Week 8: Another #1 Bites the Dust

10/30/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Broncos Shock Chiefs, Kirk Cousins Tears Achilles, Will Levis Shines & More From Week 8 in the NFL

The NFL Trade Deadline is approximately 36 hours away (Tues. 4:00 pm ET), and one team may have shifted the energy for a lot of teams looking to make a deal. Had the Broncos lost on Sunday and fell to 2-6, they might be fielding calls for the entire roster. Instead, a stunner against the Chiefs (for their second straight win) puts Denver in the thick of the AFC, and it signals one other thing — our fourth straight loss by the No. 1 team in our power rankings. That’s right. For the fourth consecutive week, we put a new No. 1 in our weekly power rankings, and they responded by laying an egg. The Dolphins, 49ers, Lions, and Chiefs have all crumbled. Shows you how much we know, or how incredibly competitive the NFL truly is. I almost feel bad for this week’s new No. 1 team. We’ve started our own curse. Moving on…

Across the league, key injuries and other record-breaking moments highlighted Week 8. Let’s relive the top eight stories from a bizarre Sunday that just set the tone for Trade Deadline week.

Broncos Upset Chiefs in Stunning Twist

Upset in the mountains… The Broncos ended a 16-game losing streak against the Chiefs on Sunday (eight years). Denver held Kansas City without an offensive touchdown (24-9) while Patrick Mahomes was held without a passing touchdown for the first time since 2021. It was Mahomes’ first career loss against Denver, as well as his first road loss against an AFC West opponent. The Broncos played some Taylor Swift over the speakers to celebrate the win (petty, but funny). Shake it off, KC.

A.J. Brown Makes NFL Receiver History

With a Chiefs loss and an Eagles win, the birds are now the top team in the NFL at 7-1. A big reason why has been the play of WR A.J. Brown. On Sunday, he had eight catches for 130 yards and 2 TDs in a comeback win, making him the first player in NFL history to record six straight games with 125-plus yards. The Eagles beat the Commanders (38-31).

Niners Fall, But CMC’s TD Streak Continues

The Christian McCaffrey touchdown streak continued with another end zone trip on Sunday, but the 49ers fell to the Bengals (31-17) and suffered their third straight loss. McCaffrey has now scored a touchdown in 17 straight games, tying the all-time NFL record held by Colts RB Lenny Moore (1963-64).

Kirk Cousins Suffers Torn Achilles

The Vikings won their third straight game on Sunday over the Packers (24-10) to keep rising up the NFC, but QB Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles in the 4th quarter and was carted off. Minnesota’s backup is Nick Mullens, and we’ve seen him find success in past emergency roles. The Vikes are now 4-4.

Bryce Young Outduels C.J. Stroud for 1st Win

The Panthers-Texans matchup may have been a sleeper for most football fans, but it was the first clash of the No. 1 and No. 2 picks from last April’s draft. Bryce Young and the Panthers beat C.J. Stroud and the Texans on a walk-off field goal (15-13) to secure Young’s first NFL victory.

Will Levis Throws 4 TDs in Titans Debut

How about another rookie quarterback in the spotlight? The wounded Titans turned to QB Will Levis on Sunday, and the Kentucky product turned some heads. Levis threw four touchdowns — three to WR DeAndre Hopkins — and helped Tennessee down the Falcons (28-23). It’s the Titans’ first win since October 1.

Jets Top Giants in OT Battle of New York

Offense, anyone? The once-every-four-years showdown between the two New York teams who share MetLife Stadium went exactly as many predicted. Neither team could buy points and we needed overtime before the Jets won a defensive dogfight on a game-winning field goal (13-10, OT). One of the Jets player accidentally walked into the Giants locker room at halftime.

Jags Win 5th Straight, But Refs Under Review

The longest win streak in the league now belongs to Jacksonville after a controversy-filled Sunday in Pittsburgh. The Jags beat the Steelers (20-10) to earn their fifth straight win, but this game was littered with head-scratching calls. Not to take away a good game from the Jags, but Steelers fans are the least happy of all NFL fans this Monday morning. If you know a Pittsburgh fan, maybe check on them.

All Week 8 NFL Scores & Highlights

Bills def. Buccaneers (24-18)

Cowboys def. Rams (43-20)

Vikings def. Packers (24-10)

Titans def. Falcons (28-23)

Saints def. Colts (38-27)

Dolphins def. Patriots (31-17)

Jets def. Giants (13-10, OT)

Jaguars def. Steelers (20-10)

Eagles def. Commanders (38-31)

Panthers def. Texans (15-13)

Seahawks def. Browns (24-20)