Before the 2026 NFL season rolls headlong into November, the league has one final game to play in October. The Green Bay Packers will host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night − and it could be quite a show at Lambeau Field, where joyful Milwaukee Brewers supporters and/or pre-Halloween celebrators could take over the joint. Between the lines, hopefully the football game is compelling, too, given the Panthers upset the Pack in their house almost exactly a year ago, then-Carolina RB Rico Dowdle putting a memorable, multi-pump exclamation point on the victory.
The International Series will take a break this weekend, the Week 8 schedule resuming stateside Sunday afternoon with a potential banger as the Buffalo Bills host the Baltimore Ravens
and, apparently, QB Lamar Jackson, who is expected to return from his ankle injury. About 200 miles west, the Minnesota Vikings will visit the Detroit Lions in what could be the undefeated Vikes' biggest test to date. First place will be on the line in the AFC North as the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers clash for the second time this season, though Acrisure Stadium, a house of horrors for the Browns, will be the site.
Sunday's late-afternoon window will also feature two teams vying for the top spot in their division, the Kansas City Chiefs hoping to sweep the Denver Broncos, who will try to avenge their Week 1 loss and move atop the AFC West. The day will conclude with the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Washington Commanders in the Sunday night showcase.
Monday could provide the best game on the docket as the high-octane Chicago Bears face the stifling Seattle Seahawks in the Pacific Northwest on "Monday Night Football."
Now, onward to the crystal balls of USA TODAY Sports' NFL experts.
(Odds provided by BetMGM)
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 8 picks straight up, against the spread: Bills or Ravens in Sunday banger?
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