2025 NFL Week 8 Winners and Losers and Top Takeaways
The haves and have nots meet on the field during the NFL's Week 8.
With six teams on a bye, the slate was lighter than usual, but the drama was not. The Indianapolis Colts picked up their seventh win of the season, while the New York Jets got their first. The Kansas City Chiefs picked up their third consecutive victory with a win over the Washington Commanders on Monday night.
Bleacher Report's team of NFL analysts—Brent Sobleski, Gary Davenport, Kris Knox and Moe Moton—break down developments from each contest, particularly among those franchises teetering on the abyss with the potential to fire their head coach or those setting up for a possible trade to ensure a postseason push.
Washington Commanders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
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Score: Chiefs 28. Commanders 7
Chiefs Takeaway: Kansas City Starting to Look Like Best Team in the AFC. Again.
The Indianapolis Colts have the best record in football and rightfully sit atop the Bleacher Report power rankings. The 5-3 Chiefs aren't ready to overtake them just yet.
However, Kansas City is starting to look like the Kansas City team we're used to seeing. With Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice back in the mix, the offense is potent. The defense came into Week 8 ranked fourth overall and did a great job of corralling a banged-up Commanders team on Monday night.
Will anyone be surprised if the Chiefs, who started the season 0-2, are again the last team standing in the AFC? Not based on the way they're playing right now.
Winner: TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
It wasn't a clean start for the Chiefs, who entered halftime in a 7-7 tie. Tight end Travis Kelce was part of the slow start, as he dropped what should have been an easy completion that was promptly picked off.
However, the 36-year-old took off after that, along with the Chiefs. He finished with six catches, 99 yards and a touchdown—the 83rd of his career. He is now tied with Priest Holmes for the most touchdowns in Chiefs history.
Commanders Takeaway: Injuries Becoming Too Much for Washington to Overcome
While Washington did get receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel back for Monday night, starting quarterback Jayden Daniels missed his third game of the year. Defenders Deatrich Wise and Dorance Armstrong are already on injured reserve, along with running back Austin Ekeler.
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw exited on Monday, along with McLaurin.
Washington has lost three straight and four of its last five, and unless the Commanders get a lot healthier very quickly, it's hard to see them pulling out of the spiral.
Loser: Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders
If Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was hoping to get another head coaching opportunity, he probably shouldn't have declined interview requests during last year's playoffs. Yes, injuries have played a role, but Washington's offense just hasn't been as dynamic this season.
Against the Chiefs, with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota running the offense, Kingsbury's game plan simply wasn't good enough.
Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt logged just nine carries, while Mariota threw it 30 times and ran it eight. Kingsbury also dialed up some questionable plays on Washington's two early 4th-down conversion attempts. The result was seven points and a waste of a strong first-half defensive effort.
Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Score: Packers 35, Steelers 25
Packers Takeaway: Tucker Kraft Is Rising to Stardom as a Premier Pass-Catching Tight End
On National Tight Ends Day, Kraft produced a highlight performance, hauling in seven passes for a career-high 143 yards and two touchdowns.
In his third season, the 24-year-old doesn't have the resume of Travis Kelce or George Kittle. He didn't stand out as a rookie like Brock Bowers or Sam LaPorta. Fourth-year tight end Trey McBride signed a massive extension with the Arizona Cardinals last April.
Kraft is eligible for a new deal in 2026, and he's going to be one of the highest-paid tight ends when the Packers ink him to a new contract. He is on pace to top his career numbers from last season as one of the league's best receivers at the position.
Winner: QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
The Packers fell behind 16-7 by halftime and then Love scorched the Steelers defense with a hot hand, completing 20 consecutive passes to lead a second-half comeback.
Kraft garnered deserved praise on National Tight Ends Day, though Love was surgical in the passing game, leading Green Bay to victory. He threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns.
Steelers Takeaway: Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin Should Be on Hot Seat
The Steelers have supremely talented players on defense. With T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward on the defensive front, they traded for Jalen Ramsey and signed Darius Slay last offseason to shore up the secondary, but the additions haven't produced optimal results.
Entering Week 8, Pittsburgh was giving up the fifth-most yards and the second-most passing yards. After allowing 33-plus points in back-to-back outings, the Steelers should be concerned about Austin's struggling unit. Keep in mind Pittsburgh's defense ranked 19th in scoring and surrendered the fifth-most yards in 2024.
