Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season started in Los Angeles on Thursday night time, with quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers cruising to a win over the Vikings. Herbert threw three landing passes and rushed for 62 yards, whereas rookie tight finish Oronde Gadsden II continued his sizzling begin with 77 yards and a landing.
Within the early window Sunday, working again James Prepare dinner III carried the Payments to a blowout win over the Panthers. He completed with 216 dashing yards by means of three quarters, probably the most by any NFL participant since 2018. The Eagles additionally obtained a classic efficiency from working again Saquon Barkley, who led them to an enormous win over his former workforce within the Giants.
Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all of the motion, answering lingering questions popping out of every recreation and detailing every thing else you might want to know for each workforce. Let’s get to it.
Soar to:
SF-HOU | CLE-NE | NYG-PHI
BUF-CAR | MIN-LAC
Compensate for the motion: Field rating | Recap
Can this move safety proceed for quarterback C.J. Stroud? When Stroud has safety, he’s confirmed he can shred a protection. He proved that at present, as he threw for 318 yards with two touchdowns. He was pressured on solely 19% of his 42 dropbacks, in accordance with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, and wasn’t sacked. It will likely be fascinating to see if the Texans and Stroud proceed this momentum into their matchup in opposition to the Broncos, who at the moment lead the league with 34 sacks.
Development to look at: The Texans’ line of defense solely has 9 sacks previously 5 video games after beginning the primary two weeks with seven sacks. Houston completed final season tied for fourth in sacks (49), so we all know that they’re able to producing rather more sooner or later. — DJ Bien-Aime
Subsequent recreation: vs. Broncos (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Ought to this loss make the 49ers roughly pressing earlier than the commerce deadline? After the Texans dominated them for many of the recreation, it was made clear how a lot assist San Francisco wants. That’s very true on the line of defense, the place stress was practically non-existent and two extra starters — defensive deal with Jordan Elliott and defensive finish Sam Okuayinonu — left the sport with ankle accidents. However this recreation additionally delivered to gentle points in move safety, protection and tackling within the again seven. A commerce or two may undoubtedly assist the Niners, however giving up helpful draft picks for momentary fixes seemingly wouldn’t be sufficient to make them a Tremendous Bowl contender — and will additionally do extra hurt than good within the long-term.
Stat to know: After 14 video games and 469 move makes an attempt, the 49ers lastly obtained an interception. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir picked off an errant Stroud move to finish the primary half, bringing an finish to the longest lively streak within the NFL. Lenoir’s try and return it for a landing went for naught although, as he didn’t get out of bounds or down shortly sufficient to offer the Niners a last-second discipline aim try. — Nick Wagoner
Subsequent recreation: at Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Compensate for the motion: Field rating | Recap
What step did quarterback Drake Maye take as he continues to construct his MVP candidacy? Maye was below siege within the first half in opposition to Myles Garrett and a relentless Browns protection, which led to Maye’s first interception since Week 3. However he didn’t again down after which took over the sport after halftime with a mixture of what has made him so potent this season: working, maintaining performs alive within the pocket and focusing his eyes downfield to attach on passing performs. Regardless of being sacked six instances, Maye completed with 171 passing yards on throws of 15-plus air yards, together with three touchdowns and 50 dashing yards on seven carries.
Turning level: Your complete third quarter. The Patriots led 9-7 at halftime and Garrett was wreaking havoc, however after an preliminary cease on protection within the third quarter, New England exploded for 3 touchdowns because the Patriots discovered the important thing to neutralizing Garrett. All three touchdowns have been throws by Maye, who turned the primary Patriots quarterback to throw for 3 touchdowns in a recreation since Tom Brady on Dec. 9, 2018, at Miami. — Mike Reiss
Subsequent recreation: vs. Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
How for much longer will the Browns keep on with Dillon Gabriel at quarterback? One week after lastly eclipsing 17 factors, Cleveland’s offense reverted to its previous kind, mustering two touchdowns in its loss at New England. Gabriel additionally couldn’t maintain the ball — the one factor coaches had constantly praised him for — with two interceptions. Backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders was inactive due to a again damage, however the requires him to play will solely develop louder after the Browns’ Week 9 bye, which ought to give Sanders much more time to heal. And if Gabriel’s struggles proceed, Cleveland might need to contemplate making a transfer sooner reasonably than later.
Stat to know: Along with his first of 5 sacks, Garrett handed Reggie White for probably the most sacks by a participant (108.5) earlier than turning 30 since sacks turned an official stat in 1982. Garrett’s first two sacks got here within the pink zone on third down and compelled the Patriots to accept discipline objectives. The five-sack single-game complete marks a franchise document and profession excessive for Garrett. — Daniel Oyefusi
Subsequent recreation: at Jets (Nov. 9, 1 p.m. ET)
Compensate for the motion: Field rating | Recap
Is that this model of Saquon Barkley right here to remain? We’ll need to see about his well being first: He got here up limping after a 28-yard run on the finish of the third quarter and didn’t return on account of a groin damage. The Eagles undoubtedly discovered one thing within the floor recreation in opposition to New York that had been lacking all season. Barkley eclipsed 100 yards dashing for the primary time all 12 months. It seemed identical to 2024 when he reached a pace of over 21 miles per hour throughout a 65-yard run on the second play from scrimmage, with the play effectively schemed and effectively blocked. Barkley mentioned this week he felt like he was the identical participant, and he seemed it Sunday due to a pleasant number of run calls by offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and sound execution up entrance.
