St. Louis Rams (4-3) vs. Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
Sunday, Nov. 8
8:30 a.m. CST
TCF Bank Stadium
Minneapolis, Minnesota

If history is an indicator, the Minnesota Vikings should pull out another win over the St. Louis Rams, just as they have done in the last three meetings. But with home field advantage going to the Rams, this could be interesting. The teams are quite similar, with both ranking near the bottom in offense with strong rushing games and weak passing games. Both defensive squads excel, ranking sixth and seventh, respectively. The difference will be momentum, and the Vikings have more at this point with a come-from-behind win against Chicago on Sunday and a loss by the previously unbeaten Green Bay Packers. Minnesota is suddenly a contender for the NFC North crown. The Rams, with a 4-3 record, are in second place in the NFC West behind the Arizona Cardinals and with an unpredictable Seattle Seahawks in third. St. Louis pulled off a convincing win on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, but it won’t be enough. Momentum will carry the Vikings.

Green Bay Packers (6-1) vs. Carolina Panthers (6-0)
Sunday, Nov. 8
Noon CST
Bank of America Stadium
Charlotte, North Carolina

After a grueling loss in Denver on Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers face another undefeated team this week in the Carolina Panthers.

The Pack just couldn’t seem to get things rolling against the Broncos, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked unsettled. Expect the Carolina defense to apply the same type of pressure to disrupt Rodgers, who is now 138 of 204 with 15 touchdowns and two interceptions.The Panther offense is on fire, ranked fourth in the league in points and first in rushing, led by Jonathan Stewart with 423 yards. But, of course, the key factor will be the play of quarterback Cam Newton, who is second in rushing with 245 yards. Carolina’s passing game is less than impressive, but they haven’t had to rely on it much yet. They will on Sunday against Green Bay, and it will be enough. Carolina will pull out a close one at home.

Denver Broncos (7-0) vs. Indianapolis Colts (3-4)
Sunday, Nov. 8
3:25 p.m. CST
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana

If you watched the Denver Broncos on Sunday night against the Packers, you saw a well-oiled machine. Quarterback Peyton Manning quieted his naysayers while picking apart Green Bay’s secondary. The defense was tenacious, as it has been all year. Demarcus Ware leads the sack attack with 5.5 of the team’s total of 29. Even the staunchest Broncos haters have to be impressed with how this team has put together a string of seven wins. The bandwagon is certainly growing in numbers as the hype continues. And continue it will, especially when Manning returns to his former NFL home of Indianapolis and the team that hung him out to dry.

But wait. The Colts are leading the AFC South? With a 3-4 record? Yes, it’s true, but that’s not saying much with the lack of competition in that division. The Colts aren’t a bad team. Mediocre? Yes. And that will be apparent on Sunday when quarterback Andrew Luck feels the pressure and adds to his nine interceptions. Broncos win decisively. CV