2024 NFL Week 8 Takeaways: Jayden Daniels Hail Mary, Upsets Headline Chaotic Day
It seems like only yesterday that the NFL campaign was kicking off. But here we are—almost halfway through the regular season.
And what a season it has been.
Week 8 began with a thrilling matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings. the Vikings may have been exposed—and the Rams may not want to start trading stars just yet. It ended with the Pittsburgh Steelers again relying on their defense, and a bit of Russell Wilson, to outlast a New York team—this time, the Giants.
On Sunday, the Jets lost their fifth consecutive game, and despite all the talent on their roster, they're easily the most disappointing team in the league. The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the league's hottest teams, but their defensive issues led to one of Sunday's biggest surprises. The Baltimore Ravens were on the wrong end of another shocking finish.
However, Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders might have provided the biggest stunner with one of the best Hail Mary victories in NFL history.
Bleacher Report NFL Analysts Gary Davenport, Kristopher Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski broke down Week 8 as it unfolded and offered up the biggest takeaways from each game.
Pittsburgh Steelers 26, New York Giants 18
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Russell Wilson Adds to Offense But Won't Change Steelers' Philosophy
A week ago, the Steelers made the switch from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson at quarterback. It quickly looked like a smart decision, as Wilson (16-of-29 for 264 yards, 2 TDs, 1 rushing TD) had a big hand in the win over the New York Jets.
Monday's game, however, should serve as a reminder that Pittsburgh isn't about to become a high-flying, pass-first team that leads with its offense.
This was an ugly one for most of the game, and there's a good chance that Pittsburgh would prefer games to unfold that way.
The Steelers, who entered Week 8 ranked second in points allowed, usually have the advantage on defense. Their plan with Fields under center was to lean on the run, make enough plays in the passing game to maintain offensive balance and then allow T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and the defense to put games away.
That's not going to change with Wilson under center, even if the Steelers trust him a little more. Fields averaged just under 27 attempts during his six starts. Wilson attempted 28 against New York, while a pair of late takeaways by the defense effectively sealed the game.
The 35-year-old made a few big throws on Monday, especially late, once the Steelers identified the matches they wanted. Those included a beautiful 29-yard touchdown strike to Calvin Austin III, who scored earlier on a punt return.
However, Wilson very much played the game-manager role. The advantage to having him under center is Wilson's experience. It allows him to see things pre-snap that Fields doesn't and to throw with the touch and accuracy that, at this point in his career, Fields can't.
Those are traits that Pittsburgh has essentially lacked since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement and traits that can elevate Pittsburgh's offense and make it a serious threat in the AFC.
Quarterback Questions Remain, but Giants Have Found Strong Offensive Pieces
In all likelihood, the Giants won't make a deep postseason run in 2024. The big question, moving forward, is whether Daniel Jones will continue to be New York's starting quarterback after this season.
The final 10 weeks will likely determine whether the Giants stick with the 27-year-old or target a signal-caller in the 2025 draft.
Regardless of which direction New York goes, it will have some dependable offensive pieces to put around its quarterback.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas is a franchise-caliber player, though he's on injured reserve following Lisfranc surgery and didn't appear in Monday's game. Rookie receiver Malik Nabers and rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. were on the field against Pittsburgh, and both made their presence felt.
Nabers caught seven passes for 72 yards and consistently commanded defensive attention. Tracy rushed for 145 yards, 7.2 yards per carry and had a 45-yard scoring run before exiting with an apparent injury.
Veteran wideout Darius Slayton also played a big role in Monday's game, and it's time for the Giants to start thinking about an extension. Slayton will be a free agent in 2025, and the Giants have drafted Wan'Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt and Nabers over the past three years.
However, the emergence of Nabers has really helped Slayton thrive as a second option. He was always miscast as the Giants' No. 1 receiver, but he's showing just how valuable he can be as a No. 2. He caught four passes for 108 yards against Pittsburgh.
At only 27 years old (28 in January), Slayton isn't exactly old either.
If the Giants can put more pieces next to Thomas and uncover a franchise quarterback, they should have the foundation of a very promising offense. That's a big positive for New York, even if it doesn't know who its long-term answer at quarterback will be.
New England Patriots 25, New York Jets 22
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Jets Are an Abject Disaster, NFL's Most Disappointing Team
The New York Jets have several marquee names on both sides of the ball. With Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, they should be able to beat bottom-tier opponents convincingly.
However, the Jets have now lost five consecutive games, and after losing to the New England Patriots, they're last in the AFC East.
Gang Green is one of the most sloppy, undisciplined teams in the NFL.
On Sunday, the Jets burned three timeouts in the first quarter, struggling to get plays in on time. They also committed eight infractions, including a delay-of-game penalty on a two-point attempt, and Greg Zuerlein missed an extra-point attempt.
