NFL Week 8 Predictions: How Hottest Teams Will Fare

The New York Giants, Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons are all on win streaks of three games or more. They lead their respective divisions, and have clearly established themselves as three of the elite teams in the NFL.

In Week 8, all the three teams face tests of varying levels of difficulty. Here's my prediction for how each of them will fare:

Chicago Bears host Carolina Panthers

The Bears have won four in a row led by a nasty and opportunistic defense. The team has forced an NFL-best 21 turnovers in six games. They have allowed a league-low 428 yards on the ground, and the pass rush has accumulated 21 sacks, which is fifth in the NFL.

I don't think there's much of a question which team has the best overall defense in the NFL right now.

The Panthers will come into Soldier Field having lost four games in a row. The offense has sputtered terribly. Their 106 points is 29th in the NFL. 

Cam Newton is in the midst of a sophomore slump for the ages. He's thrown six interceptions to only five touchdown passes this season. With the Bears taking the ball away the way they have been, this doesn't appear to be a favorable matchup for Newton and Panthers.

The Bears' offense hasn't been dynamic, but Jay Cutler and Bishop Brandon Marshall (listen to Marshall on this episode of ESPN First Take for an explanation behind this spiritual reference) have combined for 577 yards receiving and four touchdowns.

Matt Forte has been steady and productive—despite missing a game. The Bears will win this one at home, 24-6.

Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles

The Falcons are the only undefeated team in the NFL, but they won't be for long. The Eagles have been turnover machines (17 as a team)—especially Michael Vick—but they have been competitive in almost every game this season.

Of their losses, only the Week 3 loss to Arizona was by more than one score.

The Falcons have been treading on thin ice the last three weeks. They could have lost to the Panthers, Washington Redskins, and especially to the Oakland Raiders last week. None of their last three wins has been by more than one score.

After the bye week, Vick and the Eagles will be ready for an important game at home.

Vick will take this round against his former team, giving them their first loss, 32-21.

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

The G-Men have won three straight, but they had their ups and downs. Robert Griffin III nearly vanquished them at MetLife stadium, but the Giants produced two definitive wins over the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers prior to that.

They renew acquaintances with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in a crucial NFC East division matchup. The Giants are looking to take a firm control of the division with a win. They would move to 2-2 in the division, and they would have a two-and-a-half-game lead over the Cowboys.

The Cowboys have been inconsistent, and Tony Romo has thrown an interception in all but one game this season. Turnovers will kill the Cowboys in this game—as it genuinely does, and the Giants will continue to roll with a 35-28 win on the road.

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