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The 2026 NFL regular season is approaching its midpoint, and Week 8 features several important divisional games, conference battles, and primetime matchups. Football fans can look forward to the Baltimore Ravens visiting the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs traveling to face the Denver Broncos, and the Chicago Bears meeting the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.
Week 8 runs from Thursday, October 29, through Monday, November 2, 2026. There are 14 games on the schedule, with four teams receiving a bye week. NFL+1
This guide organizes the games by date and kickoff time, using Eastern Time (ET) throughout. It also explains how to watch, which matchups deserve extra attention, and what fantasy football managers should know before setting their lineups.
NFL Week 8 Schedule 2026: Quick Overview
14
Games
14 regular-season matchups
Football from Thursday night through Monday night.
4
Byes
Four teams are off
Houston, New Orleans, the New York Giants, and San Francisco.
5
Days
Five days of NFL action
October 29 to November 2, 2026.
The official NFL schedule lists eight Sunday afternoon games in the early window, three in the late afternoon, one Sunday night contest, and one Monday night game, in addition to Thursday Night Football. NFL+1
Complete NFL Week 8 Schedule: All Games, Dates, and Kickoff Times
The following table lists all 14 matchups, their scheduled kickoff times, and the announced US television networks. Times are Eastern Time, and broadcast assignments should be checked again before game day in case of updates. NFL+1
| Date | Matchup | Kickoff (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct. 29 | Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers | 8:15 PM | Prime Video |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| Mon, Nov. 2 | Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks | 8:15 PM | ESPN |
Schedule and broadcast details: NFL.com and CBS Sports. NFL+1
Thursday, October 29: Panthers vs. Packers
Live NFL Scores – schedule_seasoninfo | NFL.com
Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
8:15 PM ET · Prime Video
Venue: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Packers 20-7 Seahawks (Aug 23, 2025) Game Recap – ESPN
Week 8 begins with an NFC matchup under the lights at Lambeau Field. The Panthers travel to Wisconsin to face the Packers in a game that could be important for both teams as they try to build momentum during the middle portion of the season.
Green Bay has the advantage of playing at home, where crowd noise and cold-weather conditions can become factors later in the season. Carolina will look to establish its offense early and avoid giving the Packers easy scoring opportunities.
What to watch: Quarterback decision-making, protection in the pocket, and the ability to create explosive plays. Thursday night games also give both teams a short turnaround before their next matchup.
Sunday, November 1: Early Afternoon Games
Sunday’s early window features eight games starting at 1:00 PM ET. This is the busiest part of the weekend for fans following multiple teams, fantasy football lineups, and NFL RedZone coverage.
Ravens at Bills
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Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
1:00 PM ET · CBS
Buffalo Bills News, Scores, Stats, Schedule | NFL.com
This is one of the weekend’s headline matchups. Baltimore and Buffalo both have the potential to produce an exciting contest through a mix of quarterback play, rushing production, and aggressive defense.
The Bills will look to make home-field advantage count, while Baltimore will aim to use its offensive versatility to keep Buffalo’s defense guessing.
Key matchup: The Ravens’ ability to sustain drives against the Bills’ defense, especially on third down and in the red zone.
Titans at Bengals
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Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals
1:00 PM ET · CBS
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Cincinnati welcomes Tennessee to Paycor Stadium. The Bengals will try to use their home crowd and offensive rhythm to their advantage, while the Titans need consistent execution on both sides of the ball.
Watch the quarterback matchup, protection up front, and how each team handles third-and-long situations.
Cardinals at Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
1:00 PM ET · FOX
Dallas hosts Arizona in a matchup that could turn on offensive efficiency and turnover prevention. The Cowboys will look to take advantage of their home environment, while Arizona needs to find ways to limit Dallas’s scoring opportunities.
For viewers, the key question is whether the Cardinals can keep the game close and force the Cowboys to make plays under pressure.
