Week 8 NFL Review: Highs and Lows for the Early Leaders
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The NFL delivered ANOTHER weekend of spills and thrills in Week Eight as performances and the final score lines provided us with plenty of headlines. The Patriots, Broncos and Buccaneers continued their fine form with wins over the Browns, Cowboys and Saints respectively. While the Jets recorded their first win of the season, the major New York headlines lay with Josh Allen’s record breaking performance and the unfortunate loss of the Giants’ hopeful Cam Skattebo.
Taylor Continues MVP Form Against Hapless Titans
While Daniel “Indiana” Jones was imperious with 272 yards (19 of 23 attempts), he was surpassed by the sublime Jonathon Taylor. Taylor continued his fine form with 153 yards from twelve carries. The leading MVP candidate scored three-plus touchdowns in one game, for the fourth time this season, is within two games of 2006 MVP LaDainian Tomlinson’s record of six three-plus touchdowns in one season. The former Badger was devastating with another eye-catching AGAIN. The Titans will have some hope with the performance of Cam Ward. The rookie completed 22 passes for 259 yards. A lack of consistent targets meant he has been hindered throughout this season.
Colts 38 Titans 14
Eagles Return to Form against Giants
Jalen Hurts et al returned with a vengeance in this win over the Giants. While the injury of Cam Skatttebo may gain most of the headlines from this game, it was the Eagles’ offense returning to their devastating best that will contain the long-term headlines. Hurts himself delivered a fine performance with four TDs with 15 of 20 passes completed for 179 yards. He was aided by the reawakening of Saquon Barkley. On the Eagles’ second play, Barkley completed a 65 yard run: his first carry of over twenty yards this season. The Penn State alum completed 150 yards on 14 carries: his first game with over 100 yards of carries this season! While he did not return during the fourth quarter; replacement RB Bigsby gained 104 yards on just nine carries: expect the reignited Eagles to relish the challenge of facing the Packers post Bye on MNF on 10th November.
Eagles 38 Giants 20
Packers Topple Steelers in Battle of Succession
The Eagles will be facing a scintillating Jordan Love if this performance is anything to go by! The former Utah University was on fire in the battle against his former mentor Aaron Ridgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Love looked to have lost the battle at the half, with the Steelers leaving the field 16-7 up. Alas it was Love who ended the game with 360 yards and three TDs; with no interceptions. He was unstoppable in the final quarter, with the Packers scoring two TDs and two FGs to stun the Steelers. The Steelers expensive defense again failed to live up to the investment made by the Rooneys. Veteran captain Cam Heyward was scathing in his synopsis of his defensive colleagues collective performance: “You’ve got to let what happened before go. That’s just how this game works. If you continue to feel sorry for yourself, it’s going to avalanche. And this was a clear case of that.” It would appear Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin has failed to get the best out of such a highly rewarded, yet aging, defensive cohort.
Packers 35 Steelers 25
As Week Eight concludes, the NFL fan has got to experience ANOTHER week of top class skill by players and masterful planning by coaches. Yet, we must acknowledge that in a fleeting moment, such exhilaration may turn to sadness. We have witnessed injuries incurred by multiple players, most notably Cam Skattebo this weekend, and the premature death of former Jets’ center Nick Mangold, the sacrifices made by players every week. The Gaelic Gridiron team wish to extend our sincerest condolences to Mangold’s family, loved ones and former team mates and colleagues.