NFL Week 8 Roundup

Welcome back to the Weekly Roundup. As always, we will be highlighting this past week’s injury report, top performers, underperformers, and surprise producers. There was no shortage of stunning storylines during Week 8 of the 2023 NFL Season, so let’s recap the action.

INJURY ROUNDUP

Justin Fields (CHI) - Hand/Thumb

• Justin Fields remains sidelined with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. Tyson Bagent received the start in Week 7 and Week 8 and is expected to be the continued starter if Fields is unable to go.

Matthew Stafford (LAR) - Hand/Thumb

• Matthew Stafford appeared to injure his throwing hand after incidental contact on one of his pass attempts but entered back into the game shortly thereafter. Stafford then re-injured said hand on a trick play that saw the quarterback make an impressive diving reception into the endzone on a two-point conversion. Brett Rypien will serve as the team’s backup if Stafford misses more time.

Kirk Cousins (MIN) - Achilles

• Kirk Cousins' season is over after the veteran signal-caller suffered a torn Achilles in the Vikings Week 8 matchup against the Packers. Jaren Hall will get the start for Week 9 with Nick Mullens set to come off injured reserve (barring setbacks) in Week 10. The entire Vikings offense needs to be downgraded for the remainder of the 2023 season.

Daniel Jones (NYG) - Neck

• The expectations are for Daniel Jones to return in Week 9 after the Giants quarterback has missed the last two contests. Tyrod Taylor was taken to the hospital with a mid-section injury in their last outing, leaving Tommy DeVito as nothing more than a glorified hand-off machine.

Kendrick Bourne (NE) - Knee

• Kendrick Bourne will miss the remainder of the 2023 season as he rehabs from an ACL tear suffered in Week 8. Bourne was enjoying a career-best year before his unfortunate injury. The Patriots' lack of depth at the wide receiver position has been vastly apparent all year. The loss of Bourne thins out an already weak roster.

Ryan Tannehill (TEN) - Ankle

• Ryan Tannehill was sidelined in Week 8 with a high ankle sprain and has already been ruled out for the Titans Week 9 contest. Will Levis will continue to act as the starter in Tannehill’s stead and may have already won himself the starting role upon the veteran’s return.

Kenny Pickett (PIT) - Ribs

• Kenny Pickett was forced to exit the Steelers Week 8 contest early after a forceful hit set him to the blue medical tent. Mitch Trubisky took the helm for the remainder of the game but the team remained optimistic toward Pickett’s start in Week 9.

Josh Palmer (LAC) - Knee

• Josh Palmer was listed as questionable throughout the week leading up to the Chargers Week 8 game against the Bears. Palmer was able to suit up but reaggravated said injury early in the first quarter. 

Kyler Murray (ARI) - Knee

• Kyler Murray has officially been removed from the injured reserve list, opening his 21-day practice window for the Cardinals. Joshua Dobbs is guaranteed at least one more start in Week 9, according to the coaching staff but Murray is expected to make a return at some point this season. 

Zach Ertz (ARI) - Quad

• The Cardinals placed Zach Ertz on injured reserve in Week 8, leaving the veteran unavailable until Week 12 at the earliest. Trey McBride should continue to feast as the team’s top weapon at the position. 

Curtis Samuel (WAS) - Toe

• Curtis Samuel finds himself on the injury report with a toe injury following the Commanders' loss to the Eagles in Week 8. Samuel should be considered questionable for Week 9.

Brock Purdy (SF) - Head/Concussion

• Brock Purdy was able to clear concussion protocol after a late designation in Week 7. Purdy ultimately helmed the 49ers offense for the entire game in Week 8 but appeared worse for ware doing so. There is a high likelihood that Purdy will be reinserted into the league’s concussion protocol after video of a forceful hit surfaced on Monday.

Dawson Knox (BUF) - Wrist

• The Bills tight end was placed on injured reserve following further evaluations of a wrist injury suffered in Week 7. Knox’s absence opened up the path for a huge game from rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid – a trend that should continue in the coming weeks.

