NFL Week 8 - Sunday Preview Part 1

Washington Redskins (4-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) - Wembley Stadium

A pivotal game for the Redskins and Bengals playoff chances awaits at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday. Washington Coach, Jay Gruden, spent three years in Cincinnati as offensive coordinator, however he will be plotting the downfall of his former pupil, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, here. Despite being 4-3, the Redskins trail both the Cowboys and Eagles in the NFC East and desperately need a win here to stay in touch. The Bengals secured a much needed, but hardly convincing, win over the winless Browns last week. With the Steelers and Ravens faltering, the Bengals have a chance to get right back into the division race with a win here. 

Verdict - Bengals 31 Redskins 30

This is a match up of two evenly contested teams, however I am going with the Bengals to edge this game. I expect quarterback Andy Dalton to have a good performance and the defence to create 1 or 2 turnovers as the Bengals stay in touch in the AFC North.

New England Patriots (6-1) @ Buffalo Bills (4-3) - New Era Field

The Bills have not swept the Patriots in fifteen years, however they get the opportunity to do that in a big AFC East divisional matchup in Buffalo on Sunday. The Bills went to New England in Week 4 and shut out the Patriots, minus Tom Brady, to win 16-0. However the Patriots are a far different beast with Brady back, and have had Buffalo's measure over the years. The Bills were on a  4-game win streak before a costly 28-25 loss at Miami last Sunday, with the defence giving up an alarming 256 yards rushing. Whilst the Patriots were not at their best, they still went into Pittsburgh, minus Ben Rothlisberger, and got a 31-17 win to remain 6-1 and sitting pretty at the top of the division. 

Verdict -  Patriots 33 Bills 17

I think the Patriots will be intent on revenge here and Tom Brady can pick apart the Buffalo defence.  The Bills have not made the playoffs since 1999 and a loss here would drop them to 4-4 and in danger of missing out again this year. 

New York Jets (2-5) @ Cleveland Browns (0-7) - Browns Stadium

This might be the best opportunity the beat-up Browns get of winning a game this season as they host the 2-5 New York Jets on Sunday. The Browns have had a revolving door of quarterbacks this season, however they do get veteran journeyman Josh McCown back under centre for this game. The Jets have problems of their own, with Geno Smith lasting just one game as their new quarterback before he was injured in the Jets win over the Ravens. Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was benched, returns as the starting quarterback here despite leading the league with 11 interceptions this season. 

Verdict - Jets 18 Browns 17

This is a game the Browns would have been circling for a while, and I was was all set to tip them. However i have flipped to the Jets. I just can't tip an 0-7 team even at home against the struggling  Jets. Ryan Fitzpatrick might have had a fire lit under him after being benched, and he played well last week after being introduced,  and I expect him to have another big game here as the Jets narrowly beat the Browns. 

Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-4) - Lucas Oil Stadium 

The Chiefs will be searching for a 3rd straight victory when they hit the road to take on the Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Chiefs do not have happy memories of Indianapolis, having won 1 of their last 7 there including playoffs losses in 2006 and 2013. The Chiefs' offence and form of quarterback Alex Smith has been better in the last two weeks as they accounted for Oakland and New Orleans. The Colts are hanging right in the mediocre AFC South at 3-4 after a wild 34-26 comeback victory at Tennessee last week. Andrew Luck threw for 353 yards and 3 touchdowns and has played a high level this year considering he has been sacked a league high 25 times. 

Verdict - Chiefs 29 Colts 24

This is not the Chiefs' favourite ground, however they are playing at a high-level right now and I think they can control the clock against Indianapolis. The Colts are 3-4, however their wins have not been too convincing in a weak division and I think the Chiefs are a far better balanced football team. 

Seattle Seahawks (4-1-1) @ New Orleans Saints (2-4) - Superdome 

The Saints host the Seahawks on Sunday in a match up of one of the NF's best offences against perhaps the best defence in the game in Seattle. At 37 years old, Drew Brees is playing some of the best football of his career, averaging 350 yards passing per game, with 17 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Despite Brees' elite play, the Saints are struggling at 2-4 and need a victory to stay in touch with Atlanta at the top of the NFC South. Seattle's defence once again played an outstanding game last week as they held the Cardinals to a 6-6 tie in a remarkable game in Arizona. However their offence is struggling this year, averaging just 18 points per game and 3 yards per rushing attempt. 

Verdict - Seahawks 27 Saints 21

Seattle's offence has been a big disappointment so far this year, however I think they can click into gear against the awful Saints' defence. Whilst the Saints have potential to put up big points at home, they have not come up against anything like Seattle's defence this year, and I think whilst Drew Brees will play well, he won't throw for anything near the 350 yards he is averaging.