Week 8 Results
Indianapolis (vs Tennessee) - 4 sacks, 1 INT
While this wasn't the usual D/ST bonanza that we see when Cam Ward takes the field, it was still an acceptable result by Week 8 standards, when few D/ST's put up big games.
A Look Ahead: @PIT ATL BYE - The Steelers offense has kept turnovers and sacks in check, so this isn't a preferred matchup.
Atlanta (vs Miami) - 1 sack
Well, this was disappointing. The Falcons let a team that looked like one of the worst in the league beat them up in a blowout loss for the second time this season. It will be difficult to trust them again.
A Look Ahead: @NE @IND CAR - Fly the coop, Falcons
Kansas City (vs Washington)
A Look Ahead: @BUF BYE @DEN -
Tampa Bay (at New Orleans) - 5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 INT, 1 DEF TD, 3 pts allowed
Here is your Yahtzee of the week. Counting on Spencer Rattler to dig himself even deeper into a turnover hole after his Week 7 disaster at Chicago was a good call this week, enough so that Rattler got benched during the game. We'll keep targeting the Saints with our D/ST plays.
A Look Ahead: BYE NE @BUF - The Bucs get the Saints again in Week 14.
New England (vs Cleveland) - 1 safety, 1 sack, 2 INT
Dillon Gabriel threw a few bad picks after the Patriots jumped out to a lead, and added an intentional grounding in the end zone as the cherry on the D/ST sundae.
A Look Ahead: ATL @TB NYJ - The Falcons offense is ice cold and traveling, so we'll stick with the Patriots in Week 9.
LA Chargers (vs Minnesota) - 5 sacks, 1 INT
This was a good result by Week 8 standards, and Carson Wentz's parting gift to us defense renters, as he'll go to the injured reserve and miss the rest of the season after having shoulder surgery. The Chargers' defense got Khalil Mack back, and the offense got back their best lineman, Joe Alt, so they might be able to manufacture more positive results like this one.
A Look Ahead: @TEN PIT @JAX - A slam dunk Week 9 play, and we might stick with the Chargers D/ST until they cool off.
Chicago (at Baltimore) - 2 sacks
The Bears ran into Tyler Huntley on the best day of his career.
A Look Ahead: @CIN NYG @MIN - Joe Flacco is playing well, so we'll let the Bears D/ST hibernate for at least a couple of weeks.
Cincinnati (vs NY Jets) - Nada. Zilch. Bupkis.
That's what you get for playing a defense we know is not good just because they were playing a quarterback we know is not good. We won't make this mistake again.
A Look Ahead: CHI BYE @PIT - Now watch them get a defensive touchdown against Caleb Williams this week.
Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda
Buffalo (at Carolina) - 7 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT
This was not the Andy Dalton we saw last season. Bryce Young can't get back soon enough.
Cleveland (at New England) - 6 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT
Myles Garrett was a one-man wrecking crew in this game. Unfortunately, so was Dillon Gabriel. Drake Maye outlasted the Browns' defense in another step up the mountain for the breakout quarterback.