WEEKLY WEIGH-IN

Arizona Cardinals: Blushing McBride To Be

• Second-year tight end Trey McBride enjoyed a phenomenal breakout performance in Week 8, hauling in 10 of his team-high 14 targets for 95 yards and one touchdown, finishing as the TE1 overall with 25.5 PPR Points.

• For better, or for worse, the team seems intent on rushing Kyler Murray back to the field, lifting his injured reserve designation with the hope of the quarterback starting at some point in the next three games.

Atlanta Falcons: Switching Signal-Callers

• Desmond Ridder was benched in the second half of the Falcons' loss to the Titans, completing eight of 12 pass attempts for 71 yards with five sacks and one lost fumble.

• Taylor Heinecke helmed the offense for the remainder of the game. The veteran journeyman completed 12/21 pass attempts for 175 yards with one touchdown, causing zero turnovers.

• Bijan Robinson appeared in full health, unlike last week, carrying the ball 11 times for 62 yards and one touchdown but failed to catch any of his five targets.

• Arthur Smith is so hilariously dysfunctional in his incompetence as a head coach that he called a fake jet-sweep pass attempt from Jonnu Smith, targeting third-string tight end Mycole Pruitt while Kyle Pitts blocked as a fullback. Fantasy biases aside, this level of extreme idiocracy is an all-time low for the Falcons.

Baltimore Ravens: All Gas Gus Bus

• Gus “the Bus” Edwards was all gas and no brakes in Week 8 as the Ravens narrowly edged the Cardinals.

• Edwards handled 19 rush attempts for 80 yards with three rushing touchdowns, adding two receptions for 14 yards through the air.

• Mark Andrews was the recipient of Lamar Jackson’s only passing touchdown as the team struggled to find success moving the ball downfield.

• Jackson completed 18/27 attempts for 157 yards with one touchdown. Andrews led the team with four receptions for 40 yards on five targets.

Buffalo Bills: Shakir Shakes It Up

• Khalil Shakir came flying off the top rope out of nowhere to lead the Bills offense with 92 receiving yards, catching all six of his targets.

• Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis recorded 12 targets each but the latter was more productive as the Buccaneers' defense honed in on limiting Diggs' production.

• Davis caught nine balls for 87 yards while Diggs hauled in nine for 70.

• Dalton Kincaid broke out as the team’s top pass-catcher in Week 7, hauling in all eight of his targets for 75 yards.

• Kincaid kept his mini hot streak rolling through Week 8, catching five of seven targets for 65 yards and one touchdown.

Carolina Panthers: A Young Man’s Game

• Bryce Young’s outing against C.J. Stroud marked the fifth time in NFL history that the first-overall pick and the second-overall pick of their respective draft classes played against each other in the regular season.

• Young mounted just one touchdown drive against the Texans, completing 22/31 attempts for 235 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers. The first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft now has his first win as a pro quarterback.

• Chuba Hubbard saw an increased run as the leading back despite the return of Miles Sanders.

• Sanders saw just two carries, conceding rushing work to Hubbard (15 Carries), Youn (4 Carries), and most concerningly, Raheem Blackshear (3 Carries).

• Sanders did not receive a single target.

• Adam Thielen is a league-winning asset who continues to produce well above his expected range of outcomes. The veteran wideout has not shown his age at all this season, earning at least eight targets with seven receptions in six consecutive contests.

Chicago Bears: Barren Bears

• Justin Fields was forced to miss the Bears Week 7 and Week 8 games with an injury to his throwing hand, leaving the team with no contingency other than undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent to helm the offense.

• Bagent and the Bears offense were completely snuffed out by the Chargers with the only notable performance coming from Cole Kmet who caught 10 of his team-high 10 targets for 79 yards.

• Every other member of the Bears offense was a major disappointment this week.

Cincinnati Bengals: Back In The Chase

• The Bengals are back in the chase for an AFC North title after starting their season with a 1-3 record.

• Burrow and the boys have now lifted their record to 4-3 after a resounding win over the sputtering 49ers.

• Ja’Marr Chase stole the show as the top wideout, collecting 10 of 12 targets for 100 yards and one touchdown. The star wideout has 31 receptions, four touchdowns, and 372 yards in his last three games.

Cleveland Browns: Faceless Franchise

• Deshaun Watson remains sidelined with a shoulder injury despite being medically cleared to play by the coaching staff on several occasions.

• The relationship between the Browns and their 250-million dollar man appears fractured beyond repair, unlike his supposedly injured shoulder.

• P.J. Walker got the start once again but ford two costly interceptions, ultimately costing the Browns a close game against the Seahawks.

• Amari Cooper remains the only high-upside asset on the offense although David Njoku (4 Receptions/8 Targets/77 Yards/1 Touchdown) is quickly making his presence felt.

• Jerome Ford suited up despite an ankle injury designation. Ford's injury led to reduced production and usage as Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong manned the majority of backfield touches.

• Elijah Moore appears droppable in most formats at this juncture of the 2023 season.

Dallas Cowboys: Prescott Looks Polished, Defense Dominates

• The Cowboys dominated from the opening whistle to the final horn, scoring at every facet while playing their best brand of football to date this season.

• Dak Prescott was nearly perfect, save for his one interception, completing 25/31 pass attempts for 304 yards with four touchdowns.

• CeeDee Lamb had a career outing, catching a personal best 12 receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns on 14 targets.

• The Cowboys' defense accounted for eight points on their own as the team forced a pick-six followed by a safety on consecutive drives.

• DaRon Bland has yet to allow a single touchdown as the closest coverage man this season. Bland has three defensive touchdowns yet has allowed none.

Denver Broncos: Mile High Underdogs Surmount Odds

• The Broncos offense appears wholly incapable of maintaining any semblance of consistent production. I say that even after a positive performance as their uncharacteristic win over the Chiefs in Week 8 shocked every viewer.

• The Broncos defense held Patrick Mahomes to just 241 yards, forcing two interceptions and three sacks with no touchdowns. 

Detroit Lions: *Updated Following Monday Night Football*

Green Bay Packers: Love Is Blind

• After starting the season playing mistake-free football, Jordan Love has become a laughing stock of inefficiency and careless quarterbacking.

• The Packers signal-caller has thrown eight interceptions in his last five outings after making it through his first three games with zero turnovers.

• Love has completed just 135 of his 234 pass attempts (57.7%) with eight interceptions to only 11 touchdowns, averaging a measly 213.1 yards per game and a Quarterback Rating of 78.2.

• Love also led the team in rushing in Week 8, carrying the ball four times for 34 yards as the entire offense failed to gain momentum against a beatable Vikings defense.

• Back-to-back outings of mediocrity against two bottom-tier defenses (Broncos, Vikings) should have managers panicking on the Packers offense with Love under center.

Houston Texans: Rookie Regression

• C.J. Stroud may be in line for some rookie regression as the Texans' franchise quarterback struggled to find his rhythm post-bye against a beatable Panthers defense.

• Stroud managed just 140 passing yards – the lowest total of his NFL career to date while he watched his friend and fellow first-round draft mate Bryce Young relish in the rewards of victory.

Indianapolis Colts: Downs Rises, Colts Fall Short

• Gardner Minshew got his fourth start of the season for the injured Anthony Richardson, losing a narrow contest to the Saints in a rare inter-conference matchup.

• Minshew tossed for 213 yards, completing 23.41 attempts with two touchdowns and one very costly interception.

• Jonathan Taylor continues to share work with Zack Moss as the Colts appear content to operate in a committee as to keep their franchise running back healthy for the next season. 

• Taylor was once again the more productive back, gaining 95 yards on 12 carries.

• Moss had the benefit of finding paydirt, collecting 11 carries for 66 yards with one touchdown.

• In Week 7, Josh Downs had a sensational breakout performance, leading the Colts with six targets while catching five for 125 yards and one touchdown.

• Downs kept that momentum rolling through Week 8, recording a team-high seven receptions and 72 yards on nine targets.

• Michael Pittman was on the receiving end of Minshew’s second touchdown, collecting eight receptions on a team-high 14 targets for 40 yards and a score.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Etienne Stays Eating: Octopus on the Menu

• The Jaguars have now won five straight games after starting the season 1-2.

• The defense easily dispatched a clunky Steelers offense that failed to find the endzone until the last minute of the 3rd quarter.

• Travis Etienne is on an unstoppable tear of week-winning production as the Jaguars star running back has scored seven times in his last four games.

• Etienne recorded an all-elusive “Octopus” scoring six points on a 56-yard reception followed by a successful two-point conversion.

Kansas City Chiefs: Divisional Disaster

• Travis Kelce has been virtually unguardable all season, continuing his league-wide destruction of opposing secondaries in Week 8. 

• Unfortunately, that is where the positive production on the Chiefs roster ends for Week 8.

• Patrick Mahomes was reportedly dealing with an illness leading up to the game and the star quarterback certainly looked worse for wear in this outing.

• Mahomes failed to lead a single touchdown drive, throwing two interceptions against a bottom-feeding Broncos defense.

• Kelce once again led the team in receiving production and usage (6 Receptions/9 Targets/58 Yards).

• Rashee Rice is hot on his tails, however, as the rookie continues to linearly increase his usage and scoring output weekly.

Las Vegas Raiders:*Updated Following Monday Night Football*

Los Angeles Chargers: Herbert Hucks Three Touchdowns, Chargers Best Bears

• The Chargers took command early, scoring 24 points in the first half against a Tyson Bagent-led Bears team.

• Justin Herbert found his rhythm in the win column, throwing for 298 yards and three touchdowns on 31/40 attempts.

• Austin Ekeler made his return to the lineup in Week 7, leaving managers sorely disappointed with his lack of receiving production alongside Josh Kelley’s blowup performance.

• Week 8 wrote a different narrative as Ekeler caught seven of eight targets for a team-high 94 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Los Angeles Rams: Rams Get Routed, Kupp Records New Low

• The Rams were dominated at every facet, on every down, in every position against an overpowered Cowboys team in Week 8.

• Cooper Kupp recorded just four catches for 21 yards despite seeing 10 targets. Kupp has now posted below 30 receiving yards in back-to-back outings for the Rams, marking the first time in the star wideout career he has fallen below 50 yards on two consecutive occasions.

• Matthew Stafford injured his throwing hand and then re-aggravated said injury on the same drive. Brett Rypien stepped in to finish the game but had less success than Stafford did against the Cowboys' ferocious defensive front.

• Stafford’s 30th career pick-six is the second most all-time by an NFL quarterback, trailing only Brett Favre (32) for the embarrassing record.

• Royce Freeman and Darrell Henderson appeared to be locked in a timeshare until Kyren Williams returns from injury. Henderson is a clear favorite in terms of total opportunities but Freeman is making his presence felt on short-yardage and goalline situations.

Miami Dolphins: No Speed Limit

• I’ve said it for weeks but it bears repeating – The Dolphins offense is, without hyperbole, the fastest offense ever assembled in NFL history. 

• Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle ran free against a historically well-prepared Patriots defense with both wideouts putting up top-12 performances.

• Waddle broke a mini streak of menial production with seven receptions on 12 targets for a team-high 121 receiving yards and one touchdown.

• Hill continues pacing towards the single-season receiving yards record, catching eight of 13 targets for 112 yards and one touchdown. Hill is averaging 126.8 Yards Per Game with 1014 receiving yards through eight starts.

• Hill is the first player in NFL History during the Super Bowl Era to record more than 1,000 receiving yards in the team’s first eight games of the season. Only three other players in the history of organized professional football have ever surpassed that mark (Charlie Hennigan in 1961, Elroy Hirsch in 1951, and Don Hutson in 1942).

• Jalen Ramsey made his presence felt in his first game back, allowing zero catches on three targets with one interception.

Minnesota Vikings: A Ship Without Their Captain

• Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles in the Vikings win over the Packers in Week 8, effectively ending the veteran’s 2023 season while putting the remainder of his career in question as well.

• Before exiting, Cousins completed 23/31 attempts for 274 yards and two touchdowns.

