Tyler Allgeier went OFF for the Cardinals in Week 8, putting up his best game yet with 191 total yards and two touchdowns, including a ridiculous 63-yard score that helped spark a comeback win against the Cowboys. Gardner Minshew got plenty of credit for the W, but Allgeier made that Arizona offense sing after Jacoby Brissett was benched. This dude showed out.
The Ground Game Takes Over
Allgeier wasn’t the only running back to absolutely shine when the NFL gridirons were messy and the weather was ugly. Jahmyr Gibbs for the Lions also tore it up, rushing for 153 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. The Vikings tried to limit Detroit’s passing game, but they had zero answers for Gibbs, who did exactly what the Lions paid him to do, setting the tone in a critical divisional win. This guy is an All-Pro for a reason, and he absolutely delivered.
Tony Pollard might not have gotten his Titans a win on Sunday, but their offense has been looking way better over the last two weeks, and Pollard is the main reason why. The veteran back has racked up over 100 yards with multiple touchdowns in back-to-back weeks. He rushed for 117 yards and two scores against the Bengals, adding another 20 yards through the air, making fantasy owners ecstatic.
728 Yards And Counting
But let’s talk about the Buccaneers backfield. Tampa Bay didn’t complete a single pass in absolutely brutal conditions on Sunday, yet they still managed to secure a shutout victory over the Falcons. How? Their running backs were straight up *unbelievable*. Bucky Irving continued his resurgent season with a massive 170 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Despite the offense being super predictable because of the no-pass game plan, Irving still exploded, moving his season total to an incredible 728 rushing yards. That’s a massive number early in the season, and it’s clear it will take way more than some rain to slow him down.
And get this: Kenny Gainwell, the Buccaneers’ *second* leading rusher, also had a monster day. He split carries with Irving and was almost as efficient, putting up 140 yards on 25 carries. This Tampa Bay ground game is a force to be reckoned with.
Week 8’s Surprise Packages
Braelon Allen also stepped up big for the Jets. He had 21 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown, adding 6 receiving yards on two catches. The Jets put up 33 points, which you’d normally expect to be a win, but it wasn’t enough against the Raiders. That doesn’t take anything away from Allen’s performance, who continues to show out.
Week 8 proved that no matter the conditions or the game plan, these running backs are ready to take over and change the game. It’s early, but some serious trends are emerging here, and these guys are making names for themselves.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply