NFL Week 8 Picks: Patriots vs. Steelers and 5 Games to Watch This Week

Week 8 of the NFL season is upon us with storylines galore.  It's been a crazy season so far, and it's about to get crazier.  This week there are five games on my radar either because of playoff-implications or storylines.  These five games are the ones I'm going to be watching, and you should too.

Washington Redskins at Buffalo Bills

The Redskins and Bills are two of the most surprising teams in the league.

The Bills went from a team that hasn't sniffed the playoffs since losing a historic four Super Bowls in a row, to being right in the thick of things this season.

The Redskins started 3-0, but have dropped three straight and are now looking to bounce back today in Buffalo.

Coming off a bye week and playing at home, this is a must-win for the Bills if they want to make the playoffs.  They have gone through the easiest part of their schedule and they need to win this game if they have the slightest chance of making it back to the playoffs.

This game is also a must-win for the Redksins.  If Washington loses four games in a row they will be just about out of playoff contention.

These two were some of the last undefeated teams in the NFL this season, but this is a must-win for both.

Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos

Under new quarterback Tim Tebow the Broncos won an overtime thriller in Miami last week after scoring two touchdowns and converting a two-point try in the final minutes to tie the game and send it into overtime.

The Broncos host the 5-2 Lions who have lost two straight games after starting 5-0.  The Lions can't afford another loss this week, while Tebow tries to prove that he is an NFL quarterback, not just a storyline.

Tebow is trying to prove he's the guy for Denver this week and this game not only has playoff-implications for the Lions, it also has the biggest quarterback controversy this season.

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

You've heard it before but I'll say it again, this Dream Team has turned into a nightmare and the Eagles are in a must-win situation today against the Cowboys.  The Eagles can't drop to 2-5 if they are going to make the playoffs, as 8-1 is a tall order considering they still play the New England Patriots.

The Cowboys, on the other hand, also need a win today if they want to make it to the playoffs.  The Romo-coaster has led to a crazy season and he needs to have his A-game if they are going to beat the Eagles in Philly.

The Cowboys have a good shot at making it to the playoffs if they can beat the Eagles today as the rest of their schedule isn't too difficult. If they lose and drop to 3-4 they could be in some serious trouble.

It's hard to say that a team has a must-win situation in Week 8, but these two teams are making it easy.

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

Monday Night Football gives us a matchup between two AFC West teams.  This divisional game features the Chiefs, who started 0-3 in an embarrassing way but have gone 3-0, including an impressive 28-0 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

The Chargers, on the other hand, currently lead the AFC West but have a very difficult schedule for the rest of the season.  They are in for at least 3-5 more losses and if they can't win today they are in some serious trouble.

This game is for the lead in the AFC West, and if the Chiefs can win four straight they will have a lot of momentum heading into the second half of the season.

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

In a matchup between two chronic Super Bowl contenders, the 5-1 Patriots take on the 5-2 Steelers.  Both teams have won their last three games and the Patriots are coming off of a bye week.

This game features the best air attack in the league, led by Tom Brady and Wes Welker, against the second-best pass defense led by Troy Polamalu.  The matchup to watch in this game is the Patriots offense against the Steelers D, but it will also come down to if the Patriots can hold the Steelers.

Even with Hines Ward out today the Steelers will be able to pass the ball effectively because the Patriots defense is last against the pass.

This game will play a big role in the playoff picture, and it should be the most important of the week.