NFL Schedule, Predictions: 5 Teams Who Must Win Week 8 Games

It’s hard to believe, but Week 8 is already here. Once this week is complete, we will officially be halfway through the 2016-17 NFL season. Numerous teams across the league are facing must win games.

Here are five teams that have to win Week 8 games.

1. Buffalo Bills

Rex Ryan and the Bills have been the only squad this year to defeat the Patriots. Coming off a disappointing loss last week against the Miami Dolphins, they’re going to have to do it once again. The Bills are going to have to sweep the Patriots if they want to win the AFC East. They already beat them once in Foxborough, and now they get them at home in Buffalo. The Bills won’t be facing a third string quarterback this time, however. If the Bills lose this game, thus dropping to 4-4 while the Patriots go to 7-1, this division race is all but over.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Don’t look now, but the Buccaneers have won back-to-back games to get back to .500. All of a sudden the Buccaneers are right back in the NFC wild card race. Heck, they’re only one win behind the division leading Atlanta Falcons at the moment. The Buccaneers will take on the Oakland Raiders, who may very well be 5-2, but they play terrible on the East Coast. This is a great opportunity for Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers to make some noise against a quality team. This should be a very high scoring game, so get your popcorn ready.

3. Carolina Panthers

The last stand? You better believe it. If the Panthers want any chance whatsoever at making the playoffs, they have to beat the Arizona Cardinals, which is no easy task. This is a rematch of the NFC Championship Game from last season. The Panthers are a disappointing 1-5 this year, but are still barely in the playoff race because the NFC South isn’t exactly the toughest division. Fortunately for the Panthers, they will be at home.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

From one disappointing team to another. The Bengals have been falling apart before our very eyes this year. Marvin Lewis has no control over the team and it’s finally catching up with him. The 3-4 Bengals are still very much in this. If Andy Dalton and the Bengals can find a way to defeat the Washington Redskins at home, they will be right back to 4-4. The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers each have bye weeks.

5. New Orleans Saints

This is so unfortunate for the Saints, but it is what it is. The 2-4 Saints must win on Sunday or their season is done. The good news is they will be playing at home. The bad news? They have to play the Seattle Seahawks. The fate of the 2016 Saints season will come down to whether or not they can defeat Richard Sherman and the Seahawks. That’s a tough task, but not an impossible one. The Saints passing attack against the Seahawks secondary is the No. 1 matchup to watch this weekend in the NFL.