NFL Week 8 delivered a slate of decisive results that forced uncomfortable questions for several contenders. The Minnesota Vikings saw their unbeaten run end with a 19-15 loss to the Detroit Lions, exposing quarterback Kyler Murray’s struggles. The Indianapolis Colts were routed 42-7 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, raising doubts about head coach Shane Steichen and star running back Jonathan Taylor’s future. The Cleveland Browns fell 27-6 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shut out the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 without a single completed pass. The Cincinnati Bengals needed overtime to beat the Tennessee Titans 43-36, and the Kansas City Chiefs blew a late lead to lose 28-24 to the Denver Broncos.
Vikings: Time to bench Kyler Murray?
Murray completed 17 of 29 passes for 210 yards, one touchdown and one interception, taking three sacks and rushing four times for a team-high 35 yards. His off-target rate was 17.2%, and his EPA per dropback of -0.11 is a career worst. Coach Kevin O’Connell acknowledged missed opportunities, and star receiver Justin Jefferson declined postgame media. With Carson Wentz as backup, the Vikings may need to consider a change.
Colts: Steichen and Taylor on the hot seat
Indianapolis managed only three first-half drives that ended in punts, a fumble, and a pick-six. Trevor Lawrence threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns on just 14 attempts (15 yards per attempt), a two-season high. The Colts recently traded Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner and fired general manager Chris Ballard. Jonathan Taylor is drawing significant trade interest, and moving him during a rebuild would be prudent.
Browns: Watson’s sack issues persist
Deshaun Watson took eight sacks against Pittsburgh, bringing his total to 22 over the last four games. Despite a 27-for-39, 324-yard line, his EPA per play has been negative in three of the past four outings. Cleveland lacks a viable alternative, keeping Watson as the starter for now.
Buccaneers: Historic win without a completion
Tampa Bay became the first team since 1974 to win without a completed pass, and the first since 1945 to win by double digits without one. Baker Mayfield attempted only three passes in a 16-0 victory fueled by 300-plus rushing yards. The defense leads the NFL in EPA per play, turnovers forced, and success rate, making the Buccaneers legitimate NFC South contenders.
Bengals: Elite offense masks defensive flaws
Joe Burrow threw six touchdowns in a 43-36 overtime win over the Titans. Cincinnati’s defense ranks 16th in EPA per play but leads the league in sack rate and fourth-down stops. Dexter Lawrence has been a game-changing acquisition, and the offense’s explosiveness could carry the team deep into the playoffs.
Chiefs: Andy Reid’s costly decisions
Kansas City squandered a 24-13 fourth-quarter lead. Reid chose to punt on fourth-and-inches, then called a rollout that led to a Mahomes sack and a missed 54-yard field goal by Harrison Butker (2-for-6 from 50+ yards this season). Late-game clock management and a lack of urgency on the final drive sealed the 28-24 loss, erasing the Chiefs’ head-to-head tiebreaker over Denver.