Through eight weeks, the Jets have struggled with penalties and poor execution on offense and special teams. Over the past two weeks, their defense has regressed, giving up 62 points combined to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Patriots.
At 2-6, the Jets can flush their playoff aspirations down the toilet as the team unravels in a critical year for the front office and what's left of former lead skipper Robert Saleh's coaching staff.
The Jets are a colossal disappointment considering they've played three games on Monday or Sunday night in the first two months.
Drake Maye's Injury Will Suck All the Fun Out of Patriots Offense
Since the Patriots inserted Drake Maye into the starting lineup, he's turned heads with his arm and scrambling ability. On Sunday, he took a helmet-to-helmet hit at the end of a long run and went into concussion protocol.
Jacoby Brissett took over the huddle again and kept the offense steady for a competitive matchup, but he's limited in his playmaking ability.
The Patriots should be excited by Maye's early development, though they may want him to take fewer hits on the run so he stays on the field.
New England's offense has struggled through the first eight weeks of the season, but it showed signs of vitality with Maye under center. Without him, the Patriots will likely lean on the ground game to wear down opponents, which isn't as fun as watching the rookie signal-caller stretch the field with his arm and pick up first downs on the ground.
Arizona Cardinals 28, Miami Dolphins 27
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Kyler Murray's Connection with Marvin Harrison Jr. May Be Turning the Corner
Marvin Harrison Jr. has had an underwhelming start to his rookie campaign. Coming into Sunday's game, he had fewer than 46 receiving yards in five out of seven outings.
Against the Miami Dolphins, Harrison hauled in six out of seven targets for 111 yards and a touchdown. He accumulated more receiving yards in a blowout win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2 but had his most efficient outing on Sunday.
The Cardinals likely envisioned Murray's rapport with Harrison to look like it did against the Dolphins when they selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft.
Murray and Harrison may have shown a sign of what's to come for the Cardinals' aerial attack in the next two months.
Tua Tagovailoa Re-Energizes Dolphins Offense, But He Cannot Save Their Playoff Hopes
In his first game back from another concussion, Tua Tagovailoa didn't show any ill effects from the head injury. He threw for 234 yards and a touchdown and logged three carries for 13 yards, showing off a smooth baseball slide on one run for a first down.
Unfortunately for the Dolphins, Tagovailoa didn't provide enough spark to propel them to victory.
At 2-5, coming off a tough loss to the Cardinals, the Dolphins have to go on the road to face the Los Angeles Rams, who have wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back in the fold, and the Buffalo Bills, who dominated them before Tagovailoa left that Week 2 game with a concussion.
The Dolphins' three-game losing streak between Weeks 2 and 4 could keep them out of the playoffs. While Tagovailoa looks healthy, Miami may have dug too deep a hole to make a run for the postseason.
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Green Bay Packers 30, Jacksonville Jaguars 27
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Jaguars Tank Bigsby Could Be a Bell-Cow Running Back
Tank Bigbsy has been one of the few bright spots for the Jacksonville Jaguars in a season that's in a downward spiral.
Running back Travis Etienne has missed the last two games because of a hamstring injury, but Bigsby has performed at the level of a featured tailback. Over the past two weeks, he's rushed for 196 yards and two touchdowns.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson told reporters that Etienne is the team's lead running back, but Bigsby has at least worked his way into an even workload split in the backfield.
That said, Bigsby could eventually take over the lead role.
Josh Jacobs Can Carry Packers Offense in Jordan Love's Absence
In the third quarter of this matchup, quarterback Jordan Love exited with a groin injury, but Josh Jacobs revved up the engine for the Green Bay Packers offense. He recorded 25 carries for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
If Love misses extended time, the Packers can run the ball effectively with Jacobs, who racked up a season-high 151 rushing yards against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. Love sat out of that matchup because of an MCL sprain.
The Packers have a crucial matchup with the Detroit Lions next week.
Remember, they won without Love in back-to-back weeks, beating the Colts and Tennessee Titans. Though the Lions will be a more formidable opponent than those teams, Jacobs could keep Green Bay competitive for the win in an NFC North showdown.
Houston Texans 23, Indianapolis Colts 20
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Injuries Mar Houston Texans' Recent Success
The Houston Texans have won four of their last five games, but they didn't emerge from those games unscathed.
During Sunday's 23-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Stefon Diggs became the latest to suffer what could be a significant injury. Diggs' knee buckled with a non-contact injury during the contest. He did walk off the field, but further testing will determine if he'll miss any time this season and how much.
Diggs entered the contest as the Texans' leader with 42 receptions and three touchdown catches.
Obviously, Houston acquired the four-time Pro Bowler to elevate the entire offense. He's certainly helped. At the same time, Nico Collins had emerged as arguably the league's best wide receiver. Diggs didn't need to be a superstar. But Collins is currently on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Without both, quarterback CJ Stroud will have to look elsewhere.
