Players to WatchJohnson Bademosi • CB/ST • New England Patriots • Sixth season • @J_Bademosi24
Bademosi has been a pleasant surprise for New England with the absence of big money signing Stephon Gilmore, allowing six receptions for 70 yards over the past two weeks. Opposing quarterbacks have targeted Bademosi just seven times compared to 15 in Malcolm Butler's direction, which typically indicates excellent coverage. Bademosi's snaps will likely decrease with the imminent return of Gilmore, but look for the former undrafted defensive back to see action in sub packages.
Brennan Scarlett • OLB • Houston Texans • Second season • @BScarlett17
Scarlett has played nearly every snap on defense since season-ending injuries to J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus in Week 5. This week, Houston heads to Seattle after a bye week. Scarlett registered multiple quarterback hurries in each of his last two appearances, and faces a Seahawks offensive line that ranks 30th in the league in both pass and run blocking, according to Pro Football Focus.
Richard Sherman • CB • Seattle Seahawks • Seventh season @R_Sherman25
Now in his seventh season, Sherman continues to put forth All-Pro performances for Seattle. Sherman has allowed 10 catches for 93 yards on 25 targets this season, and has yet to miss a tackle on 135 run snaps. This week, Sherman and the Legion of Boom host Houston and rookie quarterback DeShaun Watson, who is tied for second in the league with 15 touchdown passes in five starts.
Matchup to Watch
49ers at Eagles
Ertz enters the week leading NFL tight ends in receptions (39), yards (494) and touchdowns (5), and faces a San Francisco team which ranks dead last in pass coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. Ertz has a chance to cement his place as the NFL's leading tight end this season, and will likely match up with first-rounder Rueben Foster, who recently returned after an injury in Week 1.
On the other side of the ball, Solomon Thomas aims to continue trending upward against Philadelphia's new-look offensive line – the Eagles will need to shuffle up front after perennial All-Pro Jason Peters suffered a season-ending injury on Monday night. According to Pro Football Focus, Philadelphia ranks 11th in the league in run blocking and fifth in pass blocking – their efficiency will take a hit with the loss of Peters.
Injury Report
- Christian McCaffrey was listed with a wrist injury but has been a full participant in practice all week.
- New Orleans' left tackle Terron Armstead did not participate in practice on Thursday – Andrus Peat could fill the void should Armstead be unavailable.
- Head coach Chuck Pagano declared Andrew Luck will play as soon as he is cleared, regardless of the Colts' record – Luck was shut down last week after a setback in his recovery from shoulder surgery.
- Ryan Hewitt (knee) was a limited participant in practice on Thursday – he has not played since Cincinnati's win at Cleveland on Oct. 1.
- David DeCastro was absent from practice on Wednesday with a non-injury related issue but returned in a full capacity on Thursday.
Week 8 Schedule
| Date | Time (PT)/TV Network | Matchup (Players) |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Oct. 26 | 5:25 p.m./NFL & CBS | Dolphins (Thomas, M.) at Ravens |
| Sunday, Oct. 29 | 6:30 a.m./NFL | Vikings at Browns (Hogan) |
| Sunday, Oct. 29 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Falcons (Hooper, Toilolo) at Jets |
| Sunday, Oct. 29 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Panthers (McCaffrey) at Buccaneers |
| Sunday, Oct. 29 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | 49ers (Thomas, S.) at Eagles (Ertz) |
| Sunday, Oct. 29 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Bears at Saints (Fleener, Peat) |
| Sunday, Oct. 29 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Chargers at Patriots (Bademosi, Fleming, Richards) |
| Sunday, Oct. 29 | 10:00 a.m./CBS | Colts (Anderson, Luck) at Bengals (Hewitt) |
| Sunday, Oct. 29 | 1:05 p.m./CBS | Texans (Scarlett) at Seahawks (Baldwin, Sherman) |
| Sunday, Oct. 29 | 5:30 p.m./NBC | Steelers (DeCastro) at Lions |
Byes: Arizona (Mauro), Green Bay (Martinez, Montgomery)