Vikings at Lions
Minnesota Vikings 2025 NFL Regular Season Players Stats – ESPN (UK)
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
1:00 PM ET · FOX
Detroit Lions Scores, Stats and Highlights – ESPN (IN)
This NFC North contest brings two divisional rivals together at Ford Field. Familiarity can make these games especially competitive because both teams understand their opponent’s personnel and tendencies.
The Vikings will aim to disrupt Detroit’s offensive rhythm, while the Lions will try to make the most of their home-field advantage.
Key matchup: The battle in the trenches. Winning the line of scrimmage can create better rushing lanes, protect the quarterback, and influence possession time.
Colts at Jaguars
Roman Wilson Stats & Game Log — 2026 — tdsnap.com
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
1:00 PM ET · CBS
Jacksonville Jaguars | Team Golf
The Colts travel to Jacksonville for an AFC South matchup. Divisional results can carry extra weight because they affect head-to-head records and potentially become important tiebreakers later in the season.
Both teams will need to limit mistakes and make the most of their scoring opportunities.
Raiders at Jets
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Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets
1:00 PM ET · FOX
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Las Vegas visits the Jets at MetLife Stadium. This matchup could depend on which offense handles pressure more effectively and which defense creates the most disruptive plays.
Fans should pay attention to quarterback protection, red-zone efficiency, and whether either team can create a short field through a takeaway.
Browns at Steelers
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
1:00 PM ET · CBS
File:Pittsburgh Steelers logo.svg – Wikimedia Commons
Few divisional matchups feel quite like a Browns-Steelers game. These AFC North rivals know each other well, and the contest could be shaped by defensive pressure, physical rushing, and field position.
Pittsburgh will have home-field advantage, while Cleveland will aim to make the game uncomfortable with a strong defensive performance.
Falcons at Buccaneers
Atlanta Falcons News, Scores, Stats, Schedule | NFL.com
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1:00 PM ET · FOX
Buccaneers Home | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Atlanta visits Tampa Bay in an NFC South battle. Divisional games can shift the standings quickly, particularly when teams are competing for the same playoff position.
Watch how Atlanta handles Tampa Bay’s defensive pressure and whether the Buccaneers can maintain consistent offensive production at home.
Sunday, November 1: Late Afternoon Games
The late window gives fans three more matchups, including an all-Los Angeles game and a significant AFC West contest.
Chargers at Rams
Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams
4:05 PM ET · FOX
NFL Football Teams – Official Sites of all 32 NFL Teams | NFL.com
This all-Los Angeles matchup takes place at SoFi Stadium. Although the teams share a metropolitan area, they represent different conferences and have different paths through the regular-season schedule.
The Chargers will try to challenge the Rams on the road, while Los Angeles’s NFC team will look to use its familiarity with the venue to its advantage.
The matchup is worth watching for quarterback efficiency, pass-rush production, and the ability to convert red-zone opportunities into touchdowns.
Chiefs at Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs News, Scores, Stats, Schedule | NFL.com
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
4:25 PM ET · CBS
Denver Broncos News, Scores, Stats, Schedule | NFL.com
The Chiefs travel to Empower Field at Mile High for an important AFC West matchup. Denver’s home-field advantage includes the challenges of playing at high altitude, while Kansas City will aim to execute its offense efficiently on the road.
Because this is a divisional game, the result could matter when the teams compete for postseason positioning. Turnover prevention and third-down execution will be important factors.
Fans looking for more detail can also follow the Chiefs vs. Broncos match player stats after the game, including passing, rushing, and receiving numbers.
Patriots at Dolphins
Official website of the New England Patriots
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
4:25 PM ET · CBS
Steelers vs. Dolphins Prediction, Odds, Picks for Monday Night Football | FOX Sports
New England heads to Miami for another AFC East meeting. The Dolphins will look to capitalize on home-field conditions, while the Patriots need to stay disciplined and avoid giving away possessions.
The key factors include passing efficiency, defensive coverage, and how well each team manages the game’s tempo.
Sunday Night Football: Eagles at Commanders
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders
8:20 PM ET · NBC
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The NFC East rivalry takes center stage on Sunday night. Philadelphia and Washington know each other well, which makes coaching decisions, defensive adjustments, and execution under pressure especially important.
