Overview of The Mina Kimes Show Featuring Lenny
This Week 8 preview episode of The Mina Kimes Show Featuring Lenny breaks down every major NFL matchup on the slate, with Mina Kimes and Mike Golic Jr. focusing heavily on offensive line play, pressure rate, run-game efficiency, and how injuries are reshaping several games. The conversation also weaves in trade-deadline context, quarterback health, and a few team-specific identity shifts as both hosts make their picks for the weekend.
Week 8 Game-by-Game Preview and Picks
Panthers vs. Packers
- Key factor: Which offensive line can be “normal.”
- Both teams are dealing with shaky protection, but the hosts leaned toward Green Bay because:
- Bryce Young has been under constant pressure.
- Carolina’s line worsened after Taylor Moton’s injury.
- Green Bay’s offense has at least adjusted to its protection issues.
- Pick: Packers
Cardinals vs. Cowboys
- Key factor: Whether Dallas can run the ball like it did last week.
- Dallas’ best path is to stay on schedule with the run game and play-action.
- Arizona’s defense remains vulnerable between the tackles and lacks enough reliability up front.
- The hosts expect Arizona to move the ball some, but not enough to outpace Dallas.
- Pick: Cowboys
Bills vs. Ravens
- Key factor: Lamar Jackson’s availability and Baltimore’s passing game over the middle.
- If Lamar plays, Baltimore’s best matchup is attacking Buffalo through the air, especially between the hashes.
- Buffalo’s run defense has improved, but its secondary can still be stressed.
- The Ravens’ offense looks much more dangerous with Lamar and Zay Flowers available, but the hosts still leaned Buffalo because of the uncertainty around Lamar and the Bills’ offensive ceiling.
- Pick: Bills
Bengals vs. Titans
- Key factor: Tony Pollard and Tennessee’s ability to sustain drives.
- The Titans’ best chance is to ride Pollard and control the ball.
- Cincinnati’s defense is improved enough to make that difficult, and the Bengals offense still feels like the safer side.
- Pick: Bengals
Vikings vs. Lions
- Key factor: Lions offense vs. Vikings defense.
- Minnesota’s defense has been dominant, but the hosts questioned how tested it has really been.
- Detroit’s offense is built to stress Brian Flores’ pressure-heavy approach if it can block effectively and vary the run game.
- The hosts liked the idea of Detroit using more gap/pulling concepts instead of leaning too heavily on outside zone.
- Pick: Lions
Raiders vs. Jets
- Key factor: Whether Aaron Glenn survives another disastrous late-game coaching sequence.
- The Jets’ recent coaching miscues were a major storyline.
- The Raiders are also in the middle of a possible quarterback transition conversation with Fernando Mendoza.
- The hosts saw this as a bounce-back opportunity for Las Vegas before a tougher stretch.
- Pick: Raiders
Browns vs. Steelers
- Key factor: Pittsburgh’s offense establishing a physical identity vs. Cleveland’s tackling.
- The Steelers have clearly leaned into the run game, especially with Jalen Warren, who was praised as one of the league’s most effective backs.
- Cleveland’s young defense is fast and disruptive, but missed tackles have been a problem.
- Mina and Mike split here:
- One host favored Pittsburgh because of its offensive identity.
- The other took Cleveland in a close game.
- Pick: Split
Falcons vs. Buccaneers
- Key factor: Tampa Bay’s run game vs. Atlanta’s pass rush.
- Tampa Bay’s rushing attack was a huge positive in its last game, with multiple backs contributing.
- Atlanta’s run defense and pass rush are both strong enough to make this a tougher test than earlier in the season.
- Atlanta’s offense also has a clear identity: outside zone, early-down efficiency, and quick throws.
- Pick: Falcons
Chargers vs. Rams
- Key factor: Can the Rams keep living as a run-first, efficient offense?
- Los Angeles has embraced a more controlled, efficient version of its offense:
- More run game.
- Fewer long-yardage situations.
