None of the three Super Bowl favorites — the San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs — added wins in Week 7, underscoring how open the championship race remains heading into Week 8. The Cincinnati Bengals have a prime opportunity to seize control of a surprisingly competitive AFC North, while the Houston Texans' playoff hopes have taken a significant hit after a promising start.
Super Bowl Odds Entering Week 8
Odds via DraftKings (teams at +2000 or better): 49ers +580, Bills +700, Chiefs +900, Seahawks +1000, Rams +1100, Jaguars +1200, Ravens +1300, Bears +1400, Bengals +1600, Vikings +1700, Patriots +1900, Broncos +1900.
Stock Up: Joe Burrow's Excellence Ignites Bengals
After earning their first divisional win in Week 7, the Bengals became AFC North favorites for the first time this season. Trailing the Ravens 13-0 at halftime, quarterback Joe Burrow delivered perhaps the best half of his career, posting a perfect passer rating across the third and fourth quarters. He completed 16 of 18 passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns. The offense has now scored at least 31 points in back-to-back games, while the defense showed improvement with a shutout second half against Tyler Huntley and held the Texans to just six points in Week 2. If the defense can string together strong performances, Cincinnati could emerge as a complete Super Bowl contender.
Stock Down: Texans' Resurgence Reaches Screeching Halt
Houston's chance to become only the second NFL team to reach the playoffs after an 0-4 start took a major blow. The defense, which led the league in yards allowed and ranked second in scoring last season, now sits in the bottom half in both metrics. They allowed J.J. McCarthy to post the third-best start of his career by passer rating and surrendered two long overtime runs to the New York Giants' Cam Skattebo and Devin Singletary. Quarterback C.J. Stroud is playing at a contract-extension level but receives little support from a unit that has regressed inexplicably despite minimal roster and coaching changes.
Long Shot of the Week: Cowboys (+3200)
Dallas remains a fringe contender until its defense proves it can consistently slow opponents; the Cowboys have yet to hold a team under 20 points. However, the offense clicked on Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles. Running back Javonte Williams leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns after a 155-yard performance, and receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens combined for three touchdowns. If that output signals a dominant stretch, Dallas could top the wide-open NFC East.
Week 8 Games to Watch
Ravens at Bills — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+. Lamar Jackson's ankle uncertainty clouds Baltimore's playoff prospects; Buffalo, coming off a bye, could outduel the Ravens in a potential Josh Allen vs. Jackson (or Tyler Huntley) showdown.
Bears at Seahawks — Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/Fubo. Seattle's defense just stifled rushing leader Kenneth Walker III and faces a Chicago team that ranks first in rushing offense but poses more receiving threats.
Chiefs at Broncos — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+. Kansas City needs to revive its run game against a Denver defense allowing the fourth-most rushing yards per game; the winner takes the AFC West lead.
Vikings at Lions — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox/Fubo. Minnesota's top-ranked defense meets Detroit's second-ranked offense in a clash of extremes that could clarify or further muddle the NFC North race.
