NFL Week 8 preview: Ravens host Steelers, Saints invade Chicago

The 2020 NFL season heads for November, and Week 8 has a bevy of good games including a fantastic one between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.

Best mismatch for Falcons: Stand and fire. Matt Ryan lead the NFL in passing yards and should have time to throw, as Carolina ranks last in pressure rate (17.0%).

Best mismatch for Panthers: Make plays. Carolina throws short, but Atlanta has allowed the most yards after catch (1,067) and second-most air yards (1,330).

Stat to know: Atlanta gives up the most yards per play (6.6) in the NFL.

Best mismatch for Colts: Get off the field. Indianapolis is fifth in yards allowed per drive (28.3) while Detroit ranks a paltry 19th offensively in the statistic (33.7).

Best mismatch for Lions: Don’t worry about the run. Indianapolis ranks last in yards per attempt (3.6). This should help Detroit sell out against Philip Rivers in hopes of forcing turnovers.

Stat to know: The Colts have only allowed 510 yards after the catch, best in football.

Best mismatch for Rams: Make the kid work. Los Angeles has allowed a league-low 595 air yards. Look for Tua Tagovailoa to be throwing short and quick repeatedly.

Best mismatch for Dolphins: Stop it. Miami’s defense is second in drives against resulting in points (27.7%) while Los Angeles is 21st in drives ending in a score (40.6%).

Stat to know: The Dolphins have only allowed third-down conversions 31.3 percent of the time, best in football.

Best mismatch for Raiders: Take the yards. Cleveland has allowed a league-high 116 first downs. Las Vegas has been consistent in scoring each drive with a league-best 52.5 percent of drives resulting in points.

Best mismatch for Browns: Move along. Cleveland must stay ahead of the sticks with its run game, where the Raiders allow 4.6 yards per carry (T-20th). The Browns average 5.1 YPA, fourth-best in football.

Stat to know: Cleveland has forced a league-high 14 turnovers.

Best mismatch for Vikings: Take chances. Green Bay has only defensed 12 passes this year, worst in the NFL. Kirk Cousins has been careless with 10 interceptions, but this week, he might have larger windows to hit.

Best mismatch for Packers: Keep it rolling. Green Bay is third in drives ending in points (51.6%) while Minnesota is 31st defensively in the category (57.6%).

Stat to know: Minnesota and Green Bay rank second and third in yards per play respectively, at 6.3 and 6.2.

Best mismatch for Jets: Run all day. Kansas City is 29th defensively in YPC (4.9) while New York is a respectable 15th offensively (4.3).

Best mismatch for Chiefs: Look out, Sam. The Chiefs figure to lead in this one, and Kansas City ranks third in pressure rate (28.4%) and fourth in hurry rate (13.8%). New York has a sack rate allowed of 9.1%, second-worst in football.

Stat to know: New York has missed an NFL-worst 77 tackles this season.

Best mismatch for Patriots: Take your time. Buffalo ranks 32nd in hurry rate (5.6%), giving Cam Newton’s underwhelming receivers to get open.

Best mismatch for Bills: Make a play. New England has a 6.4% interception rate, worst in the NFL. Buffalo will have opportunities to create game-changing turnovers.

Stat to know: New England has only committed 15 penalties this season. Nobody else has fewer than 27.

Best mismatch for Steelers: Look out Lamar. The Steelers get pressure on 37.1 percent of snaps, best in football. Baltimore has a sack rate of 8.3 percent, sixth-worst of the 32 clubs.

Best mismatch for Ravens: No big gains. Baltimore is second in net yards per pass attempt (5.2) while Pittsburgh is 22nd in NY/A offensively (6.2).

Stat to know: Baltimore averages an NFL-best 5.5 yards per carry, while Pittsburgh is second defensively, allowing 3.4 YPC.

Best mismatch for Titans: Room to operate. Ryan Tannehill has only been sacked eight times, second-fewest in football. Cincinnati’s pressure rate is 31st at 17.3 percent.

Best mismatch for Bengals: Take shots. Tennessee is 23rd in air yards allowed (1,029). This is a great week for Joe Burrow to look long for Tee Higgins and A.J. Green.

Stat to know: The Titans have the league’s worst third-down defense, allowing conversions at a 61.0 percent clip.

Best mismatch for Chargers: Don’t fly here. Denver ranks 27th in yards per pass attempt (6.9). The Chargers are T-7th for yards per completion against (10.7).

Best mismatch for Broncos: Stop running in our house. Los Angeles averages 4.3 YPC, ranking 24th. Denver has a robust front seven checking in 11th in rushing yards/game against (109.0).

Stat to know: Los Angeles blitzes on 13.8 percent of snaps, least in the NFL.

Best mismatch for Saints: No chance on the ground. The Saints surrender 3.5 yards per rush, third-best in football. Chicago is 30th in YPA at 3.8.

Best mismatch for Bears: Short and sweet. Chicago doesn’t allow completions (see below) while New Orleans ranks a measly 25th in yards per completion (10.6).

Stat to know: The Saints complete a league-high 72.6 percent of pass attempts, while Chicago is second-best defensively at 58.7 percent.

Best mismatch for 49ers: Throw long. The Seahawks have allowed the most air yards (1,460) in football. San Francisco should be calling shot plays to Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.

Best mismatch for Seahawks: Let Russ cook. San Francisco ranks T-22nd in sack rate (5.1%), giving Russell Wilson ample chance to load up and make plays.

Stat to know: Seattle is allowing 368 passing yards per game, worst in the NFL.

Best mismatch for Cowboys: Injuries galore. Philadelphia will be without Miles Sanders, Zach Ertz, DeSean Jackson and others. The Cowboys need Ezekiel Elliott to have a huge day.

Best mismatch for Eagles: Get home. The Cowboys’ patchwork offensive line may be the league’s worst, and the Eagles rank third in football with 24 sacks.

Stat to know: Dallas has committed 16 turnovers, a league-high figure.

Best mismatch for Buccaneers: Don’t move. Tampa Bay allows an NFL-best 4.8 yards per play, while New York is 28th offensively with 4.9 yards per snap.

Best mismatch for Giants: Take advantage. Tampa Bay is fifth in penalties against (41) and yardage (430). If New York has a shot, it needs to capitalize on Buccaneer mistakes.

Stat to know: Tampa Bay allows 3.0 yards per attempt, best in the circuit.