• Jordan Addison (7 Receptions/8 Targets/82 Yards/1 Touchdown) and T.J. Hockenson (6 Receptions/10 Targets/88 Yards/1 Touchdown) were the recipients of Cousins two touchdowns.

• K.J. Osborn led the team in receptions (8), receiving yards (99), and targets (10).

• It took eight weeks but Cam Akers accounted for the Vikings' first rushing touchdown of the 2023 season.

New England Patriots: Drowned by Dolphins

• The Patriots' offense managed just 218 total yards (141 Passing/77 Rushing) against the Dolphins defense in Week 8.

• Kendrick Bourne opened up hot with three receptions for 36 yards and one touchdown before leaving the game with a knee injury. Bourne reportedly tore his ACL and will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2023 season.

• Bourne’s 36 receiving yards topped all members of the Patriots offense.

• Demario Douglas led the team in targets sans Bourne, catching five of his team-high seven targets for a measly 25 yards.

New Orleans Saints: King of the Hill

• Taysom Hill led the Saints with 63 rushing yards on nine attempts, scoring two touchdowns while completing one of two passes for 44 yards. Hill also hauled in his only target of 14 yards and the Saints do-it-all gadget man cooked up a career-best performance against the Colts.

• Rashid Shaheed saw three targets, putting up a Randy Moss-esque outing with three receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown.

• Alvin Kamara has been red-hot since returning from suspension. Week 8 added another positive performance to his season-long resume. Kamara took 17 carries for 59 yards with one touchdown, adding four receptions on five targets for 51 yards and another score.

• Chris Olave continues to struggle as Derek Carr builds rapport with the other members of the Saints offense.

• Olave saw nine targets but managed just 46 yards on five receptions.

New York Giants: Net Negatives

• The Giants offense lost Darren Waller and starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor in the opening frames, leaving the team bereft of an aerial attack with Tommy DeVito under center.

• The Giants gained a net negative of (-)9 passing yards.

• The Giants failed to convert a third and three with 24 seconds left, allowing the Jets to force overtime which they lost.

• Saquon Barkley was the only positive in an otherwise dark day for Giants fans as the star running back tallied 128 yards on 36 attempts.

New York Jets: New Jersey’s Finest

• The battle of East Rutherford, New Jersey culminated in a wild finish that saw Zach Wilson complete two deep passes forcing the Jets into overtime against the Giants where they capped the game off with a field goal.

• Garrett Wilson cracked the 100-yard mark for the first time this season, catching seven targets for 100 yards even.

• Breece Hall is a walking house call that can drop a trip to the paydirt on any defense at a moment’s notice. Hall saw nine targets, catching six for 76 yards but struggled as a rusher, handling 12 carries for a measly 17 yards.

Philadelphia Eagles: A.J. Brown Makes History, Eagles Soar Past Division Rivals

• A.J. Brown has recorded six consecutive games with 125 receiving yards or more, the longest streak of such performances in the history of the NFL.

• Brown surpassed Lions legend and Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson who had previously held the record.

• Four of Brown’s five touchdown passes this season have come against the Commanders.

• DeVonta Smith broke his cold streak in Week 8 by catching seven of seven targets for 99 yards and one touchdown.

• Jalen Hurts had one of the better pure-passing performances of his young career, completing 29/38 attempts for 319 yards and four touchdowns.

• Future Hall of Famer Julio Jones found the endzone for the first time in an Eagles Jersey.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Pickett Starts, Trubisky Closes, Steelers Offense Stonewalled

• The Steelers offense has been a laughing stock for much of the 2023 season, succumbing to horrendously incompetent play-calling from offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

• In Week 8, those laughs turned into worry as an already sinking offense lost their starting quarterback. Kenny Pickett was forced to exit after a brutal (but clean) hit and should be considered questionable for Week 9 as the Steelers have a short turnaround for Thursday Night Football against the Titans.

• Mitch Trubisky stepped in to complete 15/27 passes for 138 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

• The Steelers backfield is hilariously inept at running the football as Jalyen Warren and Najee Harris combined for 32 rushing yards on 12 touches.

• Diontae Johnson is rapidly reprising his role as the Steelers top wideout ahead of George Pickens.

