Andy Dalton

NFL Week 8 Highlights: Showdown in Cincy, London Game 3, Fitzmagic returns

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Unbelievably, we have reached the halfway mark in the season. The action however, has improved each and every week. This week was no different. The London Games concluded this week also, with the Eagles taking over Wembley Stadium. 

Eagles End the Streak

For three years straight the Jacksonville Jaguars were unbeaten in London. The Eagles put a stop to that this weekend, running out winners 24-18, with Carson Wentz stealing the show.

He completed 21 of 30 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, the Eagles’ run game worked a treat, producing 133 rushing yards collectively. The player of the game was undoubtedly Jordan Hicks, who compiled 12 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. 

As for the Jaguars, Blake Bortles once again failed to lead his team back from a deficit, proving that despite his 286 passing yards and touchdown, ‘dink and dunk’ passes simply do not work. The Jags now find themselves at the bottom of the AFC South with their playoff hopes slowly diminishing. 

Cool, Cam and Collected

Cam Newton bolstered his argument as a potential MVP candidate in a dominating performance against the Ravens. He completed 72% of his passes which gained 219 passing yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Christian McCaffrey once again posed a dual-threat from the backfield, scoring a touchdown both rushing and receiving. 

       

On the other hand, the Ravens were let down by Joe Flacco who was picked off twice in the game. More importantly, the Ravens’ defence were totally ineffective in pressuring Cam, with zero sacks in the game. 

The 36-21 victory for the Panthers sees them gain some momentum in a race for top spot in the NFC South. The Ravens fall to third in the AFC North.

Conner shines again

James Conner shone again for Pittsburgh Steelers with a dominating performance against the Cleveland Browns. 

From the backfield, Conner rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns. His performance didn’t stop there, as he also amassed 66 receiving yards on just five receptions. 

Minnesota meltdown 

In the first encounter between the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings since the infamous ‘Minnesota Miracle’, the Saints gained some revenge in a 20-30 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium. 

Drew Brees had a fairly quite game relying on short dump off passes, finishing with 18 completions for just 120 yards and a touchdown. The defence deserves all the plaudits, with a fumble, a crucial 4th and 1 stoppage and P.J. Williams completing a pick-six in a commanding display. 

Kirk Cousins appeared to move the ball downfield with ease, producing 359 passing yards and two touchdowns. In spite of that, the Vikings failed to establish a run game, meaning they became one-dimensional and for the Saints, far too easy to stop. They fall to second in the North.

Rams recover in LA

The Los Angeles Rams quickly fell behind against the Green Bay Packers in LA. Despite that, Jared Goff was able to pull the Rams back from the depths of defeat in a statement 29-27 victory. 

Throwing the ball for 295 yards and three touchdowns, Goff was incredibly resilient despite failures in the first quarter to pull the Rams ahead. Todd Gurley, incredible as ever, rushed for 114 yards and led the team in receptions, with 6 for 81 yards and a touchdown. The Rams remain unbeaten at 8-0.

The Packers also gave it their all but it was simply not enough. Rodgers was on fire again, contributing 286 passing yards and a touchdown. However, a pivotal fumble by Ty Montgomery in the last three minutes of the game provided the Rams with the ball at the 20-yard marker and allowed them to enter victory formation. 

Thriller in Cincinnati

A rebirth of FitzMagic led a ferocious charge to end the game against the Bengals, however, it was to little too late and the Bengals clung on for a victory.

Let’s begin with Jameis Winston though. Playing just under three quarters, Winston was intercepted four times before he was pulled from the game. Ryan Fitzpatrick was then activated with one minute and 21 seconds left in the third. Fitzpatrick completed a magnificent comeback throwing two touchdowns and converting the 2-point conversion to tie the score 34-34.

The Bengals, led by Andy Dalton, were able to march the ball downfield, with kicker Randy Bullock nailing the game-winning 44-yard field goal. 

The win for the Bengals slots them in behind the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 5-3 record. The Buccaneers drop to the bottom of the NFC South.