In Week 8 of the NFL, fans witnessed a mix of thrilling games, unexpected trades, and significant injuries. One of the major stories was the suspension of Lions WR Jameson Williams for violating the performance-enhancing substances policy. This news impacted the Lions' strategy as they prepared for their matchup against the struggling Titans.
On the field, Williams' absence didn't hurt the Lions as they crushed the Titans 52-14. A last gasp Hail-Mary handed the Commanders a win over the Bears in a dramatic finish while the Atlanta Falcons took control of the NFC South with an important win over the Buccaneers.
However, the biggest shock came in Cleveland where the in-form Ravens were beaten by the Browns in a very competitive game. Jameis Winston coming in and being the Browns QB hero in place of the injured Deshaun Watson.
Kansas City Chiefs (7-0) 27-20 Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)
Dallas Cowboys (3-4) 24-30 San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
New York Giants (2-6) 18-26 Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Week 8 Bye Week Teams:
None
NFL Week 8 News Stories
There's big news emerging from Indianapolis this week where the Colts could be set to bench their 2023 First Round pick QB Anthony Richardson to bring in veteran Joe Flacco as the starting QB moving forward. Richardson's struggles with form and injury have not helped his progress at the Lucas Oil Stadium and he may be given time away from starting duty for the rest of this season.
New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers has said he has found his own elixir to keep himself fresh. The Jets QB drinks a cayenne pepper and water drink which he has labelled a “fountain of youth“.
NFL Week 8 Trades and Rumours
One of the significant trades this week was the Kansas City Chiefs acquiring linebacker Josh Uche from the New England Patriots in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in 2026. This trade was part of the Chiefs' strategy to strengthen their defense as they aim for a deep playoff run.
After losing their key Left Tackle Christian Darrisaw this week, the Minnesota Vikings have traded for his replacement. They have sent a fifth round pick, which could become a fourth round pick based on playing time, to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Cam Robinson and a seventh rounder in 2026.
The Baltimore Ravens sent a 2025 fifth round pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2025 sixth round pick and WR Diontae Johnson. Johnson was a free agent at the end of the season, and with the Panthers struggling at 1-7, trading him made sense to pick up an extra fifth-round selection next April.
The trade deadline is 4pm Eastern Time (9pm UK Time) on Tuesday November 5th.
NFL Week 8 Injuries and Their Impact
EDGE – Brent Urban (Ravens) – Concussion
NT – Michael Pierce (Ravens) – Calf
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Browns) – Neck injury
CB Jaire Alexander (Packers) – Knee
QB Jordan Love (Packers) – Groin
WR Stefon Diggs (Texans) – Knee
WR Christian Kirk (Jaguars) – Broken Collarbone
DT Christian Darrisaw (Vikings) – Knee
Key Players Confirmed as Out for the Season (up to Week 9)
DT – Christian Darrisaw (Vikings) – Knee
WR – Christian Kirk (Jaguars) – Broken Collarbone
QB – Deshaun Watson (Browns) – Achilles
WR – Brandon Aiyuk (49ers) – ACL and MCL tear.
WR – Chris Godwin (Buccaneers) – Broken Ankle
DE – Aidan Hutchinson (Lions) – Broken Tibia & Fibia
DL – Bilal Nichols (Cardinals) – Neck issue.
C – Nick Harris (Browns) – Broken Ankle
DE – B.J.Ojulari (Cardinals) – ACL Tear.
WR – Rondale Moore (Falcons) – Knee
DL – Kyle Peko (Lions) – Pectoral.
RB – AJ Dillon (Packers) – Neck
CB – Jaylen Watson (49ers) – Ankle
WR – Braxton Berrios (Dolphins) – Knee
DE – Jaelan Phillips (Dolphins) – Knee
QB – J.J.McCarthy (Vikings) – Knee
WR – Rashid Shaheed (Saints) – Knee
OT – Andrew Thomas (Giants) – Foot
G – Nate Herbig (Steelers) – Shoulder
DT – Javon Hargrave (49ers) – Triceps
RB – Elijah Mitchell (49ers) – Hamstring
RB – Chase Edmonds (Buccaneers) – Knee
DT – Jonathan Allen (Commanders) – Pectoral
NFL Week 9 Gameday Previews
Thursday Night football sees Texans @ Jets.
