B/R Staff NFL Week 8 Report Card: Is Mayfield or Kitchens to Blame in Cleveland?

The trick for numerous NFL teams is not to turn into pumpkins before the halfway point of the regular season.

Seventeen squads have already played eight games through the first eight weeks. Eight of those squads have treated their fanbases to winning records. As such, a midseason costume change is necessary for most since the teams' previous incarnations underwhelmed.

For some, simple adjustments are necessary. For others, major overhauls are required. Maybe a team starts to get healthy and comes together at the right time. All the while, the league's better squads already own a head start.

The New England Patriots improved to 8-0 Sunday, and everyone else is playing catch-up. The New Orleans Saints aren't far behind at 7-1, and Drew Brees returned this weekend. The 5-3 Los Angeles Rams found this year's pace-setter in wide receiver Cooper Kupp. And the Houston Texans might have the league's MVP in quarterback Deshaun Watson.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, some serious soul-searching needs to be done in Cleveland, Jacksonville and Nashville.

Bleacher Report's team of NFL writers gathered their treat bags to hand out something sweet (or bitter) by grading these performances and more from Week 8's action.

Drew Brees' Return

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

The Saints did just fine without Brees. After all, the team went 5-0 as its franchise signal-caller healed from a thumb injury on his throwing hand. 

Teddy Bridgewater performed well and admirably filled in for the NFL's all-time leading passer. But there's only one Brees. The 40-year-old quarterback threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns in his return. He also tossed an uncharacteristic interception in the Saints' 31-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

"It felt really good," Brees said of his thumb after the contest, per ESPN's Mike Triplett. 

How does Brees' performance rate after he missed the previous five contests?

Ty Dunne: A

He's the one headed to Canton, and he's the one who makes the Saints a legit Super Bowl contender. You cannot fault Brees at all for getting a start in before the bye week—every snap and every throw counts. This was another vintage performance, and most of all, Brees brings the best out of Michael Thomas.

Mike Freeman: A

You see the difference in the offense between Brees and Bridgewater. The latter is good. The former is special. He energizes the entire team.

Mike Tanier: A

Brees needed a little help from his defense to get things rolling but looked great in the second half. His effort looks even more impressive when you notice who (besides Thomas, of course) he was throwing to.

Brent Sobleski: B+

Even Brees doesn't believe he played a perfect game. In fact, he told reporters his interception was a "bad decision and [he] got greedy." The one blemish aside, the Saints are rolling and even better with Brees leading the way.

Brad Gagnon: A

It wasn't perfect (he threw an uncharacteristic, wobbling first-down interception when the game was still close), but it was pretty close outside of that. That's pretty phenomenal considering he's barely a month removed from thumb surgery.

Gary Davenport: A

Bridgewater did a great job filling in for Brees. But with the future Hall of Famer back under center, the Saints have solidified their status as the team to beat in the NFC.

Cooper Kupp's Standing as a Top-10 WR in the NFL

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp annihilated the toothless Cincinnati Bengals secondary Sunday. The third-year wide receiver caught seven passes for 220 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' 24-10 victory.

Kupp entered the contest ranked second overall with 51 receptions. He's also one of five receivers with 700 or more receiving yards so far this season. Clearly, Kupp developed into a No. 1 target while working primarily out of the slot.

How does he grade compared to the league's other elite receiving threats?

Ty Dunne: A

The Rams' demise was grossly exaggerated. Let's not forget they didn't have Kupp in that dud of a Super Bowl. He could've changed everything. You cannot cover him one-on-one.

Mike Freeman: A+

If you know anything about football, and I mean even a smidge, you know Kupp is a top-10 receiver. That's not the question. The question is more whether he's in the top five (yes) or the top three (yes...yes, he is). People need to stop shorting him because of his lack of melanin. I said it.