Loser: Pittsburgh Steelers Pass Rush
The Steelers didn't log a sack, which allowed Love to get comfortable in the pocket and go on a passing hot streak.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
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Score: Buccaneers 23, Saints 3
Buccaneers Takeaway: Ball-Hawking Defense Can Compensate for Injury-Riddled Offense
In terms of points and total yards allowed, the Buccaneers field a mediocre defense, but the unit has generated turnovers at a high rate over the last few weeks.
On Sunday, Tampa Bay forced four turnovers, the fourth consecutive game in which the unit recorded multiple takeaways. Though defensive units shouldn't rely heavily on turnovers to get off the field, the Buccaneers defense can give the offense more opportunities with its aggressive attack.
Winner: Edge Anthony Nelson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As a rotational pass-rusher, Nelson flashed his playmaking ability, recording four tackles, two sacks and a pass breakup that he turned into a 3-yard return for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Mostly a career backup, Nelson adds another layer to the Buccaneers defense that's starting to change the complexion of games with turnovers.
Saints Takeaway: Tyler Shough Must Be Evaluated to Assess Long-Term Quarterback Outlook
After the first dive in the third quarter of Sunday's game, the Saints benched Rattler for Shough. Both quarterbacks struggled against the Buccaneers defense, though the team knows Rattler isn't part of its long-term future.
Head coach Kellen Moore should move forward with Shough, the rookie second-rounder, as his starter. At 1-7, the Saints should be in full evaluation mode for the future. They will have a top draft pick. So, the team must determine whether Shough can play at a high level or serve as a backup to an incoming player from the 2026 draft.
Loser: QB Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints
As Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football noted, Rattler went into a "huge prove-it game" against a formidable defense.
In a big test at home, he threw for 136 yards and a pick-six in an uninspiring half of football and lost the starting job. Perhaps Moore hoped Shough would provide an offensive spark, though it's clear the Saints have a quarterback controversy ahead of a two-week road trip to Los Angeles (Rams) and Carolina.
Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts
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Score: Colts 38, Titans 14
Colts Takeaway: Daniel Jones Continues to Look Like Indy's QB Answer
Quarterback Daniel Jones didn't have to do a ton against the Tennessee Titans because running back Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts' defense did plenty.
However, Jones (272 yards, 3 TDs) had another impressively efficient day, which has become his standard in Indianapolis.
He continues to play at an MVP level, and with nearly half the season done, it's not looking like a fluke.
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Colts have yet to discuss an extension with Jones. It may still be too early to sign him to a lucrative deal—especially with the franchise tag on the table in 2026—but it's not too early to begin making long-term plans.
Winner: RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
While Jones is probably Indianapolis' leading MVP candidate, that's only because the NFL MVP has become a quarterback-centric award. However, Taylor had the sort of performance on Sunday that might put him in the conversation.
The 26-year-old ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns on only 12 carries. He added 21 yards and another touchdown on two receptions. If he keeps putting up similar numbers, he'll have a real shot at becoming the first non-QB to be named MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012.
Titans Takeaway: Tennessee Must Sell, Sell, Sell at Trade Deadline
The Titans weren't good in 2024, which is how they "earned" the No. 1 overall pick and the chance to draft quarterback Cam Ward. They haven't been any better this season, and it's fair to wonder how much they can even develop Ward with their current roster and coaching staff.
At 1-7 and with little hope in sight, it's officially time to try stockpiling 2026 draft picks. Tennessee must support Ward with a better receiving corps and an improved offensive line. Any player who can't contribute to that goal or isn't a franchise centerpiece should be made available.
Loser: Interim Coach Mike McCoy, Tennessee Titans
The Titans fired head coach Brian Callahan after Week 6, turning to senior offensive assistant Mike McCoy to replace him. This gave him his first opportunity to be an NFL head coach since the then-San Diego Chargers fired him after the 2016 season.
Unfortunately, McCoy is doing nothing in Tennessee to earn future opportunities. While the offense has looked, at times, marginally better than it did under Callahan, the Titans have been no more competitive.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos
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Score: Broncos 44, Cowboys 24
Broncos Takeaway: Denver is Starting to Look Like a Legitimate AFC Contender
Through a little over three quarters in last week's game, the Denver Broncos were starting to feel like pretenders. Then, they racked up 33 fourth-quarter points, beating the New York Giants in an epic comeback.
