
FOX Sports activities’ NFL consultants present the most important takeaways from each Sunday recreation in Week 8 and what they imply for every crew going ahead.
Eagles: This feels just like the win the Eagles’ season will pivot round. Philly is now more healthy on offense, with A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith dominating the Bengals’ secondary on Sunday. Jalen Hurts is again to taking part in at the next degree after a extremely tough begin to the season. Quite than spiraling into whole catastrophe — and it obtained darkish with Nick Sirianni inexplicably clapping again at followers on the sector a number of weeks in the past — the Eagles have solidified amid adversity. The Bengals confirmed as much as the sport with loads of momentum, however Philly confirmed up within the second half and scored 20 unanswered factors. Possibly they dragged their ft to start out the season, however not like the Bengals, the Eagles have sorted out their points. Philly stays in rivalry to complete atop its division, even with the Commanders surging.
Bengals: This crew misses Joe Mixon. Even when the Bengals felt they could not afford to maintain him given their have to pay their receivers — which they have not accomplished — they did not do an ideal job changing him. Chase Brown is not wherever as dynamic a runner. And he isn’t even in the identical league as a pass-catcher. Joe Burrow is taking part in like an MVP candidate, however he isn’t getting a complete lot of assist from his working recreation (or his protection). But it surely’s exceptional how Mixon has boosted the Houston offense, which is coping with accidents to its prime receivers. And I am unable to assist however surprise: What if Cincinnati had stored him? Or truly paid actual cash to exchange him? — Henry McKenna
Jets: Clearly, Robert Saleh wasn’t the issue with the Jets. It was all the time about Aaron Rodgers and their inept offense. It would not matter that Todd Downing is now calling the performs for demoted offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett. The problems are nonetheless the identical. They’ve a lot expertise on the talent positions, however no plan. They make too many errors and there is simply an excessive amount of confusion. They used three timeouts within the first quarter as a result of they could not get lined up in time. And later, they obtained a delay of recreation penalty on a 2-point conversion. That is insane. And Rodgers (17 of 28, 233, 2 TDs) simply appears to be like previous now. He can nonetheless make some large throws, however he would not make a lot of them.
Patriots: QB Drake Maye left this recreation with a concussion, and if he misses any time it isn’t good for the Patriots, as a result of this complete season is about growing their quarterback of the long run. The issue with that’s they’ve such a horrible crew round him, it is nearly exhausting to see what he can get out of taking part in. Exterior of tight finish Hunter Henry, Maye has no dependable receivers. The offensive line is weak and the working recreation is struggling. It is not an unusual downside for quarterbacks picked close to the highest of the draft. They typically land on dangerous groups. However the Patriots are so dangerous that they have a heck of a shot on the No. 1 decide in subsequent 12 months’s draft, whether or not Maye retains taking part in or not. — Ralph Vacchiano
Ravens: No, the Ravens aren’t going to roll over each opponent, and the aggressive Browns secondary did a pleasant job for many of this recreation. However the Ravens certainly may’ve made it simpler on themselves in the event that they remembered they’d Derrick Henry within the backfield. They ran 62 performs, however solely handed the ball to Henry 11 occasions (17.7%). It is a recreation that was inside a three-point margin till the ultimate 5 minutes. And oh, by the way in which, Henry averaged 7.1 yards on his first 10 rushes. It was an unwelcome reminder of when the Ravens deserted their dashing assault within the second half of the AFC Championship Recreation final 12 months for no motive. They did not get away with it then, and so they did not get away with it in opposition to the Browns. Take into account this recreation a warning.
Browns: It was stunning to nobody in any respect how a lot better the Browns offense seemed with Jameis Winston taking on at quarterback for the injured Deshaun Watson. It helped that offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey is now the playcaller, however it helps much more that Winston is only a higher quarterback proper now. He is obtained a greater arm, he was correct (27 of 41, 334 yards, 3 touchdowns, no interceptions), stronger within the pocket, and he pushed the ball down the sector — like on the game-winning, 38-yard landing cross to Cedric Tillman with 59 seconds to go. It might’ve been even higher if his receivers have been higher at holding on to the ball. The Browns nonetheless haven’t any possible way out of Watson’s ridiculous contract within the subsequent two years, however Winston positive gave them a glimpse of what they might be if they may solely discover any type of escape hatch. — Ralph Vacchiano
Falcons: Kirk Cousins has been uneven in his first eight video games with the Falcons, however his two video games in opposition to Tampa Bay present his worth and the way he is modified the offense. In two video games in opposition to the defending division champs, Cousins has thrown for eight landing passes. The primary recreation was an extra time comeback win, and Sunday was a formidable assertion win, placing the Falcons within the driver’s seat for the NFC South title. Take away the 2 Bucs video games, and Cousins has been unremarkable: He has eight landing passes in two video games in opposition to the Bucs, and 6 whole in six video games in opposition to everybody else. However the Falcons at the moment are a recreation up with the head-to-head tiebreaker, which implies they’re going to should stumble for the Bucs to get again within the hunt for the division title.