Mike Tanier: B

It's hard to argue against 220 yards, even when facing the Cincinnati Slip and Fall Brigade, but I can't help but think there are now about 30 top-10 wide receivers in the NFL, and the number grows every time someone faces one of the terrible defenses.

Brent Sobleski: A

The numbers say everything. Kupp isn't just a great slot receiver; he's an elite target. He consistently finds ways to get open even though he's not as physically gifted as Julio Jones, Michael Thomas or DeAndre Hopkins, which makes what Kupp does even more impressive.

Brad Gagnon: B-

Let's not get carried away. Kupp is an extremely reliable receiver who never drops passes and can break it on occasion, but he isn't a semi-consistent deep threat and had just 67 total yards in his previous two games before exploding Sunday. I'm giving him a good grade here because he's a top-20 receiver who still has room to grow, but he's not there yet.

Gary Davenport: B

I suppose you could make an argument that there are 10 wide receivers in the NFL who are better than Kupp. But you can also make a compelling argument there aren't, and you'd be hard-pressed to name three who are more underrated.

Nick Foles' Future as Jaguars Starting QB When He Returns

James Gilbert/Getty Images

Minshew Magic isn't like Fitz-magic. The mustachioed wonder seems to have some actual staying power.

The sixth-round rookie sports an impressive 13-to-two touchdown-to-interception ratio while helping the Jaguars to a 4-3 record in his seven starts. Gardner Minshew II threw three touchdown passes during Sunday's 29-15 victory over the New York Jets.

But Nick Foles, who the team placed on short-term injured reserve with a broken left clavicle, returned to practice last week and can be cleared to play soon.

What's the likelihood the Jaguars place their $88 million quarterback in the lineup over Minshew?

Ty Dunne: C

Oh man. You can't bench Minshew. Not when he's a young quarterback clearly trending one direction and one direction only. But Foles is the Super Bowl MVP, and Foles is the one who signed the four-year, $88 million deal. I plead the fifth.

Mike Freeman: F

The Jaguars have a brutal choice. I don't see how you bench Minshew. He's getting better almost by the second. You can see it. Benching him would be a mistake.

Mike Tanier: D

I'm the biggest Minshew skeptic on earth. But it's not like Foles is Brees, for heaven's sake. Let Wavy Cravy keep the job until he loses it. If he loses it.

Brent Sobleski: F

Coaches always say the best players play (even if that's not entirely true). Minshew is making plays, and Foles' paper shouldn't have any bearing on the Jaguars' quarterback decision, especially since the rookie sports a sixth-round paycheck to balance the decision.

Brad Gagnon: B

I like Minshew, who again displayed phenomenal improvising skills while putting up big numbers in a win Sunday. But Minshew hasn't been consistent, either, and the Jags are just 4-4. They gave Foles more than $45 million guaranteed, and there's little doubt in my mind they'll go to him when he's ready.

Gary Davenport: C

I'm grading this one right down the middle because I honestly don't know what the Jaguars are going to do. Minshew looked good against the Jets, but everyone looks good against the Jets. There's also the small matter of guaranteed money invested in Foles. But the Jaguars are 4-4, so it's possible they'll decide fixing things that aren't broken isn't a great idea.

Ryan Tannehill as Titans' Long-Term Starter

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Don't look now, but the Tennessee Titans are 2-0 with Ryan Tannehill leading the way. 

Obviously, the Titans received some help from multiple mistakes by the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the team is better off because Tannehill is playing efficient football and making legit throws. He's not being asked to carry the team, though, which allows him to be comfortable in his role.

Since taking over for Marcus Mariota, Tannehill has completed 71 percent of his passes with a five-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Based on this small sample, what's the possibility of Tannehill turning into the Titans' long-term starting quarterback?

Ty Dunne: D

He's 31 years old. He has started 90 games. We know who Tannehill is by now, and that's an average to above-average quarterback when healthy. But hey, the Titans won and finally gave a defense that's better than anyone thinks a little help.

