NFL Week 8: Key Games, Standings, and Player Performances

When you think of NFL Week 8, the eighth week of the National Football League regular season, a critical point where playoff hopes begin to take shape. Also known as Week 8 of the NFL season, it’s when teams either solidify their momentum or start fighting just to stay in contention. This isn’t just another game week—it’s the point where injuries, coaching adjustments, and clutch plays decide who’s truly a contender.

Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills often use Week 8 to send messages. A win here can mean home-field advantage later. A loss? It forces a rethink of offense, defense, or even quarterback rotations. Meanwhile, underdogs like the Cleveland Browns or Detroit Lions use this stretch to prove they belong. Stats matter—yards per carry, third-down conversion rates, red-zone efficiency—but it’s the moments no stat can capture that stick: a last-minute touchdown, a game-sealing interception, a rookie stepping up when everyone’s watching.

Week 8 also reveals who’s carrying their team. Is it the quarterback making impossible throws? The linebacker reading the offense like a book? Or the special teams unit flipping field position with one kick? These are the stories behind the scores. And while the schedule changes every year, the pattern doesn’t: after Week 8, the playoff picture starts to blur for some and sharpen for others. You don’t just watch the games—you start reading the tea leaves.

Below, you’ll find real results, standout performances, and the ripple effects of each Week 8 matchup. No fluff. No filler. Just what happened, who made it happen, and what it means moving forward. Whether you’re tracking your favorite team’s playoff chances or just love the drama of late-season football, this collection gives you the facts you need to understand the bigger picture.