Best, Worst, and Dumbest moments from NFL Week 8: Ravens' lost season, Doink City and trash talk
Relive the best, worst, and dumbest moments from NFL Week 8, including Baker Mayfield's revenge, doink city, fake stats, and Brittany Mahomes.
Latest news and updates about the Ravens
Relive the best, worst, and dumbest moments from NFL Week 8, including Baker Mayfield's revenge, doink city, fake stats, and Brittany Mahomes.
Week 8 may have brought a little clarity to the NFL landscape, but it didn't do much to settle things in the fantasy football world. Unfortunately, it also brought more injury news, as Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson is set to miss an extended period with a thumb injury.
Week 8’s injury roundup hits hard across the NFL. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, out after a hand injury, is placed on IR and likely needs surgery, while backup Tyler Huntley also departs with a toe injury. Detroit’s All‑Pro linebacker Jack Campbell suffers a neck injury and is taken to the hospital after a tackle on Minnesota. Arizona rookie running back Jeremiyah Love endures a second ankle injury after a high‑ankle sprain limited him to nine carries in a 33‑30 win over Dallas. The Rams lose cornerbacks Trent McDuffie (back) and Jaylen Watson (shoulder) early in a 24‑9 victory. Seattle’s Leonard Williams and Chicago’s Grady Jarrett also exit with injuries, casting doubt on their teams’ upcoming games.
Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher 2025 first‑round pick Shemar Stewart finally gets his chance to justify the No. 17 overall selection. Despite boasting No. 1‑pick size and speed, Stewart logged only 4.5 college sacks and just two sacks in 12 NFL games, even being a healthy scratch in Week 7. Injuries to fellow edge rusher Cashius Howell (wrist) and Cedric Johnson (ankle) open up snaps, and Stewart could fill the void against the Ravens and beyond. The article examines whether his rare physical traits can translate into the sack production the Bengals need.
On Sunday the AFC North saw drama and shifting fortunes. The Cincinnati Bengals escaped a 43-36 overtime thriller against the Tennessee Titans, powered by Joe Burrow’s five TD passes (including a nine‑yard scramble) but haunted by three interceptions and a defense that again surrendered 36 points. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers surged to a 27-6 win over the Cleveland Browns, clinching sole first place in the division thanks to 160 rushing yards, eight sacks and a dominant secondary; T.J. Watt added two sacks and Patrick Queen recorded 10 tackles. In Buffalo, the Bills crushed the Baltimore Ravens 36-10 as Lamar Jackson left with a thumb injury, forcing the Ravens to rely on third‑string QB Joe Fagnano. The results leave the Bengals fighting for playoff positioning, the Steelers atop the North, and the Ravens slipping to 4‑4.
The Ravens may put second‑year kicker Tyler Loop on injured reserve before Thursday’s game against Jacksonville, coach Jesse Minter said his groin issue has worsened. Loop, a 2025 sixth‑round pick, has missed two of his last three kicks, including a 34‑yard miss versus the Bills and a crucial 49‑yard miss in a 13‑10 loss to the Browns. Practice‑squad veteran Jake Moody, re‑signed two weeks ago, will take over kicking duties and could earn the job for the rest of the season. If Loop lands on IR, he won’t return until after the Week 13 bye.
Head coach Zac Taylor backs Ja’Marr Chase’s fiery sideline outburst, stressing that his competitiveness fuels the Bengals’ push to overcome recent slow starts. After trailing 13-0 against the Ravens, Chase’s halftime speech sparked a 35‑13 comeback win, and his visible anger this week underscores lingering frustration. Taylor highlights the team’s resilience, pointing to Joe Burrow’s confidence‑boosting overtime win over the Titans. Meanwhile, the Bengals adjust their Madrid travel schedule for the upcoming Falcons game and unveil a new uniform combo for Week 9. The article also notes NFL-wide updates, including Jack Campbell’s injury and trade‑deadline chatter.
Lamar Jackson exits Sunday’s game with a mangled thumb, sparking talk that his Ravens tenure could be ending despite a 2027 contract. The quarterback skipped a long‑term extension in the offseason, and his injury‑prone past adds fuel to the speculation about his future with Baltimore.
