File these under things we didn’t expect this season: The 49ers have a three-game losing streak, and the Chiefs no longer have a winning streak against the Broncos.
More upsets occurred in Week 8 of the NFL season, such as Kansas City losing to Denver for the first time in eight years. But the Bengals’ road win vs. the 49ers shouldn’t qualify as one of them. Yes, technically the Bengals were four-point underdogs, but they’re never truly underdogs with a healthy Joe Burrow.
We learned plenty about the Bengals and 49ers during their Week 8 clash. We’re also starting to find out more about Brock Purdy in his second NFL season.
Here’s what we learned about the 49ers, Vikings, Panthers, Jets and Broncos in Week 8 of the NFL season.
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49ers have a QB problem after losing third consecutive game
The focus should be on how the Bengals recorded a signature victory on the road against one of the best teams in the league. The Bengals (4–3) are back to being Super Bowl contenders, as they brushed off a 1–3 start to the season.
But we can’t ignore how poorly Purdy played in the loss vs. the Bengals and throughout this three-game losing streak for the 49ers (5–3). Purdy threw two more costly interceptions against the Bengals, bringing his total to five picks during this three-game losing skid. (It’s worth noting that Purdy was in the concussion protocol this week for a hit he took six days ago during the Monday night loss against the Vikings.)
It’s probably not a coincidence that Purdy has struggled without Deebo Samuel, who injured his shoulder in the Week 6 loss to the Browns. Purdy probably will bounce back when Samuel returns to the field, but it’s concerning that Purdy has struggled this much without a complete offense. The 49ers traded Trey Lance in the summer because they were confident Purdy was the right QB to guide them to a Super Bowl. Now they might have doubts with how many misfires and turnovers Purdy has had lately.
San Francisco will need to make plenty of adjustments as the team heads into a bye week, particularly some that should address how poorly the defense has been during the skid.
As for the Bengals, they received a terrific performance from Burrow, who completed 28-of-32 passes for 283 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Bengals don’t have a QB problem, and might have the best one in the league when he has two healthy calves.
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins suffers significant injury vs. Packers
The Vikings (4–4) are back to .500 and in the mix for a playoff spot in the NFC, but that’s overshadowed by Kirk Cousins’s Achilles injury. The veteran signal-caller reportedly tore his Achilles during the final quarter of Sunday’s 24–10 win against the Packers. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell might be kicking himself for leaving Cousins in the game, but many teams have rallied from 14 points down with 10 minutes left in regulation.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, this injury might make the organization consider being sellers ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline instead of prioritizing a postseason push. Minnesota could also trade standout edge rusher Danielle Hunter in the coming days. On the other hand, they might be in the market for a quality quarterback, which won’t be easy to find—just ask the Jets.
Currently, the Vikings’ lone healthy quarterback is rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall, who went 3-of-4 for 23 yards while filling in for Cousins. Veteran backup Nick Mullens was placed on injured reserve earlier this month. Cousins had another productive performance, going 23-of-31 for 274 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. For the season, Cousins had a completion percentage of 69.5 with 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions.
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Young picks up first career win as Panthers edge Texans
Panthers coach Frank Reich fielded questions earlier this week about whether he has any regrets with drafting Bryce Young No. 1 overall. Obviously, Reich said no, but the questions were asked because the Panthers had started the season 0–6 and were about to face Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 pick who was off to a fast start.
Those questions won’t stop because Young and Stroud will be connected for years to come, but now they will be easier to answer because Young’s Panthers defeated Stroud’s Texans, 15–13. Young orchestrated a game-winning drive that went 15 plays and 86 yards before Eddy Pineiro’s 23-yard field goal as time expired.
Besides the heroics, Young displayed improvement throughout the game, completing 22-of-31 passes for 235 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers. Young had completions to eight different pass catchers. Stroud had a quiet performance, as he completed 16-of-24 passes for 140 yards and no touchdowns.
Jets continue to find ways to win games despite sluggish offense
While the Jets were marching down field against the Giants during a chaotic final minute of regulation, the TV broadcast called it a very entertaining bad game. That was the perfect summary because so much occurred in that final minute after 59 minutes of boring football. It’s also hard to explain how Zach Wilson completed the comeback, as the Jets improved to 4–3 after the 13–10 victory in overtime. But regardless of how poorly the Jets played offensively, it’s evident they’re going to have a chance to win more times than not because of their standout defense.
Graham Gano’s missed 35-yard field-goal attempt gave the Jets one last chance to tie the game with less than 30 seconds left in regulation. The drive started with Wilson taking a sack from Kayvon Thibodeaux. That was followed by a 29-yard completion from Wilson to Allen Lazard to set up Greg Zuerlein’s game-tying field goal. Zuerlein also won the game with a 33-yard field goal in the extra period.
Obviously, the Jets are going to need Wilson to produce more points moving forward. But the way this game turned out is how the Jets have won most of their games this season. Wilson didn’t throw an interception, Garrett Wilson had seven catches for 100 yards and the defense held the Giants to 194 yards.
Broncos end 16-game losing streak vs. Chiefs
The Broncos defeated the Chiefs for the first time since 2015. Now, I’m sure many will be quick to point to Patrick Mahomes being sluggish due to his illness. But the Broncos earned that win by applying constant pressure on the two-time MVP and not allowing him easy throws to Travis Kelce.
Denver sacked Mahomes three times and forced him into two interceptions. The Broncos held the Chiefs to 275 yards—the first time Kansas City didn’t record more than 300 yards in a game this season.
And yes, the Chiefs will likely bounce back from one bad game and be in the mix for another Super Bowl come January. But the streak needed to end some time, and now maybe the Broncos can truly begin their rebuild with Sean Payton as head coach.
