Analysis: Eagles, Bills, Commanders make big statements in Week 8

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It was a statement on Sunday for Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills and Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.

The Eagles (5:2) and Bills (6:2) achieved double-digit road wins. The Commanders (6-2) needed a miracle on the final play of the game.

Each team proved something in a tough game.

The Eagles had won two straight since a bye that followed an embarrassing loss to Tampa Bay in Week 4, but the mood in Philadelphia was mostly negative. Critics questioned Hurts, blasted coach Nick Sirianni and talked like the team was going 2-4 instead of 4-2 against Cincinnati.

After Joe Burrow led the Bengals on an opening touchdown drive that lasted 10:04, the boos echoed from Eagles fans sitting on their couches and watching in sports bars.

But Vic Fangio's defense calmed down. Then Hurts, Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith took over.

Hurts threw a perfect 45-yard TD pass to Smith and ran for three scores to help Philadelphia win over Cincinnati 37-17. He finished the game with 236 yards and a passer rating of 132.5, the third straight game in which he had topped 119.

People didn't give the Eagles much credit for beating the Browns and defeating the Giants in the last two weeks. Even though the Bengals (3-5) have a losing record, this was a convincing win.

“I think today was a great team win, a great performance as a team,” Hurts said. “When you play like that on defense and you're able to stop an offense that's capable of playing at a high level and with their star players, that's a great job.”

The Eagles host Jacksonville (2-6) and former coach Doug Pederson next week before an NFC East showdown against Washington (6-2) on Thursday night, Nov. 14, in Philadelphia.

The Bills also hadn't received much credit for their victories this season due to the quality of their opponents. Entering the game in Seattle, Buffalo had five wins against teams with an overall record of 10-23, while its two losses were against clubs with a record of 10-4.

Against a Seahawks team that was coming off an impressive road win in Atlanta and sitting in first place in the NFC West, the Bills came out fast and didn't let up en route to one 31-10 win.

Allen threw for 283 yards and two scores, including his first interception of the season. He threw a 2-yard TD pass to rookie Keon Coleman on the first drive and the Bills dominated the Seahawks from start to finish (4-4).

“I think if you look at it from all three phases, I think everyone went out there knowing their job and performing at a high level — offense, defense, special teams,” Allen said. “There’s still a lot to clean up.”

The Bills have a comfortable 3 1/2 game lead in the AFC East. They host Miami (2-5) next week and visit Indianapolis (4-4) before facing the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (7-0) on Nov. 17. The playoff second leg against Kansas City will be another opportunity to silence any doubters.

Daniels was unable to start against Chicago due to a rib injury. He played through it and threw a 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown on the final play to beat the Bears 18-15.

Daniels struggled for nearly 13 seconds before launching a deep pass that tipped backwards into the arms of Noah Brown, who was waiting for the win.

In the NFL's sixth matchup, where rookie quarterbacks went 1-2 in the draft, Daniels surpassed top overall pick Caleb Williams. He threw for 326 yards and a score and ran for 52.

Williams was just 10 of 24 for 131 yards for the Bears (5-3), while Daniels showed why he's the favorite for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

“We are blessed to have five leading this team,” Brown said of Daniels. “The things he can do are special – just that last play. He keeps his composure, fights like hell to get the ball away and throws a damn good ball. I wouldn't want to play with any other quarterback. I’m glad to have him.”

Another team again failed to make a positive statement in Week 8.

Aaron Rodgers is in New York, but it's the same old Jets (2-6). The defense squandered a 22:17 lead in the final three minutes after a 25:22 loss to the weak Patriots.

The Jets have lost five straight games, including three in a row after coach Robert Saleh was fired and replaced by Jeff Ulbrich.

“This is a moment of darkness and we understand that the outside world is now going to be very loud,” Ulbrich said. “But the one thing I know in life is that when things get dark and hard, you work and point the finger at yourself and look within and figure out what I can do better from an individual perspective. If we do this together, which I believe we will, that is your only chance to get out of this situation.”

The hole might be too deep for the Jets.

The Eagles, Bills and Commanders are in far better shape. This also applies to many other clubs.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl