NFL Week 8: Greatest questions, takeaways for each sport

Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season started in Los Angeles on Thursday night time, with quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers cruising to a win over the Vikings. Herbert threw three landing passes and rushed for 62 yards, whereas rookie tight finish Oronde Gadsden II continued his fast ascension with 77 yards and a landing.

Within the early window Sunday, the Jets received their first win season and the three different AFC East groups additionally gained their matchups (Payments, Dolphins and Patriots). Buffalo working again James Prepare dinner III completed with 216 dashing yards by way of three quarters towards the Panthers, essentially the most by any NFL participant since 2018. The Eagles additionally received a classic efficiency from working again Saquon Barkley, who led them to a giant win over his former workforce within the Giants.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all of the motion, answering lingering questions popping out of every sport and detailing every part else you might want to know for each workforce. Let's get to it.

Soar to:
NYJ-CIN | SF-HOU | CLE-NE
NYG-PHI | BUF-CAR | MIN-LAC

Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap

Jets

Did Justin Fields make proprietor Woody Johnson remorse what he mentioned final week? You possibly can't make these things up. 5 days after being publicly criticized by the Jets' proprietor, Fields performed his finest sport of the 12 months, main the workforce to a dramatic comeback for its first win of the Aaron Glenn period. Fields, whose job appeared in jeopardy final week, confirmed decisiveness within the pocket (no sacks) and threw precisely (21-for-32, 244 yards). And he did it with out his beginning broad receivers. You must applaud his psychological toughness: Fields was blasted by Johnson and withstood of per week of hypothesis about his job.

Development to observe: If this was working again Breece Corridor's final sport as a Jet, he went out with a bang, dashing for 133 yards and two touchdowns, his first two of the season. He additionally threw the game-winning landing on a halfback choice to rookie tight finish Mason Taylor for his first profession rating. Corridor, the topic of commerce hypothesis, performed an unbelievable sport. Isaiah Davis (109 yards from scrimmage) additionally had an enormous sport; he'd be the starter in the event that they commerce Corridor and do not get an RB1 in return. — Wealthy Cimini

Subsequent sport: vs. Browns (Nov. 9, 1 p.m. ET)

Bengals

What does this imply for Cincinnati's playoff possibilities? It would not get a lot worse than this for Cincinnati. The Bengals had a shot to get again to .500 towards a winless Jets workforce. However previous issues proceed to plague the workforce in a devastating loss at dwelling. The Jets gained over 500 yards for the second time up to now 25 years, in keeping with ESPN Analysis. After one of many worst losses of coach Zac Taylor's seven-year tenure, any likelihood for the Bengals to maintain their playoff hopes alive will now require stealing some wins within the second half of the season.

Stat to know: Sunday was all about Cincinnati's dashing assault. The Bengals had two whole dashing touchdowns by way of the primary seven weeks of the season, however that they had three by the halfway level of the fourth quarter. It was an encouraging efficiency for a dashing assault that basically struggled early within the season. — Ben Child

Subsequent sport: vs. Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap

Texans

Can this go safety proceed for quarterback C.J. Stroud? When Stroud has safety, he is proved he can shred a protection. He did that Sunday, as he threw for 318 yards with two touchdowns. He was pressured on solely 19% of his 42 dropbacks, in keeping with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, and wasn't sacked. It will likely be fascinating to see if the Texans and Stroud proceed this momentum into their matchup towards the Broncos, who at the moment lead the league with 34 sacks.

Development to observe: The Texans' defensive position has solely 9 sacks up to now 5 video games after beginning the primary two weeks with seven sacks. Houston completed final season tied for fourth in sacks (49), so we all know that they're able to producing far more sooner or later. — DJ Bien-Aime

Subsequent sport: vs. Broncos (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

49ers

Ought to this loss make the 49ers kind of pressing earlier than the commerce deadline? After the Texans dominated them for many of the sport, the 49ers clearly need assistance. That is very true on the defensive position, the place strain was almost nonexistent and two extra starters — defensive deal with Jordan Elliott and defensive finish Sam Okuayinonu — left the sport with ankle accidents. However this sport additionally highlighted points in go safety, protection and tackling within the again seven. A commerce or two might undoubtedly assist the Niners, however giving up useful draft picks for momentary fixes possible would not be sufficient to make them a Tremendous Bowl contender — and will additionally do extra hurt than good in the long run.