That quarter appears to have given Denver's offense a much-needed spark. The unit kept rolling against a bad Dallas Cowboys defense on Sunday, allowing the Broncos to rack up their most points of the season.
While any offensive performance against Dallas should be taken with a grain of salt, the Broncos are starting to figure out who their playmakers on offense are. That, combined with a top-five defense, is enough to think Denver will be a factor in the AFC the rest of the way.
Winner: Denver's Young Skill Players
Denver's defense played well enough to get the win on Sunday, but it was the Broncos offense that truly broke the game open. Bo Nix and veterans like J.K. Dobbins and Courtland Sutton played their part, but the unit got key contributions from multiple ascending stars.
Rookie running back RJ Harvey found the end zone three times, while second-year receiver Troy Franklin scored twice. Rookie wideout Pat Bryant added a touchdown, and the three youngsters combined for 180 scrimmage yards.
If the Broncos keep these young playmakers rolling, they'll be in good shape.
Cowboys Takeaway: Dallas Too Dependent on Offense to Be Serious Postseason Threat
The Cowboys are good enough offensively to record a respectable regular-season record this season, but losses like this show why they won't go on a deep playoff run as constructed.
Dallas coughed up 426 yards and 44 points on Sunday and made too many mistakes, including two turnovers and nine penalties, to ever really play catch-up.
Even if the Cowboys play flawless football—which they didn't in Denver—it's not going to be enough to win every game. If Dallas doesn't get some defensive help soon, it won't have a viable formula to even reach the playoffs.
Loser: QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott has been a dark-horse MVP candidate for most of the season. Considering how well he had been playing—and how bad the Dallas defense is—getting into the postseason might have been enough to earn him serious award consideration
However, he had his worst game of the season on Sunday. He threw two picks, misfired on several other throws, and he failed to score a touchdown for only the second time this season.
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
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Score: Eagles 38, Giants 20
Eagles Takeaway: Saquon Barkley's Injury is Huge News
The Eagles handled the New York Giants with relative ease Sunday, and Saquon Barkley had a huge game, rushing for 150 yards on just 14 carries. But the running back sent a shudder through the Philly crowd when he injured his groin late and did not return.
Barkley attempted to alleviate concerns about the injury after the game, telling reporters he didn't want to exit and will be fine for the big showdown with the Green Bay Packers after Philadelphia's bye week.
But with A.J. Brown sitting out Week 8 with an injury of his own, the injury report for the defending Super Bowl champions just became a must-read moving forward.
Winner: The Eagles Pass Rush
Entering Week 8, the Eagles were having all kinds of problems getting to opposing quarterbacks—only four teams had fewer sacks over the first seven games than Philly's 11. But they were all up in Jaxson Dart's business Sunday, dropping the rookie five times and logging six quarterback hits.
Giants Takeaway: New York Run Defense is Awful
New York has struggled all season long to stop the run, and it entered Week 8 25th in the league in run defense, allowing 130.7 yards per game.
That number's not getting better after Sunday's loss.
The Giants surrendered a staggering 276 rushing yards against the Eagles, including 100-yard games from both Barkley and Tank Bigsby.
Big Blue can't expect to win games while getting savaged on the ground like that.
Loser: Giants RB Cam Skattebo
In a season where little has gone right for New York, the play of running back Cam Skattebo was a bright spot. The rookie has quickly become a fan favorite with his battering-ram running style.
As with most hope where the Giants are concerned, disaster struck early in Week 8 when he was carted off the field in the second quarter with a season-ending dislocated ankle that will require surgery.
Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots
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Score: Patriots 32, Browns 13
Patriots Takeaway: These Patriots are for Real
Sunday's blowout win over Cleveland comes with the caveat that the Browns aren't great this year. But legit contenders are supposed to handle lesser teams with ease—and that's exactly what the Patriots did.
Quarterback Drake Maye continued his stellar second season, completing three-quarters of his passes, throwing three more touchdown passes and posting a passer rating of 135.8. The New England defense held the Browns to just 213 total yards and 12 first downs while forcing a pair of turnovers.
For years, the AFC East has been the Buffalo Bills and then everyone else. That is no longer the case.
