NFL Schedule 2017: Cowboys, Raiders, Patriots, Broncos Highlight Best Week 8 Games

There are fewer games than usual on the schedule for Week 8 of the 2017 NFL season. Six teams are on a bye, but that doesn’t mean there aren't quality matchups on the upcoming slate.

Teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos are hoping to win important divisional matchups on the road. The New England Patriots have a chance to take sole possession of the best record in the AFC, while the Oakland Raiders are trying to get back to .500.

Here’s a look at the five best games on the Week 8 schedule:

Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills

We’re going to learn a lot about these two teams in Week 8. This is a game Oakland needs to win if they have any chance of living up to the preseason hype and making a playoff run. Buffalo has exceeded all expectations with a 4-2 start, though they still don’t have a win against a team that’s currently over .500. The Bills have to win if they have any hope of keeping pace with the Patriots in the AFC East.

Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots

The Chargers are trying to prove that a 0-4 start doesn’t mean your season is over. L.A. is looking like the team that many experts thought they would be in the preseason, winning three games in a row and inching closer to .500. New England has also improved, playing much better defense over the last few weeks. If Los Angeles can pull off the upset Sunday, it’s not out of the question that these two teams could meet again in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks

It’s time to see what the best rookie quarterback can do against one of the NFL’s best defenses. Deshaun Watson has been sensational this season, tied for second in passing touchdowns, even though he has two fewer starts than most quarterbacks. A big game in Seattle would put him in the MVP discussion if he isn’t there already. The Seahawks are significant favorites at home, and while the Philadelphia Eagles have the best NFC record, Seattle might ultimately be the team in the conference with the best chance of winning the Super Bowl.

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

It’s the biggest rivalry game of Week 8 and one that could go a long way in determining the playoff hopes of the two teams. With the first-place Eagles set to host the winless San Francisco 49ers, the loser of this game would essentially fall out of the NFC East race. Dallas is looking to prove that last week’s 40-10 win wasn’t just a meaningless victory against a bad team, and Washington enters this game having only lost to the NFC’s top two teams. No matter who wins, there should be plenty of points scored with Dak Prescott and Kirk Cousins playing so well.

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

All of a sudden, the Chiefs are no longer running away with the AFC West. Two straight losses for Kansas City means a win for the Broncos would put them just one game out of first place. Denver is searching for answers on offense with four straight games of 16 points or fewer, though they still have the league’s No.1 ranked defense. Kansas City is now tied with Pittsburgh and New England for the best record in the conference.