Week 8 begins on Thursday night when the Carolina Panthers host the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football in an NFC South rivalry, with the Panthers looking to snap a two-game losing streak and move to 3-4, while the Falcons seek to avoid further embarrassment following their calamitous defeat against the Detroit Lions, which marked Atlanta’s sixth loss in seven games this season.
Somewhat inexplicably, the other two primetime games of the week see three NFC East teams in action, despite the fact the division’s combined record currently stands at a dismal 7-20-1. The Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football looking for their third win of the season and to extend their lead at the top of the division, while the Cowboys cannot afford another loss if a season that’s already drifting dangerously is to be prevented from sinking without trace.
On Monday Night Football, meanwhile, the 1-6 New York Giants get their second consecutive primetime game as they host Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who arrive in New Jersey top of the NFC South after two consecutive wins.
In a slate packed with divisional rivalries, it is somewhat surprising to see that the biggest game of the week, which sees the Baltimore Ravens host the Pittsburgh Steelers, is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET as opposed to one of the three primetime slots. The matchup between the two AFC North rivals seldom requires an introduction, even less so when the Ravens are returning from a bye with a 5-1 record and the Steelers remain the only undefeated team in the NFL at 6-0.
The early afternoon slot on Sunday features two other divisional rivalries, with the Buffalo Bills looking to improve to 6-2 and strengthen their stranglehold on the AFC East when they host the New England Patriots, who travel to Orchard Park, New York, on the back of a three-game losing streak and looking in serious danger to relinquish their grasp on the division after 11 consecutive titles.
Elsewhere, the Green Bay Packers will be looking to improve to 6-1 when they host the Minnesota Vikings, who re-emerge from their bye week rock bottom of the NFC North and on the back of two consecutive losses. Divisional bragging rights are also at stake in the late afternoon slate, when the Denver Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers in a game that was originally scheduled for Week 11 but that was moved to Week 8 following a host of schedule changes in the wake of the postponement between the Broncos and the New England Patriots in Week 5.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks face their second divisional opponent in a row as they host the San Francisco 49ers a week on after suffering their first loss of the season on the road to Arizona.
The Cardinals, along with the Houston Texans, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Washington Football Team are all on a bye this week.
Week 8 TV Schedule (All times ET)
Thursday, October 29
Sunday, November 1
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens—1 p. m. , CBSNew England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills—1 p. m. , CBSTennessee Titans @ Cincinnati Bengals—1 p. m. , CBSLas Vegas Raiders @ Cleveland Browns—1 p. m. , FOXIndianapolis Colts @ Detroit Lions—1 p. m. , CBSMinnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers—1 p. m. , FOXNew York Jets @ Kansas City Chiefs—1 p. m. , CBSLos Angeles Rams @ Miami Dolphins—1 p. m. , FOXLos Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos—4:05 p. m. , CBSNew Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears—4:25 p. m. , FOXSan Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks—4:25 p. m. , FOXDallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles—8:20 p. m. , NBC
Monday, November 2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New York Giants—8:15 p. m. , ESPN
TV coverage
Live stream
Live stream is available through the four broadcasters’ digital platforms, which include apps on Apple and Android devices as well as via connected TVs. Similarly, NFL Network’s game pass will be available via connected TVs and on mobile devices.
Fans can also live stream via NFL Game Pass, which is currently offering annual subscription for free, with no credit card details required for sign up.
