The Sunday slate for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season kicked off with some shocking results in the early window, including two overtime finishes.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson injured his right thumb on his first snap back after missing three games with an ankle injury, allowing the Bills to cruise to an easy win. The Vikings lost their first game of the season, scoring just 15 points against a Lions defense that had allowed 20-plus points five times in 2026. And despite not completing a pass, the Buccaneers shut out the Falcons.
Our NFL Nation reporters react to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know. Fantasy football analysts Matt Bowen and Tristan Cockcroft also have fantasy takeaways from each matchup.
Let's get to it with the biggest lessons from Sunday.
Jump to:
TEN-CIN | ARI-DAL
BAL-BUF | LV-NYJ | MIN-DET
CLE-PIT | IND-JAX | ATL-TB
Catch up on Thursday's game:
CAR-GB
Cincinnati 43, Tennessee 36 (OT)
Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap
Bengals
Is Sunday's performance a major concern for the Bengals? Absolutely. Cincinnati was an overwhelming favorite entering this game and gave up 36 points to a team who hadn't scored 30 points yet this season. Bengals QB Joe Burrow threw three interceptions, took three sacks and needed 6 touchdown passes to win in OT. The game ultimately proved to be a trap contest for the Bengals. Cincinnati will leave for Madrid this week after a defensive showing the team and coach Zac Taylor likely want to forget.
Trend to watch: For the second straight week, Cincinnati had a very poor start to the game. According to ESPN Research, the Bengals have a minus-19 point differential in the first quarter, the fourth worst in the league this season. -- Ben Baby
Next game: vs. Falcons (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET in Madrid)
Titans
Did the Titans offense find its way going into the bye week? The Titans' attack was extremely balanced Sunday. Running back Tony Pollard went over 100 rushing yards for the second consecutive game, finishing with 117 yards and two touchdowns. The success on the ground opened up the passing game, especially with play-action across the middle. Quarterback Cam Ward seemed comfortable in the pocket and delivered the ball to seven different pass catchers. Ward finished with over 300 passing yards (304) for the first time in his career. The high-percentage passing game and relentless rushing attack should be Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's approach going forward.
Trend to watch: The Titans have seven interceptions in three games after only posting two through the first five weeks. Amani Hooker had three interceptions alone Sunday, becoming the first Titans player to do so since Kevin Byard's three interceptions against the Browns in 2017. The Titans now have two or more interceptions in three consecutive weeks. -- Turron Davenport
Next game: vs. Jaguars (Nov. 15, 1 p.m. ET)
Fantasy football takeaway: Bengals WR Tee Higgins scored a season-high 37.5 points, catching 10 of 11 targets for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Higgins has now scored 21 or more points in four of his last five games, and the Bengals' inability to create run game efficiency plays a role here. This is a pass-heavy Cincinnati offense, which makes both Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase WR1 options heading into Week 9. -- Bowen
Arizona 33, Dallas 30 (OT)
Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap
Cardinals
What's next for the Cardinals' offense? The biggest question coming out of the Cardinals' win is whether Arizona's quarterback change -- Jacoby Brissett taken out in favor of Gardner Minshew II -- will be permanent or if coach Mike LaFleur just wanted a change of pace for an offense that struggled to protect Brissett and get anything going. Whoever is at quarterback next week might have to lead an offense that saw RB Jeremiyah Love suffer a third ankle injury of the season, RB Bam Knight leave with a concussion and WR Kendrick Bourne sustain an ankle injury.
What to make of the QB performance: Minshew came in with 95 seconds left in the third quarter and led the Cardinals on four straight touchdown drives during his 16:35 of action Sunday, which led to Arizona tying the game at 30-30 with 6 seconds left in the game. He looked strong on 15-for-20 passing for 173 yards and three touchdowns. -- Josh Weinfuss
Next game: at Seahawks (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Cowboys
How can the Cowboys be taken seriously at this point? The Cowboys had a perfect opportunity to snap a four-game losing streak against the Cardinals and beat them for the first time at AT&T Stadium. Instead, they let a chance to get back-to-back wins go by the wayside, and while they will remain in contention in the NFC East, what have they done to prove they can put together any kind of winning streak? The offense was ineffective on the ground, and quarterback Dak Prescott could not consistently move the ball through the air. This was all with the Cardinals losing three key contributors to injury and benching their starting quarterback.
