Recapping the Action From NFL’s Week 8 Sunday Schedule
NFL Week 8 action got started Thursday night before turning things over to the early slate of Sunday games. If you missed any of that jam-packed schedule, we’ve got you covered with the NFL Week 8 scores and recap that you’re looking for.
Let’s get right into the action.
Heartbreak in D.C.
In a battle of two of the league’s most popular rookie QBs, it looked like Caleb Williams and the Bears were going to come out on top after scoring with less than 30 seconds to go.
All of that changed with two seconds on the clock when Jayden Daniels heaved a 57-yard Hail Mary that the Bears’ defenders tipped into the air, right into the waiting hands of Noah Brown, who had gotten behind the defense.
As time expired, Washington went up 18-15 on Chicago. The miracle play to end the game also widened the gap between Daniels’ performance (21/28, 326 yards, 1 TD) and Williams (10/24, 131 yards, 0 TD).
Jets Continue to Struggle
The New York Jets have done everything possible to salvage the season, their second with Aaron Rodgers under center. They’ve fired their head coach, demoted the offensive coordinator, and traded for Rodgers’ favorite target, Davante Adams.
None of it is working, and things went from bad to worst yesterday when the Jets fell to Jacoby Brissett and the New England Patriots by a score of 25-22. Postgame, NFL on Fox Analyst, Matt Ryan pointed out that the Jets are virtually out of moves at this point, and they simply are what they are.
Is there any hope for Rodgers to lead New York to the playoffs in his second season? Now at 2-6, it seems unlikely.
Tua Returns
The Miami Dolphins got Tua Tagovailoa back, and the offense, which had been pedestrian at best without him, looked a bit more normal than it had in weeks.
Unfortunately for Miami, Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals were just a bit better, as Miami fell to 2-5 on the season. Tua certainly did play poorly in his first action in weeks. He went 28/38 for 234 yards and a touchdown.
On the other side, Murray went 26/36 for 307 yards with a pair of touchdowns, including one to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. who had a stellar day. When the final whistle blew, Arizona had knocked off Miami 28-27.
Another Packers Last-Second Win
Perhaps the biggest storyline in this game was the groin injury that Jordan Love suffered in the first quarter. He tried to push through the pain, but in the third quarter, backup QB Malik Willis took over the offense in what proved to be a much closer game than many analysts expected.
The Jaguars came into the game with a 2-5 record, but that didn’t stop them from battling right up until the end. Brandon McManus was once again called on to kick a field goal as time ran out, but this week, it was a much easier shot, as he was only 24 yards out.
For the second time in as many weeks, McManus hit a game-winner as time expired. The Packers, now 6-2, haven’t announced the severity of Love’s injury yet, but they’ll hope to have their franchise QB back next week.
The Struggling Saints
The Saints started the season 2-0 and had the most prolific offense in the league. Things changed quickly in New Orleans, though.
After Derek Carr went down with an injury, the team turned to rookie Spencer Rattler. Along with Carr, the Saints suffered multiple injuries on both sides of the ball, but even with several players returning yesterday, the Saints just could not move the ball.
The offense didn’t get into the endzone, as New Orleans only scored by kicking a pair of field goals and recording a safety as the Saints, now 2-6, fell to the 4-3 Chargers by a score of 26-8.
Second Year Starters in the South
One of the marquee matchups of the weekend saw Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts travel to Houston to take on CJ Stroud and the Texans in a battle of two second-year starters.
It would be Stroud and the Texans who eventually came out on top, knocking off their division foes 23-20. Stroud played well, going 25/37 for 285 yards and a touchdown, but it was Joe Mixon who really powered the Texans’ offense. He ran the ball 25 times for 102 yards and a score.
Richardson struggled, completing only 10 of his 32 passes for 175 yards with one touchdown and a pick. Were it not for Jonathan Taylor carrying the Colts’ offense (20 carries for 105 yards), this game wouldn’t have been as close as it was.
A Rivalry Continues on Sunday Night
The San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys continued their storied rivalry on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys were coming off a bye that followed a loss to the Detroit Lions, while the 49ers were a week removed from losing a Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs.
George Kittle celebrated National Tight End Day by racking up six receptions for 128 yards, accounting for nearly half of Brock Purdy’s 260 passing yards. Dallas continued to sputter as Dak Prescott went 25/38 for 243 yards.
While Prescott had a pair of TD passes, he also had two interceptions. When the dust settled, San Fran won 30-24, climbing back to .500 on the season. Meanwhile, the woes continued for the Cowboys who are now 3-4, falling further and further out of the playoff race.
Week 8 concludes tonight as the struggling New York Giants face off with Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Catch all the action on ESPN and ABC tonight at 8 PM ET.