NFL Week 8 Recap: The Playoff Race Intensifies
Week 8 provided us with several key matchups having serious playoff implications, including Ravens vs. Steelers, Raiders vs. Browns and Saints vs. Bears.
In the most anticipated game of the week, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 28-24 to remain undefeated. The game was decided on a late touchdown by rookie receiver Chase Claypool and a huge defensive stop by safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on the final play that propelled the Steelers to victory.
Thursday night featured an NFC South showdown between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers where the Falcons came away victorious 25-17. The Falcons were led by quarterback Matt Ryan who threw for 281 yards; 137 of those yards went to star wide receiver, Julio Jones.
The Chiefs dominated as they beat up on the winless Jets. In a game that was supposed to be the Le’Veon Bell revenge game, it was quarterback Patrick Mahomes who stole the show. Mahomes finished the day with 416 yards and five touchdowns in the 35-9 victory.
Staying in the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills battled the New England Patriots. The Bills were led by their rushing attack as Devin Singletary rushed for 86 yards and Zack Moss for 81 yards and two touchdowns. The Bills 24-21 victory moves them to 6-2 sitting atop of the division.
The Miami Dolphins defeated the Los Angeles Rams 28-17, marking the first win in the young career of rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Detroit Lions 41-21, improving their record to 5-2 and moving into a first-place tie with the Titans. The Colts defense was dominant again as they returned a Stafford pass for a pick-six.
In a battle of two teams vying for playoff spots, the Las Vegas Raiders defeated Cleveland Browns 16-6. The Browns offense had a hard time generating any passing attack as they struggle to fill the void left by the wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s season-ending injury.
The other football team in Ohio, the Cincinnati Bengals did not have any problems on offense as they put up 31 points on the Tennessee Titans in their 31-20 victory. Quarterback Joe Burrow’s 249 yards and two touchdowns add to his very impressive rookie season.
The biggest upset of the week comes at the hand of the mighty Green Bay Packers as they fell 28-22 to the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings were led by running back Dalvin Cook. Cook finished with 226 total yards and four touchdowns.
Out west, the Los Angeles Chargers jumped out to a commanding 24-3 lead against the Denver Broncos. However, the Chargers’ defense allowed the Broncos to comeback and former Penn State wide receiver K.J. Hamler caught the game-winning touchdown; the first of his career leading the Broncos to a 31-30 victory.
In an NFC West shootout, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers 37-27 as they moved to 6-1. The 49ers lost both superstar tight end George Kittle and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to potentially season-ending injuries.
The Saints and Bears faced off in a game that had a playoff feel. Drew Brees and Nick Foles put up similar numbers as the game went back and forth, however Saints running back Alvin Kamara was the difference maker as he had 163 total yards in a 26-23 victory in overtime.
On Sunday Night Football, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Dallas Cowboys 23-9. The Eagles defense played another solid game and continue to put up points with an interception return for a touchdown and a safety. The Eagles sit in first place in the pathetic NFC East with a 3-4-1 record.
On Monday Night Football, the Tampa Buccaneers defeated the New York Giants 25-23. Many thought the Giants would get destroyed, however their defense hung tough. The Giants had a chance to win the game, but they could not overcome quarterback Daniel Jones’s two interceptions which led to 10 Buccaneers points. The Giants did make it interesting scoring a late touchdown, however the two-point conversion attempt failed.
Alex Rocco is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email afr5646@psu.edu.