Most shocking efficiency: Reserve working again Tank Bigsby had 87 yards dashing on eight carries within the win. He was acquired from the Jaguars in September for a pair of draft picks and primarily used as a kick returner for the primary handful of video games. That didn’t go in addition to hoped, however he has began getting extra work within the backfield of late and has capitalized with a handful of chunk runs. The Eagles have an excellent working again rotation going proper now with Barkley, Bigsby and Will Shipley. With Bigsby extra lively, AJ Dillon has dropped to fourth on the depth chart. — Tim McManus
Subsequent recreation: at Packers (Nov. 10, 8:15 p.m. ET)
What now for the Giants offense after RB Cam Skattebo’s damage? Shedding Skattebo for the season is an enormous blow. His grotesque ankle damage within the second quarter left teammates visibly disturbed. Skattebo was turning into a playmaker for the Giants and fellow rookie Jaxson Dart. He scored his seventh landing within the first quarter of Sunday’s contest. Skattebo’s absence leaves the Giants much more shorthanded on offense, as Dart is already working with out star receiver Malik Nabers. The offense struggled with out them, totaling lower than 200 yards till the ultimate two drives when the sport was out of hand.
Development to look at: The Giants have been thirty first within the NFL permitting 5.2 yards per carry getting into Sunday. That solely obtained worse when Barkley and the Eagles ran throughout them for 277 dashing yards. Barkley averaged 10.7 yards per carry on this contest. The Eagles averaged 8.4 per carry. The run protection, for the third straight season, stays an actual downside for New York. Even on second-and-26 within the fourth quarter, the Giants instantly allowed a 29-yard run. It’s arduous for them to win with this deficiency. — Jordan Raanan
Subsequent recreation: vs. 49ers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Compensate for the motion: Field rating | Recap
Can the Payments’ protection use this recreation as a leaping off level? Buffalo’s protection got here out of the bye in complete command, permitting 9 factors, sacking Andy Dalton seven instances and forcing three takeaways after not recording a couple of in any of the six earlier video games. The Panthers have been held to certainly one of their lowest dashing totals of the season (114 yards). These are promising indicators for a unit that has struggled to seek out consistency, however the long-term image is clouded by the standing of defensive deal with Ed Oliver, who was shortly dominated out with a biceps damage within the first half.
Most shocking efficiency: Operating again James Prepare dinner III. It’s not a shock Prepare dinner had an enormous day; he’s been robust all season. However it was the extent of Sunday’s efficiency. He had a career-high 216 yards on 19 carries and scored two touchdowns in opposition to a protection that allowed greater than 100 dashing yards in solely three of their first seven video games. Prepare dinner broke a number of information Sunday, together with probably the most dashing yards by one participant in a single recreation in opposition to the Panthers. — Alaina Getzenberg
Subsequent recreation: vs. Chiefs (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
What occurred to the run protection? This seemed extra just like the NFL’s worst protection in 2024, not the one ranked eighth in opposition to the run heading into Sunday. However the blowout loss to the Payments was an entire catastrophe, stuffed with unhealthy tackling and no hole management. Carolina had allowed simply 131 dashing yards over the earlier three video games mixed, however Prepare dinner had 130 yards dashing earlier than contact within the first half. This was an embarrassing effort.
What to make of the QB efficiency: As Bryce Younger’s substitute, Dalton was as unhealthy because the Carolina run protection. The 37-year-old’s interception and two misplaced fumbles led to 17 factors for Buffalo. He took sacks he shouldn’t have. He’s 1-6 as a starter in his three seasons with Carolina. It might be time for the Panthers to develop one other backup. — David Newton
Subsequent recreation: at Packers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Compensate for the motion: Field rating | Recap
Can the Chargers survive one other damage storm? This was the sport during which the Chargers have been lastly purported to be again to full well being: offensive tackles Joe Alt and Trey Pipkins III have been each lively, and linebackers Khalil Mack and Denzel Perryman have been additionally again for a second recreation collectively. However the Chargers sustained extra accidents Thursday. Security Derwin James Jr. (ankle), cornerback Tarheeb Nonetheless (knee) and proper guard Mekhi Becton (knee) didn’t end the sport. Coach Jim Harbaugh had no replace on their accidents postgame, however dropping three affect gamers may considerably harm the Chargers transferring ahead.
Most shocking efficiency: Quarterback Justin Herbert has a brand new favourite goal: rookie Oronde Gadsden II. The fifth-round choose caught 5 passes for 77 yards and a landing, turning into the primary rookie tight finish since Mike Ditka in 1961 with 240 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in a two-game span. Extra essential, Gadsden caught all the passes focused to him. — Kris Rhim
Subsequent recreation: at Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Is it J.J. McCarthy time? It must be, proper? Carson Wentz has crammed in as a median backup quarterback, profitable two of 5 begins, however has offered no indication that he’s able to be the following veteran reclamation of coach Kevin O’Connell. McCarthy has hit the excessive finish of the timetable for therapeutic his proper excessive ankle sprain (six weeks). McCarthy carried out poorly in his first two NFL begins, ending with a QBR (20.3) that ranked second-to-last within the NFL on the time, however he must play. That’s the Vikings’ high organizational precedence, and if it doesn’t occur subsequent week, when will it?
Most shocking efficiency: The Chargers gashed the Vikings’ protection in each method possible. Some opponents have managed to build up yards in opposition to them this season, however earlier than Thursday night time, the Vikings had a minimum of restricted scoring. They entered the sport tied for No. 10 within the NFL with 20 factors allowed per recreation. However they’d no solutions for Herbert, who weaved by means of their blitzes to hurry for 62 yards and in addition threw three landing passes. The Chargers confronted little resistance in amassing 419 complete yards and 29 first downs. — Kevin Seifert
Subsequent recreation: at Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
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