Oct 27, 2025 - 13:57
By espn.com

NFL Week 8: Biggest questions, takeaways for every game - ESPN

Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season began in Los Angeles on Thursday night, with quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers cruising to a win over the Vikings. Herbert threw three touchdown passes and rushed for 62 yards, while rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II continued his quick ascension with 77 yards and a touchdown.

In the early window Sunday, the Jets got their first win of the season and the three other AFC East teams also won their matchups (Bills, Dolphins and Patriots). Buffalo running back James Cook III finished with 216 rushing yards through three quarters against the Panthers, the most by any NFL player since 2018. The Eagles also got a vintage performance from running back Saquon Barkley, who dominated against his former team (the Giants) before exiting in the third quarter because of a groin injury.

In the late window, the Bucs' defense finished with four takeaways in a win over the Saints, who benched quarterback Spencer Rattler for rookie Tyler Shough in the second half. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor scored three touchdowns for the second straight week in their dominant win over the Titans. And the Broncos scored on five of their first eight possessions against the Cowboys.

Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers lost 35-19 to the quarterback's former team, the Green Bay Packers, to wrap up the night's slate.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for every team. Let's get to it.

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