As the 2026 NFL season reaches Week 8, the window for teams' playoff possibilities begins to narrow. Significant results in Week 7 shifted the landscape: the Houston Texans fell to 2-5, the Seattle Seahawks handed the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss in a blowout, the Los Angeles Rams secured a win, and the Atlanta Falcons defeated the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers. These outcomes underscore that games featuring teams outside the top of the playoff picture may prove the most compelling of the week.
Chargers vs. Rams
The Los Angeles rivals meet Sunday, November 1 at 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox, with streaming available on Fubo. Both teams share SoFi Stadium, though the Rams are designated the home team, forcing the Chargers to use the visiting locker room in their own venue. The Chargers enter 0-6; no NFL team has ever started 0-6 and made the playoffs. The worst start by a playoff team was the 1992 San Diego Chargers at 0-4, finishing 11-5. Head coach Jim Harbaugh faces pressure to improve the team's performance. The Rams sit at 3-4 but hold the fifth-best Super Bowl odds at +1100 per DraftKings Sportsbook. A loss to the winless Chargers could see those odds plummet. The game carries weight for both sides: one aims to avoid 0-7, the other fights to reach .500.
Patriots vs. Dolphins
New England visits Miami Sunday, November 1 at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS, streaming on Paramount+. The Dolphins are 1-5, likely eliminating this game from division-title implications, though the Patriots remain in contention for the AFC East despite trailing the Buffalo Bills. New England won the first head-to-head meeting against Buffalo and reclaimed the division lead last season after several years of Bills dominance. Divisional games could prove decisive if records remain close. Historically, the Patriots have struggled in Miami, losing five of their last six games there. New England seeks to rebound from a 30-24 loss to the Chicago Bears, a game marked by self-inflicted errors. An easier opponent offers a test of whether the Patriots can correct mistakes and emerge as an AFC threat.
Falcons vs. Buccaneers
Atlanta hosts Tampa Bay Sunday, November 1 at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, streaming on Fubo. The NFC South features the 3-3 Carolina Panthers, 3-4 Falcons, 2-5 Buccaneers, and 2-5 New Orleans Saints, making this game significant for divisional standings. Both teams experienced early struggles followed by resurgence. Each had quarterbacks sidelined for multiple weeks: Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. recovering from an ACL injury, and Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield sidelined with a thumb injury. Atlanta enters off a major win over the 49ers, handing San Francisco its first loss. Tampa Bay defeated the Panthers last week. The matchup promises a competitive contest between two teams showing renewed fight.