Winner: Cleveland Browns Edge Myles Garrett
It's not often a player from the losing team gets the "winner" treatment here. But it's also not that often that a player has the sort of game Garrett did Sunday.
His status as one of the best in the league at his position is unquestioned. But even by his standards, he was excellent. He logged a franchise-record five sacks, the most the Pats have ever allowed to a single player.
Browns Takeaway: Dillon Gabriel Ain't the Guy
This isn't exactly a hot take, as third-round quarterbacks don't often become plus NFL starters. At this point, though, we have seen enough from Gabriel to know he isn't any kind of long-term answer for the Browns under center.
He just doesn't have an NFL arm. He averaged 4.5 yards per attempt against New England and completed all of two passes to wide receivers. He can't stretch the field at all.
Over the bye, the Browns need to give serious thought to embracing the chaos and giving Shedeur Sanders a shot.
The offense really can't get any worse.
Loser: Cleveland Browns WR Jerry Jeudy
Last year, Jeudy set a career high with 1,229 receiving yards—sixth-most in the league. He isn't going to come anywhere close to that number this year.
His disappointing 2025 hit a new low Sunday against New England, when he was targeted just twice and didn't catch a pass.
New York Jets vs. Cincinnati Bengals
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Score: Jets 39, Bengals 38
Jets Takeaway: Justin Fields Should Start for Rest of Season
Fields didn't have his top two receivers, Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds, but he still played turnover-free and moved the ball efficiently.
Jets owner Woody Johnson publicly criticized the quarterback's passing capabilities, and the 26-year-old responded well to it.
Head coach Aaron Glenn didn't announce who would start for this game during the week, but the club ruled out Tyrod Taylor because of a knee injury.
Gang Green should allow Fields to work through his progressions and fully evaluate him at the end of the season.
Winner: QB Justin Fields, New York Jets
Based on what Fields had to work with in Sunday's game, he put together his best passing performance in the Jets' first win of the season, throwing for 244 yards and a touchdown.
As the team mounted a comeback, Glenn called for a two-point conversion attempt, which showed a lot of trust in Fields, who threw an accurate pass to running back Isaiah Davis, which paved the way for the Gang Green to score the go-ahead touchdown on its following drive.
The pesky Jets hung around all afternoon, and Fields drove the bus for a thrilling comeback.
Bengals Takeaway: Cincinnati's Playoff Hopes in Peril, Again
The Bengals looked well on their way back to .500, but their leaky defense allowed the Jets to come back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit.
Team doctors looked at second-string quarterback Joe Flacco's shoulder in the locker room when Cincinnati needed him most on a late drive.
In a postgame press conference, Flacco said: "I feel good right now." Still, it's worth monitoring his status going forward and the hope meter for the Bengals' playoff outlook.
They could bounce back with Flacco healthy, but Sunday's loss gives them less margin for error in the second half of the season. They missed an opportunity to get into the thick of the AFC playoff race.
Loser: Cincinnati Bengals Defense
The Bengals' 31st-ranked total and scoring defense plunged to a new low on Sunday, allowing the Jets' depleted offense to gain 503 scrimmage yards. It's the second time Cincinnati has given up 500-plus total yards in a game this season.
The first time the Bengals hemorrhaged yards, it happened on the road in a blowout loss to the Denver Broncos. On Sunday, defensive coordinator Al Golden had no answer for Fields, Davis and Breece Hall, with a two-possession lead and eight minutes left in regulation.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans
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Score: Texans 26, 49ers 15
Texans Takeaway: Resilient Effort Says Plenty
The Houston Texans came out flat against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 despite having two weeks to prepare for the contest. DeMeco Ryans' squad quickly put the disappointment behind it, with a decisive win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Offensively, the Texans looked much improved. The offensive line didn't allow a sack—a first this season. As a whole, the unit managed a season-high 475 yards. Meanwhile, the defense did its job by allowing only 175.
Some confidence was much-needed based on how the offense had played throughout the season, particularly with the Denver Broncos next on the docket.
Winner: QB C.J. Stroud, Texans
To reiterate, the 49ers didn't manage a single sack. This fact alone is enough to make Stroud the winner compared to what he's endured over the last season-and-a-half.
With an opportunity to get comfortable in the pocket, he threw for more than 300 yards for the first time this season. He also contributed a pair of touchdown tosses. The quarterback did so without his top wide receiver, Nico Collins, in the lineup due to injury.
