Week 8 Sunday brought a wide range of performances across the NFL. Some players delivered standout games, while several teams faced difficult questions after disappointing losses. From Amani Hooker’s interception spree to Denver’s late comeback, here are the biggest winners and losers from the day’s action.
## Winner: Amani Hooker
Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker had a career day against the Cincinnati Bengals, intercepting Joe Burrow three times. The performance gave the 28-year-old a new career high for interceptions in a game and moved him to the top of the NFL leaderboard with five picks this season.
Hooker’s production is especially notable after the Titans traded Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears. His play has offered Tennessee a major defensive bright spot, and it could draw attention from teams looking for help before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Hooker’s performance may have increased his value, but the Titans have little immediate pressure to move him: he is under contract through 2028.
## Loser: Kyler Murray and the Minnesota Vikings’ offense
Minnesota’s offense struggled in a four-point loss to the Detroit Lions, managing just 15 points. Eight of those points came in the fourth quarter, making the final score look more respectable than the broader offensive performance.
Quarterback Kyler Murray’s late improvement could not hide the unit’s difficulties. The Vikings produced only 15 first downs and converted three of 10 third-down attempts. For a team that entered the game at 6-1, the lack of offensive rhythm was troubling—particularly with wide receiver Justin Jefferson capable of creating explosive plays.
Murray has yet to show the level of performance that might be expected from a former No. 1 overall pick in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. His struggles have raised questions about whether Minnesota could consider a change at quarterback if the problems continue.
## Winners: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bucky Irving and Todd Bowles
Heavy rain shaped Tampa Bay’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield attempted only three passes and completed none, but Tampa Bay still found a way to win. The result made the Buccaneers the first team to win a game without completing a pass since 1974.
Tampa Bay relied on its running game, with Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell leading the way. Irving rushed 27 times for 170 yards and a touchdown, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Gainwell added 140 yards on 25 carries, good for 5.6 yards per attempt.
The win also marked progress for coach Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers. After opening the season 0-4, Tampa Bay improved to 3-5 and moved into second place in the NFC South, behind the 3-4 Carolina Panthers.
## Loser: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons could not take advantage of Tampa Bay’s decision to virtually abandon the passing game. Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed just 33.3% of his passes and threw four interceptions, giving the Buccaneers multiple opportunities to seize control.
Atlanta has now lost three of its past four games. The schedule ahead could make the slide harder to stop, with the Falcons set to face Cincinnati, Kansas City and Minnesota in their next matchups.
## Winner: Jahmyr Gibbs
Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs produced a dominant performance against a Minnesota defense regarded as the NFL’s best. Gibbs carried the ball 23 times for 153 yards and a touchdown, averaging 6.7 yards per attempt.
His output helped the Lions overcome a strong defensive opponent and underscored his ability to create big gains on the ground. Gibbs is on pace for 464 touches this season, but his Week 8 performance showed no sign of slowing down, even against an elite defense.
## Loser: Dallas Cowboys
Dallas let an early advantage slip away against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cowboys led 14-3 in the first half and added 16 more points after halftime, but their defense surrendered 27 points in the second half as Arizona rallied.
The Cowboys struggled to contain Gardner Minshew III after he replaced Jacoby Brissett. Dallas’ offense was not at its sharpest, but the defense took the biggest share of the blame after allowing a season-high 467 yards.
## Winner: Gardner Minshew III
Arizona turned to Minshew while trailing 17-3 with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter. It was his first game action of the 2026 season, and the backup quarterback responded with an impressive comeback effort.
Minshew led the Cardinals on four consecutive touchdown drives to force overtime. Arizona might have finished the rally in regulation if kicker Chad Ryland had made a go-ahead extra point attempt, but Minshew remained composed. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns, helping Arizona defeat Dallas in overtime.
## Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers defense
Pittsburgh’s defense controlled its matchup with the Cleveland Browns, limiting its AFC North rival to six points in a 21-point Steelers victory. T.J. Watt recorded two sacks, while the defense finished with a season-high eight sacks of Deshaun Watson.
The Steelers also stifled Cleveland’s running game, allowing just 34 rushing yards at an average of 2.3 yards per carry. The Browns gained 284 yards through the air, but Pittsburgh’s commanding lead forced Cleveland into a pass-heavy game plan.
## Loser: Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore’s outlook took a serious hit after Lamar Jackson suffered another injury. The Ravens fell to 4-4, and the team may need to search for a quarterback to replace or support Tyler Huntley.
Jackson’s availability remains uncertain, and it is possible he could miss the rest of the season. How Baltimore responds at quarterback could have a major effect on the team’s prospects from here.
## Winner: Denver Broncos
The Broncos rallied at home after the Kansas City Chiefs built a 24-13 lead in the third quarter. Denver scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth to beat its AFC West rival and reclaim the division lead.
Kansas City had a chance to answer late, moving toward the goal line as time expired. Malcolm Roach ended the drive with a game-sealing sack of Patrick Mahomes, preserving the Broncos’ comeback victory.
## Losers: Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers fell to 0-7 after a 24-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Los Angeles struggled to compete in the defeat, and quarterback Justin Herbert threw two more interceptions. He now leads the NFL with 10 interceptions in seven starts.
The Chargers’ running game offered little support, averaging 2.6 yards per carry on 26 attempts. After another difficult result, changes in Los Angeles appear increasingly likely.
