NFL Week 8 Picks: Cowboys vs. Eagles and Games with Major Playoff Implications

It may only be Week 8 of the NFL season, but it is never too late to take a look ahead to the playoffs. Early-season games are just as important as late-season games in the grand scheme of things, so teams could certainly look back at Week 8 come season's end and say that a win or a loss is what caused them to make or miss the postseason.

Here are three Week 8 games that will have major playoff implications when everything is said and done.

New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Regardless of what the result is when the 5-1 New England Patriots face the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend, both teams are very likely to make the playoffs. What this game could have a bearing on, however, is home-field advantage.

The Patriots would seem to be the class of the AFC at the moment, but the Steelers might have something to say about that. Tom Brady has had a lot of success against the Steelers during his career despite their perennially tough defenses, but he has often had a stout defense of his own.

That isn't the case this season as the Pats have really struggled to defend the pass. That could be a major problem against Pittsburgh as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been red hot as of late. Whichever team is able to come out on top will be in the driver's seat in the AFC.

San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The San Diego Chargers seemed to have a pretty good stranglehold on the AFC West after starting 4-1, but they were unable to close out the New York Jets last weekend. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs have won three straight since losing their opening three games and are now  just one game behind San Diego.

Kansas City has done all of this with myriad injuries and is once again playing the team football that helped it win the division last season. The Chargers seem to be headcases, so you have to wonder how their latest loss is going to affect them.

San Diego did beat the Chiefs in Week 3, but Kansas City has played significantly better since then. The Oakland Raiders may have something to say when it comes to division, but I think the addition of Carson Palmer is an overrated one. Because of that, the winner of this game will be the team to beat in the division moving forward.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

It is true that the Dallas Cowboys are 3-3 and the Philadelphia Eagles are 2-4, but I firmly believe that one of them will ultimately win the NFC East. The New York Giants are currently in control of the division at 4-2, but they always seem to find creative ways to blow it in the season's final weeks.

Both the Cowboys and Eagles are supremely talented, but they have under performed greatly. The Cowboys seem to be closer than the Eagles, as they have failed to hold leads late, but you get the feeling that the Eagles could explode at pretty much any time.

I don't want to call this a must-win game, but a loss would be quite debilitating to either team. It would knock Dallas back below .500 and it would leave Philadelphia with one more loss to play with for the entirety of the season at most. Whoever wins this game will get a major confidence boost moving forward that could propel them to the top of the NFC East.