Some exceptional performances led the way in Week 8. The Bosa Bros. were in full sack mode while NFC North teams featured a lot of players with big numbers in the receiving game.
Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson
Not much to praise about Arizona in the loss to the New Orleans Saints. Am sure Kliff Kingsbury is thrilled to have Patrick Peterson playing in the secondary, again. The former star DB from LSU played his second game after suspension and picked off Drew Brees in New Orleans.
Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones
Matt Schaub had to throw frequently after Atlanta fell behind 24-0 to Seattle en route to falling to 1-7. The 460 yards go down in garbage time stats. Let’s give love to the always excellent Julio Jones, who never gives up and had 10 catches for 152 yards. A yeomen effort in a game that was long lost.
Buffalo Bills
A chance to show they were for real melted into a bad loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. A home loss, no less. Punter Corey Bojorquez was showed plenty of leg, with a 42.8 yard average on six kicks and two inside the 20. Nothing much to showcase.
Carolina Panthers: None
The magic carpet ride for Kyle Allen is done. Getting clobbered 51-13 at San Francisco offers no room for positivity. Wow, talk about getting hammered.
Chicago Bears: David Montgomery
The Bears traded Jordan Howard to Philly and are banking on third-round pick David Montgomery to deliver yardage as their top running back. The former Iowa State star had 135 yards and a TD on 27 carries in the loss to the Chargers. Much of the yardage was tough running and he looked good and gives Chicago a needed dimension on offense.
Cincinnati Bengals: None
When you fall to 0-8, there isn’t much to brag about. Andy Dalton threw for 329 yards in the loss. However, they didn’t offset the fact he was sacked five times and the numbers are offset by one TD scored.
Cleveland Browns: Jamie Gillan
Would love to have given the nod to Nick Chubb and his 131 yards rushing. However, two lost fumbles negated that. Alternative is Jamie Gillan, who put one put inside the 20 and averaged 44.5 yards on a quartet of kicks.
Detroit Lions: Kenny Golladay
The Lions’ receivers take turns finding the end zone multiple times. Last week, it was Marvin Jones Jr. with four scores against Minnesota. In Week 8, Kenny Golladay had a pair of scores among six catches and 123 yards receiving.
Denver Broncos: Von Miller/Derek Wolfe
Von Miller and Derek Wolfe combined for 3.5 of the four sacks Denver had in its loss to Indianapolis. The Denver defense kept the Colts in check, but the offense wasn’t able to out up enough punch to knock out Indy. Familiar story this season.
Green Bay Packers: The Aarons
Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones had a huge night in Kansas City. The Packers’ pair was amazing against the Chiefs. Rodgers threw for 305 and three TD passes, two going to Jones, who rushed for 67 yards and caught passes for 159 more in the victory.
Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson continued his elite play in the victory over the Oakland Raiders. Watson threw for 279 and three TDs and ran for another 46. One of the TD passes was remarkably thrown after the former Clemson star was kicked in the face.
Indianapolis Colts: Jacoby Brissett
Jacoby Brissett took the Colts 56 yards in 86 seconds to set up Vinatieri’s third field goal of the day, from 51 yards to down the Denver Broncos. Would have loved to give love to Vinatieri, who made three field goals, However, he missed one and a PAT.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The New York Jets were introduced to Sacksonville on Sunday. Rookie Josh Allen and Yannick Ngakoue each had two of the Jags’ eight total sacks in demoralizing Sam Darnold, once again. Tre Herndon also gets props for a pair of interceptions.
Kansas City Chiefs: Matt Moore
Filling in for Patrick Mahomes, Matt Moore played solid quarterback. The journeyman threw for 267 yards and two TDs in the loss to Green Bay.
Los Angeles Chargers: Joey Bosa
Quite the day for the Bosa Bros. Joey led the Chargers’ defense against Chicago with seven tackles. He had two sacks and two TFLs.
Los Angeles Rams: Cooper Kupp
Jared Goff found Cooper Kupp all over the field in London against the Cincinnati Bengals. The WR from Eastern Washington had seven catches for 220 yards and a touchdown.
Miami Dolphins: Ryan Fitzpatrick
This has everything to do with playing hard and leading the way a veteran should. Yes, he wound up throwing picks after starting with a couple of TD passes. Don’t blame the 0-7 start on the veteran quarterback. He is determined and looks like he is enjoying the game despite the plight.
Minnesota Vikings: Stefon Diggs
With Adam Thielen out with an injured hamstring, Kirk Cousins found Stefon Diggs seven times for 143 yards in the victory over Washington. Diggs is back in his groove and putting up strong numbers for the Vikings.
New England Patriots: Bill Belichick
Three-hundred career head coaching victories for the New England Patriots’ great. Belichick earns No. 300 against the team he coached five seasons, the Cleveland Browns.
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees
Drew Brees showed no ring rust in his return from a thumb injury. He was in fine fettle, throwing for 373 yards and three TDs in the victory over Arizona.
New York Giants: Saquon Barkley
Former Penn State star Saquon Barkley is getting his legs back after being out with an ankle injury for multiple weeks. The RB had 27 touches for 143 yards and a TD in the loss to Detroit.
New York Jets: Ryan Griffin
TE Ryan Griffin had four catches for 66 yards in another weak Jets’ performance. He had a fantastic fantasy game … if someone reached deep enough to have him on their team.
Oakland Raiders: Tyrell Williams
The wideout Tyrell Williams was ignored for the first half and part of the third quarter before Derek Carr started to target him. Williams wound up with three catches for 91 yards in the loss to the Texans.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Howard/Miles Sanders
The Eagles’ running game stomped Buffalo. Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders combined for 170 yards and a pair of TDs in a much-needed victory.
Pittsburgh Steelers: James Conner
The Steelers got off to a sluggish start against Miami. However, a couple picks by former Dolphin Minkah Fitzpatrick helped turn momentum and James Conner delivered multiple hard runs en route to busting through the century mark.
San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa
The rookie from Ohio State, Nick Bosa, had a stunning game against Carolina. He picked up three sacks and an interception in the 51-13 romp. A fantastic draft pick.
Seattle Seahawks: Michael Dickson
If the Falcons didn’t have enough problems with Matt Ryan out, Seattle punter Michael Dickson made sure they always were looking at a long field. He punted four times and averaged 49.8 yards, with three inside the 20. A special teams weapon.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans
Mike Evans went off in the loss to the Titans. The former Texas A&M star caught 11 passes for 198 yards and two TDs. Now, if Jameis Winston could only figure out how to get both Evans and Chris Godwin going in the same game.
Tennessee Titans: Ryan Tannehill
The numbers were not massive, 193 yards passing. However, he is now 2-for-2 as a starter with Tennessee. Tannehill threw three TD passes in the victory over Tampa Bay and did not throw a pick.
Washington Redskins: Adrian Peterson
In a return to the place he had his greatest games, Adrian Peterson showed his vintage running ability. He had 14 carries for 76 yards in the loss to Minnesota. Much of the yardage came through tough and quick running.
