The 10 Most Important Stats From Week 8 in the NFL
By Jason McIntyre
0: There were no 400-yard passers in the NFL in week eight, which is a far cry from Week 4, when there were five QBs who passed for over 400 yards (Goff, Luck, Carr, Cousins, Ryan). That’s two weeks in a row, actually. And only one QB threw for over 350 yards (Cousins). Many factors obviously are at play – defenses adjusting, offenses leaning on the running game – but as the calendar turns to November, it’ll be interesting to monitor.
2: Touchdown catches by Josh Reynolds of the Rams in the win over the Packers. It’s the same number of touchdown catches that Odell Beckham has this season.
3: Sacks by Atlanta edge rusher Dee Ford in a win over the Broncos. Ford also forced two fumbles. The Chiefs defense has been atrocious this season, but it has improved slightly of late – before Case Keenum averaged 6.0 ypp – but the emergence of Ford is pivotal. Two years ago he had 10 sacks. If Andy Reid can bookend a healthy Justin Houston with Ford, and return Eric Berry, the Super Bowl is within reach.
4: Interceptions thrown by Jameis Winston in a little more than three quarters in Cincinnati. So he came in relief against the Bears and threw two interceptions; then threw two more in Atlanta, then two more against Cleveland, and four Sunday. It probably ends Winston’s time in Tampa. Ryan Fitzpatrick rallied the Bucs to only lose by three.
6.1: Yards per play from the Panthers in their surprising 36-21 rout of the Ravens. Inconsistent Baltimore came into the game averaging an NFL-low 4.5 yards per play. The Panthers rushed for 154 yards; were 50 percent on 3rd down (6-of-12), and Cam Newton didn’t commit one turnover. Newton, on pace for a career-low interceptions, is completing a career-high 65 percent of his passes. He’s a sneaky MVP candidate for the 5-2 Panthers.
7: Fumbles by Carson Wentz in the six games he’s played this season. Ball security has clearly been a problem, but don’t tell that to Eagles fans. As a rookie, Wentz led the NFL with 14 fumbles in 16 games; last year, he cut back on fumbles a bit, down to nine in 13 games.
149: Adrian Peterson rushed for 149 yards in a win over the Giants, keeping the Redskins in first place in the NFC East. His 64-yard gallop in the 4th quarter sealed the victory. Adrian Peterson is 33. He’s been the Redskins most important player so far this season.
176: Running was clearly the NFL theme this week, and the Seahawks gashed the Lions for 176 rushing yards in an impressive road win. The Seahawks averaged 6.8 yards per play, and Russell Wilson was 14-of-17 passing. Keep an eye on the balanced Seahawks.
189: The Broncos have been able to hang close to Denver twice this season, and Sunday, they did it by running the football. Phillip Lindsay rushed for 95 yards, and Devontae Booker added 78 as the Broncos did their best to keep Pat Mahomes and the KC offense off the field.
212: James Conner had an interesting game against Cleveland, rushing 24 times for 146 yards and two TDs, and then catching 66 yards worth of passes. So 210 yards of total offense in the week before Le'Veon Bell is slated to arrive.