NFL Week 8 Recap: What We Learned About Every Team, Game by Game

Joe Burrow nearly perfect in Bengals' win over 49ers; Broncos force five Chiefs turnovers in upset win; Eagles hold off Commanders; CeeDee Lamb explodes in Cowboys’ rout of Rams; Dolphins in command of AFC East after win over Patriots; and Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins tears his Achilles in win over Packers.

If there’s a single word to describe Week 8 in the NFL: Chaos.

On Sunday, we saw Tommy DeVito, Brett Rypien, Taylor Heinicke and Mitchell Trubisky all playing major snaps. All but Heinicke came in because of injury.

The best performance of the early window came in Dallas, where the Cowboys pounded the Rams. Dallas took a 30-point lead in the first half and never relented, while Los Angeles now has to worry about the health of Matthew Stafford and his right thumb.

Meanwhile, the Giants and Jets set football back about 200 years at MetLife Stadium, with the teams trading punts at a breakneck pace. Frankly, the state of New York should formally move to have both teams forced to claim New Jersey in their names.

In the late window, the Broncos beat the Chiefs for the first time since 2015, keeping Patrick Mahomes out of the end zone. Denver rolled while the Bengals did the same in San Francisco, with Joe Burrow looking nearly perfect. At 4–3, Cincinnati now looks like a contender once more, with a home date against the Bills coming up next week.

On Sunday night, the Chargers rolled the Bears, keeping their hopes for a playoff spot alive with the Jets on deck.

Here's what we learned in Week 8. 

SUNDAY

Bengals 31, 49ers 17

Burrow was nearly perfect against the Niners, completing 28-of-32 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns :: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Bengals: Cincinnati (4–3) is back. After beating the Seahawks largely because of a strong defensive effort, the Bengals got healthy after the bye and smoked the 49ers. Joe Burrow went 28-of-32 for 283 yards and three touchdowns, while the backs ran for 134 yards on 5.0 yards per carry. With Burrow appearing fully healthy, the Bengals head into a massive game with the Bills on Sunday night.
• What it means for 49ers: San Francisco (5–3) has real problems, and they aren’t as simple as getting Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel back. For the second consecutive week, the Niners got sliced up by an opposing passing attack. Brock Purdy also had another two-turnover game, including one in the red zone. San Francisco is supremely talented, but significant issues are starting to arise. 

Broncos 24, Chiefs 9

• What it means for Chiefs: Burn the tape. Every great team has a bad game. Kansas City (6–2) had its Sunday in every imaginable way. The Chiefs had five turnovers, including a muffed punt inside their 10-yard line trailing 14–9 in the fourth quarter. Patrick Mahomes was also hideous, losing a fumble while throwing two interceptions. Next up? The Dolphins in Germany with both teams vying for the AFC’s top seed.
• What it means for Broncos: The streak is finally over. The Broncos (3–5) had lost 16 consecutive times to the Chiefs, but broke through by holding Kansas City out of the end zone and forcing the five turnovers. Incredibly, the Chiefs had only allowed seven sacks all year. Denver got to Mahomes three times, all while limiting Kansas City to 266 yards. It’s hard to see the Broncos making a true run, but the door is at least ajar with the improved defensive play.

Chargers 30, Bears 13

• What it means for Bears: That’s the end of the Tyson Bagent hype train. After a week of talking up the rookie quarterback from Shepherd, Bears fans watched Bagent struggle against the league’s worst pass defense, throwing a pair of interceptions. Chicago (2–6) was also a mess defensively, allowing Justin Herbert to throw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns in the runaway win.
• What it means for Chargers: Los Angeles (3–4) saved its season, at least for now. The Chargers needed a victory to stay in the playoff race and got it. Going forward, the schedule brings a key road game against the Jets before hosting the Lions. Sunday night was a must-win and can be checked off. Up next are two critical games.

Eagles 38, Commanders 31

Hurts threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns in the Eagles' seventh win of the season :: Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Eagles: Jalen Hurts has struggled at times this season, but he gave a brilliant performance on Sunday. Last year’s second-team All-Pro was 29-of-38 for 319 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Washington. When Hurts is that productive, Philadelphia (7–1) is almost unbeatable, even on an afternoon where the defense uncharacteristically allowed 472 yards.
• What it means for Commanders: Washington (3–4) played the Eagles tough twice this year, but ultimately came away with two losses. The Commanders surprisingly did an excellent job of protecting Sam Howell, who was sacked only once. While Howell threw for 397 yards and four touchdowns, he also threw a costly interception. Meanwhile, the defense allowed 374 yards and eight third-down conversions. Washington is competitive, but rarely plays a complete game. 

