NFL Week 8 marquee matchup - Eagles at Cardinals

As the NFL enters Week 8, there are four teams – three in the NFC – with one loss: Dallas (6-1), Arizona (5-1), Denver (5-1) and Philadelphia (5-1). On Sunday, the Eagles will visit the Cardinals in one of the marquee games of Week 8.

The two teams have met 114 times in the regular season and this will be the first meeting when both teams are 5-1 or better at least six games into a season.

NOTABLE OFFENSIVE STAT:

The Eagles are averaging 30.5 points per game, the highest in the NFC and the third-best mark in the league. Philadelphia has scored 21 total touchdowns – 10 passing, four rushing and seven return scores. The Eagles are one of three teams in the NFL to average at least 260 net passing yards per game (262.3) and 115 rushing yards per game (116.0).

The Cardinals have thrown a league-best one interception this season and the team’s 0.5 interception percentage (one interception, 209 attempts) leads the NFL. Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton have each started three games at quarterback and rookie Logan Thomas and wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. have also thrown at least one pass for Arizona.

NOTABLE DEFENSIVE STAT:

Philadelphia has scored three defensive touchdowns this season, the most in the NFL. The Eagles have returned two fumbles for a touchdown (Fletcher Cox and Cedric Thornton) and have recorded one interception-return score (Malcolm Jenkins).

Arizona leads the NFL in rushing defense, allowing 72.5 yards per game and only 3.15 yards per carry. Under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, the Cardinals are the only team in the league that has not allowed an opposing team to rush for 100 yards in a game.

NOTABLE SPECIAL TEAMS STAT:

The Eagles lead the NFL with seven return touchdowns and no other team has more than three. Of Philadelphia’s seven return touchdowns, four have come on special teams via two blocked punt returns (Brad Smith and Chris Maragos), a kickoff return (Chris Polk) and a punt return (Darren Sproles).

Arizona rookie kicker Chandler Catanzaro has yet to miss a kick, connecting on all 15 field-goal attempts and 11 PATs. Catanzaro’s streak of 15 consecutive field goals made without a miss to start a season is tied for the longest in NFL history by a rookie (St. Louis’ Greg Zuerlein, 2012). This season, Catanzaro is the only kicker in the NFL with at least 15 field goals without a miss.

Broncos - Chargers on Thursday Night Football

The NFL kicks off Week 8 on Thursday night when the DENVER BRONCOS (5-1) host the SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-2) at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver (CBS/NFLN, 8:25 PM ET). The Broncos and Chargers have met 10 times during the regular season since 2009, splitting the series with five wins apiece.

The Broncos head into Thursday night aiming for their fourth consecutive victory following a 42-17 win over San Francisco on Sunday Night Football. During the game, quarterback PEYTON MANNING passed for 318 yards and four touchdowns for a 157.2 passer rating. At the 3:09 mark of the second quarter, Manning threw his third touchdown of the game (eight yards to DEMARYIUS THOMAS), and the 509th of his career, surpassing BRETT FAVRE (508) for the most career touchdown passes in NFL history.

Red Zone TD efficiency a key to success

This week’s primetime Thursday Night Football game will feature two of the NFL’s most efficient teams in the red zone – Denver and San Diego.

The Broncos (5-1) and Chargers (5-2) have each scored points on their past 53 offensive trips inside the 20-yard line, tied for the longest active streak in the NFL.

Scoring points as often as possible is important in the red zone, but it’s touchdowns that can really make the difference. “It’s obviously important to get seven instead of three,” says NFL Network analyst and former scout Daniel Jeremiah. “When you’re getting touchdowns, it does a couple of things. Obviously you get the momentum in the football game. Also, expanding your lead and allowing the pass rush on the other side to really crank up. It’s huge.”

New NFL award to recognize outstanding sportsmanship

The National Football League will introduce this year an annual award to recognize NFL players who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field, Commissioner ROGER GOODELL announced today.

The winner of the NFL Sportsmanship Award will be determined by a vote of the NFL players. The award will be presented each year to an NFL player who best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.