The NFL Roundup 2020: Week 8 – What We Learned

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Normally once Week 8 in the NFL has come to a close, we have a pretty good idea of how the rest of the season should shake out. The elite are locked in, the stragglers might have a chance and the underachievers are readying for the draft. But after this wild weekend, a lot is still up in the air. Because some of the elite teams don’t look elite, and some of the stragglers are coming on strong and the underachievers are still keeping hope alive. Which led to some shocking games, the kind that left fans everywhere filled with surprise and uncertainty as to how the rest of the season is going to shake out. But before we speculate on that, let's take a moment and reflect upon that Wild Week 8 and all the twists and turns it sent our way.

Tua Time was just what the Dolphins needed.
Sometimes a sliver of hope is all that a team needs in order to do something spectacular, and for proof… look no further than the Miami Dolphins. Because their season was teetering on the edge of success, and all they needed to obtain it, was a little hope that they could be something more this year and switching to Tua accomplished that. Because the entire team offered up an inspired performance on Sunday, despite the fact that the rookie, looked like a rookie. But knowing that he will improve and knowing that they have a chance with a physically talented player under center, was all they needed to believe and execute, and it should be interesting to see where the promise of Tua takes the Dolphins in the weeks to come.
 
The Cincinnati Bengals shocked the world on Sunday.
I think it is safe to say that every football fan out there, this writer included, had zero faith in the Bengals pulling off the upset against the Titans on Sunday. For it seemed as though they were simply outclassed talent wise and coaching wise. But uh... the Bengals did it. They beat the Titans handily on Sunday and truly this is an upset for the ages. For Cincy exploited every weakness that this team has, the kind that will be studied and poured over in film sessions this week, and that speaks volumes to the talents of the Bengals coaching staff. Since they had their guys ready to execute when necessary and well, it might be time to have a little faith in the Bengals. Because clearly, something special is happening at Paul Brown Stadium and this team might be a force to contend with sooner rather than later.
 
Stick a fork in the New England Patriots, they’re done.
Well, all good things must come to an end and that applies to the Patriots dynasty as well. Because at 2-5 their season and their dominance in the AFC has come to a close, especially with a resurgent Miami and Buffalo ahead of them. So, the time has come to focus upon those two teams in the AFC East as the season rolls along, and it is time for the Pats to start thinking about their rebuilding plan. Because their lackluster draft picks and value free agents this year simply didn’t cut it and won’t cut it long term. Which mean Bill Belichick needs to keep playing the young guys to see if there’s any gems while they prepare for an aggressive offseason in order to bring this franchise back to the glory that it enjoyed not that long ago. 
 
The Denver Broncos finally showed some promise.
Let’s be honest, it’s been quite the unsettling football season in the Mile High City. Because Broncos Country really expected Drew Lock to do something wonderful things this year. And up until Sunday, he was giving fans more of the mediocrity they’ve come to lament in that town. But something special happened in the fourth quarter. Since this young gunslinger went wild and marched his team down the field to a win. Which means at long last, this unpolished QB is starting to understand his potential and lead his team, and for the first time in a long time, this team showed some promise. And hopefully the Broncos can build upon this win and start to put together some incredible play. Because quality football is something that is sorely missed in Denver.
 
It is time to declare the Pittsburgh Steelers as the team to beat in the AFC.
Look, I get it. Patrick Mahomes is a great quarterback and the Chiefs are loaded with talent and they’re the defending champs. But man, something special is happening in Pittsburgh that cannot be ignored. Because this team has genuinely beaten all comers and they’ve defeated some quality teams on their way to 7-0 and at this point, it seems as though there is no stopping them. Because their defense is well versed in their opponents tendencies week in and week out, and the offense is firing on all cylinders. Which means, these guys are the team to beat in the AFC, and if teams keep getting shut down by the Steel Curtain, they're going to put an exclamation point on that statement, by locking up the number one seed in the playoffs. 

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