NFL whip around: What we're watching in Week 8
DENVER — Philip Rivers might have smiled in the closing minutes of the San Diego Chargers' 35-21 loss Thursday night in Denver, but it was only because of sheer absurdity of the situation, with a trolling scoreboard operator at Sports Authority Field at Mile High alternating pictures of his face and that of Peyton Manning.
"If you'd have told me when I was 10 years old that they were going to show me in front of 75,000 to get booed and Peyton Manning in the same clip and get cheered, I'd say 'that'd be pretty awesome,'" Rivers said.
It was about the only thing Rivers could chuckle about though after his Chargers lost two games within five days this week and watching their lead in the division turn into a 1.5-game deficit to the Broncos. The Chargers believe they are a talented enough team to challenge the Broncos again in the division and to return to the playoffs, but they must figure out a way to stop this slide.
They'll have plenty of time to work on it. In one of the NFL schedule's biggest quirks, the Chargers will play only one game between Thursday's game in Denver and a Nov. 16 game against Oakland.
"It's going to be a great second half of the season, and it starts in Miami," Chargers coach Mike McCoy said Friday.
For that to happen, the Chargers have several issues to solve, none more pressing than an injury-riddled secondary, with starting cornerback Brandon Flowers still not cleared to return from the concussion he suffered Week 6, rookie first-round pick Jason Verrett appearing to re-aggravate the shoulder injury that nearly kept him out of Thursday's game, and safety Jaheel Addae suffering a concussion against the Broncos.
McCoy, normally one of the league's most even-keeled coaches, grew testy Friday at repeated questions about Verrett and Addae, as well as questions about why the running game struggled. The Chargers had only 38 rushing yards until the final play of the game, when Branden Oliver broke off a 23-yard run.
"We'll get it figured out by next Sunday," McCoy said.
And now onto your Week 8 Whip Around, your game-day guide to the NFL's biggest story lines:
Saints hopes still alive?
Need to know: The New Orleans Saints own a 13-game winning streak in primetime games played at the Superdome, that includes Mondays and Thursdays and of course, Sunday nights like the one they'll get this week when they host the Green Bay Packers. But the streak certainly looks like it is in jeopardy thanks to a struggling defense and an underachieving offense and an opponent in the Packers that is surging. The Saints, who fell to 2-4 with a loss last week in Detroit, returned home believing their season could be salvaged, in large part because they are playing in arguably the NFL's worst division. Beat the Packers, and the Saints know they'll have a chance to potentially regain control of the division within days with a Thursday night game in Week 9 against the 3-3-1 Carolina Panthers.
What to expect: The Packers, who have won four consecutive games, have perhaps the NFL's hottest quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, who has thrown 18 touchdowns and only one interception. The Saints, meanwhile, are among the NFL's worst teams at creating turnovers, with just three interceptions and one recovered fumble. The Packers are a narrow road favorite, but if the teams hold true to their turnover track records, it could get ugly for the Saints.
Can Ravens pull away?
Need to know: It doesn't seem like very long ago that the Cincinnati Bengals weren't just being discussed as the best team in the AFC North, but was in the conversation for the best teams in the NFL. Suddenly – after two blowout losses to the Patriots and Colts and a tie with the struggling Panthers – the Bengals find themselves in a must-win game against division rival Baltimore at midseason. The Ravens already have five wins, two more than the Bengals, and with a win this week, certainly look like they could run away with the division.
What to expect: Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green is doubtful to play with the toe injury that kept him out of the last two games – and the Bengals somehow need to find a way this week to make up for the loss of one of the NFL's best players. The Bengals defense, meanwhile, could have another rough day. After giving up 27 points to Andrew Luck and the Colts last week, they face a confident Joe Flacco, who has thrown seven touchdowns in the past two weeks.
NFC Playoff Preview in Arizona
Need to know: What an interesting game in Glendale, Ariz. Sunday between the Eagles and Cardinals in a matchup of two of the NFL's most interesting offensive-minded head coaches, in Philadelphia's new-school Chip Kelly, and Arizona's old-school Bruce Arians. For the Eagles, this will be the biggest challenge for their running game since playing the 49ers last month. The Cardinals have the NFL's best run defense, which could force Eagles quarterback Nick Foles to win this game with his arm.
What to expect: The Cardinals can win this game – and garner more respect around the league – if they don't give the Eagles any extra chances to score, and with a plus-seven turnover ratio this season, that has worked well so far for Arizona. The Eagles, meanwhile, look like they'll have at least one matchup issue for Arizona with tight end Zach Ertz. Arizona's pass defense ranks among the worst groups in the league, and the Cardinals gave up two receiving touchdowns to Denver's Julius Thomas in their only loss.
Fantasy Watch: It's been a while since Darren McFadden has been a hot fantasy player, but this could be the week to play him if you've got him. McFadden and the Oakland Raiders face the Cleveland Browns' league-worst run defense that is allowing more than 155 rushing yards per game.
For Entertainment Purposes Only: Despite beating Seattle last week, the St. Louis Rams find themselves the biggest underdogs of the week, with the Kansas City Chiefs a 7.5-point favorite for the battle of Missouri. Both of the Chiefs' last two games – a win against San Diego, and a loss at San Francisco – were decided by five points or less.
Game Time Decision: Washington head coach Jay Gruden is keeping the quarterback intrigue alive through the weekend by deciding not to officially rule Robert Griffin III out of Monday's game against the Cowboys. Griffin has returned to practice on a limited basis after suffering a dislocated ankle Week 2. Colt McCoy, the former No. 3 quarterback, would start if Griffin, indeed, isn't ready to return.