NFL Week 8 Predictions: Cowboys vs. Eagles and More Games Sure to Rock

After seven weeks of the regular season, it's easy to see that 2011 will be one of the best years ever for the NFL. 

It's been a crazy season so far with outstanding comebacks, great individual performances and huge blowout victories. 

Unfortunately, there have also been a number of injuries. Some teams have done a good job recovering, while others continue to struggle. 

Still, each week gives the fans something new, and this Sunday will be no different. 

Here are three games certain to be the best of Week 8. 

Dallas at Philadelphia 

The Eagles are coming off a bye and they will host one of their most hated rivals, the Cowboys. This NFC East matchup happens to be the primetime game Sunday night, which NFL fans will be thankful for after Week 7's awful primetime games. 

Michael Vick and Tony Romo go toe-to-toe trying to lead their teams to victory. Both squads are desperate for a win, but the Eagles will want this game more. 

The Cowboys will have their hands full on Sunday, and they'll be continuing on DeMarco Murray to come through once again, although it's doubtful he has a day like he did last week. 

In the end, I give the Eagles the edge because they're well rested and will be very prepared to win Sunday night. Taking advantage of Romo's mistakes will be key, as well as connecting on big plays. 

Prediction: Eagles 27, Cowboys 23 

New England at Pittsburgh 

The Steelers return home after winning out west last week, and they will host the Patriots, who are fresh off a bye. 

Tom Brady and company won by 13 last season, but this year the Patriots defense isn't playing as well. Ben Roethlisberger will have plenty of opportunities to shine, which means Mike Wallace is likely to have a big day. 

The real concern is if the Steelers defense will be able to slow down a well-rested Patriots offense? They've been on a roll this season, as Brady continues to find his receivers with ease. 

This is going to be one of the better games on Sunday, and NFL fans certainly wish it were the Monday night game. Brady will do enough in the end to get the victory though, as his success against Pittsburgh grows even larger. 

Prediction: Patriots 31, Steelers 26 

Minnesota at Carolina 

Two rookie quarterbacks will battle it out Sunday afternoon, and they will both hope to prove all their doubters wrong. Cam Newton's great start has already made a number of people eat their words, and after Christian Ponder's impressive showing against the Green Bay Packers he is on the same path. 

The key is to see if Ponder can keep playing at a high level—or perhaps last week was just a fluke. He's got talented players around him, but we'll see how he does on the road. 

Playing in Carolina isn't too much of a hostile environment, but an inexperienced QB playing away from home can get easily frustrated.

In the end, Newton will be too much for the Vikings, as he gets the job done with his feet and his legs. Ponder will play decent, but he won't make the key plays needed to win games; plus, his reliance on Adrian Peterson won't help him in late in fourth quarter when he'll be asked to use his arm to move the ball down the field.

Prediction: Panthers 30, Vikings 24