The end of Week 8 means the NFL regular season is almost halfway done. Although the season is less than halfway through, 44.4% feels like a large enough sample size to have genuine takeaways on what’s happened thus far.
Patrick Mahomes does seem to be back to his MVP self; Drake Maye very well could be the next 15-plus-year Patriot quarterback; and the Ravens look to be the most likely team to win the AFC North.
On the other hand, it would be surprising if Daniel Jones suddenly turned into a perennial Pro Bowl-level player, and San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan will likely figure out how to make someone besides his starting running back the 49ers’ top receiving option. With that all being said, here are some takeaways on Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season.
A dream within a dream: The 2-5 Ravens are favorites to win the AFC North
After the Baltimore Ravens’ fairly nightmarish start, winning only one of their first six games, the team is somehow viewed by Las Vegas as odds-on favorites to win its division.
To be fair, this is less of a vote of confidence for the Ravens and more of an indictment of the rest of the teams in the AFC North. The Cincinnati Bengals are missing their starting quarterback Joe Burrow, the Cleveland Browns do not seem to have anything positive happening on offense, and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense appears to be made of Swiss cheese.
That being said, the Ravens did look good against the Chicago Bears Oct. 26, winning by 14, and perennial MVP candidate quarterback Lamar Jackson should be back from injury by their next game against the Miami Dolphins. There’s good reason to be bullish on the Ravens.
Taylor-made: Jonathan’s Colts cannot stop winning
There are zero teams who have a record that is tied or better than that of the Indianapolis Colts, who currently stand at 7-1. Running back Jonathan Taylor is well on his way to win Offensive Player Of the Year and even has a chance at being the first non-quarterback since running back Adrian Peterson in 2012 to win MVP. Many people are also seeing quarterback Daniel Jones as a legitimate MVP candidate. According to the books, he is sixth most likely, at +1500.
Indianapolis was a credible Super Bowl contender, tied for sixth best odds, before the season started. Call it weak competition, sure, but you can only beat the teams on your schedule, and the Colts have done a phenomenal job of that so far.
Taylor especially has been unstoppable — he’s leading the league in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns by a wide margin. Jones has been a top 10 quarterback statistically, a big surprise compared to last season. Head coach Shane Steichen has done a fantastic job and has his team looking significantly better than anyone could’ve expected.
Packers statement win: Green Bay “packs up” Pittsburgh and “steels” their chance of winning
The Green Bay Packers currently have the second best odds of winning the NFC and third best of winning the Super Bowl overall. Their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh Oct. 26 helps explain why.
Simply put, there are few holes on this Packers team. Head coach Matt LaFleur is one of the better head coaches and play callers in the league. Quarterback Jordan Love is having a great season and is likely a top five quarterback in the NFC. The team probably has the best defensive player in football in defensive end Micah Parsons. With running back Josh Jacobs, the Packers have a run game that can be relied upon week-in, week-out.
This is all to say that despite the fact the Packers play in one of the tougher divisions in football, there’s a very good chance Lambeau Field will be hosting playoff games come January. And there are few places harder for away opponents to win at than up in Northern Wisconsin.
Sit/Start
Another week goes by as we inch closer to the Fantasy Football playoffs. Here are some recommendations that can hopefully propel you to the No. 1 seed in your respective leagues and avoid demoralizing punishments.