Dolphins 31, Patriots 17

• What it means for Patriots: Don’t dream about a revival. Start selling. New England (2–6) should stockpile as much draft capital as possible in an effort to replace Mac Jones and build up the offense around a rookie quarterback. Even on an afternoon where the Dolphins played sloppy enough football to give them a chance, the Patriots never truly threatened at any point. The ultimate indicator of a bad, punchless group.
• What it means for Dolphins: Miami (6–2) continues to roll bad teams, dispatching New England with ease. Tua Tagovailoa had a lost fumble and an interception, but Jones was unsurprisingly inept, including a red-zone pick to Jalen Ramsey in his Dolphins’ debut. The only real concern for Miami is the offensive line, which at one point Sunday only had a single Week 1 starter on the field.

Cowboys 43, Rams 20

CeeDee Lamb had 12 receptions for 158 yards and two touchdown against the Rams :: Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Rams: It’s time to start thinking about players they can trade before the Tuesday deadline, especially with Matthew Stafford injured. Los Angeles (3–5) could make a push for a wild-card spot, but the odds are long and the payoff is a one-and-done blasting come January. General manager Les Snead should be thinking about picking up a few draft picks, even if he loathes them.
• What it means for Cowboys: Dallas (5–2) needed a strong showing coming out of its bye week. The Cowboys scored 33 points in the first half on the strength of nine nonoffensive points and Dak Prescott throwing for 221 yards and three touchdowns before the break. If Prescott can provide top-end play, the defense has proven more than capable of leading a contender.

Ravens 31, Cardinals 21

• What it means for Ravens: Baltimore (6–2) didn’t play to its capability, but the Ravens still won going away. Lamar Jackson struggled, going 18-of-27 for 157 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for only two yards. Still, Baltimore won comfortably because the defense locked down the Cardinals, holding Joshua Dobbs to 208 yards on 37 attempts with two interceptions. If this is a bad day, that’s great news for the Ravens.
• What it means for Cardinals: Arizona (1–7) was competitive early in the season, but that hasn’t been the case over the past month. None of the Cardinals’ last five defeats have been by less than two scores, showing a lack of both talent and execution. Even with Kyler Murray slated to come back soon, Arizona is squarely in the conversation for the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft.

Seahawks 24, Browns 20

• What it means for Browns: The concern has to be about the defense right now. Cleveland (4–3) was utterly dominant through seven weeks, barely permitting 200 yards per game. Against the Colts, Indianapolis registered 456 yards with a backup quarterback. This week, it was Seattle going for 363 yards and 24 points, including a drive to win the game in the dying seconds. If Cleveland can’t shut teams down with its limited offense, the Browns are headed for a long year.
• What it means for Seahawks: Seattle (5–2) has to be feeling fantastic. The Seahawks have won five of their last six to take over first place in the NFC West, while the 49ers have dropped three straight. Geno Smith isn’t having much regression, and the defense is showing up behind a pair of young corners in Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon. Seattle was considered by many to be a top wild-card team, but the Seahawks might prove to be much more.

Jaguars 20, Steelers 10

• What it means for Jaguars: Jacksonville (6–2) is pulling away in the AFC South, and could make a run at the conference’s top seed. While a head-to-head loss to Kansas City hurts, the Jaguars have an advantageous slate ahead, including games against the Panthers, Buccaneers and three more within the weak division. If nothing else, Jacksonville should feel great about its three-phase play throughout its five-game winning streak as it heads into its bye.
• What it means for Steelers: Pittsburgh (4–3) has no offense. None. And while it’s easy and fashionable to blame coordinator Matt Canada, he’s far from the only problem. Neither Kenny Pickett nor Mitchell Trubisky are capable of quarterbacking a decent attack. The defense essentially has to win every week. Need proof? Pittsburgh has four wins, and the Steelers’ offense has scored 12, 23, 17 and 24 points, respectively, in each. It’s brutal. 