Mike Freeman: B

Tannehill has been surprising. He's never been this solid at any point in his NFL career. He's displayed touch, patience and skill—all things he rarely displayed before. A long-term solution? I can't believe I'm saying this, but yes. Yes, he is.

Mike Tanier: D-

If by "long-term" you mean "until the end of this year and they pursue Bridgewater or something," I'll raise my grade to a B. But I don't think that's what you mean.

Brent Sobleski: F

Tannehill has been a nice stopgap, but he's already proved himself to be a tease during his seven years with the Miami Dolphins. He's long since showed he's not franchise material.

Brad Gagnon: D

He hasn't made too many throws that make me believe he's taken a step forward from his Miami days, and the Titans are lucky they aren't 0-2 instead of 2-0 with Tannehill as the starter. He was good against the Bucs, but a large sample from the past suggests he's not the guy long-term.

Gary Davenport: C-

OK, so Tannehill has won two in a row as Tennessee's starter, and he threw three touchdown passes against the Buccaneers. But he didn't suddenly morph into a franchise quarterback because he left Miami. He might be better than Mariota, but that's not saying a heck of a lot.

Lions RB Committee Without Kerryon Johnson

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Unfortunately, Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson required knee surgery last week. 

Prior to the injury, Johnson flashed as the Lions' lead back. He rushed for 125 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs four weeks ago. But inconsistency was also part of the package. No starting back with 90 or more totes averages fewer yards per carry than Johnson's 3.3.

In his absence, the Lions relied on multiple backs. The combination of Tra Carson, Ty Johnson, Paul Perkins and J.D. McKissic combined for 62 yards on 23 carries (2.7 yards per carry).

How did the Lions offense operate with its current stable of backs?

Ty Dunne: D

They won, but this was the same old Lions offense we've always seen for a decade, one that can't run the ball with any authority and needs Matthew Stafford to play Superman. He doesn't get nearly enough credit.

Mike Freeman: B

It works for them, and you know why? Because Stafford is playing well, and when he does that, the entire offense opens up. As long as Stafford is solid like this, it doesn't matter who the running back is.

Mike Tanier: C

These guys are no Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner.

Brent Sobleski: C

The Lions' ground game wasn't all that good with Kerryon Johnson, and it's still not. Basically, the team maintained its status quo.

Brad Gagnon: D-

Ty Johnson had a nice 14-yard run on Detroit's fourth-quarter touchdown drive, but those guys generally struggled. The Lions scored 31 points despite that committee.

Gary Davenport: F

The Lions were able to beat the Giants by going pass-happy, but 23 carries for 62 yards isn't going to cut it against the likes of the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. Can I interest you in a gently used Kenyan Drake?

NFL Officials Finally Starting to Overturn Pass Interference Calls

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Prior to Sunday's action, NFL coaches were in the midst of an 0-of-42 streak of pass interference challenges not being overturned, according to a CBS telecast.

Basically, the coaches stubbornly made the challenges even though there was no chance of the play going in their favor. However, the tide may have turned when the Indianapolis Colts won a crucial challenge during their 15-13 win over the Denver Broncos.

"We thought it was clear and obvious, irrefutable," Colts head coach Frank Reich said, per the Indianapolis Star's Tyler Kraft. "It just seemed like the prudent thing to do to challenge it. ... I'm not going to go there as far as what I expected or what I didn't expect."

What are the chances officials become more open-minded about reversing pass interference calls for the rest of the season?

Ty Dunne: C

It's about time. Challenging pass interference remains asinine. But if you're going to implement something that's really dumb, you might as well actually use it.

Mike Freeman: C

The refs are finally using the replay system the way they should. Thank goodness. They are still having one of the worst seasons of officiating I've ever seen.

Mike Tanier: A+

I didn't see much of this in the games I focused upon but can only assume it will result in a month during which every single call gets overturned just to "make things even."