Primetime games can create a different atmosphere from afternoon contests. The Eagles will aim to control the game on the road, while Washington will try to use home-field advantage to generate momentum.
What to watch: Turnovers, fourth-down decisions, and performance in the red zone. In a divisional matchup, one costly mistake can change the entire game.
Monday Night Football: Bears at Seahawks
Chicago Bears 2026 Season Preview & Projection – Record & Odds
Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks
Monday, November 2 · 8:15 PM ET · ESPN
Seattle Seahawks Scores, Stats and Highlights – ESPN (AU)
Week 8 concludes at Lumen Field, where Chicago visits Seattle. The Monday night setting gives both teams a national audience and an opportunity to close the week with an important result.
The Bears will need to handle the road environment, communicate effectively against Seattle’s defense, and avoid giving the Seahawks short fields. Seattle, meanwhile, will aim to make home-field advantage count.
This game is also useful for fantasy managers who have players active on Monday night and need a final performance to decide their weekly matchup.
NFL Week 8 Schedule: How to Watch Every Game
Knowing the kickoff time is only half the job. Fans also need to know which channel or streaming service carries each matchup.
The broadcast assignments in the schedule above are based on published 2026 listings. Availability can vary by market and subscription, and the NFL’s official schedule is the best place to check for the latest information. NFL+1
| Broadcast window | Main channel or service | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night Football | Prime Video | Panthers at Packers |
| Sunday afternoon | CBS | Selected AFC matchups |
| Sunday afternoon | FOX | Selected NFC matchups and other assigned games |
| Sunday Night Football | NBC | Eagles at Commanders |
| Monday Night Football | ESPN | Bears at Seahawks |
Streaming options for US viewers
- Prime Video: The listed Thursday Night Football game.
- CBS and FOX: Local broadcast channels for games assigned to those networks. Streaming availability depends on the service and your market.
- Paramount+: Carries eligible CBS NFL broadcasts in supported US markets and plans.
- Peacock: May offer NBC programming according to the applicable live-TV package and event availability.
- ESPN services: Check the current ESPN viewing options for Monday Night Football.
- NFL+: Offers supported live-game features, with restrictions based on device, location, and game type.
- NFL Sunday Ticket: An option for eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.
Always verify the exact matchup, local blackout rules, and subscription requirements before kickoff. International viewers may have different services and coverage.
NFL Week 8 Bye Weeks: Which Teams Are Off?
Four teams do not play during Week 8: the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers. The league’s published bye-week schedule confirms those assignments. NFL+1
| Team | Conference | Week 8 status |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | AFC | Bye |
| New Orleans Saints | NFC | Bye |
| New York Giants | NFC | Bye |
| San Francisco 49ers | NFC | Bye |
Why bye weeks matter
Every NFL team receives one bye during the regular season. The break gives players time to rest, recover, and prepare for the remaining schedule.
For coaches, the bye can also provide extra time to review film, evaluate tactics, and make adjustments. A team returning from its bye may have a different level of freshness, although the result depends on health, preparation, and its opponent.
Fantasy football impact
The four Week 8 byes can affect fantasy football lineups, especially in leagues with limited bench space.
Managers should check whether any of their starters play for Houston, New Orleans, the Giants, or San Francisco. If so, they will need an available replacement before their lineup locks.
Before making a waiver-wire move, consider:
- Expected snap share and playing time.
- Recent touches, targets, and red-zone opportunities.
- Matchup quality and defensive strength.
- Injury reports and changes in the depth chart.
- Whether the replacement has a consistent role rather than relying on one big performance.
Planning early is better than waiting until Sunday morning, when the best available replacements may already be claimed.
The Biggest Matchups to Watch in Week 8
Not every game carries the same storyline. These four matchups stand out because of their divisional implications, competitive potential, or primetime setting.
Baltimore Ravens v Buffalo Bills
1. Ravens at Bills
Sunday · 1:00 PM ET
A major AFC contest featuring two teams with postseason ambitions. Quarterback play and defensive execution could determine which side controls the game.
