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NFL Week 8: Trends which will decide each game

By Russell S. Baxter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 22: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes his way to the locker room prior to the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 22: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes his way to the locker room prior to the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 25: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals holds on to the ball after a catch as safety Ugo Amadi #28 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Fitzgerald in the second quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 25: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals holds on to the ball after a catch as safety Ugo Amadi #28 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Fitzgerald in the second quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Off: Arizona Cardinals (5-2) and Houston Texans (1-6)

Cardinals: A team that has finished dead last in the NFC West each of the past two seasons has already equaled its 2020 victory total. Kliff Kingsbury’s Cardinals have also won both of their games within the division this season. A year ago, Arizona finished a combined 1-5 vs. their NFC West neighbors and were swept by both the 49ers and Rams. Quarterback Kyler Murray as shown his versatility as both a runner and a passer but how much will the team miss running back Kenyan Drake, will be out for a few weeks. Third-year pro Chase Edmonds is more than capable and Arizona now only ranks second in the NFL in rushing but the club has allowed only nine sacks in seven games.

Texans: It’s hardly surprising that the defense has struggled this season considering this unit’s performance the previous two seasons. Despite winning the AFC South in 2018, the club finished 28th in the league in passing yards allowed and surrendered 28 TD tosses. A year ago, it was more the same even though the club won another division title as only three teams in the league gave up more aerial yards while Texans’ defenders gave up 33 scores through the air. This season, new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has yet to push the right buttons as the club is allowing 31 points per game and already given up 26 offensive touchdowns – 17 through the air.

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