2026 NFL season, Week 8: What We Learned from Sunday's games

Key Points:

• The Buffalo Bills improved their defense significantly in Week 8 by blitzing on 64.5% of defensive snaps, pressuring Ravens quarterbacks heavily and limiting Baltimore to just 144 net yards, contributing to a dominant win despite Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley both exiting with injuries.
• Joe Burrow led the Cincinnati Bengals to a 43-36 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans, throwing for 426 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions; however, the Bengals showed some defensive vulnerabilities and slow starts in recent games.
• The Arizona Cardinals staged a comeback against the Dallas Cowboys after a mid-game quarterback change to Gardner Minshew and an impressive rushing performance by Tyler Allgeier, who rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown, helping the Cardinals secure a surprising overtime victory.
• The Detroit Lions defeated the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings by leaning heavily on their rushing attack, with Jahmyr Gibbs rushing for 153 yards and a touchdown, while the Vikings' offense struggled with inefficiency and missed opportunities despite strong defensive efforts.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars dominated the Colts with a balanced attack, including Trevor Lawrence's efficient passing and Bhayshul Tuten's breakout rushing and receiving performance, while the Colts displayed poor tackling, penalties, and offensive struggles amid a challenging season.
• The Las Vegas Raiders snapped a four-game losing streak behind Kirk Cousins' efficient passing and a strong offensive performance, while the New York Jets failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities and suffered a late-game collapse, extending their losing streak.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers cruised to a lopsided win over the Cleveland Browns with a dominant rushing attack and a stifling defense that recorded a season-high eight sacks, while the Browns continued to struggle offensively, especially in the first quarter.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won a rain-soaked game against the Atlanta Falcons without completing a single pass, relying on a powerful rushing attack led by Bucky Irving's 170 yards and a defense that forced multiple turnovers in difficult weather conditions.