Lamar Jackson requires surgery after injuring his thumb, leaving the Ravens' season uncertain.
Detroit upset Minnesota 19-15 to end the Vikings' perfect record and improve to 5-2.
Denver's comeback victory over Kansas City puts them atop the AFC West standings.
Baltimore Ravens v Buffalo Bills
Source: Bryan M. Bennett / Getty
NFL Monday Roundup: Week 8 Top Stories
Week 8 was a gut punch for the league’s biggest names. A star quarterback’s season now hinges on thumb surgery, and the NFL’s last unbeaten team finally lost. A division leader leapfrogged a rival for first place, and a historic shutout came without a single completed pass. An overtime classic produced the year’s wildest finish, a winless team sank deeper into an ugly streak, and a former first-round quarterback got benched as his season spirals toward a fire sale.
These are the stories driving conversation around the league, roughly in order of how much they’re being talked about, with Bears-Seahawks still to come tonight.
1. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson Needs Thumb Surgery After 36-10 Loss to Bills
Jackson injured his right thumb on Baltimore’s first offensive snap when his throwing hand collided with a Bills pass rusher, and he did not return. Coach Jesse Minter said Jackson will need surgery and go on injured reserve, with his availability beyond this season uncertain, while backup Tyler Huntley also left with a toe injury, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano to make his NFL debut. Buffalo improved to 6-1 as Josh Allen threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns, while Baltimore, losers of three straight at 4-4, hosts Jacksonville on a short week.
2. Lions End Vikings’ Unbeaten Run With Last-Minute 19-15 Upset
Minnesota’s bid for a perfect season ended when Jameson Williams caught a 7-yard touchdown from Jared Goff with 4:35 left, capping a seven-play, 69-yard drive. The Vikings managed just 15 points, the fewest Detroit has allowed all season, while Jahmyr Gibbs ran 23 times for 153 yards for the Lions. Detroit improved to 5-2 while Minnesota, previously unbeaten, fell to 6-1.
3. Buccaneers Beat Falcons 16-0 Without Completing a Single Pass
Baker Mayfield did not complete any of his pass attempts, making Tampa Bay the first team since 1974 to win a game with zero completions. The Buccaneers leaned entirely on the ground game, setting a franchise record with 324 rushing yards as Bucky Irving ran for 170 yards and Kenny Gainwell added 140 in heavy rain. Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions as the Falcons were shut out, with both teams moving to 3-5.
4. Broncos Overtake Chiefs for AFC West Lead With 28-24 Comeback
Denver trailed 24-13 in the third quarter before Bo Nix connected on a fourth-down touchdown and rookie Jonah Coleman scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 5-yard run with 1:56 left. The Broncos’ defense then stuffed Kansas City on four straight plays from the 1-yard line, with Malcolm Roach sacking Patrick Mahomes on the final snap to seal it. Mahomes finished 30 of 41 for 323 yards and three touchdowns in the loss, and Denver improved to 6-2, taking a half-game lead over the Chiefs, now 5-2, in the AFC West.
5. Chargers Fall to 0-7 as Rams Win Battle of Los Angeles 24-9
Los Angeles never trailed again after Kyren Williams’ third-quarter touchdown put the Rams up 10-9, and scores from Blake Corum and Puka Nacua pulled them away behind Matthew Stafford. Justin Herbert threw two interceptions, including one picked off by Trent McDuffie that sealed the outcome, giving him an NFL-leading 10 interceptions this season. The Rams improved to 4-4 with their second straight win, while the Chargers remain the league’s only winless team at 0-7.
6. Jaguars Rout Colts 42-7 as Daniel Jones Gives Way to Anthony Richardson
Jacksonville built a 28-0 halftime lead as Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes and Bhayshul Tuten added 104 rushing yards and two scores. Indianapolis benched Daniel Jones, who went 19 of 28 for 144 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, for Anthony Richardson with 11:53 left, a week after trading away Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner. The Colts fell to 2-6 as questions mount over coach Shane Steichen’s job security, while the Jaguars improved to 5-2 and host Baltimore on Thursday night.
7. Bengals Outlast Titans 43-36 in Overtime Behind Joe Burrow’s Five Touchdowns
Joe Burrow threw five touchdown passes, including the game-tying score to Tee Higgins with 1:17 left in regulation, then ran in the winning score in overtime. Tennessee’s Cam Ward passed for 304 yards and kept the Titans within reach most of the way before Cincinnati’s defense came through late. The Bengals improved to 4-2 while the Titans fell to 1-6.