The NFL delivered a sensational Sunday in Week 8 with one of the biggest shocks of the season, big scores and plenty of late-game drama.
A quarterback change helped the lowly Cleveland Browns stun the red-hot Baltimore Ravens, while the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers both won on the last kick of their games.
Jayden Daniels stole the show against fellow rookie Caleb Williams with a stunning “once in a lifetime” Hail Mary last gasp as the Washington Commanders defeated the Chicago Bears.
The Detroit Lions reached a half-century, the Kansas City Chiefs remained undefeated and the San Francisco 49ers put more pressure on their old rivals, the Dallas Cowboys.
Winston shines as Browns stun Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens were heavy favorites against the Browns in Cleveland – but new quarterback Jameis Winston inspired them to a huge 29-24 upset victory with a touchdown pass to Cedric Tillman with just 59 seconds remaining.
The Browns, who improved to two wins and six losses, have a quality defense, but $230 million quarterback Deshaun Watson had led an anemic offense that failed to score more than 18 points or 300 yards of offense in a game all season.
After Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last week, Winston managed to eclipse both of those marks, passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns in his first NFL start since September 2022.
When Watson was injured last year, veteran Joe Flacco got off the couch and came out of semi-retirement to lead the team to the playoffs. At 2-6, Winston can do the same, but he at least brought some life to the team.
“You can look at the Browns’ record and say they’re a sorry team, but that’s the NFL,” an upset Jackson said after the Ravens slipped to 5-3.
Hail Mary settles Daniels-Williams clash
Daniels and Williams struggled in the sixth meeting of rookies ranked first and second in the NFL Draft – before a frantic finish saw Chicago come back from 12 points behind to take the lead with just 25 seconds left .
Step forward Daniels, who danced around tacklers for nearly 13 seconds before throwing a 52-yard Hail Mary pass, which was batted away by a group of players all jumping for the ball and landed in the hands of Noah Brown , who was all alone. in the end zone.
“It’s kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Daniels said of the latest installment in an already long series of highlights. “Not many people get to experience things like that.”
Despite the 18-15 loss, Williams showed plenty of promise for the 4-3 Bears, but Daniels and the 6-3 Commanders appear to be play-off bound.
Mahomes ends drought as undefeated Chiefs go 7-0
Patrick Mahomes threw his first touchdown pass in 11 quarters and Travis Kelce caught his first touchdown pass in 13 regular season games as the Chiefs enjoyed their return to Las Vegas with a tough 27-20 victory over the Raiders .
Once again, Mahomes had to thank his defense for saving him following a bad interception. The Chiefs improved to 7-0 with a 13th straight victory that maintained their 6-0 unbeaten run at the site of their Super Bowl victory in February.
The San Francisco 49ers, beaten by the Chiefs in last season’s finale, survived a late comeback to beat old foes Dallas 30-24. The 49ers are now 4-4 but the Cowboys are 3-4 and have all sorts of problems in the NFC East.
Landings for Cards and Packers – Messy Throws
Remarkably, the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers won on the last kick of their games for the second week in a row.
Tua Tagovailoa’s return from a concussion sparked a strong recovery in the lifeless Miami Dolphins offense, but not enough as Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland kicked a 34-yard field goal to seal a 28-27 victory for Arizona.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur expressed concern about starting quarterback Jordan Love after he limped off in the third quarter against Jacksonville with a groin injury, but backup Malik Willis stepped in to throw a touchdown and set up the game-winning 24-yard kick. for Brandon McManus to beat his old Jaguars team.
There was more late drama in New England as Rhamondre Stevenson’s touchdown run with 22 seconds left ended the Patriots’ six-game losing streak and likely ended the New York Jets’ season .
The Pats lost quarterback Drake Maye to a concussion, but backup Jacoby Brissett did the job to leave an exasperated Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines as the Jets lost a fifth in a row.
NFL Roundup: Hot Lions and Fun Falcons
The Detroit Lions scored the second-most points in team history with a dominant 52-14 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Jared Goff only needed to pass for 85 yards in a complete team effort.
Detroit’s defense forced four turnovers, Kalif Raymond scored a 90-yard punt return and even running back David Montgomery threw a touchdown pass as the Lions roared to a fifth straight victory.
At 6-1, it’s Detroit’s best start since 1956.
A ticket to watch the Atlanta Falcons is usually worth it considering they have had more games decided by seven points or fewer over the past three seasons than anyone.
And they added another with a 31-26 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This victory gives them total control of the NFC South, especially with the New Orleans Saints losing 26-8 to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Houston Texans edged the Indianapolis Colts for just a second season against their AFC South opponents, while the surprising Denver Broncos comfortably dispatched the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills past the Seahawks in Seattle .
Jalen Hurts scored a hat-trick of rushing touchdowns for the improving Philadelphia Eagles as they improved to 5-2 with their third straight victory.
The 37-17 victory in Cincinnati leaves Joe Burrow’s Bengals 0-4 at home this season, 3-5 overall and in serious need of preparing before their playoff hopes are dashed.
NFL Results – Week Eight
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Minnesota Vikings 20-30 Los Angeles Rams
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Baltimore Ravens 24-29 Cleveland Browns
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Tennessee Titans 14-52 Detroit Lions
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Indianapolis Colts 20-23 Houston Texans
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Green Bay Packers 30-27 Jacksonville Jaguars
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Arizona Cardinals 28-27 Miami Dolphins
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New York Jets 22-25 New England Patriots
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Atlanta Falcons 31-26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Philadelphia Eagles 37-17 Cincinnati Bengals
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New Orleans Saints 8-26 Los Angeles Chargers
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Buffalo Bills 31-10 Seattle Seahawks
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Chicago Bears 15-18 Washington Commanders
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Carolina Panthers 14-28 Denver Broncos
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Kansas City Chiefs 27-20 Las Vegas Raiders
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Dallas Cowboys 24-30 San Francisco 49ers
