NFL week eight: Ravens v Bills, Browns v Steelers, Vikings v Lions and more – updates

One of the biggest surprises of the season has to be the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers juking it out at the top of the AFC North both on 5-2. I had both down to struggle mightily but strong defenses have kept the Ws flowing for both franchises.

The rivalry between the two is serious. Browns edge rusher Jared Verse caused a stir earlier this season when he criticised for the Steelers for playing dirty after Cleveland’s 27-24 win from week four.

“I don’t got no respect for anybody that plays too dirty, and that does too much extra shit after the game,” he said.

“I can’t wait until we see them again,” Verse added. “I’m going to put that one on the calendar. I can’t wait to get my hands on them again.”

Pittsburgh’s defensive lineman Cam Heyward fired back this week.

“Double teaming, sliding, chipping, are those not allowed in our game?” Heyward said. “Yeah, I got the bruises to prove it. But we don’t whine about it, baby. It’s part of the game. And so, I’m looking forward to this game. It’s gonna be a fun game.”

The Steelers are heavy home favourites but Verse leads a Browns defense with the power to spring a surprise.

Something has to give in Detroit today as the NFL’s best defense meet an offense scoring more than 30 points per game. Minnesota’s defensive coordinator Brian Flores has unbelievable stopping power at his disposal and will need to unleash all of it to stop the Lions’ impressive offense.

If the unbeaten Vikings do have any struggles in shutting down running back Jahmyr Gibbs and their strong receiving crew then it will be fascinating to see if Minnesota’s quarterback Kyler Murray can find some joy against a poor Lions defense. Murray and company have only nine offensive touchdowns so far but will have opportunities to flex their muscles today. Some more confidence and offensive production will certainly be needed in the postseason.

A pair of quarterback heavyweights?! Yes, just a bit. Lamar Jackson returns from a three-game absence for the Baltimore Ravens to face Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Jackson’s two MVP awards play Allen’s one but Allen is very much the favourite to add to a second to his trophy cabinet after a scintillating start to the season.

After their own hot start with Jackson at the controls the Ravens have slumped to 4-3. Two defeats in succession leave Baltimore bottom of the AFC North. So they will be hoping Jackson can jump back in and stop the slide. Unfortunately the omens aren’t great. The Bills have beaten the Ravens on three straight occasions at home, the latest being last season’s thriller from the opening week as Buffalo scored 16 unanswered points in the final four minutes to overturn a 15-point deficit in their 41-40 victory.

Let’s hope for another epic today.

Hi and hello football fans! With Halloween in the rearview mirror and the season’s halfway point almost upon us the race to the playoffs is beginning to take shape. Who can overcome early struggles for a spot in January? Who will maintain their searing run to the postseason? Week eight might just provide a couple of answers in an exciting early window of eight games from 12pm CST/1pm EST/5pm GMT (home teams listed second):

• (4-3) Baltimore Ravens v Buffalo Bills (5-1)

• (1-6) Tennessee Titans v Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)

• (2-5) Arizona Cardinals v Dallas Cowboys (3-4)

• (6-0) Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions (4-2)

• (2-5) Indianapolis Colts v Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)

• (3-4) Las Vegas Raiders v New York Jets (2-5)

• (5-2) Cleveland Browns v Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)

• (3-4) Atlanta Falcons v Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5)

There is a potential classic between two QB heavyweights in the AFC as the Ravens take on the Bills, then the Browns and Steelers battle it out for top spot in the AFC North with the main event coming from the NFC North as the unbeaten Vikings take on the Lions in Detroit. It could be a very fun afternoon. Strap in!