Updated November 3, 2026
Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season closed Monday night with Chicago's 34-17 win in Seattle. For every final score and standout, read our full Week 8 recap with every final score. What follows are six takeaways from the week, each tied to the NFL.com division standings and the game reports published on ESPN as of Tuesday morning, November 3.
No Unbeaten Teams Remain After Detroit Beat Minnesota
Minnesota entered the week as the league's last unbeaten team, which we covered when the Vikings reached 6-0. Detroit ended that run 19-15 on Sunday. According to the AP recap of Lions-Vikings on ESPN, Jared Goff threw a 7-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Jameson Williams with 4:35 left, and Detroit ran for 230 yards, 164 of them in the second half. Jahmyr Gibbs had 153 rushing yards. It was Minnesota's first loss since Nov. 30, 2025.
Three teams now sit at one loss in the NFL.com standings: Buffalo (6-1), Minnesota (6-1) and San Francisco (6-1). Buffalo plays at Minnesota on Monday Night Football in Week 9, so the one-loss group will shrink by at least one team unless that game ends in a tie.
The NFC North Is the Deepest Division in Football
All four NFC North teams have winning records after Week 8. Minnesota is 6-1, Chicago 6-2, Detroit 5-2 and Green Bay 5-3, a combined 22-8. No other division has four teams above .500. The schedule inside the division matters more than usual here, because a 10-win team could finish third or fourth.
Chicago's win on Monday came in the debut of defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who had a sack. We covered the deal when the Bears traded for Jeffery Simmons. Per the AP recap of Bears-Seahawks on ESPN, Seattle finished with 252 total yards and converted 1 of 11 third downs. Caleb Williams threw for 247 yards while completing 71% of his passes, and D'Andre Swift ran for three short touchdowns.
Run Games Decided Two of the Week's Strangest Results
Tampa Bay beat Atlanta 16-0 without completing a pass. The AP recap of Buccaneers-Falcons on ESPN reports Baker Mayfield went 0 for 3 in wet conditions, the Buccaneers ran for a team-record 324 yards, and they became the first team with zero completions in a game since Buffalo on Sept. 29, 1974. Bucky Irving ran for 170 yards and Kenny Gainwell added 140. Atlanta's Michael Penix Jr. completed 8 of 24 passes with four interceptions.
Detroit's 230 rushing yards against Minnesota fit the same pattern. In both games, the team that ran the ball better controlled the second half. That is an observation from two games, not a trend line, but it is worth watching as weather turns in November.
Baltimore Falls to .500 With Its Quarterback Out
The Ravens lost 36-10 in Buffalo and are 4-4, fourth in the AFC North. NFL.com reported that Lamar Jackson will have surgery on his right thumb and go on injured reserve. Baltimore hosts Jacksonville on Thursday night to open Week 9, which gives the Ravens a short week to settle the position. If the Ravens look outside for help, our guide to how the NFL trade deadline works explains the options teams have before the window closes.
Three AFC Races Took Shape
Pittsburgh beat Cleveland 27-6 and leads the AFC North at 6-2, with Cincinnati 5-2 and Cleveland 5-3 behind. Jacksonville beat Indianapolis 42-7 and is 5-2, at least three games clear of Houston (2-5), Indianapolis (2-6) and Tennessee (1-7) in the loss column. Denver beat Kansas City 28-24 and leads the AFC West at 6-2, with the Chiefs at 5-2. Buffalo is 6-1 and leads New England (5-3) in the AFC East. Records are from the NFL.com standings after Monday night.
What Week 8 Means for the November 10 Trade Deadline
The NFL's 2026-27 important dates list the trade deadline as 4:00 p.m. New York time on Tuesday, November 10, which is 1:00 p.m. PT. Two teams enter that week on long losing streaks. The Chargers lost 24-9 to the Rams and are 0-7. The Eagles are 2-6 after six straight losses. Teams in that position are usually the ones fielding calls, while contenders in crowded races, such as the four NFC North clubs, are the likely buyers. Chicago already made its move with Simmons.
NFL Week 8 Takeaways: Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any undefeated NFL teams left after Week 8 of 2026?
No. Detroit beat Minnesota 19-15 on November 1, handing the Vikings their first loss. Buffalo, Minnesota and San Francisco are each 6-1, per the NFL.com standings.
Which NFL division has the best combined record after Week 8?
The NFC North. Minnesota is 6-1, Chicago 6-2, Detroit 5-2 and Green Bay 5-3, for a combined 22-8, per the NFL.com standings on November 3, 2026.
When is the 2026 NFL trade deadline?
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT), according to the NFL's 2026-27 important dates.