Buccaneers: You possibly can level to the Bucs sorely lacking Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, however Tampa Bay’s protection has taken a critical step again. Of their 3-1 begin, the Bucs held all 4 opponents to 26 factors or fewer, and now in dropping three of 4, they’ve given up a minimum of 27 in all 4 video games. Two of these losses have been to Atlanta, permitting Cousins to throw for 4 touchdowns in every recreation. Accidents to SirVocea Dennis and Jamel Dean have harm, however the scheme has let too many quarterbacks decide the Bucs aside. That has made Baker Mayfield attempt to do an excessive amount of, and it is resulted in turnovers — after two interceptions in these first 4 video games, he has seven previously 4. And Tampa’s subsequent two video games are in opposition to the Chiefs and 49ers. — Greg Auman
Cardinals: Kicker Chad Ryland made his third game-winning discipline objective for the Cardinals, this one from 34 yards out to assist Arizona enhance to 4-4 on the 12 months. Whereas Ryland’s heroics gained the sport, the improved chemistry between Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. was even higher information. The rookie out of Ohio State obtained off to a sluggish begin whereas he learns the offense and adjusts to NFL defenses. On Sunday, nonetheless, Harrison completed with six receptions for 111 yards and a landing on seven targets, making a handful of vital catches in got-to-have-it moments that led to the win. The Cardinals have back-to-back house video games in opposition to the Bears and the Jets earlier than the crew’s bye week. The higher rapport between Murray and Harrison ought to assist the offense proceed to evolve over the subsequent two weeks.
Kyler Murray on Cardinals’ large win, reference to Marvin Harrison Jr.

Dolphins: After lacking 4 video games as a result of a concussion sustained in Week 2, Tua Tagovailoa confirmed little rust and Miami’s offense seemed harmful once more. Nevertheless, Tagovailoa did fumble 3 times, together with a mishandled snap batted out of the again of the top zone for a security that gave Arizona sufficient factors for the win. Miami scored 27 factors after averaging simply 10 factors a recreation with the crew’s beginning quarterback out. Whereas Miami dropped to 2-5, the Dolphins appear to be a crew that would make some noise within the second half of the season. However Tagovailoa should take higher care of the soccer, together with exhibiting he can keep on the sector. — Eric D. Williams
Packers: Matt LaFleur deserves extra dialogue for the Coach of the Yr award. The Inexperienced Bay coach has been terrific this 12 months, regardless of who performs at quarterback. Jordan Love hadn’t seemed completely wholesome since his return from his knee harm — and completely seemed banged up on this contest. He was limping across the discipline and, at a sure level within the third quarter, the Packers needed to give him the hook for his personal sake. In got here Malik Willis, who is definitely among the many best QBs within the NFL at .31 anticipated factors added per dropback previous to this recreation. You could possibly see the offensive playcalling shift across the quarterback to cater to every participant’s wants. It is what LaFleur has accomplished all 12 months. That is why, regardless of an harm to the quarterback through which the Packers invested closely, the Packers have rolled to 6-2.
Jaguars: Doug Pederson obtained out-coached once more. He did not handle the clock properly. He did not wish to go for 2 factors on his closing landing (not that it mattered, admittedly). He did not have his protection able to defend the Packers on the ultimate drive. The Jaguars had a golden alternative to upset Inexperienced Bay, which needed to overcome an injured beginning QB and a backup. However Pederson did not have command of the sport. And to that time, neither did his QB. Trevor Lawrence nonetheless makes too many boneheaded errors. That is on him, after all, however it additionally trickles again to the top coach who was speculated to elevate Lawrence into elite standing. Pederson hasn’t been the man we thought he’d be. Neither has Lawrence. And I am unable to assist however ponder whether this loss may result in some adjustments in Jacksonville. — Henry McKenna
Colts: Jonathan Taylor must be a dominant power for the Colts to have any likelihood at making official noise within the AFC this season. Sunday served as the most recent testomony of the truth that Anthony Richardson has a protracted method to go. His inexperience confirmed in Indianapolis’ final drive. Additionally, his lack of contact, timing and anticipation on intermediate throws makes the Colts offense over reliant on his deep ball, which is hit and miss. Any discuss of benching Richardson for Joe Flacco is untimely — the previous No. 4 general decide has began simply 10 NFL video games — however he’s what he’s proper now. So the Colts should lean on Taylor, who ran the ball properly in opposition to Houston (20 carries for 105 yards and a landing). A wholesome Taylor plus a protection that simply obtained DeForest Buckner again is Indy’s finest hope of being a menace in January.
Texans: Regardless of being 6-2, the Texans have official early-exit potential come playoff time, and it is due to cross safety. C.J. Stroud was beneath heavy stress on Sunday (notably within the first half), persevering with a season-long pattern. The Colts had solely two sacks, however they’d 9 quarterback hits and several other pressures. In keeping with Subsequent Gen Stats, Stroud was pressured on 71.4% (!) of his dropbacks by two quarters. The pocket was not solely closing shortly on Stroud, but in addition the struggles up entrance appeared to hurry up his inside clock — even when there wasn’t a defender in his face — resulting in rushed throws. And this was in opposition to the Colts, who rank within the backside half of the league in each sacks and stress charge. What occurs when Houston faces AFC juggernauts like Kansas Metropolis (fourth in stress charge) and Buffalo (tied for ninth in sacks) within the postseason? Operating again Joe Mixon, as nice as he is been, cannot carry Houston by himself. — Ben Arthur
The next writers contributed to this story: Ben Arthur (@benyarthur); Greg Auman (@gregauman); Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis); Eric D. Williams (@eric_d_williams); Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano); Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV)
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