Audio By Carbonatix
The Sunday of Week 8 is in the books. Here is how each team that played on Sunday graded out.
The Sunday of Week 8 is in the books, and it was full of fantastic finishes.
These grades don’t just take into account how a team played and the final score. It factors in things like expectations, short and long-term goals of the franchise, injuries, and other factors. It’s a long season, and the grade is about more than just who won and who lost. The big picture has to be kept in mind.
Philadelphia Eagles: A
37-17 (W) @ Bengals
The Eagles were outplayed for much of the first half, but a methodical touchdown drive right before the half tied the game up at 10. The second half was the best half of Philadelphia football all year, as everything clicked. The offense played their most complete and balanced game, and the vibes in Philly are back to being good.
Cincinnati Bengals: D
37-17 (L) Vs. Eagles
The Bengals got off to a quick start, but folded like a cheap tent in the second half. A defense had had made strides in recent week regressed badly in the second half. They’re 0-4 at home, and a team with Super Bowl aspirations is now 3-5. Not good.
Baltimore Ravens: D
29-24 (L) @ Browns
The Browns were obviously much better with Jameis Winston at quarterback instead of Deshaun Watson. But, this is still a really bad loss for the Ravens against a battered and beaten down team. Their secondary woes resurfaced, as they gave up over 300 yards to Winston and an average group of weapons. After playing so well the last five games, this was a major clunker
Cleveland Browns: B
29-24 (W) Vs. Ravens
The Browns are much better with Jameis Winston playing in Deshaun Watson’s absence, and a surprising win did give their fans something to be happy about. But, it’s only a B grade because this win is going to harm their draft position, and it makes you think why they didn’t start Winston much earlier. They could’ve been a playoff team.
Detroit Lions: B+
52-14 (W) Vs. Titans
A 52-14 only gets a grade of B+? The Lions made a bunch of big plays and forced a bunch of turnovers. The run game was especially impressive. But, the defense showed a lot of cracks, giving up over 400 yards to a poor offense, including well over 7 yards per play in the second half. The defense will need to tighten up. Still, this is maybe the league’s premier team.
Tennessee Titans: D-
52-14 (L) @ Lions
Yes, the offense moved the ball. But, when you lose 52-14 in the National Football League, it’s always embarrassing. That’s exactly what this game was.
Arizona Cardinals: A+
28-27 (W) @ Miami
This was a game that the Arizona Cardinals had to have, and they found a way to win. Kyler Murray played a sensational second half, and they finally got Marvin Harrison Jr. involved. The defense made stops when it needed to, and all of a sudden this is a 4-4 team with real playoff hopes. Great win.
Miami Dolphins: C
28-27 (L) Vs. Cardinals
Yes, the Dolphins let a game slip away for the second straight week, and at 2-5 their season is likely over. But, most importantly, Tua Tagovailoa looked good and stayed healthy in his return to the field. That’s the long-term priority in Miami, and that keeps this grade from being worse.
New York Jets: F
25-22 (L) @ Patriots
This is the easiest F grade of the season. The Jets came in at 2-5 and needed a win to save their season, or at least not have the season essentially come to an end. Instead, they lost to the backup quarterback and the worst team in the AFC. The Aaron Rodgers experiment is a complete and utter disaster. F is the worst grade I give out, otherwise I’d give out something worse.
New England Patriots: B
25-22 (W) Vs. Jets
Beating a rival and essentially ending their season has to feel greate. And, after the tumult around the team following a disastrous performance in London, this was much-needed. But, Drake Maye picked up a concussion, and it hurt their draft position. Still, it’s a positive step forward.
Atlanta Falcons: A-
31-26 (W) @ Buccaneers
This was ah huge divisional matchup among the top two teams in the NFC South. Yes, the Buccaneers were depleted on offense, and the defense gave up too many points and yards. But, a week after costly mistakes hampered the offense, it was a great performance on that side. This gives them a one game lead and a season sweep of the Buccaneers, and they’re in the drivers’ seat in the NFC South.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C-
31-26 (L) Vs. Falcons
It was a disappointing loss for the Buccaneers. They fall a game back and lose the tiebreaker to the Falcons in the NFC North. That’s a big hole to crawl out of. But, the offense proved it can move the ball without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. That’s reason for optimism.
Green Bay Packers: B-
30-27 (W) @ Jaguars
The Packers found a way to win on Sunday on the road, which is always good in the NFL. But, they didn’t play particularly well, especially in the second half on defense. And, Jordan Love left with a groin injury. While Malik Willis continues to play well in relief, their next three games are against the Lions, Bears, and 49ers. They simply cannot afford to have Love on the sidelines, and he may miss some time.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C-
30-27 (L) Vs. Packers
At some point, you actually have to start beating teams with a pulse. At 2-6, it’s probably too late for that. But, Trevor Lawrence continues to play well after a slow start, and the offseason contract extension doesn’t look so bad now. Going forward, the franchise is in deep trouble if he’s bad, but he looks to be playing pretty well.
