A look at Week 8 of the NFL season

We will learn a lot about a some of the league's better teams so far this season in Week 8.

GAMES OF THE WEEK
COLTS (6-0) at BRONCOS (5-1): This is the game of the early season. The Colts' high-powered offense is second in the AFC in scoring offense, mainly on the strength of their passing attack. Denver's defense has yielded a league-low 44 points, but it's offense has scored just 79 points, second-worst to the Raiders' 72. If Indianapolis gets the lead early, it will win. But I don't think that will happen in the Mile High City. Denver grounds out a close victory.

RAVENS (4-2) at SAINTS (5-1): Which quarterback has been more valuable to his new team: Baltimore's Steve McNair or New Orleans' Drew Brees? We'll find out - if McNair, who is injured, plays. Another good defense (Ravens) vs. good offense (Saints) matchup. Whether McNair plays or not, New Orleans is for real and will win again to stay unbeaten at home.

RAMS (4-2) at CHARGERS (4-2): What a terrific Southern California matchup! Oh, never mind. ... Both of these teams have something to prove. The Rams feel they were robbed against Seattle two weeks ago, and the Chargers gave away a game at Kansas City with three first-quarter turnovers. This could be a shootout because San Diego's defense is banged up, and St. Louis' defense can't stop the run. RB LaDainian Tomlinson and the Bolts edge the Rams.

GAMES OF THE WEAK
CARDINALS (1-6) at PACKERS (2-4): It pains me to no end to put the Packers in this category two weeks in a row, but this game has clunker written all over it. Assuming Brett Favre has anyone other than undrafted free agents to throw to, the Packers will hold on to beat Arizona, thus ending the Dennis Green era in the desert.

STEELERS (2-4) at RAIDERS (1-5): Once upon a time, say the 70s or 80s, this would have been the marquee game of the season and a probable playoff matchup. But here we find a struggling Super Bowl champion that has had numerous injuries and uncharacteristic defensive lapses against a team that runs an offense that harkens back to the 70s. Pittsburgh begins to claw its way back into the playoff picture with a victory.

WORTH A PEAK
FALCONS (4-2) at BENGALS (4-2): If Cincinnati can't stop the run, it won't matter if Carson Palmer is healthy or not. Expect Atlanta to run wild in the "jungle."

COWBOYS (3-3) at PANTHERS (4-3): A crossroads game for both teams. A fourth loss before the midpoint of the season would cement both teams solidly in third place in the NFC's top two divisions. Carolina rates a slight edge at home, but stranger things have happened than Tony Romo leading Dallas to a road victory. I just can't think of any right now.