NFL Week 8: Lamar Jackson Returns as Ravens Face Bills in High-Stakes Matchup

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is listed as a full participant in practice ahead of a Sunday game against the Buffalo Bills. Jackson, who has dealt with an ankle injury, is expected to return to the lineup. The Ravens have not allowed a running back to rush for 100 yards in 21 consecutive games, a streak that will face a test from Buffalo running back James Cook III. Cook ranks second in the league with 104.5 rushing yards per game. Bills coach Josh Allen stated that facing Jackson, a fellow MVP, ensures his offense cannot let up, particularly given Buffalo's bottom-three rankings in total defense, scoring defense, and passing defense.

The Bills lead the league with 14 rushing touchdowns, a pace that ties the 2004 Kansas City Chiefs for the third most by any team in its first six games since 1966. ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder predicts the Ravens will intercept Allen on a play-action pass, noting that Baltimore ranks first in EPA allowed on such plays while Buffalo runs play-action at the fourth-highest rate. Betting analyst Pamela Maldonado notes that Ravens games have gone over the total 71% of the time since 2024, the highest over rate in the NFL. Maldonado picks Baltimore to win 31-28, while Walder and fantasy analyst Eric Moody both predict a Buffalo victory.

In Detroit, the Lions host the Minnesota Vikings in a clash of opposing defensive and offensive struggles. Detroit allows a league-high 391 yards per game, while Minnesota has the 29th-ranked total offense. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said the offense must make plays in critical moments to secure wins. Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard dismissed the statistical mismatch, stating that the Vikings do what it takes to win. Jared Goff leads the NFL with 298 passing yards per game. Maldonado picks Minnesota to win 23-20, while Moody favors Detroit 24-21.

The Jacksonville Jaguars host the Indianapolis Colts with a 10-point home field advantage. The Jaguars are 9-1 at EverBank Stadium this season and have won their last six home games by an average of 27 points. Coach Liam Coen said the team does not focus on streaks, noting that any given Sunday can bring upsets. Trevor Lawrence leads the league in completion percentage against zone coverage at 78%. The Colts are testing rookie guard Jalen Farmer and defensive end Adetomiwa Adebawore following trades of Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner. Walder predicts Jonathan Taylor will rush for fewer than 50 yards, a rare occurrence this season.

The Atlanta Falcons travel to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will face a system designed by former offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who advocated for Penix's selection in the 2024 draft. Penix ran the pistol formation 52.1% of the time under Robinson but operates under center 47.6% of the time under new coach Kevin Stefanski. The Buccaneers are favored by 2.5 points.

The week concludes with a Monday Night Football matchup between the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks on ESPN. The Carolina Panthers face the Green Bay Packers on Thursday. The New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Houston Texans are on their weekly bye.

All odds provided are via DraftKings. The Football Power Index gives the Bills a 61.4% win probability against the Ravens, the Lions a 55.2% probability against the Vikings, and the Jaguars a 73.3% probability against the Colts.