After being spoiled with seven consecutive weeks of great NFL football from Thursday to Monday, the League’s week-to-week slate of games finally cooled off. 12 of the 13 week 8 games delivered two-score leads, with five of those having 20+ point margins of victory. Betting favorites for the week went 11-2.
This combination of multiple blowouts – two of them being Prime Time stand-alone games – and predictable football was the perfect mix for a snooze fest for fans, to say the least. With nowhere to go but up entertainment-wise, we would like to offer you a peek into the cauldron of the top-10 (yes, 10 now) NFL teams to see what’s brewing before the Ravens pull out several scary tricks against the Dolphins as we get the treat of watching Lamar Jackson return from injury on Halloween Eve.
#1 – Indianapolis Colts (7-1)
(Week 8: #1)
When you have multiple players in their respective positions spearheading their own campaigns for awards across the league – MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, or newly added award, Protector of the Year – the success is almost inevitable.
That’s exactly what the Colts have under Shane Steichen. Jonathan Taylor has been the main highlight for them, with his dazzling performances on that stat sheet; he can’t be ignored for MVP. Over the last 3 games, Taylor has 7 total touchdowns and 443 total yards. He is on pace for an absurd amount of 30 total touchdowns by the end of the season. That would just be one touchdown shy of the NFL record set by LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren has been a secure safety blanket for Daniel Jones in the pass game with nearly 500 yards (leads the team) and 3 touchdowns.
Not only should Taylor be credited for those performances, but the offensive line paving the way for him up front deserves some attention as well, specifically, all-pro guard Quenton Nelson, who has an overall PFF grade of 88.8, which is 1st among all guards in the league. Don’t forget about their defense either, which has been one of the most stout and impenetrable defenses in the league so far.
#2 – Kansas City Chiefs (5-3)
(Week 8: #2)
Patrick Mahomes might be the most untouchable player of all time. That is up for debate, but he’s certainly got a clear case as to why. He showed a flash of it earlier this week on Monday night football in Kansas City. Despite the two interceptions, Mahomes had a stellar performance, putting up 329 total yards and 3 touchdowns.
Now that the Chiefs’ offense is healthy, Mahomes has all of the tools he needs to be the best quarterback in the NFL once again. Rashee Rice has been a huge part of that since coming back from suspension, recording 135 yards and multiple touchdowns over the last two weeks. Kelce has also been situational in almost every scenario; he does his job at the ripe age of 36. The revenge tour is continuing for the Chiefs as they have a tall task this weekend in a familiar matchup in Buffalo.
#3 – Detroit Lions (5-2)
(Week 8: #3)
Coming off a bye week, nothing has changed for Detroit except for players being a little more well-rested for this week’s game against the division rival over in Minneapolis. Jared Goff looks to continue his success this season against one of the top Defensive coordinators, Brian Flores. Their 30 points-per-game offense will be striving for that number on Sunday.
Jamhyr Gibbs, when he was selected, had some questions about whether or not the Lions made the right pick, selecting him 12th overall in 2023. But he has proved the doubters wrong and exceeded the expectations of, not only the people in Detroit, but across the country. This year, Gibbs has taken over the backfield for the Lions with over 700 yards of total offense and 7 touchdowns. He’s become the Sonic that Detroit was hoping he could get to.
Aidan Hutchinson had a rough season last year, tearing his Achilles early into a Defensive Player of the Year campaign and ending his season in just week 6. This season, Hutch has come back just as dominant, with 6 total sacks and 4 forced fumbles. He’s leading the charge for an underrated Lions defense that looks to help back up the force of the high-powered offense in Detroit.
#4 – Green Bay Packers (5-1-1)
(Week 8: #5)
After the uncanny tie against the Cowboys on Sunday night football and a close loss in Cleveland, the cheeseheads have been on a roll. Most recently, dominating the Steelers on Sunday night. A lot of credit has to go to the commander-in-chief of the offense, the 26-year-old quarterback is continuing the long legacy of star quarterbacks in Green Bay. On Sunday Night, he posted over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns against his former mentor, Aaron Rodgers.
Not only has the offense been consistent, but the defense has been even more dominant. With the addition of Micah Parsons, the defensive line has one of the most pressures in the league. Parsons being a part of this defense makes them front front-runner contenders for the NFC.
With tough divisional and conference matchups ahead, the Pack need to continue playing their best ball over the next few weeks to stamp themselves at the top of the North.
#5 – Los Angeles Rams (5-2)
(Week 8: #4)
A bye week usually doesn’t move a team in a normal power ranking, but with how good the Packers have looked, we had to move them in front of the Rams. Despite that, the 2021-2022 Super Bowl champs have continued being superior in the NFC west.
Matthew Stafford, at the beginning of the season, had questions on whether or not he could play this season fully healthy. He’s punched those doubters in the face with his play so far, being top-5 in passing yards and avoiding turnovers.
After the bye week, they will also be getting star wide receiver Puka Nacua back in the lineup as the lead receiver. He started the year as the top receiver, statistically, in the league, but can he get back to that level for the rest of the year after an ankle injury? He has a huge opportunity to get back on track against the dismantled Saints secondary.