Vikings 24, Packers 10

Cousins was 23-of-31 for 274 yards and two touchdowns before likely tearing his Achilles :: Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Vikings: Minnesota (4–4) was finally gaining momentum for the playoffs after three consecutive wins, and then disaster struck. Kirk Cousins may have sustained a significant Achilles injury, needing to be carted off in the fourth quarter. Even with a schedule that has the Falcons, Saints, Broncos, Bears and Raiders up next, it’s tough to argue Minnesota can do much with rookie Jaren Hall as the starter. Hall is a fifth-round pick from BYU who threw for 31 touchdowns in 2022 with the Cougars.
• What it means for Packers: Green Bay (2–5) hasn’t been able to put a game together over the last month, losing four straight. Unfortunately for the Packers, it’s not one thing but every facet taking turns. The defense has at times been gashed both in the air and on the ground. Jordan Love has a good moment followed by a disastrous one. The offensive line is shuffling due to injuries, and no receiver has stepped up to become a premium weapon. 

Jets 13, Giants 10

• What it means for Jets: New York (4–3) won, but the Jets actually forced negative passing yardage from the Giants and almost lost. Zach Wilson was 17-of-36 for 240 yards and was sacked four times, unacceptable regardless of weather conditions. And offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett watched his group go 2-of-15 on third down. But for a team with high hopes of beating the Eagles, this was a step backwards despite the victory.
• What it means for Giants: Ever play Madden and have a game where it simply wasn’t going to let you win? That’s the Giants’ (2–6) entire season to date, and yet they’re actually somewhat alive in the chase for a wild card. They’ve had injuries to their two best offensive players in Andrew Thomas and Saquon Barkley. Now both quarterbacks are down in Tyrod Taylor and Daniel Jones. They need to get healthy and take advantage of playing the Raiders, Commanders and Patriots over the next month.

Titans 28, Falcons 23

• What it means for Falcons: Coach Arthur Smith did the right thing at halftime: He benched second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder for veteran Taylor Heinicke. And while the offense didn’t do much under the offseason signing, Heinicke needs to keep the job. The Falcons (4–4)somehow lead the division and have a roster capable of a winning record. Atlanta’s best chance to host a playoff game for the first time since 2016 is with Heinicke starting at quarterback.
• What it means for Titans: Rookie quarterback Will Levis is officially intriguing. With Ryan Tannehill nursing a high-ankle sprain and Malik Willis ineffective every time he’s played, Levis got his chance Sunday and shined. The second-round pick threw for 238 yards and four touchdowns, while showing off his big arm on a 61-yard score to DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans (3–4) saved their season this weekend, and have Levis to be excited about. 

Saints 38, Colts 27

• What it means for Saints: After losing four of five, New Orleans (4–4) desperately needed to beat the Colts. The Saints did so behind an explosive offensive effort, totaling 511 yards and 38 points. It’s a stunning output from Derek Carr and Co., which came into the day ranked 18th in yardage for per game and 21st in points. With the victory, New Orleans levels its record with the Bears coming to the Caesar’s Superdome next week.
• What it means for Colts: Indianapolis has fought hard in almost every game, but too many close calls have left it in a tough position moving forward. The Colts (3–5) have lost four home games, two of which came by one score while another saw a fourth-quarter lead turn into a 10-point defeat. 

Panthers 15, Texans 13

• What it means for Texans: Houston (3–4) has to be sick. The Texans could have been a real factor in the AFC wild-card race but lost to a previously winless team, largely because they took 10 penalties and lost a turnover. It was a tough afternoon for C.J. Stroud, who only threw for 40 yards while being sacked twice. Over the next three weeks, Houston will face the Buccaneers, Bengals and Cardinals. If they want to climb back, winning two of those three is essential.
• What it means for Panthers: Carolina (1–6) is finally in the win column. Bryce Young has struggled mightily this season, but he diced up Houston’s defense, going 22-of-31 for 235 yards and a touchdown. Young made all the necessary plays especially late, including a tight-window throw to Adam Thielen on a fourth-and-2 to keep the game-winning drive going. Although this is a lost season from a standings perspective, Carolina can legitimately feel encouraged for the future if Young continues to have more days such as Sunday’s performance. 

THURSDAY

Bills 24, Buccaneers 18

• What it means for Buccaneers: Tampa Bay (3–4) has lost three straight, and the offense is the chief culprit. Until late Thursday night, the Buccaneers continued to punt from deep in their own territory, and then when they finally moved the ball, it was at a glacial pace. Coach Todd Bowles has to figure out how to unlock the run game while getting some more chunk plays from Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
• What it means for Bills: Buffalo (5–3) won, but there are plenty of things to clean up. That said, it was a victory which needed to be had, and the Bills should feel great about struggling so much of the year and being only one game back of the Dolphins in the AFC East. Josh Allen went over the 300-yard mark while the defense held Tampa Bay to 10 points until late.