Week 8 of the NFL delivered historic extremes, from the Dallas Cowboys' epic fourth-quarter meltdown to Joe Burrow's record-setting performance for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Denver Broncos continued their uncanny mastery of one-score games, while weather turned a Tampa Bay Buccaneers victory into a statistical anomaly. The Minnesota Vikings' unbeaten run ended, the Baltimore Ravens lost Lamar Jackson again, and the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive struggles deepened under Jim Harbaugh.
Loser: Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys blew a 10-point lead with 3:54 remaining in regulation and lost 33-30 in overtime to the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Dallas allowed 30 points in the second half and overtime, many with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew under center for Arizona. Since 2000, the Cardinals were 1-174-1 when trailing by 14 or more in the fourth quarter, while the Cowboys were 69-0 at home when leading by 14 or more in the fourth (per ESPN Insights). Arizona is now 5-0 all-time at AT&T Stadium.
Winner: Joe Burrow
Burrow became the second quarterback in NFL history with 450 passing yards, five passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in a single game, and the first in 75 years. He finished with 472 total yards and six total touchdowns in a 43-36 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans, despite throwing three interceptions. The Bengals' defense limited the damage to just one field goal off those turnovers.
Losers: Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley
The Ravens lost Jackson to a thumb injury on his first play back from a sprained ankle, and backup Tyler Huntley to a toe injury, forcing undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano into action in a 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Jackson will undergo surgery and miss at least four weeks. Baltimore has not scored more than 13 points in its last three games, all losses, and sits at .500 in last place in the AFC North.
Winner: Broncos' One-Score Mastery
Denver's 28-24 comeback victory over the Kansas City Chiefs marked their 15th consecutive win in one-score games, tying the NFL regular-season record. The Broncos are 5-0 in games decided by seven points or fewer this season, matching the best start since 2000. Their win probability dropped to 10.2% early in the fourth quarter and 11.9% with 2:44 left. Denver's AFC West chances rose to 64% with the win.
Losers: Florida Weather and Stifled Offenses
Torrential rain in Tampa Bay produced a 16-0 Buccaneers shutout of the Atlanta Falcons in which Baker Mayfield went 0-for-3 passing. Bucky Irving rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown, Kenneth Gainwell added 139 yards. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed just 8 of 24 passes with four interceptions, two by Alex Anzalone in the first quarter.
Winner: 1972 Dolphins' Legacy
The Minnesota Vikings' 19-15 loss to the Detroit Lions ended the last unbeaten season in the NFL, leaving the 1972 Dolphins as the only team to complete a perfect season.
Loser: Jim Harbaugh
The Chargers managed only nine points in a 24-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams after Harbaugh declined to fire offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel during the bye week. Justin Herbert threw two interceptions to reclaim the league lead, and the rushing attack totaled 64 yards. Los Angeles is 0-7, the NFL's only winless team.
Winner: Steelers' Home Dominance
Pittsburgh beat Cleveland 27-6, extending the home team's winning streak in the series to 11 consecutive games dating to January 2022. The Steelers have won 24 of their last 25 regular-season home games against the Browns.