#6 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
(Week 8: #6)
Tampa Bay was finally able to control the majority of a game, dominating for all four quarters against their division rival, the New Orleans Saints 23-3. Despite not scoring in the first quarter or through the air at all the entire game, the Bucs forced four total turnovers against the one-win team. Todd Bowles’ defense stopped New Orleans on their one-yard line eight times in a row and picked off both of the quarterbacks who got snaps on Sunday, second-year starter Spencer Rattler, who was benched mid-game for rookie Tyler Shough.
Although they won a division game by 20 points, the Bucs still have to get healthy and play more complementary games to move up in the rankings. With a week nine bye, Tampa’s looking to do just that. Without their star running back Bucky Irving and starting tackle Luke Haggard, the Bucs run game is at half-power.
A goal-line stop by New Orleans, where the Bucs ran four straight short-yardage runs and were stuffed on all four, is a prime example of how hobbled their run game is. Looking to grow, heal, and bounce back during their bye, Tampa must take advantage of every moment not playing this week, because their week 10 opponent, the Patriots and quarterback Drake Maye, will not commit the same mental mistakes the Saints did.
#7 – Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
(Week 8: #7)
No team benefited more from a week 8 bye than the Seahawks. In one swift move, they go from second to first in the NFC West, while their heated rival in Santa Clara falls a game behind them. They’ve only suffered minor injuries to their defensive line, which is better against the run than any other team. Outside of defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins being ruled out against the Commanders Sunday night, Seattle is primed to keep the momentum train speeding down the tracks of this season, spearheaded by an Offensive Player of the Year campaign by Jaxon Smith-Nijigba.
For the majority of coaches, going into an opponent’s stadium and handling business in front of a crowd that’s majority hostile on prime time television is not an easy task and is notoriously difficult. For Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, though, he hasn’t lost a game this season on the road, while being 9-1 in away games total during his Seattle career. The Seahawks should be able to further their in-division lead against a Washington team who do have Jayden Daniels back, but lost receiver Terry McLaurin to injury again and just lost by three touchdowns at home to Kansas City.
#8 – New England Patriots (6-2)
(Week 8: #10)
Turning four consecutive wins into five, Mike Vrabel has this New England team humming to his tune. The Pats and Drake Maye dismantled a gutty Cleveland defense, who was top-12 against both the pass and rush, 32-13. Maye joined elite company Sunday, being one of the only quarterbacks in league history to achieve a 100+ passer rating while throwing 200+ yards in seven or more consecutive games. He attained this massive achievement while being sacked six times, five of which went to Myles Garrett. The only other quarterbacks who’ve done this are Brady, Peyton, Rodgers twice, and Mahomes — they all won MVPs in those respective seasons.
Maye now leads NFL quarterbacks in passer rating at 118.7 and although he hasn’t played a gauntlet of challenging opponents, all wins count the same statistically. Neither Maye nor Vrabel can choose who they play – all they can do is blowout whoever is put in front of them, which has been building confidence within the entire team.
#9 – Buffalo Bills (5-2)
(Week 8: #8)
Although Buffalo put 40 points up against the Panthers without having at least 200 passing yards, we can’t rank them above a team who beat them – just yet. James Cook had a career day on the ground despite the sputters in the passing game, posting a career-high 216 rushing yards with two touchdowns on 19 carries, averaging an absurd 11.4 yards per tote.
The Buffalo run defense has yet to step up to the plate this season. Although breakout Carolina running back Rico Dowdle only had 54 yards on the day, recent news of veteran defensive tackle Ed Oliver being placed on the injury reserve due to torn biceps will reset any progress the Bills defense made on Sunday.
Despite not having one player over at least 75 yards rushing, they still accounted for 114 yards on the ground as a team, which is slightly alarming on Buffalo’s behalf. The fact that they can’t allow less than 100 rushing yards in a game where you beat the opponent by 31 points should spring up red flags in the minds of Bills mafia, who still have the Chiefs, Buccaneers, Eagles, and Patriots again – all teams who can run the ball effectively.
#10 – Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
(Week 8: #9)
In a divisional matchup for Philly, seeking revenge after the embarrassing 34-17 loss in New Jersey, the Eagles bounced back with the almost exact same margin of victory, 38-20. Saquon Barkley was able to finally breathe life into Philly’s run game, carrying the ball 14 times for 150 yards, highlighted by his 65-yard touchdown run. This game, along with Saquan’s return to familiarity, were shadowed by the giant elephant in the room: Cam Skattebo’s tragic and gruesome injury. After Skattebo was carted off the field, the Giants were shell shocked and turned around to rally behind their teammate, but the Eagles already stomped away with a victory in the Linc.
A victory managed and paced by their signal caller, Jalen Hurts. Hurts only left five throws out on the field, finishing with a 75% completion percentage and four touchdowns. Whether Hurts’ individual play holds weight to the top of the top NFL quarterbacks or not is irrelevant to the fact that he’s the perfect QB for the Eagles. He marches to the beat and speed of his offensive line and skill players – good thing Philadelphia has the best of both. If he’s able to just compliment the vast amounts of talent surrounding him, the offense will always be poised to explode in games like this.
Despite the double-digit win, though, this was Barkley’s – the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year – first 100 yard rushing game this season. That aforementioned touchdown run was his longest rush of the year, and his longest before that was 18 yards. Whether the breakout performance for Barkley was an outlier or the norm for him moving forward is left for the remaining second-half of the regular season to show us.