Tight end Dalton Schultz and wide receiver Tank Dell combined to snag eight balls Sunday for 87 yards and a score. Joe Mixon also caught six passes out the backfield. The biggest issue will be finding someone who can be a threat outside the numbers and down the field.
At 6-2 with two victories over the 4-4 Colts, Houston already has a stranglehold over the AFC South. The Texans need to get healthy to be counted among the conference's elite, though.
Anthony Richardson Needs More Help from Indianapolis Colts' Weapons
Box-score scouts will see Anthony Richardson's numbers from Sunday's action and shudder. But they don't come anywhere close to telling the entire story.
Does Richardson need to be more consistent and efficient? Absolutely. But a 31.3 completion percentage doesn't just happen based on the quarterback's play. Others are also failing.
Multiple drops occurred, including two would-be touchdowns, because of young players who weren't able to convert despite the ball being delivered properly.
To be clear, Richardson had some terrible moments, including a mind-numbingly bad interception near Indianapolis' end zone and essentially taking a sack when the team still had one chance as time expired. He's young and makes mistakes.
At the same time, the best way to build confidence is having his teammates pick him up and make plays when they're available. The Colts failed to do so Sunday, which makes a bad situation look even worst.
Right now, Indianapolis is definitely a better team with Joe Flacco behind center. But this season has never been about trying to get into the playoffs as a slightly above mediocre squad. The Colts need to find answers. Richardson will get the chance to prove himself one way or the other. If his teammates aren't there to pick him up, so be it.
Atlanta Falcons 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26
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Atlanta Falcons Now in Driver's Seat for the NFC South Thanks to Kirk Cousins
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins probably wishes his can play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers every weekend.
Cousins threw for four scores during Sunday's 31-26 victory. The Falcons have now played their rival twice and won both contests, with the quarterback throwing for 785 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Cousins effect has allowed the Falcons to take control of the NFC South. With the latest outcome, Atlanta now holds a one-game advantage in overall record. More importantly, the Falcons are 4-0 in the division, while everyone else is 1-2 or worse.
At 5-3, the Falcons are already two wins away from equalizing their win totals from the past three seasons. After that stretch of mediocrity, Atlanta understood the assignment—the team needed better quarterback play. It solved that problem by signing Cousins as a free agent, then doubled down by taking Michael Penix Jr. in the draft's first round.
Cousins has helped position Atlanta exactly where it needed to be. The talent on the roster portended a squad capable of being a division winner. However, the roster lacked the caliber of play necessary from the game's most important position.
The Falcons faced down a Buccaneers team that won the division last year. Baker Mayfield wasn't a slouch in either game, with six touchdown passes in the two meetings. Over the last two seasons, Atlanta's quarterbacks weren't outdueling anyone. Cousins can, especially when games matter.
Multiple Weapons Step Up for Tampa Bay Buccaneers After Injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin
Yes, the Falcons now control the AFC South. But the Buccaneers are still very much in the playoff mix during the second half of the season. However, the franchise needed individuals to fill the voids left by injured wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle injury last weekend. Evans, meanwhile, is dealing with a tweaked hamstring. The latter should return this season, but an exact timetable for soft-tissue injuries can be dicey.
Mayfield kept slinging the ball. At times, he looked fantastic. Other times, he forced passes. Still, the Buccaneers were in the contest, with a couple of names showing up and showing out, starting with tight end Cade Otten.
Otten caught a team-leading nine passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. In back-to-back games, Mayfield targeted his tight end 10 times. Clearly, the third-year target will be the primary receiving option until Evans returns.
Wide receiver Rakim Jarrett emerged as a threat with three catches for 58 yards. More shall be expected from rookie Jalen McMillan, who has 15 targets in the last two games. He needs to become a more reliable option for Mayfield.
The running game also remained effective. Rachaad White and Bucky Irving combined to average 4.9 yards per carry on 15 totes.
The Buccaneers may have lost two in a row and their offense won't be full strength for the rest of the season, but Mayfield and Co. are still good enough to be highly competitive—and Sunday's outing showed how.
Detroit Lions 52, Tennessee Titans 14
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Lions Must Be Aggressive Entering Trade-Deadline Week
The Detroit Lions were heavy favorites against the Tennessee Titans, and few predicted a particularly close game—seven of eight members of Bleacher Report's NFL panel picked the Lions to cover an 11.5-point spread.
The outcome of Sunday's game wasn't surprising, but it does help reinforce our biggest takeaway from last week:
The path to the Super Bowl in the NFC runs through Detroit.
The Titans haven't been good, but they have fielded a respectable defense that ranked first in yards allowed coming into Week 8. The Lions also played without wideout Jameson Williams, who was handed a two-game suspension for a PED violation.
Yet, a surplus of offensive playmakers, some great special-teams play and some creative play-calling—including a nifty touchdown pass thrown by David Montgomery—allowed Detroit to pull away.
