Week 8 of the NFL season is in the books, and we are finally seeing the teams who can be considered contenders for the playoffs. The top teams won on Sunday and mostly in lopsided fashions. The approaching trade deadline have moved teams to adopt the NBA and MLB models-aggressive contenders versus being fire sale losers. The Panthers started the process early by trading their offensive weapons in Christian McCaffery and Robbie Anderson. Last week, the Bears got into the action in trading Robert Quinn to the Eagles and yesterday, they sent linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens. In recent seasons, the eventual winner has benefited from a mid-season pickup, and it will be interesting to watch the all-in and all-out approach around the league. In this article, we break down three headlines that emerged from this week’s action.
1. Running Backs Rule
The running back position appears undervalued in the modern NFL game. Some teams have felt that they could plug anyone into the role and they would get similar numbers. In fact, a few franchises refused to commit big money to star players at the position. In 2022, it feels like a renaissance period for the running back position, and the proof in the pudding is the action in week 8. The standout performer was Derrick Henry, who produced 32 carries for 219 yards and two touchdowns in bulldozing defenders to a 17-10 win over the Texans. Christian McCaffery showed why the 49ers went on and grabbed him off the market by becoming the first player since Ladanian Tomlinson in 2005 to run, catch and throw for a touchdown in the same game. Tony Pollard of the Cowboys also had an electrifying performance with 14 carries, 131 yards, and three touchdowns. Yes, the dynamic trio proved that the position has extreme value to a contending team.
2. Twisted NFC Conference
The National Football Conference is a hot mess, and it is poised to get worse. Aside from the Eagles, 49ers, and maybe the Cowboys we cannot definitively think of another genuine contender. The obvious clap back is the Minnesota Vikings because they have a 6-1 record. The team is in a position to win the NFC north, but they got destroyed by the Eagles, and there are doubts whether Kirk Cousins can produce when it matters most in the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are the biggest unsolved mysteries in the NFL. It’s hard to explain how a Rodgers team ran for 197 yards against the Bills and did not win because of the passing game. Like the Packers, Tom Bray and the Buccaneers have struggled mightily, and the usual pattern for this team is falling behind, storming back, and coming up short. The defending champions, the Los Angeles Rams, are on the ropes with a disjointed offensive unit. Yes, three of last year’s contenders are facing the potential of missing the playoffs. The surprise teams in the Seahawks, Falcons, and Giants appear to be poised to displace these teams at this point. However, there is a lot of football still to play.
3. Horrible Penalty Ruins A Great Game
The Panthers versus Falcons did not make the five hottest matchups heading into the week, but it turned out to be the most exciting game this weekend. There were six lead changes, two tied games, and an unforgettable second half. The Falcons led the game 34 to 28 with 36 seconds left, and it seemed an almost certain win. However, PJ Walker completed a short pass to Terrace Marshall Jr. for a 13-yard gain. Then, Walker stunned the home crowd with a 62-yard bomb into the end zone to DJ Moore, who made an incredible acrobatic catch to tie the game. Game over? Well, think again! In celebrating the touchdown, Moore removed his helmet leading to a 15-yard penalty that made the point kick difficult. The kick was missed, which led to the game going into overtime. The Panthers lost a heartbreaker in overtime to a Falcons’ field goal. However, the penalty in removing your helmet is a rule that referees correctly applied, but I was disappointed that it exists in this situation. The NBA is a highlight-reel sport because when there is a buzzer beater, players love to jump onto the scorer’s table to celebrate with no one thinking it is disrespectful. The NFL revised the rule governing TD celebration in recent seasons, and I think this needs to be examined because it will rob the players of celebrating more exhilarating moments.