Brent Sobleski: F

NFL officials don't deserve any credit for doing the job they're supposed to do. The lack of overturned penalties through the first half of the season undercut the credibility of the rule change. At least coaches might have a chance, albeit slim, to see positive results in the coming weeks.

Brad Gagnon: A+

That play was exactly what the new policy was made for. I wish they'd be a little more willing to overturn calls and non-calls, but at least they have the ability to fix extremely blatant mistakes like that. I just hope this doesn't inspire coaches to start/continue to challenge non-blatant calls or non-calls.

Gary Davenport: F

This gets an F because I hate this rule with a passion that burns like the fire of a thousand suns. Giving officials two chances to get a call wrong does not strike me as a wise course of action, but wisdom and NFL officiating intersect about as often as the Cincinnati Bengals and good football.

Baker Mayfield and Freddie Kitchens' Performances Through Week 8

David Richard/Associated Press

The Cleveland Browns once again imploded. This time, the Freddie Kitchens-led squad spotted the undefeated New England Patriot a 17-0 lead thanks to multiple turnovers before eventually falling 27-13.

The Browns are now 2-5 after many heaped heavy expectations upon the talented roster. However, Cleveland continues to play uninspired, unprepared and undisciplined football. In fact, the Browns have been penalized 13 or more times in two games and 80 or more yards in four contests.

Neither Kitchens nor quarterback Baker Mayfield has held up his end of the bargain. Kitchens continually makes poor in-game decisions, while Mayfield is tied for the league "lead" with 12 interceptions.

"Consistency, discipline and lack of accountability seem to be our problem on Sundays right now," Mayfield told reporters after the team's third-straight loss. 

Both the coach and quarterback have been major disappointments, but to what degree?

Ty Dunne: Mayfield, D-; Kitchens D-

Another Sunday, another meltdown in which coach and quarterback both deserve blame. What was supposed to be a coronation has been a colossal failure. I can't give them F's, though. Not with a cupcake schedule on tap. In a weak AFC, you just can't write the talent in Cleveland off...uh, yet.

Mike Freeman: Mayfield, B-; Kitchens, D

Both are to blame. Mayfield is a turnover machine, but the real problem is Kitchens. Again, he looks overwhelmed. Many teams do against the Patriots, but the Browns have looked that way much of the year. Many of the team's issues trace back to Kitchens.

Mike Tanier: Mayfield, C-; Kitchens, D-

Instead of blaming Mayfield for the loss, I'm going to wait and see who he blames. Mayfield jokes aside, there's not much a quarterback can do when his team falls behind a great defense 17-0. And much of that 17-0 deficit, even Mayfield's interception on that 11-car pileup of a shovel pass, falls at the feet of the head coach.

Brent Sobleski: Mayfield, C-; Kitchens, F

Has Mayfield been anywhere near the level of player seen last year? Absolutely not. But the number of drops and the inexcusable play around him account for some of his mistakes. He still needs to find a rhythm, which seems next to impossible with Kitchens' play-calling. The first-year head coach looks completely overwhelmed.

Brad Gagnon: Mayfield, D; Kitchens, F

The Browns wouldn't be good with a better coach than Kitchens, but they'd be much more competitive. He simply looks to be in over his head, and the Browns have to consider moving on after just one year. There's too much talent for that team to start 2-5. Mayfield has experienced a sophomore slump, but his success last year and his skill set as a player give him more rope.

Gary Davenport: Mayfield, D; Kitchens, D

I'll give both player and coach the same grade because both have struggled equally. Mayfield is making too many mistakes, and Kitchens is slow to adjust in-game. The Browns are sorely lacking in discipline. But neither is solely to blame for Cleveland's 2-5 record. There's enough blame there to go around to both men and then some.

Nick Bosa's Chances at DROY and DPOY

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is a human wrecking ball, and he's destroying opposing offenses.