With the Minnesota Vikings losing again on Thursday and injuries continuing to impact the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit does appear to be the team to beat in the NFC. That's precisely why the Lions should take an aggressive approach to the trade market before the November 5 deadline.
Detroit's defense, which surrendered 416 yards on Sunday, is still lagging behind the offense—due in no small part to Aidan Hutchinson's injury. A handful of quality defenders could be available at the deadline.
If ever there was a time for the Lions to go all-in on chasing a Super Bowl. It's now.
DeAndre Hopkins Trade Helping to Unleash Calvin Ridley for Titans
The Titans made a valiant effort to keep pace with the Lions. Though they fell short, their offense once again looked better than it has for most of the season with Will Levis under center.
No, Mason Rudolph isn't Tennessee's quarterback of the future, and he certainly wasn't perfect against Detroit. However, Sunday finally brought a breakout game for receiver and prized offseason acquisition Calvin Ridley.
Ridley, who essentially demanded more targets two weeks ago, came into Week 8 with only 12 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown. He caught 10 passes for 143 yards on Sunday.
More opportunities were available for Ridley because Tennessee traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs early this week. With Hopkins gone, Ridley should be Jacksonville's No. 1 receiver moving forward.
That's important because the Titans are very likely to pursue a new quarterback in 2025—be it in the draft or free agency. They're also likely to use the rest of the season to determine what sort of supporting cast they can offer their next signal-caller.
If Ridley can continue to produce the way he did against the Lions, Tennessee will know that it has at least one important piece in place.
Philadelphia Eagles 37, Cincinnati Bengals 17
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Eagles Continue to Build Momentum Entering Second Half of Season
It would be unfair to call Sunday's game a "statement win" for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cincinnati Bengals are a three-win squad and don't have a signature win on their resume.
However, the Bengals represent the biggest test Philadelphia has faced since its Week 5 bye, and the Eagles have now won three in a row. More importantly, the Eagles have earned convincing victories in back-to-back weeks.
Sunday's win was arguably the most impressive of Philly's season thus far. The Eagles offense has been making progress since getting A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith back after the bye. It was again terrific against Cincinnati.
Philadelphia racked up 397 yards of total offense and 24 first downs while only punting once.
The Eagles defense has also taken positive steps since the bye, though to be fair, it had previously faced the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns—not exactly offensive powerhouses. Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals have been much more potent in 2024.
The defense wasn't perfect against the Bengals, but it made some critical plays down the stretch. The Eagles firmly claimed the momentum with C.J. Gardner-Johnson's incredible fourth-quarter interception.
Rebounding from last season's late collapse has been a process—injuries haven't helped—but Vic Fangio's defense and Kellen Moore's offense are both beginning to click at exactly the right time.
The Bengals Aren't Overcoming This Year's Slow Start to Be Super Bowl Contenders
The Bengals have frequently experienced slow starts to the season, so this year's 0-3 start was no real surprise. In the past, though, Cincinnati has found its way in-season and stormed into playoff contention—when Burrow has been healthy, anyway.
Two years ago, for example, the Bengals opened the year 0-2 and then marched all the way to the AFC title game.
A similar turnaround isn't going to happen this year. While Cincinnati had won three of its past four, those victories came against the Browns, Giants and Carolina Panthers. Its offense had been out of sync over the past two weeks, and both the defense and the running game have been problematic.
The Bengals came into Week 8 ranked 23rd in total defense and 20th in yards per rush.
Cincinnati's struggles in the run game were on full display late in the third quarter. After a Burrow scramble set up 2nd-and-2, two failed runs set up 4th-and-1. The Bengals went for it and passed, but the swing pass to Ja'Marr Chase was stopped short of the line to gain.
The Eagles capitalized with a field goal and a 10-point lead. The Bengals defense could do nothing to stop the bleeding from there.
Cincinnati still has time to make a postseason push, but no one should expect the Bengals to be in the Super Bowl mix this year. They still have yet to play well on both sides of the ball in the same game, and while Burrow is healthy, even he can't overcome the many flaws the Bengals possess.
Cleveland Browns 29, Baltimore Ravens 24
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Offensive Changes Provide Hope for Browns' Future
The Cleveland Browns stunned the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, thanks in no small part to backup quarterback Jameis Winston and a new offensive game plan.
Deshaun Watson was lost for the season to an Achilles injury last Sunday, and during the week, head coach Kevin Stefanski handed over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.
"I'm very confident in Ken, and I'm very confident in our offensive staff," Stefanski said, per Kelsey Russo of the team's official website. "...I have a ton of faith in all of our coaches, and Ken calling the plays doesn't change that collaborative approach."
The new approach yielded Cleveland's best offensive performance of the year—it hadn't previously reached 20 points in a game. Aside from a few facepalm-worthy poor decisions, Winston (27-of-41 for 334 yards, 3 TDs) was more effective than Watson had been at any point this season.
