The NFL Roundup 2017 - Week 8

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(Darron Cummings/Associated Press)

Here we are at last, the mid point (for the most part) of the NFL season. It is here that truly the cream rises to the top as teams that are enjoying a solid win and loss record play all that much harder to pad the win column in order to make life easy once the playoff race gets underway and for teams on the bubble, well this is where they sink or swim when it comes to their tumultuous season. Regardless of where your team stands when it comes to that midseason push, we should be in for some incredibly fascinating games this weekend, ones filled to the brim with captivating stories and here are the top ones that we will be keeping an eye upon in Week 8. 

The Los Angeles Chargers might give the Patriots a run for their money.
I get the funny feeling there are a lot of smiling faces at practice when it comes to the Los Angeles Chargers. After all, they've won their last three games in a row, and two of those victories came about by beating two quality division rivals and come Sunday, they head into Foxboro to take on the Patriots and quite frankly, I think New England might be in for quite the challenge. The Chargers are playing some top notch football right now in just about every single phase of the game and if they can limit their mistakes and frustrate Brady on defense and score some points, there's a fair chance they can pull off the upset and win their fourth in a row. Either way, I get the feeling this game is going to be far closer than anyone anticipated and don't be shocked if Los Angeles stuns the Patriots and walks out of Foxboro with the win. 

The Denver Broncos are in a must win situation come Monday night. 
Normally, the 'do or die' games are saved for the end of the season when that final playoff spot is on the line. But the Denver Broncos are in that uncomfortable place right now, since they've lost two in a row in ugly fashion and losing another game to the number one team in the AFC West would be devastating to the future of their season. Which means, this game is going to test Denver's mettle, since it is a must win. They have to dig deep and figure out how to play at a high level on offense. The offensive line has to protect their quarterback and Trevor Siemian has to make the right reads in the pocket and the run game has to come to life, otherwise the Broncos will be on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race.

Will the Atlanta Falcons rebound against the New York Jets? 
Clearly, the Falcons are a team that can play at a high level, but considering the fact that they blew another lead to the Miami Dolphins and out right fell to pieces facing the Patriots once again, this team needs a win and quick in order to get their heads back in the game. However, the big question hanging before them is whether or not they can rebound against the New York Jets this weekend simply because, New York is far better than people are giving them credit this year. They can hang with teams, and they can score big and considering how fragile Atlanta's psyche is right now, if the Jets put up a fight, there's a chance Atlanta will make some silly mistakes and lose the game. Really the best way for this team to snap out of their funk, is to just pour it on offensively to the point where the Jets cannot recover and if they cannot do that...the downward spiral they are currently in will continue. 

The Chicago defense may need to carry their team again this week.
It wasn't that long ago, two years in fact, that we were talking about a specific defense that was carrying its team week in and week out by way of the Denver Broncos and it would seem that kind of talk may be starting again thanks to the Chicago Bears. Because last week, the young and stout Bears defense stunned the high powered Carolina Panthers by shutting them down before scoring a majority of the points in order to secure the win and well...there's a good chance they'll have the opportunity to turn in another legendary performance come Sunday. Because the New Orleans defense will no doubt do everything in their power to confuse young rookie QB Mitch Trubisky, so if the Chicago D can slow down Drew Brees and force some turnovers, and score as well because...why not? They'll be the toast of the Windy City once again. 

The Dallas Cowboys could be walking into a trap game against Washington. 
The Cowboys certainly enjoyed one hell of a tune up game against the 49ers last week, and you know a solid and convincing blowout has their spirits soaring to the point where I'm certain they're walking into this week's game against the Redskins with plenty of confidence. But they need to check their puffed up chests at the door because Washington is highly underrated and are no doubt looking to surprise Dallas come Sunday, and that's a big deal since Dallas isn't exactly known for handling adversity well. So, if Dak Prescott and the offense can keep a level head when the Redskins defense attacks, the Cowboys have a shot at putting some points on the board and if the Dallas D contains Kirk Cousins and the potent Redskins offensive attack, then the Cowboys will leave FedEx Field with an important victory under their belts, but if old habits persist...the Redskins will use every opportunity to their advantage...

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