2024 NFL Week 8 Takeaways: Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua Boost Rams Back into Playoff Race

2024 NFL Week 8 Takeaways: Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua Boost Rams Back into Playoff Race 0 of 3

Harry How/Getty Images

It seems like only yesterday that the NFL campaign was kicking off. But here we are—almost halfway through the regular season.

And what a season it has been.

Week 8 began with one of the year’s most surprising teams trying to get back on track, as the Minnesota Vikings looked to rebound from their first loss in Los Angeles against the Rams. Instead, the Vikings may have been exposed—and the Rams may not want to start trading stars just yet.

Sunday’s slate features plenty of big games. There’s a battle for first place in Tampa Bay between the Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. A cross-country clash of contenders when the Buffalo Bills travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. And a Sunday night showdown in San Francisco between two historic NFC powers for whom the season has not gone as planned.

There will be blowouts and nailbiters. Huge games and vanishing acts, And as there is every week in the NFL, surprises galore.

Here’s one in advance—the Cleveland Browns stink.

Rams May Not Want to Break Up the Band Just Yet1 of 3

Puka NacuaHarry How/Getty Images

Heading into Thursday’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, there was more chatter about who the Rams would trade (especially wide receiver Cooper Kupp) than their chances of being relevant in the NFC West.

Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford (the subject of a rumor or two himself) told reporters that all the talk about who would or wouldn’t be in Los Angeles come Friday mattered a lot less to him than how the team played Thursday.

“I’m a fan of the league, so you hear those things,” Stafford said. “To be honest, we are pro athletes. We are professional football players. We’ve dealt with this kind of stuff before, and we understand it comes with the territory. [We] don’t put much into it because that’s a disservice to what we’ve got going on here. We’ve a short week and a really good opponent to try to prepare for. That’s our full focus. I know that’s where he stays too. [I] don’t worry too much about that stuff.”

The Rams played like pros against the Vikings, and with both Kupp and fellow wideout Puka Nacua back on the field, the NFC West looks quite a bit different.

Nacua topped 100 yards in his first game action since Week 1. Kupp caught one of Stafford’s four touchdown passes—more than he had for the season entering the game. The Rams won their second game in five days.

It’s not like anyone is running away with the NFC West. First-place Seattle is an up-and-down team with an injured No. 1 receiver. The San Francisco 49ers have been so ravaged by injuries that you wonder when the dam will break.

The Rams team we saw in Week 8 could win the NFC West.

And they get the first-place Seahawks next.

The Vikings Have Been Exposed—and Sam Darnold Isn’t the Problem2 of 3

Christian DarrisawHarry How/Getty Images

For folks who didn’t believe in the Minnesota Vikings, it was only a matter of time. Sooner or later, they would start losing—and it would be Sam Darnold’s fault. His improbable start to the 2024 season was a fluke. Order would be restored to the universe.

Haters gonna hate.

Well, the Vikings dropped their second straight Thursday night in Los Angeles. In an NFC North that has become a buzzsaw, it could be a costly loss.

But Minnesota has much bigger problems than its quarterback.

This isn’t to say Darnold is blameless for Thursday’s loss. After touchdowns on its first two drives, Minnesota scored six points the rest of the way. Darnold was over-focused on star receiver Justin Jefferson. The wideout had eight receptions for 115 yards. Every other pass-catcher on the team had 10 for 125.

Even with a player as great as Jefferson, that won’t work in the NFL.

The Vikings also suffered a potentially devastating injury. Minnesota’s offensive line had been the epitome of stability this year. But once left tackle Christian Darrisaw left the game, that changed—and so did Darnold.

Darrisaw’s knee injury has ended his season–a massive blow to the Vikings’ O-line.

However, the big problem—the proverbial purple elephant wearing a Viking helmet in the room—is Minnesota’s defense.

The Vikings have surrendered yards by the bushel all season. But Minny was a top-10 scoring defense entering Week 8, largely because of sacks and takeaways.

Outside one bad Matt Stafford throw that was picked off, those big plays weren’t there against the Rams—and the result was 30 points and 386 yards of offense. Stafford had more touchdown throws in Week 8 than in Weeks 1-7 combined.

The Vikings have far and away the worst defense in the NFL’s toughest division.

And that could keep them out of the postseason.

Week 8 Schedule3 of 3

Dak PrescottRyan Kang/Getty Images

Here’s a look at the rest of the NFL schedule for Week 8.

Sunday, October 27

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns: 1:00 PMTennessee Titans at Detroit Lions: 1:00 PMIndianapolis Colts at Houston Texans: 1:00 PMGreen Bay Packers at Jacksonville Jaguars: 1:00 PMArizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins: 1:00 PMNew York Jets at New England Patriots: 1:00 PMAtlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1:00 PMPhiladelphia Eagles at Cincinnati Bengals: 1:00 PMNew Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers: 4:05 PMBuffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks: 4:05 PMChicago Bears at Washington Commanders: 4:25 PMCarolina Panthers at Denver Broncos: 4:25 PMKansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders: 4:25 PMDallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers: 8:20 PMMonday, October 28

New York Giants at Pittsburgh Steelers: 8:15 PM