Stat to know: After 14 video games and 469 go makes an attempt, the 49ers lastly received an interception. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir picked off an errant Stroud go to finish the primary half, bringing an finish to the longest energetic streak within the NFL. Lenoir's try and return it for a landing did not finish properly although, as he did not get out of bounds or down rapidly sufficient to offer the Niners time for a last-second area purpose try. — Nick Wagoner

Subsequent sport: at Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap

Patriots

What step did quarterback Drake Maye take as he continues to construct his MVP candidacy? Maye was below siege within the first half towards Myles Garrett and a relentless Browns protection, which led to Maye's first interception since Week 3. However he did not again down after which took over the sport after halftime with a mixture of what has made him so potent this season: working, maintaining performs alive within the pocket and focusing his eyes downfield to attach on passing performs. Regardless of being sacked six occasions, Maye completed with 171 passing yards on throws of 15-plus air yards, together with three touchdowns and 50 dashing yards on seven carries.

Turning level: The complete third quarter. The Patriots led 9-7 at halftime and Garrett was wreaking havoc, however after an preliminary cease on protection within the third quarter, New England exploded for 3 touchdowns because the Patriots discovered the important thing to neutralizing Garrett. All three touchdowns had been throws by Maye, who grew to become the primary Patriots quarterback to throw for 3 touchdowns in a sport since Tom Brady on Dec. 9, 2018, at Miami. — Mike Reiss

Subsequent sport: vs. Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Browns

How for much longer will the Browns follow Dillon Gabriel at quarterback? One week after lastly eclipsing 17 factors, Cleveland's offense reverted to its previous type, mustering two touchdowns in its loss at New England. Gabriel additionally could not maintain the ball — the one factor coaches had constantly praised him for — with two interceptions. Backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders was inactive due to a again damage, however the requires him to play will solely develop louder after the Browns' Week 9 bye, which ought to give Sanders much more time to heal. And if Gabriel's struggles proceed, Cleveland may need to contemplate making a transfer sooner moderately than later.

Stat to know: Along with his first of 5 sacks, Garrett handed Reggie White for essentially the most sacks by a participant (108.5) earlier than turning 30 since sacks grew to become an official stat in 1982. Garrett's first two sacks got here within the purple zone on third down and compelled the Patriots to accept area objectives. The five-sack single-game whole marks a franchise report and profession excessive for Garrett. — Daniel Oyefusi

Subsequent sport: at Jets (Nov. 9, 1 p.m. ET)

Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap

Eagles

Is that this model of Saquon Barkley right here to remain? We'll should see about his well being first: He got here up limping after a 28-yard run on the finish of the third quarter and didn't return as a consequence of a groin damage. The Eagles positively discovered one thing within the floor sport towards New York that had been lacking all season. Barkley eclipsed 100 yards dashing for the primary time all 12 months. It seemed similar to 2024 when he reached a velocity of over 21 miles per hour throughout a 65-yard run on the second play from scrimmage, with the play properly schemed and properly blocked. Barkley mentioned this week he felt like he was the identical participant, and he seemed it Sunday due to a pleasant number of run calls by offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and sound execution up entrance.

Most shocking efficiency: Reserve working again Tank Bigsby had 87 yards dashing on eight carries within the win. He was acquired from the Jaguars in September for a pair of draft picks and primarily used as a kick returner for the primary handful of video games. That did not go in addition to hoped, however he has began getting extra work within the backfield of late and has capitalized with a handful of chunk runs. The Eagles have a very good working again rotation going proper now with Barkley, Bigsby and Will Shipley. With Bigsby extra energetic, AJ Dillon has dropped to fourth on the depth chart. — Tim McManus

Subsequent sport: at Packers (Nov. 10, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Giants

What now for the Giants offense after RB Cam Skattebo's damage? Dropping Skattebo for the season is an enormous blow. His ugly ankle damage within the second quarter left teammates visibly disturbed. Skattebo was turning into a playmaker for the Giants and fellow rookie Jaxson Dart. He scored his seventh landing within the first quarter of Sunday's contest. Skattebo's absence leaves the Giants much more shorthanded on offense, as Dart is already working with out star receiver Malik Nabers. The offense struggled with out them, totaling lower than 200 yards till the ultimate two drives when the sport was out of hand.