Start
Daniel Jones (QB, IND) (Away vs. PIT)
There are many mysteries in the world. Amelia Earhart’s disappearance, the Mary Celeste, the Bermuda Triangle — and why the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is the highest paid in the league. A defense boasting 2021 defensive player of the year linebacker TJ Watt and Super Bowl champion cornerback Jalen Ramsey has conceded 68 points in its last two games. The Steelers’ apparent ineptitude when it comes to stopping a quarterback from throwing the ball points to a strong showing from surprising breakout star Daniel Jones. The Colts’ quarterback currently marshals the team with the best record in the NFL, putting up the most points per game in the process (33.8). While Jones has relied heavily on star running back and MVP candidate Taylor up to this point, the Steelers weakness in pass defense gives Jones the opportunity to flex his arm and keep the Colts rolling.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB, NYG) (Home vs. SF)
The brutal and incredibly unfortunate injury to New York Giants starting running back Cameron Skattebo was awful to see. However, the Giants have a strong replacement in 2024 fifth round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr. Tracy is coming up against a 49ers defense ravaged by injuries, having already lost edge rusher Nick Bosa and defensive captain and middle linebacker Fred Warner to season-ending injuries. Adding to the 49ers extensive injury list was edge rusher Bryce Huff, defensive tackle Alfred Collins and linebacker Dee Winters, all crucial pieces when it comes to the 49ers run defense.
The 49ers have performed admirably up to this point with their consistently changing squad, but new injuries and traveling to the opposite coast is tough for a team to handle. Expect Tracy Jr. to share the workload with quarterback Jaxson Dart and take advantage of a weakened 49ers team.
Derrick Henry (RB, BAL) (Away vs. MIA)
The Baltimore Ravens haven’t looked like themselves ever since their Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Similar to the 49ers, injuries have hit the Ravens hard. The Ravens haven’t had MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson since Week 3, and they lost further important defensive pieces to injuries along the way. Jackson looks set to return to the field soon, and Ravens fans will pray that it comes as soon as possible.
Whether or not Jackson is playing, the Ravens will have to travel to Florida to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 9. The Dolphins have struggled this season, having won only two games (as many as the Ravens). With uncertainty over the quarterback situation, Ravens running back Derrick Henry could see an increased workload, especially against a run defense that has struggled this season, coming in at No. 28 in the league.
Sit
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, WASH) ( vs. SEA)
Running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt is coming off a tough game against the Kansas City Chiefs, garnering only 25 yards on nine attempts and dropping his only target in the passing game. It doesn’t seem to get easier for Croskey-Merritt, as he will come up against a stingy Seattle Seahawks defense marshalled by head coach Mike McDonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde. Coming into this week’s matchup, the Seahawks boast the best run defense in the league, limiting opposition running backs to 75 yards per game. Furthermore, Croskey-Merrit appears to be ineffective in the passing game, having fewer receptions than his counterparts against the Chiefs, a trend that could limit his value as a fantasy asset. It is a smart decision to leave Croskey-Merrit on the bench for this week.
Bijan Robinson (RB, ATL) (Away vs. NE)
It may sound crazy, but the Atlanta Falcons are playing the New England Patriots, who have excelled against the run. Running back Bijan Robinson is coming off a poor showing against a Dolphins team that is a subway turnstile against the run, ranking 28th in the league. Robinson ran nine times for 25 yards, had three receptions and lost a fumble. While it could just be an off day for the 2023 eighth overall pick, coming up against a stronger defense this week makes for a gloomy fantasy outlook for managers who have Robinson on their roster. It may be best to bench Robinson and look elsewhere for more favourable matchups.
Drake Maye (QB, NE) ( vs. ATL)
So far, quarterback Maye has weathered everything that has been thrown at him. Week 9 may be a tougher object to dodge as the Patriots host Atlanta. The Falcons have been stingy against the pass, with the fewest passing yards allowed per game among all 32 teams. The Falcons defense will also come into Gillette Stadium with a chip on its collective shoulder, having conceded four passing touchdowns to Miami’s quarterback Tua Tagovailoa the previous week.
The Falcons have also allowed the fewest completions in the league, a stat that may prompt head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to try and further establish the running game. Seeing 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey succeed against the Falcons in Week 7 and the Falcons rushing defense being ranked No. 21 in the league may also motivate Vrabel and McDaniels to up their game. Atlanta’s success against the pass and troubles against the run “Maye” suggest a lighter workload for the sophomore quarterback.
