Week 8 NFL Picks: Predictions for Sunday's Biggest Games

Parity has been the operative word in the NFL through the first seven weeks. It has led the standings in both conferences to get bunched up, meaning games in Week 8 are already starting to take on a high level of importance for teams around the league.

There are several marquee matchups on the schedule for Sunday, which should make for a terrific day of action from the first kickoff until the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos finish their business just before midnight. Fans can't ask for much more than that.

Let's take a look at the three biggest games in Week 8, breakdown what to expect in each one and make predictions for how they will turn out.

Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles

The NFL's final undefeated team travels to Philadelphia to face an Eagles team that's desperate to get back on track after two straight losses. Both squads are coming off a bye week, meaning any advantage normally gained from it is negated.

Eagles games are always tough to predict because Michael Vick and Co. are so inconsistent. One week they'll look like title contenders and the very next week they'll look like they deserve the first pick. And there's usually no rhyme or reason to it.

Getting LeSean McCoy more involved in the offense is the key to success for Philadelphia. He barely cracked 20 touches in the two losses before the bye. Expect a heavier workload for him en route to a narrow victory over a Falcons team that has benefited from a weak schedule.

Prediction: Eagles 24, Falcons 23

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

The Giants and Cowboys kicked off the season with Dallas earning the road victory. New York will be looking for some payback on Sunday. These two teams always seem to play close games and this week is shaping up to be more of the same.

It's an opportunity for Tony Romo to prove his early-season struggles are a thing of the past. He's had a couple solid performances after the bye week, but leading the Cowboys to another win over the Giants would finally force the negative spotlight elsewhere for a while.

New York's defense hasn't been on its usual elite level, giving Romo a chance to shine on the big stage. The Cowboys know a loss would put a huge dent in their playoff hopes, so expect an inspired showing from "America's Team" this week.

Prediction: Cowboys 31, Giants 27

New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos

Even though Drew Brees and Peyton Manning have both been terrific, their teams haven't been able to match their level of play. It's led to rocky starts for both the Saints and Broncos and that's a rare feeling for the two superstar quarterbacks.

Brees and Manning are both preparing for a shootout on Sunday. The most worrisome thing about that scenario for Denver is the team's tendency to dig itself an early hole. If the Broncos don't remedy that, they will be doomed.

Ultimately, the games will probably come down to which explosive offense has the last. Since the Saints have looked a lot more like the perennial contender of years past over their past two contests, don't be surprised if they pull off the minor upset.

Prediction: Saints 34, Broncos 28