Development to observe: The Giants had been thirty first within the NFL permitting 5.2 yards per carry coming into Sunday. That solely received worse when Barkley and the Eagles ran throughout them for 277 dashing yards. Barkley averaged 10.7 yards per carry on this contest. The Eagles averaged 8.4 per carry. The run protection, for the third straight season, stays an actual drawback for New York. Even on second-and-26 within the fourth quarter, the Giants instantly allowed a 29-yard run. It is exhausting for them to win with this deficiency. — Jordan Raanan

Subsequent sport: vs. 49ers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap

Payments

Can the Payments' protection use this sport as a leaping off level? Buffalo's protection got here out of the bye in whole command, permitting 9 factors, sacking Andy Dalton seven occasions and forcing three takeaways after not recording multiple in any of the six earlier video games. The Panthers had been held to considered one of their lowest dashing totals of the season (114 yards). These are promising indicators for a unit that has struggled to seek out consistency, however the long-term image is clouded by the standing of defensive deal with Ed Oliver, who was rapidly dominated out with a biceps damage within the first half.

Most shocking efficiency: Operating again James Prepare dinner III. It isn't a shock Prepare dinner had a giant day; he is been robust all season. But it surely was the extent of Sunday's efficiency. He had a career-high 216 yards on 19 carries and scored two touchdowns towards a protection that allowed greater than 100 dashing yards in solely three of their first seven video games. Prepare dinner broke a number of information Sunday, together with essentially the most dashing yards by one participant in a single sport towards the Panthers. — Alaina Getzenberg

Subsequent sport: vs. Chiefs (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Panthers

What occurred to the run protection? This seemed extra just like the NFL's worst protection in 2024, not the one ranked eighth towards the run heading into Sunday. However the blowout loss to the Payments was a whole catastrophe, filled with unhealthy tackling and no hole management. Carolina had allowed simply 131 dashing yards over the earlier three video games mixed, however Prepare dinner had 130 yards dashing earlier than contact within the first half. This was an embarrassing effort.

What to make of the QB efficiency: As Bryce Younger's alternative, Dalton was as unhealthy because the Carolina run protection. The 37-year-old's interception and two misplaced fumbles led to 17 factors for Buffalo. He took sacks he should not have. He is 1-6 as a starter in his three seasons with Carolina. It could be time for the Panthers to develop one other backup. — David Newton

Subsequent sport: at Packers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap

Chargers

Can the Chargers survive one other damage storm? This was the sport by which the Chargers had been lastly speculated to be again to full well being: offensive tackles Joe Alt and Trey Pipkins III had been each energetic, and linebackers Khalil Mack and Denzel Perryman had been additionally again for a second sport collectively. However the Chargers sustained extra accidents Thursday. Security Derwin James Jr. (ankle), cornerback Tarheeb Nonetheless (knee) and proper guard Mekhi Becton (knee) did not end the sport. Coach Jim Harbaugh had no replace on their accidents postgame, however dropping three impression gamers might considerably damage the Chargers shifting ahead.

Most shocking efficiency: Quarterback Justin Herbert has a brand new favourite goal: rookie Oronde Gadsden II. The fifth-round decide caught 5 passes for 77 yards and a landing, turning into the primary rookie tight finish since Mike Ditka in 1961 with 240 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in a two-game span. Extra essential, Gadsden caught the entire passes focused to him. — Kris Rhim

Subsequent sport: at Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Vikings

Is it J.J. McCarthy time? It needs to be, proper? Carson Wentz has crammed in as a mean backup quarterback, successful two of 5 begins, however has supplied no indication that he is able to be the subsequent veteran reclamation of coach Kevin O'Connell. McCarthy has hit the excessive finish of the timetable for therapeutic his proper excessive ankle sprain (six weeks). McCarthy carried out poorly in his first two NFL begins, ending with a QBR (20.3) that ranked second-to-last within the NFL on the time, however he must play. That is the Vikings' high organizational precedence, and if it would not occur subsequent week, when will it?

Most shocking efficiency: The Chargers gashed the Vikings' protection in each method conceivable. Some opponents have managed to build up yards towards them this season, however earlier than Thursday night time, the Vikings had at the very least restricted scoring. They entered the sport tied for No. 10 within the NFL with 20 factors allowed per sport. However that they had no solutions for Herbert, who weaved by way of their blitzes to hurry for 62 yards and likewise threw three landing passes. The Chargers confronted little resistance in amassing 419 whole yards and 29 first downs. — Kevin Seifert

Subsequent sport: at Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)