The NFL has certainly provided its share of uncertainty through eight weeks, starting with the competitiveness of games throughout the year. There have been 55 games decided by a touchdown (six points) or less and 71 games decided by one score (eight points), both the most such games through the first eight weeks all time. There have been 94 games within one score in the fourth quarter this season, the most such games through the first eight weeks in NFL history.
The competitive balance has led to the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons being surprising division leaders, along with the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers having losing records after dominating the NFC the last few years. The Buffalo Bills lead the pack in the AFC, yet there are plenty of teams trying to challenge them and the Kansas City Chiefs for conference supremacy.
What did we learn about each team after the Week 8 slate of games? Some teams certainly showcased their strengths and weaknesses in this week’s slate of games.
The run defense had a surprisingly poor day: Arizona’s run defense has been good this season, not allowing more than 139 yards in any game this year and allowing only 101.1 yards per game prior to Sunday. The Cardinals allowed a season-high 173 rushing yards in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings, allowing 6.0 yards per carry in the defeat.
Arizona was a top-10 run defense prior to Sunday, now the Cardinals are 13th. The Vikings’ duo of Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison had 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns and built a double-digit lead in the second half.
If the Cardinals stopped the run earlier, they might have escaped Minnesota with a win.
Atlanta Falcons
The best team in the NFC South: Crazy to think this is where we stand after eight weeks, but the Falcons are the only .500 team in the division — and the best team. Atlanta can win the ball against anyone, finishing with 167 yards in Sunday’s win — the sixth time the Falcons have rushed for 150-plus yards this year (Atlanta is 4-2 in those games).
The Falcons are getting Kyle Pitts involved in the offense now, a scary proposition given how well they run the ball. Arthur Smith is a good head coach and gets the most out of a team that may have more talent than originally thought.
With all the flaws in the NFC South, the Falcons are the one team that has a clear strength over the rest of the division. Until…
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