From a running back possibly playing his final game with his team to a defensive end coming off an epic performance, here are players to watch in Week 8:
SUNDAY’S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Is this Derrick Henry’s last game with the Titans?
The Titans (2-4) appear to be in sell mode after they dealt standout safety Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN believes Tennessee “would consider unloading Henry” before the trade deadline Tuesday.
Regardless, the Titans need Henry — who’s 11th in the NFL in rushing yards (425) — to step up against the Atlanta Falcons (4-3). Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Titans QB Ryan Tannehill is questionable (ankle), and rookie Will Levis is expected to make his first start. Although Atlanta is eighth in rushing yards allowed per game (95.3), Tennessee will rely heavily on Henry to take pressure off its inexperienced QB.
SUNDAY’S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Myles Garrett dominates again
In a Week 7 victory against the Indianapolis Colts, the Browns defensive end became the first player to finish a game with two sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal since 2000, per Pro Football Talk. Garrett should have another dominant performance against the Seattle Seahawks (4-2).
Per Pro Football Reference, the Seahawks have allowed the NFL’s third-highest pressure rate (29.5 percent), and their run game apparently can’t mitigate the problem. Seattle is 20th in the league in rushing yards per game (106). Don’t be surprised if Garrett finishes with multiple sacks and the Browns (4-2) — 3.5-point underdogs as of Friday, per OddsChecker — pull off an upset.
SUNDAY’S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | C.J. Stroud outduels Bryce Young in a battle of top picks
Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich insisted he doesn’t have second thoughts about selecting Young with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft instead of Stroud, who went second overall to the Houston Texans.
“Yeah, we got the guy we wanted to get,” Reich said Wednesday, via Steve Reed of the Associated Press. “I’m happy for C.J. He’s had a good six games, and I have no doubt he will have many more good games. But I know this: When it comes to evaluating QBs or any other position, it’s years, not weeks.”
Stroud, however, should lead the Texans (3-3) to a victory over winless Carolina (0-6). Expect the 22-year-old QB — who’s fourth in the league in passing yards per game (276.7) — to shred a defense tied for last in points allowed (31 PPG) with the Denver Broncos.
SUNDAY’S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Justin Herbert gets back on track
On Wednesday, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said his fractured left middle finger is “getting better” every day. This is good news for fans of the Chargers (2-4) because the injury clearly hampered him in back-to-back losses in which he only completed 58 percent of his passes and threw three interceptions.
Herbert should get back in the groove against the Bears (2-5), who allow 257.1 passing yards per game, 29th in the NFL. Also, the 25-year-old QB — who has been sacked 15 times this season — won’t have to worry about a Chicago pass-rush that has logged the second-fewest sacks (10) in the league.