Sharp Football Analysis rolls out its free Week 7 NFL matchups tool, ranking every offense and defense across five categories—overall, passing, rushing, pressure and explosives. The interactive table shows each team’s rank (1‑32) and the "edge" indicating where a unit holds a clear advantage. Highlights include the 49ers’ top‑ranked offense facing a 9th‑ranked Falcons defense (big offense edge), the Patriots’ offense (rank 9) versus the Bears’ defense (rank 18) with a modest offense edge, and the Ravens‑Bengals clash where the Ravens’ #7 offense meets the Bengals’ #8 defense (big offense edge). Users can tap any row for deeper trend lines, making it easy to spot mismatches and predict outcomes for the October 22‑25 slate.
The fantasy football rest-of-season rankings reflect recent performances and changing player outlooks across the NFL. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase returns to the top 10, while Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving moves into the top 15. A potentially season-ending injury to Lamar Jackson also affects the rankings of Baltimore Ravens offensive players.
Colts running back Seth McGowan should be added in light of a possible Jonathan Taylor trade, while Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is losing value without Lamar Jackson.
The 49ers focus shifts to the Raiders as the team navigates roster moves and player updates. Defensive end DeForest Buckner celebrates a bittersweet return to San Francisco, while the franchise adds WR KhaDarel Hodge to the practice squad after his brief 2026 stint. Rookie DE Zhaun Stribling is spotted walking in the locker room, signaling progress in his leg recovery. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, now represented by Drew Rosenhaus, remains on the reserve/did‑not‑report list. Meanwhile, QB‑hungry clubs, notably the Ravens, weigh trade options like Will Mac Jones, Tyson Bagent, and Jacoby Brissett as the 49ers gear up for the next clash.
The New York Giants may shift their trade focus from Jonathan Taylor to veteran Derrick Henry as Baltimore’s quarterback injuries threaten the Ravens’ season. Mike Florio suggests the Giants could pursue Henry before the Nov. 10 deadline, noting his 130 career TDs, 632 yards (4.0 avg) on 158 carries this year, and eight touchdowns so far. A trade would likely cost the Ravens one or two draft picks, and a reunion with former coach John Harbaugh adds intrigue to the speculation.
The Ravens add quarterback Austin Reed to their practice squad on Nov. 3, 2026, bolstering depth after starter Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley go down with injuries. Reed, who spent training camp with Baltimore and worked with offensive coordinator Declan Doyle in Chicago, appeared in all three preseason games, completing 6 of 12 passes for 59 yards, a TD and an interception, plus a rushing TD. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, slated to start Week 9, now has a familiar backup as the team waits on Huntley's turf‑toe recovery and evaluates further QB options.
The Ravens' quarterback crisis deepens as starter Lamar Jackson is out for the season and backup Tyler Huntley suffers a toe injury. Emergency QB Joe Fagnano, who played in the 36-10 loss to the Bills, is nursing an ankle but coach Jesse Minter says he “has a chance” to start Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Baltimore also added practice‑squad QB Austin Reed after placing Jackson and Skylar Thompson on IR. Sitting 4-4 and last in the AFC North, the Ravens hope Fagnano can keep them afloat ahead of crucial games with the Steelers, Browns and Bengals.
The Baltimore Ravens place kicker Tyler Loop on injured reserve ahead of Thursday Night Football against the Jacksonville Jaguars, promoting former Michigan star Jake Moody to the kicking duties. Loop’s injury remains undisclosed, while Moody, who went 10-for-11 on field goals (including a 56‑yard make) and extra points with the Washington Commanders in 2025‑26, is expected to boost the special teams unit. The move comes as the Ravens sit 4‑4, grapple with Lamar Jackson’s uncertain future, and face quarterback struggles after Tyler Huntley’s issues and a poor performance from Joe Fagnano in the Buffalo loss.
Baltimore doesn't have a lot of time to find a replacement that will keep their season afloat.
Te’Cory Couch emerged as the surprise star in Buffalo’s Week 8 win over Baltimore, turning a practice‑squad promotion into a veteran‑like performance. The 27‑year‑old nickel corner excelled in zone and man coverage, consistently communicating and staying disciplined on key plays— from a textbook pass‑off on a Rashod Bateman motion to a crucial screen‑stop on Justice Hill and a red‑zone tackle on Mark Andrews. His steady play helped the Bills’ secondary finally click, contributing to the 24‑17 victory on November 2, 2026.
