2023/24 NFL Week 8 Recap

The Eagles soar, the '9ers stumble and things get very interesting for the Titans in Week 8 of the 2023/24 NFL season.

Buccaneers 18 - 24 Bills

After a tough loss to the Pats, the Bills will be very happy to be back in the win column, but it certainly wasn’t pretty.

Buffalo gave up a game-winning TD in the final few plays last week and it almost happened again… If Chris Godwin turns around a split-second earlier, the Bucs have a walk-off winning TD.

Either way, it’s nice to see Mayfield really throw the ball given the check-down offense he ran the rest of the night, and I’m not exaggerating… RB Rachaad White was the leading pass-catcher in both yards and receptions.

This certainly isn’t the same Bills team from last year, but they now trail Miami by just one win. While the Bucs fall to 3-4, but in a wide-open NFC South, the postseason is still a possibility for Tampa.

Jets 13 - 10 Giants

I almost fell asleep watching this one. Well, that was until Zach Wilson decided to turn up with a 23-second 58-yard drive to send it to OT.

If Wilson can play like that more often, the Jets may actually have a shot at the playoffs. And with Aaron Rodgers expected to return before the year is up, who knows what could happen.

Meanwhile, the Giants are down bad. I’m still convinced that Tyrod Taylor should stay QB1 ahead of Daniel Jones, but even Tom Brady couldn’t save this team.

Jaguars 20 - 10 Steelers

The Jags should count themselves lucky that Kenny Pickett got injured.

Mitch Trubisky stepped in to hit just over a 50% completion rate alongside two fourth-quarter interceptions to seal the loss. I’m sure the rain had something to do with it, but Trevor Lawrence still managed to connect on plays like this…

Jacksonville improve to 6-2 with a 5-game win streak, while the Steelers fate hangs in the balance.

Eagles 38 - 31 Commanders

Sam Howell is the most unpredictable quarterback in the NFL…

3 touchdowns and 0 picks versus Atlanta. Followed by 0 touchdowns and 1 pick against the Giants. Now, he throws 4 touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the league. The guy is impossible to predict.

Anyway… Howell somehow managed to maintain a one-score lead over Philly all the way until the 4th quarter, where a crucial interception turned the tables, and Jalen Hurts took full advantage.

Despite the outcome, it’s clear that Washington have a very competitive team when Howell is at his best. The issues are on the other side of the ball.

Rams 20 - 43 Cowboys

Losing by 23 points may seem bad, but in reality, it was far worse than that. This could have been 43-0 with the way LA performed.

Dak Prescott threw for 304 yards and 4 scores, but he really didn’t need to. The Dallas defense played lights out all game, with a pick six, a blocked punt for a safety and only two TDs allowed.

But let’s not take anything away from the offense. Ceedee Lamb lit up the Rams for 158 yards and two touchdowns, while Brandin Cooks and Jake Bobo also had a trip to the paint.

The Cowboys have bounced a long way back from their loss to San Francisco in Week 6, but they’ll face their biggest challenge yet against the Eagles this Sunday.

Vikings 24 - 10 Packers

Cousins played good, clean football all game until his injury, but it only took 3 plays for back-up QB Jaren Hall to produce the Vikings only turnover of the night. With Cousins likely out for the season, my hopes for Minnesota are fading fast. This may be their last trip to the endzone for a while...

Falcons 23 - 28 Titans

Will Levis should have been Tennessee's QB1 this whole time.

With Ryan Tannehill injured, the rookie took over to throw for 284 yards and 4 touchdowns in his first NFL start - finally giving Deandre Hopkins the targets he deserves.

The Titans don’t have the toughest schedule ahead, so if Levis maintains this form, they could actually have a shot at the postseason.

Meanwhile, the Falcons could also be looking at a new starting QB.

After a messy performance from Desmond Ridder - producing 5 punts and a fumble - Taylor Heinicke came in to put up 20 points in the second half. Could the journeyman finally have a home?

Patriots 17 - 31 Dolphins

I thought Belichick would have the best shot at slowing down Tua and Hill, but boy was I wrong. In their usual fashion, the two combined for 112 yards and a touchdown. When they’re on the same page, I’m not sure anyone can stop them.

Hill is now the first player in N60 years to have over 1,000 receiving yards through the first 8 games of the season. And that still isn’t stopping Jaylen Waddle from crossing the century mark in any given matchup.

The Fins offense is seriously scary, and that’s before you even think about Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane…

On the other hand, Mac Jones is struggling to connect with anyone. He showed flashes of good football, with two touchdown throws, but without a solid run game to lean on, it’s becoming very easy for secondaries to shut down the Pats.