- More quick passes and tight-end sets.
- The hosts liked the Rams’ current identity and expected them to stick with it until reinforcements arrive.
- Pick: Rams
Jaguars vs. Colts
- Key factor: Keeping Daniel Jones upright against an aggressive Jaguars pass rush.
- Jacksonville’s pass rush metrics were a big concern for Indianapolis.
- The Colts are dealing with major uncertainty on offense, including roster questions and health issues.
- The hosts joked that the Colts are becoming a “zombie” team as injuries pile up.
- Pick: Jaguars
Chiefs vs. Broncos
- Key factor: Tackling and Kansas City’s adjusted offense.
- Denver’s tackling has been a problem all season, and that has to improve against Kansas City.
- The Chiefs’ offense has adjusted to its current personnel, leaning into short-area concepts and tight ends.
- On the other side, Denver’s offense still needs a more reliable run game to help Bo Nix.
- Pick: Chiefs
Patriots vs. Dolphins
- Key factor: Miami attacking Robert Spillane and using play-action.
- The Dolphins’ best offensive moments recently have come from play-action and getting the run game going.
- The hosts were more encouraged by Miami’s run game than the overall record suggests.
- Still, they both leaned toward New England, citing Drake Maye’s strong play and Miami’s broader inconsistency.
- Pick: Patriots
Commanders vs. Eagles
- Key factor: Washington attacking Philadelphia’s vulnerable secondary early.
- The Commanders need to avoid self-inflicted mistakes and start fast.
- Philadelphia’s defense, especially the back end, has been a concern.
- The hosts liked Washington’s chances coming off a bye and with Jayden Daniels playing well.
- Pick: Commanders
Seahawks vs. Bears
- Key factor: Sam Darnold vs. Dennis Allen’s pressure package.
- Seattle’s offense has been efficient, but the real challenge is whether Darnold can handle disguised pressure and simulated blitzes.
- Chicago’s defense has been more aggressive under Dennis Allen, but also more volatile.
- On the Bears’ side, the hosts focused on how Chicago handles Cole Kmet’s absence and whether it can attack Seattle with size and run-game structure.
- Pick: Seahawks
Main Takeaways
- Offensive line play is the central theme of the episode. Several games were framed around protection, run blocking, and whether teams can hold up under pressure.
- Run-game identity matters more than ever. The hosts repeatedly praised teams that know who they are on offense, especially the Steelers, Rams, Buccaneers, and Lions.
- Pressure and tackling are the swing stats. Games like Bills-Ravens, Chiefs-Broncos, and Seahawks-Bears were framed around how well defenses can bring quarterbacks down and finish plays.
- Injuries and trade-deadline rumors are shaping the slate. Lamar Jackson, Terry McLaurin, offensive line injuries, and possible roster moves all influenced the picks.
- Several teams are at a crossroads. The Jets, Raiders, Colts, and Dolphins were all discussed in terms of what their next few weeks might mean for coaching, quarterback plans, or deadline decisions.
Notable Personnel and Storylines
- Jalen Warren earned major praise as one of the league’s most effective backs.
- Brian Flores’ Vikings defense was highlighted as a pressure-heavy unit that can still be attacked if offenses stay composed.
- Drake Maye got a strong endorsement after another impressive showing.
- Fernando Mendoza watch continued as the Raiders’ quarterback future came up again.
- Quentin Nelson’s return was viewed as a major boost for Seattle’s offensive line and overall balance.
- Byron Murphy II got a playful but enthusiastic shoutout for his disruptive play and personality.
Final Picks Snapshot
- Packers over Panthers
- Cowboys over Cardinals
- Bills over Ravens
- Bengals over Titans
- Lions over Vikings
- Raiders over Jets
- Steelers over Browns
- Falcons over Buccaneers
- Rams over Chargers
- Jaguars over Colts
- Chiefs over Broncos
- Patriots over Dolphins
- Commanders over Eagles
- Seahawks over Bears