Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season, often referred to as “Bye-mageddon” due to six teams being on bye weeks, proved to be an exhilarating day for football fans. While it left many fantasy football players in a scramble, the action on the field was nothing short of thrilling, featuring last-minute excitement, significant injuries, and remarkable achievements. Among the highlights were a serious ankle injury to New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo, who will require surgery, and an incredible performance from Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett, who recorded five sacks against the New England Patriots. Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about the unforgettable Week 8.
It’s been a rocky start for Aaron Glenn in his inaugural season as head coach of the New York Jets. Entering Week 8 with an 0-7 record, the Jets faced a challenging matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The week was tumultuous, highlighted by Jets owner Woody Johnson publicly criticizing starting quarterback Justin Fields, who was benched for backup Tyrod Taylor. However, Taylor’s knee injury meant Fields was thrust back into the starting role.
Despite the chaos, the Jets transformed into a competitive unit, stunning the Bengals with a score of 39-38, securing Glenn’s first win as head coach. Trailing for most of the game and down by 15 points heading into the final quarter, the Jets rallied, primarily thanks to running back Breece Hall, who scored three touchdowns in the last 15 minutes. Hall's five-yard TD run and subsequent two-point conversion ignited the Jets, narrowing the gap to seven points.
Even after a one-yard score by Bengals running back Chase Brown extended the Bengals' lead to 14, New York responded with a 27-yard touchdown run from Hall, followed by another successful two-point conversion that brought them within six points. In a dramatic finish, Hall threw a touchdown pass to tight end Mason Taylor, marking a historic achievement as Hall became the first running back to throw a go-ahead touchdown pass in the final two minutes of regulation since Hall of Famer Curtis Martin in 2000. Although the Jets’ defense struggled against Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco, they ultimately forced a turnover on downs to seal the victory.
Fields expressed his emotions post-game, revealing he had cried at home due to the stress of the previous week and the team's struggles. He completed 21 of 32 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown, while Hall rushed for 133 yards on 18 carries. The Jets amassed 502 total yards, including 254 rushing yards, marking their most productive offensive performance this season. Coach Glenn praised his team's resilience amidst the negativity surrounding them, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the win while acknowledging the challenges ahead.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen showcased why he is considered one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history during the Bills' decisive 40-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers. While Allen didn't need to carry the team on his own, his performance was historic. Although he had a single passing touchdown, it was his two rushing touchdowns that made headlines.
With running back James Cook leading the charge with a career-high 216 rushing yards and two touchdowns, Allen's contributions were still significant. His two rushing touchdowns brought his total to 70 for his career, just five shy of Cam Newton's record for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history. This game marked the 46th time Allen had both a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown, breaking the tie with Newton for the most such games ever.
Reflecting on the game, Allen acknowledged the pressure following two consecutive losses and expressed relief in getting back on track. The Bills’ defense also stepped up, limiting the Panthers to just 244 yards while forcing three turnovers. Cook's remarkable performance was noteworthy, as he became only the fourth player in NFL history to achieve over 215 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on fewer than 20 carries.
In a highly anticipated matchup, Aaron Rodgers faced off against his former team, the Green Bay Packers, for the first time as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game started well for Rodgers, with the Steelers leading by nine points at halftime. However, the second half told a different story as the Packers exploded for 28 points, including 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, ultimately winning 35-25.
Rodgers demonstrated his enduring talent with impressive throws, but the Steelers struggled against the Packers’ fierce pass rush. Despite moving the ball into Green Bay territory multiple times, Pittsburgh failed to convert touchdowns, relying on kicker Chris Boswell, who went a perfect 4-of-4 on field goal attempts. The standout performance of the night was from third-year tight end Tucker Kraft, who recorded seven catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns, establishing himself as a rising star at his position.
Kraft's performance was particularly special, coinciding with the NFL’s National Tight End Day, and his 143 receiving yards rank as the second-highest single-game total for a Packers tight end, just behind Richard Rodgers’s record of 146 yards in 2015. Kraft emphasized his focus on maximizing every opportunity, showcasing his determination to help his team.
Here are the complete scores from Week 8:
Miami Dolphins 34 - 10 Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens 30 - 16 Chicago Bears Buffalo Bills 40 - 9 Carolina Panthers New York Jets 39 - 38 Cincinnati Bengals San Francisco 49ers 26 - 15 Houston Texans Cleveland Browns 32 - 13 New England Patriots Philadelphia Eagles 38 - 20 New York Giants Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23 - 3 New Orleans Saints Denver Broncos 44 - 24 Dallas Cowboys Indianapolis Colts 38 - 14 Tennessee TitansThe excitement of Week 8 has set the stage for an intriguing remainder of the NFL season as teams strive for playoff positioning and individual players chase personal milestones.