Saints 38 - 27 Colts

Derreck Carr has spent the last week facing questions about his attitude versus the Jags. Thankfully, he has nothing to apologise for after this one.

With the Colts and Saints run game tallying 164-to-161 respectively, New Orlean’s passing game was the difference maker here. Carr threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns, with Rasheed Shaheed leading the way.

Meanwhile, Gardner Minshew still tallied 213 and two scores, but just couldn’t keep up as the Saints ran away with the scoreline. His one turnover wasn’t ideal, but it’s not a factor when the defense gives up 38 points.

Texans 13 - 15 Panthers

The Panthers finally have their first win of the season, as Bryce Young takes down his fellow first-round pick with the help of Eddie Pinero.

With a fairly even matchup across the board, it came right down to the wire, where Young put together his best drive of the season - taking the ball 86 yards in 15 plays to set up a game-winning field goal.

This is the first time we've seen C.J. Stroud really struggle to move the ball since week 1 versus the Ravens. I expect the Texans to get bounce back with the Bucs on the schedule this Sunday.

Bengals 31 - 17 49ers

Brock Purdy is beginning to struggle and I can’t work out why. Perhaps he really is a system QB, and teams are figuring out the system. Maybe the Bengals, Vikings and Browns are just that good. Either way, the ‘9ers are now second in the NFC West after three consecutive losses. It’s not looking good for San Fran.

Meanwhile, the Bengals have finally found their feet.

After a rough start to the season, they now have a three-game win streak. With Joe Burrow seemingly at full health, Ja’Marr Chase is back to his usual ways - hitting triple-digit receiving yards and finding the endzone for one of Cincy’s three passing touchdowns.

And they also moved the chains on the ground, with Mixon averaging 5.4 yards a carry against one of the top rated run-defenses in the league.

If Cincy can keep up this form, they’ll be back in the playoff conversation in no time.

Chiefs 9 - 24 Broncos

We could talk about Patrick Mahomes having the flu and throwing 2 picks, but that’s not the real story here…

Denver finally saw the version of Russell Wilson they sold their soul for. No.3 threw three touchdowns and zero interceptions to break the Broncos 16-game losing streak to KC.

All credit to Wilson for a clean game, but there are two specific reasons he only needed 115 passing yards to get the job done.

One is Javonte Williams having a whopping 27 carries, and the other is Denver’s defense forcing 5 turnovers and holding one of the best offenses in the league to a mere three field goals.

We’ll never know how much Mahomes’ illness truly came into play, but for now, the Broncos should enjoy this. I’m not convinced it’ll last.

Ravens 31 - 24 Cardinals

The Cardinals were predicted to be the worst team in the league heading into this season, but don’t let the 1-7 record fool you… This is a seriously competitive team when Joshua Dobbs is at his best.

The problem last night was that his best came too late, with Arizona putting up 17 points in the final 7 minutes of the game. If Dobbs can find his rhythm early on, and reduce the turnovers, they could actually be winning games.

Lamar Jackson didn’t have his best day either - throwing for just 157 and a touchdown - but I guess he doesn’t really need to when Gus Edwards takes three trips to the endzone…

Bears 13 - 30 Chargers

The Chargers needed this one.

After facing Dallas and KC the last two weeks, the Bears were a welcome opponent for this primetime matchup and Justin Herbert took full advantage.

Meanwhile, the Bears can only do so much with Tyson Bagent at the helm. He was carried by the run game against Vegas, but the Bolts shut down that game-plan, and when Bagent was forced to put the ball in the air, it only ended up in the hands of the Chargers secondary.

It’ll be a rough ride for the Bears until Justin Fields returns.

Raiders 14 - 26 Lions

I want to start by giving props to the Lions defense. Aiden Hutchinson & Co. forced 6 sacks, 7 TFLs and 9 Qb hits, while the secondary kept Jimmy G to a measly 126 yards, with 0 touchdowns and a pick. But this matchup was all about rookie running back, Jahmyr Gibbs…

The Lions really struggled last week without David Montgomery and suffered a blowout loss as a result. But last night, Gibbs completely took over, racking up 189 yards and a score.

No.26 breaking out means Dan Campbell can return to what he loves with full confidence, and that’s running the ball. Meanwhile, Jared Goff is playing some of the best football in his career with his O-line keeping him upright for once, and the defense is solid across the board. Might as well give Detroit the NFC North crown now.

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And that concludes our recap of Week 8!

Are the Jets on the come up? Will the '9ers get back to their winning ways? Should Will Levis be the new Qb1 in Tennessee?

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(Head Image Credit: Steve Roberts - USA TODAY Sports)