• Johnson played limited snaps in his first game back (Week 7) but made a monstrous leap in production and usage in Week 8. Johnson caught eight of a team-high 14 targets for 85 yards, leading the Steelers wideouts in all categories.

• Pickens, on the other hand, saw five targets, catching one for 22 yards and a touchdown.

San Francisco 49ers: Losing Ways

• Christian McCaffrey extended his record-breaking streak of consecutive games with a touchdown to 17 in Week 8. 

• McCaffrey broke Emmett Smith’s Super Bowl-era record of 15 games in Week 7, tying Hall of Famer Lenny Moore’s all-time record of 17 in Week 8.

• McCaffrey is one game shy from having the 50-year-old record all to himself.

• After winning his first 15 consecutive regular season games, Brock Purdy and the 49ers have now lost three straight despite being favored in all three matchups.

• Purdy appears to be dealing with lingering concussion issues as his impeccable timing has dissipated into a slew of poor decisions and turnover-worthy throws.

Seattle Seahawks: Rookie Receivers on the Rise

• The Seahawks' duo of rising rookie receivers have now scored two touchdowns apiece in the last two games.

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba found the endzone for a game-sealing touchdown after breaking loose in the red zone while Jake Bobo added his third touchdown of the season (and second in as many games) via an end-around sweep inside the five-yard line.

• D.J. Metcal returned from his one-game absence, catching five of his team-high 14 targets for 67 yards.

• Tyler Lockett led the Seahawks in receptions (8), and receiving yards (81) while hauling in his third touchdown of the 2023 season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Blundering Buccaneers

• The Buccaneers have now lost three consecutive games and are 1-4 over their last five contests.

• Rachaad White finally flashed his league-winning upside as a pass-catcher, catching seven of seven targets for 70 yards, leading the Buccaneers in all receiving categories.

• White continues to be lackluster as a rusher, however, touting nine carries for 39 yards in the Buccaneers' loss to the Bills in Week 8.

Tennessee Titans: Mayonnaise Man Makes Debut, Sauces Falcons Secondary

• Will Levis made his debut as the Titans starter, throwing for 238 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions on 19/29 pass attempts.

• Levis is just the third quarterback in NFL history to begin their career with four touchdown passes, joining Marcus Mariota (2015) and Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton (1961) as the only players to accomplish the lofty feat.

• The entire Titans offense had just three total passing touchdowns (Tannehill: 2/Henry: 1) before Week 8.

• Three of Levis' four passing touchdowns came from a distance of 30 yards or more, marking the most deep ball touchdown passes by any quarterback in NFL History in their first start.

• Levis became the fourth quarterback in Hopkins' career to connect with the wideout on their first career touchdown pass (Case Keenum, Deshaun Watson, Tom Savage).

• Hopkins has now recorded 100-yard games with 14 different starting quarterbacks throughout his career, the most of any receiver in NFL history. 

Washington Commanders: Howell Hammers in Four Scores, Commanders Fall Short

• Sam Howell has been a surprisingly competent fantasy quarterback this season, representing a near opposite reflection of his team’s successes. 

• Howell completed 39/52 pass attempts for 397 yards and four touchdowns, throwing for one sack and one interception.

• Howell is the most sacked quarterback of the 2023 season.

• Jahan Dotson exploded in Week 8, much to the demise of several managers who had already given up on his early-season expositions of poor production. Dotson caught eight of his ten targets for 108 yards, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards.

• Jameson Crowder showed up out of nowhere with an insane highlight grab for six points. Crowder stuck around catching seven of seven targets for 95 yards.

• Terry McLaurin was third in the pecking order despite leading the team in total targets. McLaurin hauled in five of 12 for 62 yards and one touchdown.

• Curtis Samuel was forced to leave the game early with a toe injury. His absence could open up more routes for Dotson and Crowder in three-wide sets.

Much respect, thank you for reading. If you have any continued thoughts and would like to share, I am always available for an open conversation on Twitter: @PsychWardFF or Instagram: @psychwardff.

You can find my other works as the Lead Writer and DOC at Broto Fantasy Football.

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By Matt Ward