At 2-6, it's too late for the Browns in 2024. As they look to the future, however, they're likely doing so with a new quarterback in mind. Cleveland will have to pay Watson because his contract is fully guaranteed, but it doesn't have to play him. Considering the offense has regularly been better with another quarterback behind center, it's time to consider other options.
Winston, who is signed to a one-year deal, just might be one of them. The 2025 draft could provide a few more.
Sunday's performance is a sign that the Browns might just have a coaching staff and a supporting cast—one that parted with Amari Cooper less than two weeks ago—that can properly support Cleveland's next quarterback of the future.
Cornerback Must Be Ravens' Top Priority at the Trade Deadline
As we noted a week ago, the Ravens defense has been a concern all season and should be addressed at the trade deadline. Of course, Baltimore's defensive shortcomings haven't limited the team as of late because the offense has been rolling.
Sunday's loss should serve as a wake-up call that if the Ravens hope to win a Super Bowl, they need to shore things up on the defensive end.
Yes, divisional games can be challenging, but Baltimore was still up against a Cleveland offense that had been a breathing blooper reel through the first seven weeks. The Browns had little trouble finding offense when they needed it down the stretch, and Baltimore's offense stalled just enough to deliver a loss.
Now, it's worth noting that the Ravens were without cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (knee) and Nate Wiggins (shoulder). However, Baltimore's secondary has been a liability even when healthy.
The Ravens came into Week 8 ranked 28th in net yards per pass attempt allowed and 32nd in passing yards allowed.
The injuries further highlight Baltimore's need for cornerback depth, and if depth isn't added before the postseason, the Ravens could struggle to put away other contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and Texans in January.
Baltimore's chance to add a corner via trade will end on Tuesday, November 5.
Kansas City Chiefs 27, Las Vegas Raiders 20
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Chiefs Should Stay Active on the Wide Receiver Trade Market
This isn't an overreaction to DeAndre Hopkins' limited debut with the Chiefs against the Raiders' stingy eighth-ranked pass defense. Hopkins caught two of his three targets for 29 yards, but he will eventually get on the same page with quarterback Patrick Mahomes to post solid receiving numbers.
However, Hopkins is in his age-32 term and missed time early in the season because of an MCL tear. He's also seen a decline in his offensive snap count since the 2022 campaign.
Still thin and inexperienced at wide receiver with rookie Xavier Worthy in a big role and JuJu Smith-Schuster on the sideline because of a hamstring injury, the Chiefs should add another wideout after acquiring Hopkins last Wednesday. They may be able to make a deal for Carolina Panthers' Diontae Johnson.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Johnson has generated trade interest, and he may be available for a middle-round pick.
Wide receivers Hollywood Brown (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (knee) won't return from their injuries during the regular season.
In pursuit of a third consecutive Lombardi Trophy, the Chiefs should be aggressive in trying to swap draft capital for players who can help them make history. They have two third-round picks (one from the Tennessee Titans) and can offer one to acquire Johnson.
Luke Getsy's Red-Zone Play-Calling Could Cost Him His Job
In consecutive weeks, the Raiders defense did just about everything possible to neutralize the opponent's offense and give the team a chance to win late in the game, but their offense sputtered, specifically in the red zone.
The Raiders had a couple of poor red-zone sequences, particularly one in the third quarter.
On that drive inside the Chiefs' 20-yard line, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy called three consecutive run plays, two of which were stuffed up the middle. After that, Gardner Minshew took a sack for a turnover on downs.
In that situation and on multiple drives Sunday, Getsy needed to be creative against the league's fourth-ranked run defense. He tried to jump-start the ground attack, but that approach failed miserably. Las Vegas ran the ball 21 times for 33 yards.
The Raiders haven't scored more than 20 points in a competitive game since their Week 2 win over the Baltimore Ravens–that doesn't count a 36-22 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.
Pierce should have second thoughts about Getsy and perhaps consider a new offensive coordinator if the Raiders retain this coaching staff in 2025.
Buffalo Bills 31, Seattle Seahawks 10
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Keon Coleman Creates New Dynamic in Buffalo Bills Offense
The Buffalo Bills traded their leading receiver from their previous four seasons, Stefon Diggs, to the Houston Texans this offseason. In response, the organization traded up to the top of this year's second round and drafted Keon Coleman.
The 21-year-old Coleman wasn't ready to be Buffalo's WR1 despite the heavy expectations placed upon him. The rookie is now turning the corner as a legitimate threat.
At first, Coleman produced 51 or fewer receiving yards in each of his first six appearances. The Bills acquired Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns to add a veteran capable of being the primary target. In the two games since Cooper's acquisition, Coleman has led the way with 195 yards.
Coleman's greatest strength is also why it took time to adjust against NFL coverage. The rookie is a big target capable of bodying off defensive backs. But professional defenders know the little tricks to gain leverage and make plays. Sometimes, it takes time for a young target to understand what "NFL open" really is. Coleman's touchdown reception against the Seahawks displayed exactly why the Bills were excited about his potential upon his drafting.
