. It’s hard to pick against them even in game away from the comforts of Lambeau field.
-Monday night’s Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams game has all the makings of a blowout and I say that with no disrespect to the Rams. The Seahawks are one of the NFL’s best teams and Russell Wilson has started to catch fire lately. Add in the possibility of having Percy Harvin back in the lineup and you have a ‘Hawks team that is primed for a dominant second half. Meanwhile, the Rams are hurting right now, having Just lost quarterback Sam Bradford to a torn ACL in the midst of his finest season to date. Journeyman Kellen Clemens will draw the start against a Seattle defense that ranks as one of the league’s premier units. It may not be pretty, but it should be entertaining.
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