ClutchPoints warns that chasing big deadline deals could backfire for NFL teams in 2026. It highlights five hazardous trades, such as the Giants taking Colts RB Jonathan Taylor—risking valuable 2027 draft capital for a 28‑year‑old with a declining workload—while the Raiders’ Maxx Crosby would cost the Cowboys too many first‑round picks without guaranteeing defensive stability. Similar missteps are flagged for the Jets, Ravens, and a proposed Jaguars‑Chiefs swap of WR Brian Thomas Jr. The column argues that no single trade can rescue a faltering Super Bowl bid and urges teams to prioritize long‑term assets over flashy acquisitions.
The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a painful 33-30 fourth‑quarter collapse to the Denver Broncos in Week 8, dropping to 5‑2 and losing ground in the AFC West. The article compares this loss to the Dallas Cowboys’ own 33‑30 overtime defeat after blowing a 24‑10 lead against the Arizona Cardinals, which kept Dallas at 4‑4. A SB Nation poll even ranks the Cowboys’ collapse as the only more “crushing” loss of the weekend, while the Ravens endured a blowout by Buffalo and quarterback Lamar Jackson’s likely season‑ending injury. Readers are invited to weigh in on whether the Chiefs’ loss was the week’s most devastating.
ESPN crowns rookie guard Olaivavega Ioane as the Baltimore Ravens' top offseason acquisition. Selected 14th overall in the 2026 draft to bolster right guard, Ioane stepped in at center after three starters hit IR, starting three games and delivering high‑level play that steadied the offense. Coach Jesse Minter lauds his unprecedented versatility for a rookie, noting his impact on both pass protection and the running game. The rising star now faces a knee injury sustained against Cincinnati, leaving his availability in question as the Ravens rely on his interior‑line flexibility. The article details his rapid rise, ESPN analysis, and the stakes of his health for Baltimore's season.
The AFC roundup highlights three storylines: The Bills credit a post‑bye defensive boost under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, with LB Terrel Bernard saying the team is finally syncing on scheme and communication. Dolphins QB Malik Willis defends his candid rebuke of RB Ollie Gordon’s taunting penalty, earning praise from head coach Jeff Hafley for his honesty and leadership. Meanwhile, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn rebuffs trade gossip about RB Breece Hall, insisting he’s staying, while insider Connor Hughes claims tension between WR Garrett Wilson and former QB Aaron Rodgers could spark a trade request if Rodgers returns for a third season.
The Green Bay Packers held a workout on Monday featuring five edge rushers and one linebacker as they look to fill two open practice‑squad spots. The group includes DE prospects Vincent Anthony (2026 draft, 7.28 RAS, former Chiefs and 49ers practice‑squad player) and Seth Coleman (2025 draft, 7.14 RAS, brief stints with Seahawks, Colts and Dolphins). LB prospects D.J. Johnson (2023 third‑round pick, 8.32 RAS, ex‑Panthers and Commanders), Dasan McCullough (2026 undrafted LB, 9.45 RAS, former Broncos contract) and Reid Williford (2026 LB, 9.46 RAS, recently cleared from an injury settlement with the Ravens) also participated. The Packers have evaluated 43 players since the cut‑down deadline, with only one prior edge rusher, Australian Cruz Smith, having been tried.
The Arizona Cardinals drop Jacoby Brissett to third‑string QB after a win over Dallas, promoting Gardner Minshew to starter and rookie Carson Beck to backup. Insider Ari Meirov says Brissett could be traded, with the Baltimore Ravens emerging as a prime target amid Lamar Jackson’s injury woes and a thin quarterback room. A familiar connection—Ravens quarterback coach Israel Woolfork previously coached Brissett in Arizona—could ease a move, while Chicago Bears’ Tyson Bagent also surfaces as a possible Ravens option. With the trade deadline looming, Brissett’s future in Arizona hangs in the balance.
The Baltimore Ravens are desperate for help in their quarterback room, and their solution could be the Arizona Cardinals' new emergency third-string quarterback.