Ravens, Bills set for Week 8 showdown

Lamar Jackson is set to return to the starting lineup for the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, ending a two-game absence that resulted in consecutive losses for the team. The return places the Ravens in a direct clash with the Buffalo Bills, a matchup that SportsLine expert Eric Cohen describes as a potential shootout between two of the last three MVPs. Jackson practiced in advance of the game, signaling his readiness to face Josh Allen in what could be a decisive contest for the AFC standings.

The timing of this matchup follows a difficult stretch for Baltimore. The Ravens blew two halftime leads of more than 10 points in their recent games against Cleveland and Cincinnati. Those losses occurred during Jackson's absence, creating pressure for his immediate return. The Bills, by contrast, enter the game fresh after a bye week that followed road victories over the Los Angeles Rams and the Las Vegas Raiders. Buffalo currently shares the top spot in the AFC with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Historical context favors the Bills in this specific rivalry. Buffalo has won four of the last five meetings with Baltimore, including two playoff contests. In Week 1 of last season, the Ravens collapsed in the fourth quarter to lose by a single point at Buffalo. Cohen projects another high-scoring affair, predicting a 31-25 victory for the Bills. He notes that teams playing at home with a rest advantage are 12-3 against the spread this season, a statistical trend that supports his pick for the Bills to cover and win.

The season also features a critical rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos on Sunday. In the season opener, the Chiefs held Denver to 10 points and won by three touchdowns. That victory was driven by Kenneth Walker, who rushed for 173 yards. Analyst John Breech expects a closer game this time, projecting a 20-16 win for Kansas City. He points out that the Chiefs' offense struggled in Week 7 when the Seattle Seahawks forced Patrick Mahomes to throw from under pressure, a scenario Denver may not be able to replicate due to their run defense.

Denver has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game in the NFL this season. This defensive weakness aligns with Breech's prediction that Walker will again carry the Chiefs to victory. The game is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS. The betting line opens with the Chiefs as 2-point favorites, and the over/under is set at 41.5 points.

On Monday, the Seattle Seahawks will host the Chicago Bears in a primetime matchup that concludes the week. Both teams won in prime time last week, with Seattle triumphing on Sunday night and Chicago on Thursday night. The Seahawks aim to elevate their run game with the potential return of Zach Charbonnet and the addition of six-time All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson. Despite these roster changes, SportsLine expert Emory Hunt favors the under on the 46.5-point total for the game.

Hunt has a strong track record in games involving Seattle, going 28-16-1 in his last 45 picks. His analysis suggests that the offensive upgrades may not immediately translate to a high-scoring game. The matchup is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN. The betting line opens with the Seahawks as 3-point favorites.

The week includes other notable matchups, such as the Philadelphia Eagles traveling to Washington, where Jalen Hurts is absent due to blood clots. Hunt also leans toward the under on that 41-point total. The Los Angeles Chargers face the Rams in a local derby, with the Rams favored by 7.5 points. The New England Patriots are 7.5-point favorites over the Miami Dolphins, a team that secured its first win of the season last week.

The schedule also features the Tennessee Titans visiting the Cincinnati Bengals, who are 10.5-point favorites. The Arizona Cardinals travel to Dallas, where the Cowboys are 6-point favorites. The Minnesota Vikings face the Detroit Lions, with the Lions favored by 3 points. The Indianapolis Colts are 7.5-point underdogs to the Jacksonville Jaguars. These games are all scheduled for Sunday, with the Ravens and Bills kickoff at 1:00 p.m. ET.