49ers Takeaway: Injuries Taking their Toll
A team can only endure so much before it breaks. The Niners may have reached that point where they can't overcome, specifically with the losses of all-world linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa. Furthermore, the team's best remaining pass-rusher, Bryce Huff, was inactive Sunday as well.
San Francisco started strongly this season. Those early victories can help keep the team afloat. At the same time, the squad is only going to get so healthy. No one should expect the Niners to be counted among the NFC's best based on their current setup.
Losers: San Francisco defense
As mentioned, Robert Saleh's unit isn't the same today as the beginning of the campaign. San Francisco has been one of the most disciplined and difficult defenses to face for an extended period of time. Sunday's effort looked completely different.
The 49ers allowed Houston to score on six of its first seven offensive possessions, which occurred all the way into the fourth quarter. San Francisco can't lean on that side of the ball after the hits it's already taken.
Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons
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Score: Dolphins 34, Falcons 10
Dolphins Takeaway: Dolphins Can Save Mike McDaniel's Job
Despite a poor record, injuries and negative vibes around the team after an early-season players-only meeting, the Dolphins can preserve head coach Mike McDaniel's job.
After Miami's abysmal showing in a 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns last week, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the team wouldn't make any changes.
Aside from the loss to Cleveland, the Dolphins have played competitively in every game since Week 2. McDaniel could survive a tough year in Miami if his squad builds momentum off Sunday's victory over the Falcons.
Winner: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
On Sunday morning, Tagovailoa woke up with an illness that caused swelling in his left eye, but it didn't adversely impact his performance. In fact, he was pinpoint accurate from the pocket, throwing for 205 yards and 4 touchdowns while completing 77 percent of his passes.
He likely earned respect in the locker room for this outing, a couple of weeks after publicly calling out his teammates and the club's leadership.
Falcons Takeaway: Atlanta's Offense Can't Be The Bijan Robinson Show
The Falcons didn't have starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. or wide receiver Drake London, but it's inexcusable for the offense to generate just 213 total yards with the fourth-ranked rushing attack going against the league's worst run defense.
Yet the Falcons averaged 2.6 yards per carry in a blowout loss. Robinson is Atlanta's best offensive playmaker, but he can't carry the team's scoring workload alone. The team needs Penix and London back as soon as possible.
Loser: RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons didn't lose this game because of Robinson, but he had a costly unforced fumble inside the Dolphins' 20-yard line that halted the team's momentum early in the third quarter.
Typically, Atlanta has a shot to win because of Robinson, but his turnover summed up the club's offensive performance Sunday: mistake-prone and out of sync.
Chicago Bears vs. Baltimore Ravens
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Score: Ravens 30, Bears 16
Ravens Takeaway: No Longer Buried Prior to Halloween
The Baltimore Ravens found life with Sunday's performance against the Chicago Bears.
Had the Ravens lost, a 1-6 record may have been too difficult to overcome regarding a potential postseason appearance. However, a victory led by backup quarterback Tyler Huntley places the franchise in position to make a run.
Lamar Jackson is expected back for Week 9, and the schedule looks favorable between now and the end of November. None of Baltimore's next five opponents own a winning record.
If Jackson is back to 100 percent and plays at a high level, the Ravens have a chance to go on a tear.
Winner: QB Tyler Huntley, Ravens
Huntley deserves so much credit for stabilizing the Ravens lineup after being signed to the active roster just two days prior.
A question should be raised about why Baltimore stuck with Cooper Rush as long as it did when Huntley is clearly a better fit. The move didn't come too late, though.
Huntley threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, while adding 53 rushing yards. Clearly, he comes out of this contest as the Ravens' QB2 in case Jackson experiences any setbacks.
Bears Takeaway: Chicago Isn't As Far Along As Record Indicated
The Bears entered the Week 8 schedule with a 4-2 record and a half-game behind the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers. They had a chance to tie the Detroit Lions with a 5-2 record.
Instead, Ben Johnson's squad fell flat against an opponent that entered the matchup on a four-game losing streak and its third quarterback in the lineup.
Huntley and Co. took care of business. The Bears must learn how to do so when they're considered the better team, at least on paper.
