This week, injuries have hit several NFC teams hard as they head into Week 8 of the NFL season. In San Francisco, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a severe knee injury and is expected to miss the rest of the season, adding to the woes for the 49ers. His teammate, Deebo Samuel, was also hospitalized due to pneumonia, leaving San Francisco’s receiving corps in a tough spot.
Tampa Bay faced unfortunate circumstances as well when wide receiver Mike Evans left the field during their game against Baltimore with a hamstring injury. Fellow wideout Chris Godwin also sustained a leg injury and could possibly be sidelined for the remainder of the season, adding further uncertainty to the Buccaneers’ plans for their upcoming game.
Both teams are looking to bounce back in their Week 8 matchups. The Buccaneers will host the Atlanta Falcons as 2.5-point underdogs, while the 49ers are 4.5-point favorites against the Dallas Cowboys in a notable Sunday Night Football clash. It’s crucial for these teams to overcome their injury challenges to stay competitive.
Looking at the broader picture, football fans will want to pay attention to the score predictions made by experts. After examining the entire Week 8 schedule, an NFL expert believes the Philadelphia Eagles will pull off an upset against the Cincinnati Bengals on the road with a predicted score of 26-24. The Eagles’ running back Saquon Barkley has been on fire, recently racking up 176 rushing yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants. He has accumulated 658 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season, making him a player to watch.
Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ quarterback, is also performing well, especially now that he has his top target, A.J. Brown, back in the game. In his last two outings, Hurts has found the end zone five times, highlighting the potential for a strong performance against a Bengals defense that allows over 136 rushing yards on average.
Week 8 promises to be filled with excitement and the potential for some surprising outcomes. As fans gear up for the upcoming games, it’s a chance for teams like the 49ers and Buccaneers to rally and for others like the Eagles to showcase their strengths.