In his last two games, this year's second overall pick has four sacks and an interception. Sunday's three-sack performance in a 51-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers showed, yet again, how Bosa can completely take over a game.

Bosa's teammate—and a pretty darn good defender in his own right—Richard Sherman believes the rookie deserves to be named Defensive MVP.

What's the likelihood Bosa achieves both Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, as Sherman predicted?

Ty Dunne: DROY, A; DPOY, B+

There were scouts in San Francisco who wanted it to be more of a discussion at No. 2 overall. It was Bosa all the way, and Sunday proved Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch absolutely right. He's been dominant, and you simply can't sell out your blocking scheme on Bosa with so many other threats on the 49ers' loaded D-line.

Mike Freeman: DROY, A+; DPOY, A

He's almost a lock for DROY and is making a huge case for DPOY. I mean, a really strong case. When I watch Bosa as a player, I see Michael Strahan.

Mike Tanier: DROY, A+; DPOY, A+

I can't imagine anyone else winning after what Bosa has done over the last three weeks.

Brent Sobleski: DROY, A-; DPOY, B

Let's pump the brakes ever so slightly. Bosa has been fantastic. Fellow rookie Josh Allen has been nearly as good with the same number of sacks. Devin Bush Jr. is also a difference-maker in the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. As for DPOY, Bosa has an outside chance, but players like Aaron Donald, Shaq Barrett, Myles Garrett, Stephon Gilmore, etc. still exist.

Brad Gagnon: DROY, A; DPOY, B

He's been arguably the best defensive player in the league the last few weeks, and he's running away from Brian Burns and Bush. Those guys still have a shot, but Bosa's impact has been substantially larger. On a DPOY level, he's also in the mix. Donald hasn't been quite as dominant as usual, and voters could have a different standard for him after back-to-back DPOY seasons. Assuming nobody breaks the single-season sack record, it'll probably come down to Bosa and Donald if current trends continue.

Gary Davenport: DROY, A; DPOY, C-

If Bosa keeps playing like this, then he's a shoo-in for DROY. But Garrett was my preseason DPOY pick, and I'm sticking to my guns there after he logged sack No. 10 on the year against the Patriots.

Deshaun Watson's MVP chances after comeback win

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

The MVP wheel goes round and round; where it stops, nobody knows. Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson emerged as a top contender this week after a stellar 27-24 comeback victory over the Oakland Raiders.

Watson threw three touchdowns passes and orchestrated the final drive after being poked in the eye.

"He wills it out of his team," Raiders head coach Jon Gruden told reporters after the game. "He makes something out of nothing…it's like going against Michael Jordan."

Jordan won five regular-season MVP trophies during his storied career. How likely is Watson to claim the NFL equivalent this year?

Ty Dunne: B+

Watson doesn't give up on plays. Again, we see why. He was a magician late against Oakland. The Texans, and all of us, should enjoy the ride. No play or game, ever, is dead with him at quarterback.

Mike Freeman: A+

The spinning play on which he was taken to the ground, got up, spun around and threw a touchdown pass—all while getting hit in the face, bloodying it—was the best play of the day. He's firmly in the MVP race.

Mike Tanier: C+

I am weary of the weekly ups and downs of the MVP race and am just going to pick Russell Wilson every week because we all know Wilson is awesome and can excel through adversity. We're not sure about that for most of the other players in the race.

Brent Sobleski: B+

The NFL MVP race consists of two tiers: Wilson and everyone else. The Seahawks will have to take a step back at some point this season and eventually give way to another top candidate.

Brad Gagnon: A

Signature plays like that touchdown pass after being kicked in the face help. Think about how often we talk about MVP Patrick Mahomes' no-look pass from last season. It's a wide-open year in the MVP race, and he's right there in the mix with Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. Watson has already put together four tremendous games this season. More consistency in the second half of the year would give him a shot.

Gary Davenport: B

Wilson is still the front-runner for MVP in my opinion, but Watson is not far behind him at all.