Week 8 of the 2024 NFL regular season is underway and the Ravens are in the thick of the playoff race. Usually rooting guides aren't available this early, but I don't care. The Ravens are after the No. 1 pick once again, so I'll do that.

Here are the teams you'll want to root for and against in Week 8.

RAVEN GAME

Baltimore Ravens (5-2) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-6): A win against the Browns would be great. Conducting business in the division gives them a significant lead over the competition as they would be 6-2 and 2-0 in the division. This game is more critical than you would expect. Root for the Ravens, duh.

AFC NORTH

Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4-2): The Ravens nearly buried the Bengals in Week 5, moving them to 1-4. But with the layup schedule they have, there's a significant chance they have an all-important return game in a few weeks, with the Bengals at 5-4 and rising from exile. Hey Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts? How about stopping their two-game winning streak and putting them back in the basement? Thanks. Thumbs up for the Eagles.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) vs. New York Giants (2-5): The Ravens and Steelers are currently neck and neck in the division. It sure would be great if the Ravens took a break. After all, they have run the gauntlet. How about the Giants make things a little easier on the Ravens or the AFC so they don't have to win the division to win it? After all, they struggled mightily against the Steelers and any kind of cushion would help. Thumbs up for the Giants.

AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

Buffalo Bills (5-2) vs. Seattle Seahawks (4-3): Dear old Mike Macdonald, it sure would be great if you could dial in some of those sweet, sweet exotic flashes and put a damper on Josh Allen's day. A real treat if you could knock them over on a hook. And it would help you too! Thumbs up for the Seahawks.

Kansas City Chiefs (6:0) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2:5): The Chiefs must be stopped. Their absurd magic where Patrick Mahomes has a negative TD/INT ratio and yet is undefeated is a joke. Maybe Maxx can punish Crosby a bit and destroy the Chiefs offense? Or will the Chiefs stumble enough to get an L? Yes that would be nice. Thumbs up for the Raiders.

Houston Texans (5-2) vs. Indianapolis Colts (4-3): The all-important Christmas date with the Texans is almost two months away. Instead of it being a crucial seed in the conference race, it would be beneficial for the Ravens to move back by a point or two. Even if that puts the Colts just a game or two away from the Ravens. Root for Indy.

Denver Broncos (4-3) vs. Carolina Panthers (1-6): The Ravens face the Broncos next week and it's once again an important matchup. Before the Browns game, the Ravens are 2-2 in their conference record. They need to win the upcoming matchup to get above .500 and stay above it next week against Denver. But some breathing room would be nice if the Ravens get into wild-card contention. The fewer teams in the race, the better. Thumbs up for the Panthers.