NFL Week 8 Takeaways
1. Justin Tucker is the Ravens most dynamic offensive weapon. It is not often that you say that about a team’s kicker, but that is the case in Baltimore. Anytime the Ravens cross over the 50 they are basically in Tucker’s range. Opposing defense are well aware of this and have to game plan accordingly.
2. The Eagles are the only team in the NFL with just one loss and they’re playing like it. Led by Carson Wentz, the Eagles made the 49ers look like a peewee team en route to a commanding 33-10 victory. It was nice to see Alshon Jeffrey get involved in the action as he hauled in a 53-yard touchdown reception. If the Eagles can get Jeffrey involved in their offense in addition to Ertz, Agholor, and Torrey Smith, Philadelphia will be unstoppable.
3. I am not sure that there has been a bigger disappointment in the NFL this year than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They haven’t had many injuries, their schedule hasn’t been too grueling, they just simply haven’t gotten the job done. A lot of that rests on the shoulder of Jameis Winston. In a quarterback’s third season in the league, he is expected to take a sizeable step forward in terms of progress. It seems as though Jameis has actually regressed. After falling to the Panthers on Sunday and finding themselves at 2-5, the Buccaneers season is all but over.
4. Jacoby Brissett is a franchise quarterback. I know he has played just eight games with the Colts, but I have seen enough to be sold. We all know that once Andrew Luck returns, be it this year or next, the Colts quarterback job is his, but Indianapolis should receive a considerable package if they decide to trade Brissett. Teams like the Browns, Cardinals, and Jets should be very interested.
5. Mitchell Trubisky is settling in and should make Bears fans hopeful for the team’s future. After trading up in the draft to take Trubisky out of North Carolina, it seems as though Chicago’s investment is beginning to pay off. Despite losing to the Saints on Sunday, Trubisky played well. He made some passes in tight windows and even showed off his speed as he scrambled in one instance for over 40 yards. The Bears are 3-5, but they are grooming a young quarterback; a quarterback that appears to be the real deal.
6. The Patriots defense comes through yet again. A week after holding the Falcons potent offense to seven points, Bill Belichick’s defense held Phillip Rivers and the Chargers to just thirteen points on Sunday. There was a lot of concern about New England’s defense in the beginning of the season, but it appears as though they have righted the ship.
7. The Bills are 5-2 and legitimate threats in the AFC. First year head coach Sean McDermott has Buffalo firing on all cylinders. Their offense has turned the ball over just three times all season, while their defense has forced thirteen turnovers. Their plus-10 turnover differential is the best in football. Just a half a game behind the Patriots in the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills appear as though they will make the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
8. The Seahawks-Texans contest was the game of the year. It was back and forth with offensive fireworks throughout. Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson each eclipsed 400 yards passing and each had four passing touchdowns. Seattle came out on top 41-38, but the Texans have to be ecstatic with how they performed in one of the most hostile environments in the NFL. Deshaun Watson played the same as he always has in the biggest games dating back to college: Huge. I don’t think anyone would be upset if this was the matchup on the first Sunday in February.
9. Juju Smith-Schuster is just what the doctor ordered for the Steelers. With Martavis Bryant out of the picture, Pittsburgh’s rookie wide receiver erupted for 193 yards and a touchdown on Sunday night as the Steelers downed the Lions to improve to 6-2. Smith-Schuster, the youngest player in the NFL, is the third weapon that the Steelers have been looking for to complement Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell.
10. The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t gone anywhere. After back to back losses, Andy Reid’s squad got back on track Monday night as they blasted the Broncos. Alex Smith is no longer just a game manager; he is a playmaker. The Chiefs sit firmly in first place in the AFC West, a division that was expected to be among the toughest in football. With Kareem Hunt in the backfield, Travis Kelce making plays down field, and Marcus Peters manning the secondary the Chiefs are as formidable any team in the NFL.
