One other week, one other full slate of NFL motion practically within the books. And Week 8 has been chock-full of drama.
Saquon Barkley lastly rediscovered his big-play contact towards — who else? — the New York Giants. The Cincinnati Bengals, who upset the Pittsburgh Steelers with a prime-time shootout again in Week 7, discovered themselves on the mistaken finish of a equally high-scoring affair. The Drake Maye-led New England Patriots stayed sizzling to win their sixth recreation in eight weeks. And the Buffalo Payments obtained again on observe with a significant victory over the Carolina Panthers, who had been with out Bryce Younger beneath middle.
Different surprises on Sunday: C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans loved a splashy win over the San Francisco 49ers regardless of battling a slew of their very own accidents, the Baltimore Ravens prevented a slide to 1-6 whereas awaiting Lamar Jackson’s return, and the Atlanta Falcons stood no probability towards the Miami Dolphins, even with Kirk Cousins getting a shot to steer the workforce off the bench.
Which gamers, coaches and groups stood out as the most important winners (or losers) of Week 8? Right here goes:
Winner: Jordan Love
On the night time his former mentor obtained to play host to an anticipated “Sunday Evening Soccer” matchup, Love had a way more comfy expertise, launching the ball to the tune of 360 yards and three scores. He additionally obtained Grade-A assist from tight finish Tucker Kraft, who galloped everywhere in the Pittsburgh Steelers protection to assist spoil Aaron Rodgers’ prime-time look.
Loser: Mike Tomlin
The Steelers coach obtained a strong and composed outing from Rodgers towards the Packers, even taking a 16-7 lead into halftime of Sunday night time’s conflict with Inexperienced Bay. What did he count on, Rodgers to additionally play protection? Tomlin’s unit of specialty had no solutions as the sport wore on, leaving A-Rod to scratch and claw for hope in a two-score defeat, and dropping Pittsburgh to 4-3 on the 12 months.
A 12 months after Barkley cruised previous the two,000-yard mark, the Indianapolis Colts star is on tempo for an virtually equally dynamic season because the centerpiece of Shane Steichen’s instantly imposing assault. The veteran working again was averaging near 17 yards per carry (!) simply over midway by a rout of the Tennessee Titans, and he is been cash all 12 months as Daniel Jones‘ offensive sidekick.
This is not solely, and even primarily, as a result of the younger quarterback was unplayable because the New Orleans Saints‘ starter, however quite that he was mainly set as much as fail because the trial-run passer for Kellen Moore’s rebuild. Talking of Moore, he lastly made the change to rookie Tyler Shough towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, basically turning the web page on Rattler’s scrappy, if unspectacular, run.
Winner: Sean Payton
What every week for the Denver Broncos coach. Days after deflecting a uncommon Russell Wilson outburst, Payton did not simply stick it to the Dallas Cowboys, who apparently courted Payton a number of occasions over the course of his esteemed profession; he outright embarrassed them, main Bo Nix and Co. to a one-sided victory over a superior roster even with prime defender Patrick Surtain II banged up.
The Cowboys quarterback was understandably drawing MVP buzz coming into Week 8, constantly feeding CeeDee Lamb and/or George Pickens to assist offset Dallas’ porous protection. Then he bumped into the Broncos protection, which made him look downright foolish with two picks in a 44-24 blowout. The ‘Boys would not be close to .500 with out Dak, however this was an unpleasant day of selections for the vet.
The Baltimore Ravens obtained into bother by improperly indicating Jackson would possibly return from his hamstring harm towards the Chicago Bears. However Huntley, who’s now on his third stint with the membership, stepped up within the former MVP’s absence, finishing his first 9 throws and in addition scurrying for 50+ yards on the bottom to assist the Ravens snap a four-game slide and rout the Chicago Bears.
Loser: Raheem Morris
A couple of weeks in the past, Morris’ Atlanta Falcons appeared as in the event that they is perhaps on the verge of sneaking into the NFC South combine, showcasing a feisty protection in an upset of the Buffalo Payments. That “D” was nowhere to be discovered towards the lowly Miami Dolphins, who rediscovered their aerial effectivity in a blowout win. Not even Bijan Robinson may save Atlanta’s injury- and penalty-plagued offense, both.
The tush push did not die in a gathering room; it died on a Sunday in Philadelphia
Jonathan Jones
Winner: Jonathan Taylor’s fellow big-money RBs
Struggling to search out inexperienced grass for a lot of 2025, reigning Offensive Participant of the Yr Barkley lastly hit a house run towards his previous workforce, the New York Giants, as a part of the Philadelphia Eagles‘ finest dashing effort of the 12 months. In the meantime, James Cook dinner, who simply obtained a brand new cope with the Payments, exploded for 216 yards towards the Carolina Panthers, and Baltimore’s Derrick Henry scored twice.
Loser: Everybody concerned with the Bengals protection
Zac Taylor runs the employees. Al Golden runs the protection. Greater-ups direct the roster. All of them should reply for the trainwreck that’s Cincinnati’s “protection,” which price Joe Burrow a playoff run in 2024 and is about to make the workforce irrelevant once more. Regardless of one other valiant connection between Joe Flacco and Ja’Marr Chase, Cincy dropped to 3-5 by giving up 39 factors to the New York Jets.
Winner: Mike McDaniel’s job safety
For one more couple of weeks, not less than. Tua Tagovailoa could or could not have the big-game fortitude essential to preserve the present Dolphins regime intact for the lengthy haul. However the maligned quarterback lastly discovered a rhythm beneath Mike McDaniel’s path towards the Falcons to the tune of 4 scores and nil turnovers. Miami continues to be simply 2-6, however this may quiet the wolves for a bit bit longer.
