NFL Week 8 takeaways: Buccaneers pull off gorgeous zero-completion win

The Week 8 slate was loaded with heavyweight matchups, so the divisional conflict between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in all probability did not make it to many TV screens.

And with the rain coming down and each offences struggling early on, that regarded like the suitable name.

But as the sport performed out, it grew to become one for the historical past books.

The Buccaneers ended up successful 16-0 with out finishing a single cross.

Yes, you learn that proper.

It’s the primary time a workforce has gained a sport with out a completion since 1974, and solely the second time it is occurred within the Super Bowl period.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to win,” Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield stated after going 0 for 3. “That’s all that matters to me.”

It was the true definition of a “they don’t ask how, just how many” victory.

Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell mixed for 310 speeding yards, and the Bucs defence continued its robust run of play with 4 interceptions of Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. (Hey, at the least somebody on the Buccaneers received to catch the ball.)

But credit score to Tampa Bay, it has discovered a formulation to win and caught to it.

The Buccaneers have gained two in a row after a 1-5 begin, and have a mixed 62 passing yards in these victories.

All of a sudden, they’re proper again within the (unhappy) race for the NFC South division title.

Meanwhile, for the Falcons, it was a fast reminder of how rapidly this league can humble you.

One week after ending the San Francisco 49ers’ undefeated season, the Falcons noticed their quarterback end with a worse QB ranking than the opposing quarterback who did not full a cross.

Just one other week within the NFL.

Here are another takeaways from Sunday’s motion:

Lions give Vikings a actuality examine

The 1972 Miami Dolphins can pop their champagne because the final remaining undefeated workforce went down on Sunday.

Thanks to a gutsy defensive efficiency and one other huge sport from famous person working again Jahmyr Gibbs, the Detroit Lions handed the Minnesota Vikings their first lack of the season.

The Lions have been capable of overcome quite a few key accidents to their defence, together with a really scary state of affairs that noticed star linebacker Jack Campbell taken off on a stretcher with a neck harm.

“We’re thinking about him,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell stated of his linebacker after the sport.

The newest replace from the workforce was that Campbell will keep in a single day within the hospital for continued analysis and monitoring.

To pull out that form of victory after such an emotional scene says so much in regards to the resiliency of this Lions workforce.

Meanwhile, for the Vikings, Sunday’s end result did not do so much to quiet the narrative that they’re inferior to their document suggests.

There isn’t any query their defence is elite, however the offence has regarded lacklustre this season, and that continued in opposition to the Lions.

Minnesota completed 3-for-10 on third down and had simply 266 yards of complete offence. This was in opposition to a Lions workforce that got here into the sport giving up probably the most passing yards per contest.

Kyler Murray continues to be lacking too many throws, and the working sport is suspect.

Their defence will hold them in each sport, but when the Vikings need to be thought of a real contender, their offence wants to search out its footing.

Minshew Magic stuns Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys regarded nicely on their approach to a simple victory over the lowly Arizona Cardinals.

But they did not account for Gardner Minshew.

The journeyman QB got here in to switch starter Jacoby Brissett with Arizona trailing 17-3, and boy did he take advantage of his alternative.

Minshew accomplished 17 of 23 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns because the Cardinals rallied for a shocking 33-30 victory in extra time. He grew to become the primary quarterback with three landing passes within the fourth quarter this season.

And whereas Minshew deserves his flowers, this was nothing apart from a nightmare for the Cowboys.

The Cowboys entered Sunday’s sport with an ideal 69-0 document when main by 14-plus factors at house since 2000, per ESPN Insights.

It was the kind of loss that might derail an entire season, and now 3-5, the Cowboys are working out of time to proper the ship.

Broncos take over driver’s seat in AFC West

The Denver Broncos received some revenge seven weeks within the making.

After getting embarrassed by the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, the Broncos pulled out a come-from-behind victory over their divisional rival on Sunday.

It was shades of final yr’s Broncos, who all the time gave the impression to be at their finest in crunch time.

Bo Nix led two fourth-quarter TD drives to erase an 11-point deficit, then the defence stood robust on the ultimate play of the sport and saved Patrick Mahomes out of the tip zone to seal the victory.

It was the third time in Nix’s profession that he is gained a sport when trailing by double digits within the fourth quarter, probably the most within the NFL since he entered the league in 2024, per NFL Research.

The Broncos additionally seem to have discovered a harmful weapon in rookie working again Jonah Coleman, who completed with 104 complete yards and a landing.

Denver now sits atop the AFC West at 6-2 and has cut up the season collection with the Chiefs, which may show essential come playoff time.

Ravens in huge bother after newest Lamar harm

The enhance the Baltimore Ravens have been alleged to get from the return of Lamar Jackson lasted one play.

On his first throw in opposition to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Jackson suffered a thumb harm that might probably finish his season.

To make issues worse, Ravens backup Tyler Huntley went down with an harm of his personal, leaving emergency quarterback Joe Fagnano to complete the sport.

It put an actual damper on a sport that was alleged to see Jackson go head-to-head with Josh Allen.

The Bills rolled to a 36-10 victory, dropping the Ravens to 4-4 and final within the AFC North.

But the lack of their high two quarterbacks is far more essential than one defeat.

Fagnano completed the sport 9-of-21 for 91 yards and one interception, which did not precisely encourage plenty of confidence if he is set to be the man transferring ahead.

Unless the Ravens can channel their interior Buccaneers, their season could possibly be headed for a disappointing finish.

Warren retains driving Steelers offence

Don’t look now, however the Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2 and atop the AFC North after a 27-6 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Pittsburgh has gained 4 in a row, and plenty of that has to do with the play of working again Jaylen Warren.

The Steelers have discovered a successful formulation by placing the ball in Warren’s fingers, as they did in opposition to the Browns when the 28-year-old RB tied his profession excessive with 143 speeding yards.

Warren’s emergence has taken plenty of the stress off 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who can now choose his spots and does not must shoulder the load on offence.

Combine that with a stifling defence, and Pittsburgh may need one thing cooking right here.

The Los Angeles Chargers haven’t scored an offensive landing since Oct. 11. Their 27 straight offensive drives with out a landing is the longest streak since 2024, per ESPN Insights.

Tells you all you could find out about how issues are going for the one workforce with out a win this season.