Indianapolis Colts: D
23-20 (L) @ Texans
Credit to the Colts, who played hard and nearly found a way to win on the road against the Texans. That win would’ve somehow put them in a tie at the top of the division. But, Anthony Richardson continues to be unplayable. 10/32 is simply not good enough in the NFL, no matter how bright the flashes are. It’s time to play Joe Flacco.
Houston Texans: B+
23-20 (W) Vs. Colts
It was a big win in the division standings, and CJ Stroud rebounded from a tough Week 7. But, the offensive line continued to struggle, and DeMeco Ryans continues to be questionable in game management situations.
New Orleans Saints: F
26-8 (L) @ Chargers
There is nothing good to say about the sixth-straight loss for the New Orleans Saints after a 2-0 start. Dennis Allen is going to get fired, possibly this week. This is a franchise that has completely lost its way.
Los Angeles Chargers: A-
26-8 (W) Vs. Saints
Jim Harbaugh probably would’ve liked to run the ball a bit better. But, outside of a mistake on special teams that led to a safety, this was an excellent bounceback performance for the Chargers against a really poor team. Good win.
Buffalo Bills: A
31-10 (W) @ Seahawks
The Buffalo Bills went on the road and absolutely smacked the Seattle Seahawks while playing three times zones over. Josh Allen finally turned the ball over for the first time, but was fantastic otherwise. And, the defense kept an explosive Seattle attack under wraps. This is their best performance in weeks.
Seattle Seahawks: D
31-10 (L) Vs. Bills
The Seahawks came into Week 8 with considerable momentum after traveling to Atlanta and beating the Falcons in Week 8. But, they laid a giant egg at home. They were outplayed in all facets, and mustered just 32 rushing yards. The Seahawks are incredibly inconsistent from week-to-wee.
Denver Broncos: A+
Getty Image / Aaron Ontiveroz
28-14 (W) Vs. Panthers
This game was not nearly as close as the score represents. The Broncos played a fantastic game against and admittedly terrible opponent. Most important was that Bo Nix looked like a star for really the first time in his career. They’re now 5-3 with a great defense and a confident quarterback. The playoffs are a real possibility.
Carolina Panthers: C-
28-14 (L) @ Broncos
The Carolina Panthers are a really bad football team, and should be considered big underdogs in every game the rest of the year. But, Bryce Young had stretches where he looked to be a competent quarterback. That’s something to build off of for a franchise that desperately needs something to cling to.
Kansas City Chiefs: B+
27-20 (W) @ Raiders
The Chiefs continue to win, having now won 13 straight games dating back to last season. The biggest sign of encouragement was Patrick Mahomes and the passing game getting going, with Travis Kelce a big part of that. Mahomes did throw another interception on a tipped ball, but he looked sharp. The pass defense was leaky at times, but road divisional wins are always good.
Las Vegas Raiders: D+
27-20 (L) Vs. Chiefs
The Raiders fought hard against a divisional opponent. But, this team clearly has a long ways to go, and a full rebuild is eeded. At this point, losses will be good, as they need to be in position to draft a franshise quarterbac.
Chicago Bears: F
18-15 (L) @ Commanders
An F may be harsh, but this game showed just how bad the Bears coaching staff is. After terrible play-calling all game on offense, they decided to hand the ball to a backup offensive lineman on a crucial goal line play in the 4th quarter. They still found a way to take the lead. But, after giving the Commanders a free 15 yards, they couldn’t defend a Hail Mary after rushing just three while DB Tyrique Stevenson taunted the crowd during the play. Incredible level of disaster. F.
Washington Commanders: A-
18-15 (W) Vs. Bears
The Commanders outplayed the Bears signficantly, and it’s disappointing they were ever in position to lose the game until Jayden Daniels found Noah Brown on the game-winning Hail Mary. But, this will be a win they remember for a long, long time.
San Francisco 49ers: B+
30-24 (W) Vs. Cowboys
The 49ers played a poor first half, but an awesome 3rd quarter showed what this team can be when things are clicking. It’s very concerning that they have not finished games well at all this year, and that continued. But, it was a can’t-lose game, and they didn’t lose.
Dallas Cowboys: D-
30-24 (L) @ 49ers
The Cowboys avoid the F because they did put up a fight in the 4th quarter, nearly pulling off a huge comeback. But, this is a broken franchise, Dak Prescott looks terrible until garbage time, and Mike McCarthy continues to be one of the league’s worst head coaches. The vibes are bad in Dallas.