What to make of the QB performance: For the second time this season, Prescott threw for fewer than 200 yards (195). His touchdown pass required a one-handed catch from WR Ryan Flournoy. He was able to use his legs, picking up his first rushing touchdown of the season, but for a team with so many playmkaers, the Cowboys have been kept in check in three of their past four games. -- Todd Archer
Next game: at Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Fantasy football takeaway: Much of it came on two big plays, but what great ones they were by Cardinals RB Tyler Allgeier, who delivered a pair of 50-plus-yard gains and scored a career-high 36.1 fantasy points as an injury fill-in for Jeremiyah Love (ankle). Allgeier re-established himself as the better-suited option than Bam Knight as Love's primary backup, and he'd have RB2/flex appeal for any games he's called upon to start. -- Cockcroft
Buffalo 36, Baltimore 10
Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap
Bills
Where has this Bills pass rush been? Over the past month, the Bills have not made much of an impact through their pass rush. Sunday, that flipped. Constant pressure from edge rusher Greg Rousseau & Co. led to multiple turnovers and kept Baltimore off schedule all afternoon. Nine different Bills logged a sack or QB hit, as defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard ratcheted pressure from all three levels. Rousseau, unsurprisingly, was the star with a sack, three QB hits and two pass breakups.
Most surprising performance: The Bills held star Ravens receiver Zay Flowers to zero catches for the first time in his career. Just two games removed from getting gashed by Rams standout Puka Nacua for 17 catches, the Bills responded by neutralizing a Pro Bowler. Before Sunday, Flowers had caught at least five passes in every game he has played this season. -- Nick Suss
Best quote from the locker room: "When you have Josh Allen, you're never going to get what you gameplanned for," said coach Joe Brady on how the team turned things around in the second half. "I've learned that for a lot of years. Can we adjust? We have a saying that right, wrong or indifferent nobody is going to adjust better."
Next game: at Vikings (Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ET)
Ravens
Can the Ravens recover from Lamar Jackson's latest injury? It certainly feels like a season of high expectations unraveled when Jackson left the game after injuring his right thumb on his first snap. Coach Jesse Minter announced after the game that Jackson will require thumb surgery and be placed on injured reserve. To make matters worse, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley also left the game in the second quarter with a right toe injury. The Ravens (4-4), who started the season with the second-best odds to win the Super Bowl, are in last place in the AFC North and could be down to their third quarterback in undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano. On Sunday, the Ravens totaled 68 net passing yards, which were their fewest since 2017. Baltimore has struggled mightily without Jackson this season, scoring six touchdowns in 18 quarters without him. Since 2019, the Ravens are 7-15 (.318) when Jackson wasn't the starting quarterback.
Trend to watch: Tyler Loop hit the left upright on a 34-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter, which means he has already missed as many field goals through eight games (four) as he did all of last season. This was also the shortest field goal missed by a Baltimore kicker in 10 years. With Jake Moody on the practice squad, the Ravens have a decision to make at kicker. -- Jamison Hensley
Next game: vs. Jaguars (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)
Fantasy football takeaway: With Lamar Jackson heading to IR after a thumb injury and Tyler Huntley also exiting the game (toe), there should be real concern for WR Zay Flowers' managers. Flowers didn't record a catch on five targets, and the Ravens are looking at a short week with the Jaguars up next Thursday. If No. 3 QB Joe Fagnano has to make his first pro start, Flowers should be downgraded. -- Bowen
Las Vegas 38, N.Y. Jets 33
Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap
Raiders
Should defensive coordinator Rob Leonard be on the hot seat? Leonard is a first-time DC, so growing pains in a new position is expected. However, the Raiders' defense has been abysmal. Sunday was the fifth straight game that Las Vegas allowed 30-plus points -- tied for the longest streak in franchise history. Similar to previous weeks, the Raiders couldn't stop the run, allowing 166 yards. Meanwhile, QB Geno Smith found open wide receivers for the majority of the afternoon. The Raiders have limitations on defense, such as the interior line and a fairly young secondary. But no adjustments have been made in weeks, which is why Leonard's job should be in question.
Most surprising performance: Running back Ashton Jeanty had only two carries for the entire game. Rookie Mike Washington Jr. was instead the team's featured back. He totaled 25 carries for 83 yards. Washington was used on early-down situations, while Jeanty was limited to third down and passing downs. -- Ryan McFadden
Next game: at 49ers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Jets
Did Aaron Glenn's "superpower" abandon him at the worst possible time? Yes. The Jets wasted their best offensive game in years because the defense allowed 24 points in the second half. It was Glenn who famously declared that defensive playcalling is his "superpower." The Raiders had the Kryptonite, and his name was Brock Bowers (two TDs). This was supposed to be a get-right homestand -- the Jets were favored against the Dolphins and Raiders -- but Glenn fell to rookie coaches who were mired in five- and four-game losing streaks, respectively. He needs a Hail Mary to save his job.
