Top 5 Week 8 Plays: Lamar Jackson’s Injury and Jim Harbaugh’s Passivity – Yahoo Sports

Jackson was declared out soon after and is expected to be placed on injured reserve. Backup Tyler Huntley was also injured during the game, leading to undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano taking over in his NFL debut. The Ravens managed to stay competitive until the third quarter, but ultimately the Bills triumphed, winning 36-10.

Fagnano faced a tough situation, throwing an interception and losing a fumble. The future of the Ravens’ season is now very much in doubt, despite their current 4-4 record.

There was no ambiguity with this play. No strategic second-guessing was required. Just unfortunate luck in Jackson’s return after nearly a month. His return lasted exactly one play.

2. Buccaneers’ surprising victory … without completing a pass

Let’s highlight the Buccaneers’ third-down play on their opening possession of the second half as their most noteworthy moment, if only for humor’s sake. Why? Because it was the last forward pass the Buccaneers attempted during the entire game.

The Buccaneers were leading 9-0 at that moment. Baker Mayfield’s pass on third down during the downpour in Tampa was incomplete. From that point on, the Buccaneers ran 28 additional plays, and none of them involved passing.

This marked the first instance since 1974 of an NFL team winning a game without completing any passes. The Buccaneers even finished with negative passing yards due to a 2-yard sack on Mayfield.

Mayfield ended the game going 0-for-3 in the rain. He also recorded three fumbles, but fortunately for him, he recovered all of them.

His performance, however, still exceeded that of Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr., who attempted 24 passes, managing to complete eight to his team and four to the Buccaneers. Penix’s four interceptions represented a career high, matching the total he had thrown in the previous 14 games combined.

The Buccaneers seemed to adapt to the wet conditions better than the Falcons. After Mayfield’s last throw, they kept the ball on the ground for 28 consecutive plays — and a total of 56 carries, amassing 324 rushing yards. Kudos to offensive coordinator Zac Robinson for recognizing what was necessary to secure the win on Sunday.

3. Minshew’s magic sparks remarkable comeback in Dallas

The Cardinals made an incredible comeback from a 14-point deficit and survived a missed extra-point attempt at the end of regulation to stun the Cowboys in overtime.

Following Jacoby Brissett’s benching, the Cardinals turned to the extraordinary Gardner Minshew. He shone brightly, delivering two crucial plays late in regulation to facilitate the incredible comeback.

After taking a 30-24 lead with just over a minute remaining, the Cowboys watched as the Cardinals faced a third-and-5 from Dallas’ 40-yard line with 27 seconds left. Minshew connected with Michael Wilson for a 27-yard completion, moving the ball to the 13-yard line.

With no timeouts left, the Cardinals had to quickly spike the ball with 11 seconds on the clock. Minshew found Wilson for a touchdown strike — a spectacular catch that looked like it would be the game-winner.

Tyler Allgeier, Wilson, and Minshew were instrumental in orchestrating that final drive. It wasn’t their fault when kicker Chad Ryland missed the extra point, which meant the game went into overtime.

In overtime, it was again Allgeier and Wilson, despite Wilson reportedly suffering two broken ribs, which may have occurred during the game-tying touchdown.

Ryland redeemed himself by nailing the field goal in overtime for the victory. Nonetheless, the team wouldn’t have emerged victorious without the clutch final drive and Wilson’s two exceptional receptions.

4. Chargers’ cautious strategy hurt them early

The Rams and Chargers started off slowly on offense in their Sunday matchup, but the Chargers gained some momentum first. However, they ended up stalling their own progress.

Ultimately, the Chargers settled for three field goals. These attempts came on fourth-and-2, fourth-and-3, and fourth-and-3. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh seemed content with taking a 9-3 lead instead of going for any of those first downs, despite all three situations being from the Rams’ 28-yard line or closer to the end zone.

You could argue that the fourth-and-2 situation was crucial as it foreshadowed just how lacking in aggression the winless Chargers would be: shockingly passive.

If Harbaugh was unwilling to take the risk on that fourth-and-2 from the Rams’ 16-yard line, it seems he had no intention to be aggressive from the 28- or the 23-yard line. Ironically, all three third downs that preceded the field goals were handoffs, often interpreted as a sign of an offensive coordinator willing to take chances on fourth downs. Yet, that was not the case!

The biggest instance of misdirection arose right before halftime. The Chargers faced a fourth-and-3 after Omarion Hampton was stopped for no gain on third down. They allowed the clock to wind down to the two-minute warning, brought the offense back out, and tried to lure the Rams into jumping offsides. However, nobody fell for it. The Rams were well aware of how conservative the Chargers were, and their plan was easily foiled.

The Rams moved the ball downfield in the closing 90 seconds of the half, scored a touchdown to take the lead, and continued from there.

5. Another missed field goal hampers the Chiefs

While ahead by three points in the fourth quarter in Denver, facing a fourth-and-8 in Broncos territory, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid resorted to a familiar strategy he’s historically employed with a narrow lead: He trusted his kicker.

However, Reid’s confidence in Harrison Butker backfired this time. Butker failed to convert on a 54-yard field-goal attempt with 2:36 left, while the Chiefs held a 24-21 lead. This marked Butker’s sixth miss of the season. Given that the Chiefs signed Justin Tucker to their practice squad last week, one has to wonder if Butker’s miss might signal the end of his time with the Chiefs.