NFL Takeaways: Week 8
By Tucker Harlin
Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season is in the books.
The matchups appeared weak in many places over the weekend, but the slate delivered better than anticipated with close finishes in games between the Packers and Jaguars as well as the Browns and Ravens.
These are my three biggest takeaways from Week 8.
2024 ENDED AS QUICKLY AS IT STARTED FOR THE TENNESSEE TITANS
ESPN wants to tell you the Jets are the worst failed experiment in the league. I’m not necessarily arguing against that sentiment, but the Titans are in a similar realm.
There’s a reason Mike Vrabel slammed the door on Craig Aukerman last year. Brian Callahan really brought in the guy who took the snap on one of the biggest disaster piece plays in NFL history to run his special teams unit.
We should’ve known what we were getting with Colt Anderson 😭 pic.twitter.com/HepcnzXHBJ
— Tennessee Tyrant (@TitanUpTalk) October 27, 2024
Offensively, Mason Rudolph doesn’t look any better than Will Levis and the free agents the Titans have acquired recently are being traded away. The defense is struggling to stay motivated with the lack of offensive success and it’s showing on the field.
It’s time to blow up the skyscraper and start from the ground up. Again.
DON’T COUNT THE RAMS OUT OF THE PLAYOFF RACE
The injury bug rained and poured on the Rams offense early in 2024.
Puka Nacua missed several weeks after their opening loss to the Lions in Detroit, and Cooper Kupp followed suit in the 41-10 loss to the Cardinals. Both returned in the 30-20 win over the Vikings Thursday, and neither of them played less than 100%.
Every team in the NFC West has four losses at the moment, leaving the playoff race wide open.
San Francisco won’t reach 100% health all season with Brandon Aiyuk’s ACL tear, Seattle is coming down to earth, and Arizona is a tough matchup with a rejuvenated offense.
THE DIVISION RACE IN THE AFC SOUTH IS DECEIVING
The Texans took down the Colts 23-20 over the weekend, taking a sweep for the regular season. Houston holds a two-game lead over Indianapolis, but the Colts won’t fade into the cesspool of mediocrity this season.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen made the decision to bench first round draft pick Anthony Richardson in favor of veteran backup Joe Flacco, who led them to three wins in Richardson’s absence.
Flacco is also less than a year removed from a miraculous playoff run with the Cleveland Browns of all franchises. Flacco stepped in when Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson were injured and guided the Browns to an 11-6 record and Wild Card appearance.
The big question on Houston’s side revolves around the offense.
Top receiving target Nico Collins is on injured reserve for at least a few more weeks while Stefon Diggs tore his ACL, effectively ending his season. Tank Dell was a proven commodity for C.J. Stroud before his season ended with an injury in 2023, but who else is Stroud targeting at receiver?
Stroud adapted to a new group of receivers last season, but he is now tasked with a similar adaptation in the back end of this season. He’ll have to adapt if the Texans want another division title.
