The landscape of the AFC changed in an instant during the early window of NFL Week 8 scores as Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson was forced out of a pivotal matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Jackson, who was returning from a three-game absence, suffered an injury to the thumb on his throwing hand on the very first play of the game after making contact with Greg Rousseau. The injury sent the two-time MVP straight to the locker room, leaving backup Tyler Huntley to take over the offense.
While the Ravens dealt with the loss of their leader, the rest of the league saw high-stakes divisional battles and surprising offensive performances. From the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings facing a stiff test in Detroit to a heated rivalry between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, the mid-season playoff race is beginning to intensify.
Lamar Jackson Injury Shakes Up Ravens-Bills Clash
The highly anticipated duel between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen was cut short almost immediately. After hitting his hand on the opening drive, Jackson was sidelined, allowing the Buffalo Bills to take an early 10-0 lead. Tyler Bass contributed a 56-yard field goal that bounced off the post and through, while Allen capitalized on the momentum with a one-yard touchdown sneak.
Despite the setback, the Baltimore Ravens defense provided a spark by intercepting Allen. This turnover set up a short field, allowing Derrick Henry to rumble into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 10-7 in the second quarter.
Key highlights from Buffalo include:
* Josh Allen scoring on a 4th-and-goal leap over the pile.
* Khalil Shakir recording receptions of 18 and 25 yards.
* Derrick Henry leading the Baltimore response with an 11-yard run followed by his scoring plunge.
Unbeaten Vikings Face Lions in NFC North Battle
In Detroit, the Minnesota Vikings (6-0) put their perfect record on the line against the Detroit Lions. The game began as a defensive struggle, highlighted by Andrew van Ginkel recording two sacks early in the first quarter. The Lions thought they had an early lead through an Amon-Ra St. Brown touchdown, but officials ruled the pass incomplete.
Minnesota’s offense, led by Kyler Murray, found some rhythm with a 29-yard pass to TJ Hockenson, but the drive stalled. The Lions eventually broke the deadlock with a 25-yard field goal from J. Bates, taking a narrow 3-0 lead into the second quarter. The Vikings missed a 57-yard field goal attempt earlier in the frame, leaving them scoreless in the opening period.
Browns and Steelers Fight for AFC North Supremacy
The rivalry between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers reached a boiling point this week, with both teams entering the day at 5-2. Pre-game tension was fueled by Browns edge rusher Jared Verse, who previously criticized the Steelers' style of play.
"I don’t got no respect for anybody that plays too dirty, and that does too much extra shit after the game," Verse stated leading up to the rematch.
Steelers veteran Cam Heyward dismissed the claims, saying, "But we don’t whine about it, baby. It’s part of the game."
On the field, the Steelers struck first. R. Dowdle found the end zone on a nine-yard rush to give Pittsburgh a 7-0 lead. While the Steelers' red zone offense struggled later in the half—leading to Aaron Rodgers throwing away consecutive passes on goal-to-go situations—Chris Boswell was able to extend the lead to 10-0 with a 20-yard chip shot.
Early Window Scoreboard and Standings
Across the league, several other teams are fighting to stay in the postseason hunt as the season reaches its halfway mark.
- Tennessee Titans vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Tony Pollard electrified the Tennessee sideline with a 41-yard touchdown run, helping the Titans to an early 10-0 advantage.
- Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys defense notched a major play early, returning a fumble for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead as they look to reach a .500 record.
- Las Vegas Raiders vs. New York Jets: Geno Smith connected with I. Williams for an 18-yard touchdown, giving the Jets a 13-7 lead in the second quarter. Earlier, Kirk Cousins found B. Bowers for a Raiders touchdown.
- Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Coming off their bye week, the Jaguars took a 7-0 lead following a 12-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence to B. Thomas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Lamar Jackson in the game against the Bills?
Lamar Jackson injured the thumb on his throwing hand on the first play of the game after hitting his hand against Greg Rousseau. He was forced to leave the game and went to the locker room for evaluation, with Tyler Huntley stepping in at quarterback.
Who is leading the AFC North after the early Week 8 games?
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns entered the week tied at 5-2 for the division lead. In their head-to-head matchup, the Steelers took an early 10-0 lead behind a rushing touchdown from R. Dowdle and a field goal by Chris Boswell.
How did the Vikings perform in the first quarter against the Lions?
The Vikings struggled to score early, missing a 57-yard field goal. Their defense remained active with Andrew van Ginkel recording two sacks, but they trailed the Lions 3-0 after the first period following a J. Bates field goal.