Meanwhile, Cooper only caught one pass during Sunday's 31-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. While a proven target, the six-time 1,000-yard receiver is still with a new team in a different system. He's still learning exactly what to do for Buffalo and quarterback Josh Allen.
As Coleman and Cooper continue to get comfortable with their current setting, the Bills' passing attack is only going to get better.
DK Metcalf's Absence Derails Seattle Seahawks Offense
The Seattle Seahawks offense is a shell of itself. Without DK Metcalf, the Bills had no problems whatsoever handling Geno Smith and Co.
Metcalf suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain last week against the Atlanta Falcons and his status is week-to-week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 26-year-old target was inactive Sunday against the Bills. His absence couldn't have been a better advertisement for how much he's worth to the franchise.
Smith threw for 201 yards. No target managed more than 69 receiving yards. Without much of a passing game, the run game didn't have much room. Back Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet managed a measly 16 yards on 12 carries.
A week earlier, Metcalf led the way, with 99 yards and a score in the Seahawks' big victory over the Atlanta Falcons. But Ryan Grubb's offense doesn't click when it lacks weapons working on the outside.
Tyler Lockett has not bee the same this season. Jaxon Smith-Njigba played better this week. But neither is Metcalf, with his imposing presence.
At 4-4, Seahawks remain in the mix for a division title in the mediocre NFC West. It'll only be possible if Metcalf is on the field playing the way he can.
Denver Broncos 28, Carolina Panthers 14
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Broncos' Bo Nix Is Entering the Rookie QB Spotlight
One of the most anticipated games of Sunday featured a matchup between rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, who were the first and second overall picks in April's draft, respectively.
Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix was the sixth and final quarterback taken in the first round, and he's been heavily overshadowed by Williams and Daniels despite starting since Week 1.
To be fair, the lack of attention was warranted. Nix was largely inconsistent while adapting to the NFL, and he's often been more impressive with his legs than with his throwing arm.
Coming into Week 8, Nix had completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,246 yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions and a 74.4 passer rating. However, Nix has quietly shown progress.
The Oregon product has thrown just one interception since Week 2. Including Sunday, he's now thrown seven touchdown passes over his last four games and has posted a passer rating above 80.0 in three of the last four.
Sunday was easily Nix's most impressive performance of the season so far, albeit against a bad Carolina Panthers defense. He finished 28-of-37 for 284 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a fourth score.
Should Nix be getting the same level of attention as Williams and Daniels? No. But he's now 5-3 as the starter and is giving Broncos fans plenty of reasons to believe that the future is bright—and could very well include a 2024 playoff berth, if Nix can have more performances like this one.
Nix's growth is also another reason to believe that this year's quarterback class could become one of the most impressive in recent memory.
Panthers Must Start Bryce Young Again in Week 9
The Panthers turned back to second-year quarterback Bryce Young because Andy Dalton was ruled out with a thumb injury that he suffered in a car accident. We may not have seen the last of Young under center for Carolina.
"If Young plays up to his talents, there is a real chance for him to continue starting, sources say," NFL Media's Ian Rapoport wrote on Sunday.
While Young (224 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) didn't play up to reasonable expectations for a No. 1 overall pick, he did show some flashes against a top-tier Denver defense.
Despite the loss, Carolina needs to start Young again in Week 9—and possibly moving forward.
Dalton isn't the quarterback of the future in Carolina. Young still might be. The Panthers owe it to themselves to see just how much the Alabama product has grown during his time on the sideline. The rival New Orleans Saints, who aren't the same team the Panthers saw in Week 1 because of injuries, could provide the perfect opportunity to do it.
Starting Young next week will also give the Panthers one last chance to showcase him before the trade deadline.
The Panthers have said nothing publicly to suggest that they're ready to turn the page on Young completely. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last month that "sources around the league" believe that the 23-year-old will eventually be dealt.
If nothing else, Carolina can get a better idea of Young's trade value by putting him back on the field before taking phone calls.
Los Angeles Chargers 26, New Orleans Saints 8
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With Continued Offensive Improvement, Chargers Can Paint Interesting Picture for Second Half of Season
Offensively, the Los Angeles Chargers stumbled their way to a loss on Monday night, tallying 395 yards of offense but settling for five field goals.
It must be noted that Los Angeles was without wideout Quentin Johnston (ankle) and didn't have Ladd McConkey (hip) at 100 percent. Still, offensive coordinator Greg Roman wasn't looking to make excuses.
"As an offense, everybody's very frustrated," Roman said, per ESPN's Kris Rhim. "There's definitely some things that we can clean up and get better at. We will."
While the offense didn't have the cleanest performance against the New Orleans Saints, it did find the end zone three times. McConkey (6 catches, 11 yards, 2 TDs) appeared to be healthy, and Justin Herbert did a good job of getting him and wideout Joshua Palmer (2 catches, 72 yards) involved in the deep-passing game.
