Five Things to Watch this Weekend (Week 8)
October 24, 2025
Believe it or not, it’s week 8! Here are our top 5 story lines to follow heading into the weekend.
1 . Steelers vs. Packers
Aaron Rodgers hosts his former organization in Pittsburgh. After leaving the Pack for two disastrous years in New York with injuries mixed in there, Rodgers appeared to be done. Enter Mike Tomlin and a stable organization, and we’ve got a bounce back candidate in ole’ number 12. Well, number 8 now. Rodgers is leading his new team to a 4-2 record with a sparkling 14-5 td/int ratio. Green Bay has been busy developing some talent at the wide receiver position and Jordan Love has stepped into the starting role nicely. They made the playoffs but were bounded in round one by the eventual Super Bowl Champion Eagles. Now with the addition of Micah Parsons, perhaps Rodgers will want to make sure Broderick Jones is feeling tons of love and keeps him protected in this one.
2. Bengals vs. Jets
The suddenly “good again” Bengals may have found some life under newly acquired Joe Flacco. Cincy finds themselves in the perfect spot to get back to .500 and string a small win streak together here as they get to play host to the winless Jets. Jets coach Aaron Glenn is trying to play mind games by not announcing a starter ahead of the weekend. It may be a tough task to contain the speed of Justin Fields, but they’ve already ruled out their top target Garrett Wilson. Have you seen their depth at WR? There isn’t any. If Hendrickson can get back in the lineup and the Bengals get a W here, maybe Logan Wilson changes his mind and wants to stick around.
3. 49ers vs. Rams
Sunday will be National Tight Ends Day! How could we not include 49ers great George Kittle?! He returned last week and was used primarily as a blocker for the CMC show. If there’s one thing we can count on, It’s Kittle getting in the endzone on Tight Ends Day! Brock Purdy has remained limited in practice as of Friday so we’ll more than likely get another start out of Mac Jones.
On the flip side, CJ Stroud needs to take advantage of this very injured 49ers group. This is a task much more easier said than done as we just saw Stafford and the Rams fail a few weeks ago. A well coached team is able to overcome many struggles that come along in an NFL season. The 49ers and Texans are two very good examples of that as one team is exceeding expectations and the other just took another loss LATE Monday Night. The Texans will fall to 2-5 should they drop that one and you’d have to think jobs will start becoming less secure.
4. Ravens vs. Bears
Lamar Jackson returned to practice and will attempt to play this weekend against the red hot Bears. He only practiced in limited fashion this week but was able to log a full practice on Friday, suggesting he’s close to a return. The Ravens are 1-5 in Jackson’s absence and have the odds heavily stacked against them as they look to right the ship and make a playoff push.
Chicago is currently riding a 4 game win streak as things are slowly coming together in Bears Land. Three of their last four wins have been by a one point margin. However, winning those close games is typically a beginning sign that the team is learning and gaining momentum. Look for Chi-Town to make it 5 in a row as they continue their own push for their division. If the running game can stay productive through Swift and Monangai, they’ll have a real shot.
5. Cowboys vs. Broncos
Dak is making an MVP case behind a 3-3-1 record in Dallas, they just got CeeDee Lamb back and gave Washington the belt in week 7. Despite the loss of Micah, the injuries to Lamb and others, they are right in the competitive picture. Add in the nearing return of DeMarvion Overshown on defense, and Jerry might’ve been onto something.
Hold on just a moment, Bo Nix and the Broncos are quietly 5-2 and are coming off one of the biggest comebacks in league history, in front of a crowd that included former Broncos Super Bowl Champions, on a day where they honored the late and great Demaryius Thomas. It just keeps getting more and more special the more it’s discussed. This top ranked defense will be matched up against a Dallas offense looking to continue lighting up the scoreboard. It’s also a small homecoming for former Broncos Javonte Williams who has been running wild in the Dallas backfield.
Keith, Author
Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.
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