2. Vikings at Lions
Sunday · 1:00 PM ET
An NFC North rivalry where the division standings and head-to-head result make the contest particularly meaningful.
Kansas City Chiefs v Denver Broncos
3. Chiefs at Broncos
Sunday · 4:25 PM ET
An AFC West matchup that could influence the division race. Kansas City must handle the road challenge, while Denver will try to protect its home field.
4. Bears at Seahawks
Monday · 8:15 PM ET
The final game of the week brings two NFC teams together in Seattle. The result could shape the momentum each team carries into its next game.
What NFL Fans Should Know Before Week 8
The middle of the NFL season is when early results start to influence the playoff picture more clearly. Teams have more film to study, injuries can affect depth, and divisional wins become increasingly valuable.
Here are five useful points for fans to remember.
1. Divisional games have added importance. Results against AFC or NFC division rivals can affect head-to-head tiebreakers and playoff positioning.
2. Watch the injury reports. A change at quarterback, offensive line, or running back can alter a team’s game plan. Check official team updates before making predictions.
3. Do not overlook defense. Turnovers, sacks, and red-zone stops often determine close games, even when one team has a more explosive offense.
4. Check local broadcast listings. CBS and FOX coverage can differ by market. A game listed nationally may not be available on the same local channel in every area.
5. Remember the time zone. All kickoff times in this guide are Eastern Time. Fans in Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones should adjust their viewing plans accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does NFL Week 8 start in 2026?
Week 8 begins on Thursday, October 29, 2026, with the Carolina Panthers visiting the Green Bay Packers at 8:15 PM ET on Prime Video. NFL
2. When does NFL Week 8 end?
The week concludes on Monday, November 2, with the Chicago Bears visiting the Seattle Seahawks at 8:15 PM ET on ESPN. CBS Sports
3. How many games are scheduled for NFL Week 8?
There are 14 games scheduled across Thursday, Sunday, and Monday. Four teams have a bye, so they will not play during the week.
4. Which teams have a bye in Week 8?
The Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers are off in Week 8. NFL
5. What is the biggest game of NFL Week 8?
There is no single official biggest game, but Ravens-Bills, Vikings-Lions, and Chiefs-Broncos are notable matchups. Bears-Seahawks also provides a primetime finish on Monday night.
6. What time do most NFL Week 8 games start?
Eight Sunday games are scheduled for 1:00 PM ET. Three more begin at 4:05 PM or 4:25 PM ET, followed by Sunday Night Football at 8:20 PM ET.
7. Where can I watch NFL Week 8 games?
The listed broadcasts include Prime Video, CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. Streaming access depends on the game, service, location, and subscription.
8. Does NFL Week 8 include Monday Night Football?
Yes. The Chicago Bears visit the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, November 2, at 8:15 PM ET on ESPN.
9. Are the NFL Week 8 kickoff times confirmed?
The published schedule lists the dates and kickoff times shown in this guide. Because schedules and broadcast details can change, confirm the latest information through the official NFL schedule before game day.
10. Where can I find updated NFL scores and player stats?
The official NFL schedule provides the current fixture list, while official team game centers and reputable box-score providers offer live scores, player statistics, and postgame recaps.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Week 8 slate offers NFL fans a full stretch of football, starting with Panthers-Packers on Thursday and ending with Bears-Seahawks on Monday night. Sunday’s lineup includes several divisional rivalries and important conference matchups, giving fans plenty to follow throughout the day.
The most anticipated games include Ravens-Bills, Vikings-Lions, and Chiefs-Broncos, while the Eagles-Commanders and Bears-Seahawks games provide primetime action.
The nfl week 8 schedule also matters for fantasy football managers because Houston, New Orleans, the Giants, and San Francisco are on bye. Reviewing the game times, broadcast channels, player availability, and lineup options ahead of the weekend can make following the action much easier.
For the most accurate last-minute updates, use the official NFL schedule and check local TV listings before kickoff. Enjoy the games, follow the key matchups, and get ready for another exciting week of NFL football.
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