Trend to watch: Braelon Allen rushed for a career-high 147 yards, his third 100-yard game since replacing the injured Breece Hall in Week 4. This, no doubt, will fuel the Hall trade speculation. Hall (quadriceps) could return next week. Barring a remarkable offer, the Jets are expected to keep him. -- Rich Cimini
Next game: at Chiefs (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Fantasy football takeaway: Washington's usage -- both this week and in earlier games -- signals his importance as an insurance policy. He played 63% of the offensive snaps compared to Ashton Jeanty's 37%. The reasons for Jeanty's in-game benching are still unclear. -- Cockcroft
Detroit 19, Minnesota 15
Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap
Lions
Is RB Jahmyr Gibbs on track to win AP Offensive Player of the Year? He should be. Gibbs was already having a sensational season before running 23 times for 153 yards against the Vikings' league-best defense. He's shouldering a significantly bigger load than in his three previous seasons, and he just led the Lions to a win over a previously undefeated division rival. It's worth monitoring his workload, as he's on pace for around 470 touches this season. But Gibbs has been spectacular.
What to make of the QB performance: Jared Goff was blitzed on a career-high 83% of his dropbacks, including a 90% rate in the first half that led to three sacks. However, he limited mistakes against the blitz in the second half, completing 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. -- ESPN staff
Next game: at Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Vikings
Why is Minnesota's passing offense struggling this much? The Vikings tried all afternoon to get their passing game going against a defense that has been vulnerable to it. But quarterback Kyler Murray often struggled to find open receivers, and his second-quarter interception on a pass that fell between receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison exemplified his hesitation. Murray had three decisive connections with tight end T.J. Hockenson, including one for a touchdown, as well as a 51-yard strike to Addison. But ultimately, it was not enough. The Vikings' 15 points are the fewest a team has scored against the Lions this season.
Key stat to know: Jameson Williams' game-winning touchdown reception was the first touchdown the Vikings' defense has given up in the fourth quarter this season. The seven-play, 69-yard drive seemed attributable in part to a defense that was on the field for 30 of the game's first 45 minutes. -- Kevin Seifert
Next game: vs. Bills (Sunday, 0.34375 p.m. ET)
Fantasy football takeaway: Lions WR Jameson Williams has now scored 16 or more fantasy points in four straight games, with at least one touchdown reception in three. With his big-play ability and current run on production, he should be played as a lower-tier WR2 for Week 9. -- Bowen
Pittsburgh 27, Cleveland 6
Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap
Steelers
What is the Steelers' ceiling this season? The Steelers are in first place in the AFC North thanks to a dominant win. With a four-game win streak entering their Week 9 bye, Pittsburgh faces a gauntlet of upcoming games at Cincinnati, versus Denver and at Jacksonville. There's also a pair of matchups with the Ravens on the schedule, but they are dealing with significant injury issues. The Aaron Rodgers-Mike McCarthy pairing, along with Patrick Graham's defensive creativity, has this team humming. Halfway through the regular season, it's fair to wonder whether this is the year the Steelers break a 10-year playoff win drought.
Trend to watch: Despite the Steelers' success in the run game -- including 108 first-half rushing yards -- they're reluctant to run the ball in goal-to-go situations. During their four-game win streak, the offense has been significantly unbalanced: 69% dropbacks and 31% designed runs in goal-to-go situations. The Steelers entered Sunday at 28th in red zone scoring percentage, and they had to settle for a short field goal after reaching the 2-yard line vs. the Browns. -- Brooke Pryor
Next game: at Bengals (Nov. 15, 8:20 p.m. ET)
Browns
Were the Browns exposed by the Steelers? The Browns entered Week 8 atop the AFC North after a string of last-second victories but couldn't overcome another slow start in the franchise's 23rd straight regular-season road loss to the Steelers. Cleveland's run defense, the weak spot of the unit, was gashed for 200 yards. Meanwhile, quarterback Deshaun Watson was sacked a season-high eight times. The Browns surprised many across the league in the first half of the season, but their setback in Pittsburgh was a reminder that they still have a ways to go before joining the AFC's elite.