Johnston should be back in the not-too-distant future, and if L.A. can continue opening up the passing game, the Chargers could be very dangerous over the second half of the season.
Los Angeles entered Week 8 with the league's top-ranked scoring defense and a rushing attack that can, at times, dictate the pace. Adding even an average passing attack to the mix could make the 4-3 Chargers very relevant in the crowded AFC playoff race.
It's Time for the Saints to Consider Rebuilding, Selling at the Trade Deadline
The Saints made a quarterback change during Sunday's loss, pulling rookie Spencer Rattler for Jake Haener. Unfortunately, Haener wasn't able to provide much of a spark—and he's certainly not saving New Orleans' season.
Neither is Derek Carr, whenever he returns from his oblique injury.
The Saints have now lost six in a row, and as we noted last week, the continual losing can do nothing positive for Dennis Allen's job security. There's a very real chance that New Orleans will look to make a coaching change in 2025—and it needs to consider other changes as well.
Last offseason's signing of Carr hasn't made New Orleans a perennial contender. The overall roster is middling at best, and it's about to be very costly for the Saints. New Orleans is projected to be $72.6 million over the salary cap in the offseason.
Keeping the proverbial band together isn't feasible, and the Saints have to consider dealing impending 2025 free agents like Tyrann Mathieu and Chase Young before the trade deadline. Because of the cap situation, they also might have to consider moving players who will be under contract.
Trading standout cornerback Marshon Lattimore, for example, would save $10.8 million in 2025 cap space.
General manager Mickey Loomis has put New Orleans in a tough financial spot by kicking contracts down the road. It's time to end the process, rip off the bandage and start rebuilding for real.
Washington Commanders 18, Chicago Bears 15
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Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels Wins Battle and War as Rookie QB1
Insert Vince Carter "It's over" GIF here. The Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels continues to show why he's the best rookie quarterback in the NFL.
Sunday's showdown with the Chicago Bears was billed as Daniels v. Caleb Williams—the first and second overall picks in the 2024 NFL draft. Daniels had built a substantial lead over Williams as the front-runner to become this year's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. But the Bears' signal-caller surged as of late.
When the two met on the actual field of play, all the excitement fizzled at first. Neither played particularly well. Washington failed to punch it into the endzone during three different red-zone trips. Meanwhile, Williams completed only 3-of-8 passes for 33 yards.
However, both saved their best for last.
Williams got the Bears offense moving during the unit's final two drives. A missed handoff/fumble ended the first at the 1-yard line. However, Chicago took a 15-12 lead with 23 seconds left to play after a 10-play, 62-yard drive.
It was almost time to raise Williams' hand and proclaim him the victor. But the ghost of Mickey told Daniels and the Commanders to get up off the mat and continue to fight. They did. This happened:
Daniels has better overall stats. His team has a better record. Williams can't even claim his squad won head-to-head. Everything is pointing to the former being QB1 despite being taken at No. 2.
D'Andre Swift Can Carry Chicago Bears Offense When Caleb Williams Can't
D'Andre Swift's best outing with the Bears became lost in the shuffle of the Commanders' euphoric last-second, Hail Mary victory.
Swift carried the ball 18 times for 129 yards. For comparison, Williams threw for only 131 yards. The running back finally got Chicago's offense jumpstarted with a third-quarter, 56-yard touchdown scamper.
So much attention has been paid to Williams' ascension as of late that Swift's performance has flown under the radar. With Sunday's effort, Swift has 386 rushing yards and four touchdowns over Chicago's past four games.
Clearly, his earlier production isn't just a byproduct of Williams' play. Swift is creating and making plays. He did on the aforementioned touchdown run and his hurdle during the Bears' final offensive drive.
Chicago may be 4-3 and in last place in the rugged NFC North, but the offense is coming along nicely. Williams' continued growth with Swift also providing a consistent presence in the run game will keep the Bears in the mix for the entire season.
San Francisco 49ers 30, Dallas Cowboys 24
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Injuries Won't Slow San Francisco 49ers' Offense
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is known as one of the NFL's play designers and callers. Even when the Niners are hit hard by injuries, as they have been this season, Shanahan continually places his team in a position to succeed.
During Sunday's 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Shanahan did it again. This time, running back Isaac Guerendo and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall stepped up when necessary.
Yes, the 49ers can still lean on quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle. The latter posted his best game of the season against the Cowboys, with 128 receiving yards. But San Francisco's skill positions have taken hit after hit this season.
All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey has yet to play. Top wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is done for the season after tearing an ACL and MCL during last week's contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jauan Jennings is currently dealing with a hip injury. Deebo Samuel left Sunday's contest with injured ribs.
Others had to step up.
