Minnesota's perfect 6-0 start meets Detroit, while Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen clash in Buffalo as eight games kick off Week 8 at 5pm GMT.
The NFL season is nearly at its halfway mark, and the playoff picture is taking shape. Week 8 opens with an early slate of eight games at 5pm GMT (1pm EST), and several of them could shape the race to January.
The headline game is in Detroit, where the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings (6-0) visit the Lions (4-2) in an NFC North showdown. The Vikings are the league's last perfect record in this matchup, and a win would extend their lead in a tight division. The Lions have a chance to land a statement blow on home turf.
In Buffalo, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen go head to head as the Baltimore Ravens (4-3) visit the Bills (5-1). Baltimore needs a signature road win to steady its season, while Buffalo wants to protect its strong record and show it can handle a heavyweight opponent.
The AFC North also has a big game in Pittsburgh, where the Browns (5-2) take on the Steelers (5-2) with identical records. Elsewhere, the Titans (1-6) visit the Bengals (4-2), the Cardinals (2-5) travel to the Cowboys (3-4), and the Colts (2-5) face the Jaguars (4-2). The Raiders (3-4) visit the Jets (2-5), and the Falcons (3-4) meet the Buccaneers (2-5).
Teams with early struggles are running out of time to climb back into contention, while the fast starters want to build their cushion. Several playoff races could look very different by the end of Sunday's early window.
