NFL Week 8 winners, losers: Eagles' rushing attack soars; Dak Prescott's MVP chances plummet

With most of the Week 8 NFL schedule in the books, it's time to take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers from around the league. Star running backs ran roughshod, while a league MVP candidate flopped in one of his bigger tests.

NFL Week 8 winners

Philadelphia Eagles' rushing attack: The Eagles — who hadn't rushed for 158 yards or more in their first seven games — broke a cold spell in Sunday's 38-20 win over the New York Giants.

Starting running back Saquon Barkley had 150 yards and one TD on 14 carries before exiting with a groin injury in the fourth quarter. Fellow RB Tank Bigsby, meanwhile, had nine carries for 104 yards. Per Tony Holzman-Escareno of NFL Research, they became the first Eagles RBs with 100-plus rushing yards in a game since LeSean McCoy and Bryce Brown in Week 16 of the 2013 season against the Chicago Bears.  

Justin Fields, quarterback, New York Jets: Fields made Jets owner Woody Johnson eat some crow after he called him out earlier this week. The QB helped the Jets score 23 fourth-quarter points en route to a 39-38 comeback win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The beleaguered passer completed 21-of-32 passes for 244 yards and one TD in New York's first victory of the season.

Jonathan Taylor, running back: Indianapolis Colts. Taylor may be solidifying himself as an Offensive Player of the Year favorite. In a 38-14 blowout against the Tennessee Titans, the two-time Pro Bowler feasted, rushing for 153 yards and two TDs on 12 carries. According to ESPN Insights, Taylor is now the first player with 500 scrimmage yards and 10 TDs in a four-game span since former Kansas City Chiefs star RB Jamaal Charles during the 2013 season.

Tyler Huntley, quarterback, Baltimore Ravens: With starting QB Lamar Jackson out for a third straight game because of a hamstring issue, it seemed likely the Ravens would lose a fifth consecutive game. Huntley, though, helped prevent that from happening. In a 30-16 victory over Chicago, he completed 17-of-22 passes for 186 yards and one TD. 

C.J. Stroud, quarterback, Houston Texans: Stroud, the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, had a rebound performance against the San Francisco 49ers. In the 26-15 win, he completed 30-of-39 passes for 318 yards and tossed two TDs and one interception. Following the victory, Stroud told Fox Sports that Houston's performance against the Niners could serve as "a recipe for success" for the rest of the season.

NFL Week 8 losers

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott's chances of winning MVP: Prescott floundered against the Denver Broncos' elite defense. In the 44-24 loss, he completed 19-of-31 passes for 188 yards and threw two interceptions. He also posted a season-low 51.5 passer rating. Entering Sunday's game, Prescott ranked seventh in the league in passer rating (107.6).

Atlanta Falcons' offense: In a 34-10 blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Falcons averaged a meager 4.3 yards per play (213 yards on 49 plays). Surprisingly, star Atlanta RB Bijan Robinson wasn't immune to the offensive struggles. He ran for just 25 yards on nine carries and lost one fumble.

Caleb Williams, quarterback, Chicago Bears: Questions about whether 2024 No. 1 pick Williams is a franchise QB remain after Chicago's loss to Baltimore. Against the Ravens, the former USC star finished 25-of-38 passing for 285 yards and one interception. Remember, Baltimore has allowed the third-most points in the league (30 PPG) this season.

Spencer Rattler, quarterback, New Orleans Saints: Rattler's days as the starting QB for the Saints may be over. In a 23-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had one pick and lost a fumble before being benched in favor of rookie QB Tyler Shough late in the third quarter. In his Saints head coach Kellen Moore refused to name a starter for Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams. 

Al Golden, defensive coordinator, Cincinnati Bengals: When the Bengals replaced Lou Anarumo (now with the Colts) with Golden this offseason, they were banking on the former Notre Dame DC improving the unit. It may be regressing instead. The Jets had a season-high 502 yards against the Bengals. Before Sunday's game, New York hadn't surpassed 404 yards in a game this season.