As the NFL's 2026 season reaches Week 8, the Green Bay Packers have already made history by becoming the first team to hold a winning record through eight games while rushing for fewer than 500 yards as a team (485). With the Packers' unprecedented offensive imbalance setting the tone, analysts have offered five bold predictions for the Halloween weekend slate.
Jared Goff to Torch Undefeated Vikings Defense
The Minnesota Vikings enter the week as the league's last undefeated team at 6-0, powered by a defense coordinated by Brian Flores that leads the NFL in scoring defense (12.3 points per game allowed), red zone defense (23.1% touchdown rate allowed), goal-line defense (28.6% touchdown rate allowed), completion percentage allowed (53.9%), touchdown-to-interception ratio allowed (3-7), sack rate (10.6%), pressure rate (47.6%), and blitz rate (71.8% — the highest in 20 years). Despite Goff being sacked five times in each of his last two meetings with Minnesota, the Detroit Lions quarterback is on a historic heater: he leads the NFL in passing yards per game (298.0), touchdown-to-interception ratio (14-0), and passer rating (112.5). His 223 pass attempts without an interception are the most through six games in NFL history, and his 14 touchdowns without a pick tie Russell Wilson's 2019 mark. The prediction: Goff throws for 250-plus yards and three-plus touchdowns while being sacked no more than once, handing the Vikings their first loss.
Tony Pollard to Rush for 120-Plus Yards and Multiple TDs at Bengals
After a slow start averaging 58.2 rushing yards per game and 4.0 yards per carry with one touchdown through six weeks, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard exploded for 129 yards and a career-high three rushing touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns in Week 7. Despite a revamped Cincinnati Bengals defensive line featuring Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and rookie Cashius Howell — which has improved the unit from the NFL's worst rushing defense (147.1 yards per game in 2025) to 19th (116.3 yards per game) and from 30th in scoring defense (28.9 points per game) to 8th (20.3 points per game) — the forecast calls for Pollard to stay hot and top 120 rushing yards with multiple scores, even with a limited passing attack led by rookie quarterback Cam Ward.
Jaylen Warren to Set Career High vs. Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has amassed 855 yards from scrimmage through Week 7, the fourth-most in the league, and his 705 yards since Week 3 lead the NFL. His 6.8 yards per touch on 18 touches per game would be the highest since C.J. Spiller in 2012. Facing a Browns defense that just surrendered 129 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Pollard, Warren is projected to erupt for a career-high 200 yards from scrimmage and even the season series at one win apiece.
Justin Herbert to Play Turnover-Free Game vs. Rams
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has struggled mightily, tying for the league lead in interceptions (8) and turnovers (10) and becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to start 0-6 with an interception and multiple sacks in each of his team's first six games. Against SoFi Stadium neighbors the Los Angeles Rams, Herbert is expected to play a clean game with multiple touchdown passes and no turnovers. Rams defensive stalwart Aaron Donald, 35, has gone five straight games without a sack — the longest streak of his career — and the Chargers are predicted to lean on rookie running back Omarion Hampton to control the clock and settle Herbert.
Garrett Wilson to Reconnect with Geno Smith vs. Raiders
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson had a season-low three targets, two catches, 26 yards, and no touchdowns in Week 7, punctuated by a heated sideline exchange with quarterback Geno Smith and passing game coordinator Seth Ryan. Week 8 offers a revenge game for Smith against his former team, the Las Vegas Raiders, whose defense has allowed 35.8 points per game and 11 passing touchdowns during a four-game losing streak after a 3-0 start. The prediction: Smith lights up his old defense, and Wilson produces over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown — more than quadrupling his Week 7 output.