Trend to watch: After back-to-back games with one reception in Weeks 5 and 6, tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (the Browns' 2025 third-round pick) has recorded 245 combined receiving yards over the past two games, including a career-high 154-yard, 10-catch performance against the Steelers. -- Daniel Oyefusi
Next game: at Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Fantasy football takeaway: Fantasy managers sometimes need to take dart throws at the tight end position, and the Steelers appear to have two potentially interesting ones: Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, who have averaged 10.2 and 9.4 fantasy points the past five weeks. Washington, in fact, has exceeded 12 points in two of his past three games. The Steelers have targeted TEs at the second-highest frequency in the league so far. -- Cockcroft
Jacksonville 42, Indianapolis 7
Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap
Jaguars
Is RB Bhayshul Tuten's breakout a sign that he's ready to carry the ground game? Tuten ran for a career-high 104 yards (his previous high was 74) and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 55 yards and another touchdown. Both of those receptions came on screen passes, which hadn't been working all season. The Jaguars let Travis Etienne Jr. walk in free agency because they believed in Tuten's ability. Coach Liam Coen said in the offseason the Jaguars needed to fix a run game that faltered late last season. Tuten had been building all season to Sunday's performance, rushing for at least 65 yards in five games, and it seems he's ready to be their featured back.
Trend to watch: This may turn out to be a costly victory for the Jaguars. Nose tackle DaVon Hamilton's right knee injury appeared to be the most serious because he was carted off the field, but LG Ezra Cleveland (ankle), S Eric Murray (elbow), and DE Travon Walker (ribs) also left the game and didn't return. Hamilton's injury also might lead to the Jaguars adding defensive tackles at the trade deadline. -- Michael DiRocco
Next game: at Ravens (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)
Colts
Has coach Shane Steichen lost his team? The Colts made Steichen's job infinitely more difficult when the organization traded guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner last week. The moves not only impacted the Colts from a talent perspective, but they also eliminated the Colts' two most veteran leaders who helped hold the locker room together during difficult moments. The Colts played like a team lacking any inspiration Sunday. Fair or not, it's going to reflect poorly on Steichen, who worked tirelessly in the past few days to refocus his team in light of last week's moves and rampant speculation about the future of star running back Jonathan Taylor.
What to make of the QB performance: Daniel Jones had a rough outing, going 19-of-28 for 144 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Steichen hasn't wavered on Jones' status as the starting quarterback, but it's getting more difficult to defend Jones' inconsistent results. So, when Anthony Richardson Sr. entered the game with 11:53 remaining, it opened the door to more conversation about how the Colts move forward. -- Stephen Holder
Next game: vs. Cowboys (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Fantasy football takeaway: Colts RB Jonathan Taylor's fantasy managers are -- and should be -- rooting for a trade ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline, as Indianapolis' weak supporting cast hampered his production significantly Sunday. His 6.7 fantasy points represented his fewest in any of his prior 28 non-Week 18 games. -- Cockcroft
Tampa Bay 16, Atlanta 0
Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap
Buccaneers
Can the Bucs continue to win this way? After 64 passing yards in a win over the Panthers last week, quarterback Baker Mayfield didn't complete a pass Sunday -- making Tampa Bay the first team since 1974 (Bills) to win a game with no completions, per ESPN Research. After Mayfield started 0-for-2 in the first quarter, his only other attempt came in the third quarter. So how did the Bucs win? Defense (four interceptions) and career rushing days from Bucky Irving (170 yards) and Kenny Gainwell (140). Tampa Bay totaled 324 rushing yards and minus-2 passing yards.
Key stat to know: Linebacker Alex Anzalone hadn't had more than one interception in a season coming into Sunday's game, yet he was able to pick off Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. twice in the first quarter. Anzalone now has three on the season. -- ESPN staff
Next game: at Bears (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)
Falcons
Was this just a rainy aberration for the Falcons' offense? Probably? If not, Atlanta is in a lot of trouble because that offensive "performance" was heinous. Coming in, the Falcons had scored the most points per game (31) in the NFL since Penix returned in Week 3. On Sunday, it looked like he could not complete a pass -- to his own teammates, that is. He had no issue finding Buccaneers players, finishing with four interceptions. An ugly anomaly. At least, the Falcons hope it was.
Most surprising performance: Falcons fans better hope that the rain is Penix's kryptonite. With 13:35 left in the game, Penix had only two more completions (six) than interceptions (four). Penix was the first Falcons QB to have at least three interceptions in a first half since 2012, and things did not get markedly better from there. He had never thrown more than two interceptions in a game going back to 2021 when he was at Indiana University. -- Marc Raimondi
Next game: vs. Bengals (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET in Madrid)
Fantasy football takeaway: Game flow and rough weather in Tampa played a role in Buccaneers RB Kenny Gainwell seeing 24 carries in the win over the Falcons. However, he has now posted 14 or more carries in back-to-back games and should be viewed by managers as a priority insurance back behind starter Bucky Irving over the second half of the season. -- Bowen