The hour goes back in the United States this weekend, so from Sunday evening, all the kick off times are back to their usual slots. All times shown below are UK times.
Friday November 1st – 12.15am
Houston Texans (6-2) @ New York Jets (2-6)
Sunday November 3rd, 6pm, 9.05pm, 9.25pm
Dallas Cowboys (3-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
Denver Broncos (5-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
Miami Dolphins (2-5) @ Buffalo Bills (6-2)
New Orleans Saints (2-6) @ Carolina Panthers (1-7)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)
Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) @ Cleveland Browns (2-6)
Washington Commanders (6-2) @ New York Giants (2-6)
New England Patriots (2-6) @ Tennessee Titans (1-6)
Chicago Bears (4-3) @ Arizona Cardinals (4-4)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) @ Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
Detroit Lions (6-1) @ Green Bay Packers (6-2)
Los Angeles Rams (3-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
Monday November 4th – 1.20am
Indianapolis Colts (4-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
Tuesday November 5th – 1.15am
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) @ Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)
Week 9 Bye Week Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
NFL Week 8 Power Rankings
Kansas City Chiefs (1) 7-0 – The Chiefs roll on. Even without hitting their best form. Ominous.
Detroit Lions (2) 6-1 – Lions destroyed the Titans. This is a team on a mission.
Washington Commanders (5) 6-2 – A dramatic last gasp win keeps the Commanders rolling.
Green Bay Packers (6) 6-2 – Jordan Love's injury is a worry, but the Packers keep winning.
Buffalo Bills (7) 6-2 – Better from the Bills after a couple of poorer displays recently.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9) 6-2 – The Steelers are proving quietly very effective. Could be a real threat.
Houston Texans (8) 6-2 – A narrow win over the Colts hands the Texans control of the AFC South.
Baltimore Ravens (4) 5-3 – Shock defeat against the Browns sees the Ravens tumble.
Minnesota Vikings (3) 5-2 – A second straight loss sees the Vikes drop down the rankings further.
Philadelphia Eagles (11) 5-2 – Much better from the Eagles and Jalen Hurts this week.
The Rest…11-32
11. Atlanta Falcons (14) 5-3
12. Chicago Bears (12) 4-3
13. Seattle Seahawks (13) 4-4
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10) 4-4
15. Denver Broncos (17) 5-3
16. San Francisco 49ers (16) 4-4
17. Los Angeles Chargers (18) 4-3
18. Dallas Cowboys (20) 3-4
19. Arizona Cardinals (21) 4-4
20. Los Angeles Rams (22) 3-4
21. Cincinnati Bengals (15) 3-5
22. Indianapolis Colts (19) 4-4
23. Miami Dolphins (23) 2-5
24. New York Jets (25) 2-6
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (28) 2-6
26. Las Vegas Raiders (26) 2-6
27. New York Giants (27) 2-6
28. New Orleans Saints (24) 2-6
29. Cleveland Browns (30) 2-6
30. New England Patriots (31) 2-6
31. Tennessee Titans (29) 1-6
32. Carolina Panthers (32) 1-7
NFL Week 8 Conclusion – The Cream Starts to Rise to the Top
NFL Week 8 saw some teams confirm themselves as genuine Divisional and playoff contenders, while others seem to be faltering. All the teams at 6-2 or better can be very happy with their performances, but there are a lot of teams hovering around the 0.500 mark for whom the season could go from bad to good, or from bad to worse.
For others, like the Titans and Panthers, it now looks like it is time to start rebuilding for the new season.
Join us again next week when we take a look at all the key action from Week 9 in the NFL – the midway point of the season!
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