Broncos clinch AFC West as Chiefs fall, other NFL teams face setbacks in Week 8
Denver defeated Kansas City with a goal-line stand to take the AFC West lead, while Baltimore lost Lamar Jackson to injury and Dallas saw a late collapse against Arizona.
Denver secured the AFC West lead with a goal-line stop in the final seconds of its game against Kansas City. After rallying from an 11-point deficit, the Broncos held a 28-24 advantage late in the fourth quarter. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II and reserve safety JL Skinner made key tackles on a fourth-and-1 play, forcing a sack on quarterback Patrick Mahomes and preserving the win. > "We stood 10 toes down and found a way to finish," Surtain said.
The victory moved Denver to 6-2, giving them a half-game edge over the 5-2 Chiefs, who have now lost two straight after an unbeaten bye-week.
In Baltimore, quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a thumb injury on his first snap against Buffalo and will undergo surgery, likely ending his season. Backup Tyler Huntley also sustained a potential turf-toe injury, leaving the Ravens with only undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano as an available quarterback. The team may explore trade options as the injury crisis deepens.
Dallas experienced a dramatic collapse against the Arizona Cardinals. Holding a 10-point lead with under four minutes left, the Cowboys allowed four consecutive touchdowns, ultimately losing in overtime. The loss dropped the Cowboys' odds of winning the NFC East to 27 percent.
Other notable outcomes included the Tampa Bay Buccaneers winning 16-0 without completing a pass, relying on a heavy rushing attack, and the Indianapolis Colts indicating a strong interest in trading running back Jonathan Taylor amid a broader roster overhaul.
These results reshaped the AFC West race, weakened the Ravens' playoff hopes, and highlighted the volatility of several teams' seasons as Week 8 concluded.