Loser: QB Caleb Williams, Bears
The Ravens owned the NFL's third-worst defense through the first seven weeks of play. Chicago moved the ball, but the Bears finished six-of-13 on third down and scored only one touchdown in three red-zone trips.
With Baltimore forcing Chicago out of the formula that made the Bears successful as a run-heavy team, more fell on the shoulders of Williams, who proved to be too inconsistent in the passing game. A fourth-quarter interception from inside the Bears' own 10-yard line all but sealed their fate.
Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers
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Score: Bills 40, Panthers 9
Bills Takeaway: At Their Best, Bills Offense Driven by the Ground Game
After finishing the 2024 season dead-last in run defense, the Carolina Panthers had actually been solid against the run this year, allowing just 92.6 yards per game. But the Panthers defense we saw Sunday looked a lot like last year's.
And the Bills looked like a buzzsaw offensively.
For the game, the Bills rushed for a ludicrous 245 yards, averaging a gaudy 7.0 yards per carry. And when Buffalo can run the ball like that, the team becomes an offensive juggernaut.
The sort of juggernaut that could propel the team to Super Bowl LX.
Winner: Buffalo Bills RB James Cook
If you started Cook in your fantasy football league, you're likely headed for a victory. If you faced him? Condolences.
He rolled the Panthers to the tune of 216 yards and two scores on just 19 carries. For the math-averse, that works out to 11.4 yards per carry.
Panthers Takeaway: Carolina Needs to Blow Up the Franchise Again.
The Panthers were without quarterback Bryce Young on Sunday, but he wouldn't have made a difference in the game.
Carolina traded up for a quarterback who is a below-average starter on his best day. The team's best offensive story in 2025 has been a backup running back. The defense is mostly a who's who of "who?"
Head coach Dave Canales needs to go, and the roster needs a full-on reset.
This time, get the quarterback right.
Loser: Carolina Panthers QB Andy Dalton
It's not Dalton's fault that the Panthers were blown out. He wasn't playing defense, although it can be argued no one on the team was. But he committed three back-breaking turnovers that allowed the Bills to blow the game open.
In Week 8, The Red Rifle shot his team in the foot.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Chargers
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Score: Chargers 37, Vikings 10
Chargers Takeaway: Physical Brand of Football Returns
The Los Angeles Chargers rebounded nicely four days after the Indianapolis Colts easily moved the ball, gained over 400 yards of offense and scored 38 points in a definitive win.
The version of the Chargers that showed up during Thursday Night Football was far more physical and aggressive. Joe Alt's return to the lineup played a significant part as the squad's anchor at left tackle. Meanwhile, Los Angeles' defense allowed only 135 yards deep into the fourth quarter before garbage time.
Jim Harbaugh's squad looked great through the first three weeks of play before losing three of its next four contests. But L.A. is getting healthy in certain areas and has a pathway toward success in November.
Winner: RB Kimani Vidal
Vidal wasn't even on the Chargers' active roster to start the 2025 campaign. He's now provided the team with over 100 rushing yards in two of the last three contests.
During Thursday's action, the 2024 sixth-round draft pick carried the ball 23 times for 117 yards and a touchdown.
His rushing makes him a short-term asset, while his blocking ensures long-term value to the roster. He continually stepped up, protecting quarterback Justin Herbert and blocking downfield when necessary.
Vikings Takeaway: Carson Wentz Isn't Getting the Job Done
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell may be considered a quarterback whisperer, but he's not getting the most out of Wentz. That may sound unfair, but it's true.
Wentz deserves credit for toughing it out while playing through a shoulder injury. At the same time, he didn't hold up behind a ramshackle offensive line and made too many mistakes himself. The Vikings desperately need a spark at quarterback.
J.J. McCarthy has been nursing an ankle injury, but he needs to be in the lineup for Week 9.
Loser: Vikings Offensive Line
Minnesota had three backups in the lineup during Thursday's contest, with only their starting guards still in place.
Technically, the Vikings began the evening with two reserves being forced into action, but that changed when left tackle Christian Darrisaw departed with a lingering knee issue.
Tackles Justin Skule and Walter Rouse simply couldn't handle business, with center Michael Jurgens overwhelmed at the point of attack as well.
In total, the Vikings front five allowed five sacks and eight more quarterback hits, while the offense averaged 3.1 yards per carry.
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