Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season felt like a fever dream. If you walked away from the TV for five minutes, you probably missed a franchise-altering momentum shift or a rookie quarterback doing something statistically impossible. Honestly, it was one of those weekends where the "script" felt like it was written by someone who had way too much caffeine and a grudge against the favorites.
While most people were staring at the marquee matchups, the real story was brewing in the Meadowlands and Mile High. We saw a winless team pull off a miracle, a legendary quarterback get outdueled by his successor, and a rookie in Denver who is starting to look like the real deal.
The Jets Finally Did It: NFL Week 8 Scores and Results Nobody Expected
Going into Sunday, the New York Jets were the only team without a win. Zero and seven. It was bleak. But then they ran into the Cincinnati Bengals, and things got weird.
The Jets were trailing by 14 points with about eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. Usually, that’s when fans start heading for the exits to beat the traffic. But Justin Fields and Breece Hall had other plans. Hall wasn't just a running back in this one; he was a one-man demolition crew. In the fourth quarter alone, he ran for two touchdowns and then—get this—threw the game-winning touchdown pass.
It was a trick play from the 4-yard line. Hall acted like he was sweeping right, stopped, and fired a ball to tight end Mason Taylor. The stadium went absolutely nuclear. That 39-38 victory wasn't just a win; it was the second-largest fourth-quarter comeback in the history of the franchise. Joe Flacco and the Bengals basically stood there in shock as their playoff hopes took a massive hit.
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Why the Denver Dominance Matters
While the Jets were making history, Bo Nix was making a statement in Denver. The Broncos dismantled the Dallas Cowboys 44-24. It wasn't even as close as that score looks.
Nix looks comfortable. Really comfortable. He threw four touchdowns and sliced through a Dallas secondary that had been drawing MVP buzz for Dak Prescott just a week prior. Instead, Dak looked lost, tossing two interceptions and struggling to move the sticks against a Denver defense that has quietly become one of the best in the AFC. This was Denver's fifth straight win, and it officially moved them into "team you do not want to see in January" territory.
A Changing of the Guard on Sunday Night
Sunday Night Football was supposed to be the "Aaron Rodgers Revenge Game." He was back in the spotlight, facing his old team, the Green Bay Packers. But it ended up being the Jordan Love show.
Love was nearly perfect. At one point, he completed 20 straight passes, which is a franchise record that neither Aaron Rodgers nor Brett Favre ever touched. He finished with 360 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Packers to a 35-25 win over the Steelers. Watching Rodgers try to keep up with Love's young, fast receiving corps felt like watching a legend realize the game has moved on. It was poetic, kinda sad if you're a Steelers fan, but mostly just impressive.
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The Scoreboard: Every Week 8 Result
If you missed the ticker, here is how the rest of the league shook out. Most of these weren't even close—12 of the 13 games played this week were decided by double digits.
- Kansas City Chiefs 28, Washington Commanders 7: Patrick Mahomes took a while to get going, but a flawless second half reminded everyone why the Chiefs are still the standard.
- Buffalo Bills 40, Carolina Panthers 9: James Cook is a problem. He ran for 218 yards, a career-high, while the Bills' defense treated Andy Dalton like a ragdoll.
- Indianapolis Colts 38, Tennessee Titans 14: Jonathan Taylor is making a legit MVP case. He had an 80-yard house call and finished with 153 yards on just 12 carries.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23, New Orleans Saints 3: The Saints' offense has hit rock bottom. Spencer Rattler got benched, Tyler Shough came in, and it didn't matter. Anthony Nelson had a pick-six that basically ended the game in the first half.
- New England Patriots 32, Cleveland Browns 13: Drake Maye is officially the real deal. Five straight wins for the Pats, and they look like the class of the AFC East again.
- Philadelphia Eagles 38, New York Giants 20: Saquon Barkley didn't even need to go off for the Eagles to dominate. Jalen Hurts threw four touchdowns, and Philadelphia hasn't lost to the Giants at home in over a decade now.
- Miami Dolphins 34, Atlanta Falcons 10: Tua Tagovailoa returned with a swollen eye and threw four touchdowns. It turns out the Dolphins' offense actually works when the starter is healthy.
- Baltimore Ravens 30, Chicago Bears 16: No Lamar Jackson? No problem. Tyler Huntley stepped in and played efficient football while the Ravens' defense harassed the Bears all afternoon.
- Houston Texans 26, San Francisco 49ers 15: C.J. Stroud outplayed Mac Jones, and the Texans' pass rush made life miserable for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
- Los Angeles Chargers 37, Minnesota Vikings 10: Justin Herbert broke Peyton Manning's record for most completions through six seasons. The Vikings looked like they had already given up on the year.
The Biggest Takeaways for Your Fantasy Roster
If you own Breece Hall or Jonathan Taylor, you’re probably smiling. But there are some deeper trends in these nfl week 8 scores and results that you should pay attention to before you hit the waiver wire.
First, the tight end position is finally getting interesting. Tucker Kraft in Green Bay looked like a hybrid of prime Gronk and Kelce, hauling in 143 yards and two scores. If he’s sitting on your wire, grab him. Second, the "bench Dak" talk in Dallas is going to get loud. He’s struggling with decision-making against high-pressure defenses, and the Cowboys' schedule doesn't get any easier.
Also, keep an eye on the Patriots' defense. They are playing a "bend but don't break" style that is absolutely suffocating teams in the red zone. They’ve allowed fewer than 15 points in three of their last five games.
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Actionable Insights for Week 9
Based on what we saw in Week 8, here is how you should be looking at the landscape of the league moving forward:
- Sell high on the Bengals: That loss to the Jets was a massive red flag. Their defense cannot stop the run, and it's starting to affect Joe Flacco's ability to stay in rhythm.
- Buy the Broncos' hype: Bo Nix is no longer just a "game manager." Sean Payton has opened up the playbook, and Denver's defense is elite enough to keep them in every game.
- Watch the NFC South QB situation: The Saints are in a total tailspin. If you're looking for a streaming defense, whoever is playing New Orleans is a safe bet for the next few weeks.
The parity we’re seeing right now is wild. Aside from the Chiefs, almost every "top" team has shown a major flaw. It makes the playoff race a mess, but it makes the Sundays a lot more fun to watch.
If you are tracking standings, the Colts (7-1) and Patriots (6-2) are currently leading the charge in the AFC, while the Buccaneers and Eagles are looking like the teams to beat in the NFC. But as the Jets proved this week, nobody is safe.
Check your local injury reports before placing any bets for next week, especially regarding Lamar Jackson's hamstring and Saquon Barkley's status, as both left their respective games with minor concerns that could shift the lines significantly.