Pearsall continues to be integrated into the offense more with each passing week. This year's first-round draft pick performed well in this second appearance, after being shot in the chest prior to the start of the regular season. This year's 31st overall pick touched the ball five times for 77 yards, including a 39-yard end-around.
If Samuel also misses time, Pearsall will need to become a versatile option in the scheme, as he started to show during Sunday Night Football.
Guerendo, meanwhile, went from being RB3 as a rookie to replacing Jordan Mason, who left the game and didn't return to the lineup. The fourth-round draft pick ran the ball for 85 yards and a score.
Plug and play. The Shanahan system speaks for itself. Pearsall and Guerendo are merely the latest to prove the 49ers can keep chugging along no matter who is in the lineup.
Dallas Cowboys Careening Toward a Change at Head Coach
The last thing Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ever wants to do is admit that he's wrong.
Jones believes he's always right, even when it's clear that he's not. When broached recently, the octogenarian reacted brusquely with his response about firing head coach Mike McCarthy, "I won't be making any others [coaching changes] during the season."
What's the alternative? The Cowboys required a 14-point comeback during Sunday's fourth quarter just to make the contest close.
Dallas has now lost back-to-back games against the Detroit Lions and 49ers. They're two of the NFC's most consistent franchises. Technically, the same can be said of the Cowboys but for all of the wrong reasons.
Jones already openly criticized McCarthy's approach.
"We're designing bad plays, or we're designing bad concepts," Jones told reporters. "The facts are that there's some of that but there's also some of execution."
If that's true, as least in the owner's eyes, and the Cowboys continue to lose, only one solution exists, especially since the head coach serves as the play-caller.
With the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Washington Commanders looming, the Cowboys could find themselves caught within a significant losing streak and without an opportunity to pull out of the tailspin. Right now, the right pilot doesn't seem to be at the helm.
Los Angeles Rams 30, Minnesota Vikings 20
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The Vikings Have Been Exposed—and Sam Darnold Isn't the Problem
For folks who didn't believe in the Minnesota Vikings, it was only a matter of time. Sooner or later, they would start losing—and it would be Sam Darnold's fault. His improbable start to the 2024 season was a fluke. Order would be restored to the universe.
Haters gonna hate.
Well, the Vikings dropped their second straight Thursday night in Los Angeles. In an NFC North that has become a buzzsaw, it could be a costly loss.
But Minnesota has much bigger problems than its quarterback.
This isn't to say Darnold is blameless for Thursday's loss. After touchdowns on its first two drives, Minnesota scored six points the rest of the way. Darnold was over-focused on star receiver Justin Jefferson. The wideout had eight receptions for 115 yards. Every other pass-catcher on the team had 10 for 125.
Even with a player as great as Jefferson, that won't work in the NFL.
The Vikings also suffered a potentially devastating injury. Minnesota's offensive line had been the epitome of stability this year. But once left tackle Christian Darrisaw left the game, that changed—and so did Darnold.
Darrisaw's knee injury has ended his season--a massive blow to the Vikings' O-line.
However, the big problem—the proverbial purple elephant wearing a Viking helmet in the room—is Minnesota's defense.
The Vikings have surrendered yards by the bushel all season. But Minny was a top-10 scoring defense entering Week 8, largely because of sacks and takeaways.
Outside one bad Matt Stafford throw that was picked off, those big plays weren't there against the Rams—and the result was 30 points and 386 yards of offense. Stafford had more touchdown throws in Week 8 than in Weeks 1-7 combined.
The Vikings have far and away the worst defense in the NFL's toughest division.
And that could keep them out of the postseason.
Rams May Not Want to Break Up the Band Just Yet
Heading into Thursday's matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, there was more chatter about who the Rams would trade (especially wide receiver Cooper Kupp) than their chances of being relevant in the NFC West.
Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford (the subject of a rumor or two himself) told reporters that all the talk about who would or wouldn't be in Los Angeles come Friday mattered a lot less to him than how the team played Thursday.
"I'm a fan of the league, so you hear those things," Stafford said. "To be honest, we are pro athletes. We are professional football players. We've dealt with this kind of stuff before, and we understand it comes with the territory. [We] don't put much into it because that's a disservice to what we've got going on here. We've a short week and a really good opponent to try to prepare for. That's our full focus. I know that's where he stays too. [I] don't worry too much about that stuff."
The Rams played like pros against the Vikings, and with both Kupp and fellow wideout Puka Nacua back on the field, the NFC West looks quite a bit different.
Nacua topped 100 yards in his first game action since Week 1. Kupp caught one of Stafford's four touchdown passes—more than he had for the season entering the game. The Rams won their second game in five days.
It's not like anyone is running away with the NFC West. First-place Seattle is an up-and-down team with an injured No. 1 receiver. The San Francisco 49ers have been so ravaged by injuries that you wonder when the dam will break.
The Rams team we saw in Week 8 could win the NFC West.
And they get the first-place Seahawks next.
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