Top 10 Most Surprising NFL Teams of Week 8 (2022)

Tell me I'm wrong, but I didn't see Cleveland's defense having that kind of game. The Browns needed that game in a big way to save their season. Nick Chubb had himself a game. If this is the Browns team that shows up from now on, then look out because they're not out of it.

I have no words for this game. Neither team wanted to win, since both franchises are in a rebuilding state. Someone had to win, and somehow it was Atlanta of all teams to lead the NFC South, thanks largely to DJ Moore and the fact that Carolina couldn't make a kick. It was something alright, and now we sit here wondering how Atlanta held first place in the division after this game.

Raiders, did you not realize you had a game, or did you just get knocked into an alternate dimension? New Orleans dominated you in every way. Do you regret letting Rich Bisaccia go yet? Josh McDaniels is a total hack of a coach. Shocking that you haven't realized copying and pasting from New England's playbook didn't work. Then again, this is the Raiders who cannot draft first-round talent to save their lives.

You guys got Joe Burrow some protection, but where was it? Seriously, where was it? Cleveland had their way against you all at every point in the game. This was such a dud performance.

Don't look now, but they are currently 0-3 against the AFC North. How much of a fluke was that run last year? Maybe more than we thought. Turns out that Ja'Marr Chase is more valuable to this team than we thought.

Taylor Heinicke versus Sam Ehlinger: the quarterback matchup we all thought we'd see. They had beaten the Bears and Packers. Indianapolis looked lost.

Taylor Heinicke was able to rally the team to a late comeback and get a win streak going. Not expecting anything, but this team is not one to take lightly. Now if only Dan Snyder would actually sell the team.

Alvin Kamara, that is all that needs to be said here. This was a textbook dominant performance. New Orleans literally shell-shocked Vegas to the point they looked like they were in another dimension.

Saints may be a weird team to get a good read on, but with games like this, they are definitely alive in the playoff race in a weak NFC. Or maybe it's just the fact they played the Raiders. I can't tell.

The Seahawks have to be the biggest surprise of the season. Nobody was giving them a chance to go anywhere this season, yet here they are because they just keep winning. New York was a solid surprise as well, but it was the likes of Geno Smith that won this game.

On top of that, the defense shut down the Giants for the most part, and that's what really made the difference.

The 49ers, I don't know how, but they have possessed the Rams' voodoo doll and had their way with it. Seriously, they own the Rams in the regular season. LA wanted CMC, but the Niners outmaneuvered them.

San Francisco's offense is elevated with CMC. He is literally a Swiss Army knife who can do it all. The Niners are a legit contender who you cannot sleep on. CMC may be that missing piece to unlock the true potential of this offense. Kyle Shanahan can finally construct his magnum opus.

The Dolphins won the game, but they were playing Detroit. The Lions - the same Lions team with a defense that's easily the worst in the league by a landslide. They were down in a 14-0 hole.

Yes, Tua won the game, playing nearly perfect in every aspect, but I don't know if this team is trustworthy. This was way too close considering the Lions' defense.