As the NFL season reaches its midpoint, Week 8 delivered a mix of thrilling upsets, standout performances, and pivotal moments that could shape the playoff picture. From unexpected victories that shook up division standings to individual players making their mark with game-changing plays, this week had it all. Join us as we break down the key takeaways from Week 8, analyzing what these developments mean for teams and fans alike as we head into the second half of the season.
· The Cleveland Browns season is over.
The Cleveland Browns are now 4-4 on the year. The only positive this year for Cleveland has been on the defensive side of the football. Every loss this season that Cleveland has, the offense scored no more than 17 points. Baker Mayfield is playing with a broken femur bone and a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. Odell Beckham gets no targets, which caused his father to post videos on Instagram showing times Odell was open but Baker refused to throw his direction. This has stirred up more drama in the Browns locker room. The trade deadline has passed and they did not move Odell, which will prove to be a bad decision. Both of their starting RB’s are injured, half of their O-Line is injured, as well as Jarvis Landry. The OBJ drama will become more of a story as the season progresses, as well as another lost Cleveland Browns season. Cleveland travels to Cincinnati this Sunday. I expect the Bengals to rebound from their shocking loss to the Jets and get back in the win column against a depleted Browns team.
· The New England Patriots could make a playoff run.
The week 8 victory on the road over the LA Chargers was by far the biggest victory of the season for the Patriots. The defense proved they can be the reason the Patriots make the playoffs this year. They held Justin Herbert to 223 yards and also picked him off 2 times. Adrian Phillips had both interceptions including a Pick 6 with 10 minutes remaining to put the Patriots up 24-17, as they would go on to win 27-24. After being one possession from defeating the 6-1 Cowboys, the Patriots destroyed the Jets at home before the impressive win over LA. New England is now 4-4 on the season and has a fairly soft remaining schedule. Their next 3 games are very winnable: @Carolina, vs. Cleveland, @Atlanta. Tennessee and Buffalo (twice) are their toughest remaining opponents.
· Titans RB Derrick Henry has been ruled out for the season with a foot injury.
In the first quarter of Tennessee’s 34-31, Derrick Henry was tackled on a routine run up the middle. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, he was checked out by team doctors then played the rest of the game. The next morning it was announced that Derrick Henry will have surgery on his foot that he injured Sunday; the injury will cause the NFL’s best RB to miss the season. This is a huge blow to the Super Bowl hopeful Tennessee Titans. Teams focus on how to stop Derrick Henry each and every game, which opens up the Titans passing game massively. Without the dominate Derrick Henry in their back field, I have a hard time seeing the Titans winning anything other than their weak AFC South division.
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