MINNEAPOLIS -- Oh, man. Do we really have to wait six days for Sunday? Can't we just access a time machine and fast-forward to Nov. 4 in New Orleans? Because on that day, the Superdome will host what sure looks like one of the most important games of the 2018 season.

It's not always smart to separate contenders and pretenders midway through an NFL season. But as Week 8 fades from view, it's difficult to avoid putting the Los Angeles Rams (8-0) and New Orleans Saints (6-1) atop the NFC playoff race. And, hey, what do you know? The Rams and Saints will meet at the Superdome in Week 9.