Joe Burrow threw for 462 yards, accounted for six touchdowns and scored the overtime winner. Ja’Marr Chase joined an exclusive group of NFL receiving greats, while Patrick Queen delivered a defensive performance that earned Pittsburgh’s Player of the Week recognition.
Former LSU players made their presence felt throughout Week 8, with Jayden Daniels leading Washington to a division victory and Brian Thomas Jr. returning to the end zone for Jacksonville. This week’s report includes games played through Monday, November 2.
Burrow Wins a Shootout With His Arm and His Legs
Burrow gave Cincinnati everything it needed to survive Tennessee in a 43 to 36 overtime victory. He completed 38 of 48 passes for 462 yards and five touchdowns, then scored on a nine-yard scramble in overtime.
The former LSU Heisman Trophy winner accounted for all six Cincinnati touchdowns. His final run capped a five-play, 70-yard possession that ended the game and improved the Bengals to 5 and 2.
Burrow did throw three interceptions, giving Tennessee opportunities to stay in the game. But he answered with the production and late execution Cincinnati needed, including the decisive touchdown after regulation ended tied at 36.
His combination of passing and rushing production also carried historical significance. According to Cincinnati’s official coverage, Burrow became the first NFL quarterback since Norm Van Brocklin in 1951 to throw for at least 450 yards and five touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown in the same game.
Chase Joins Rice, Moss and Gronkowski
Chase caught 11 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee. Both his reception total and receiving yardage were season highs, and he reached the end zone for the third consecutive game.
The performance also put Chase in remarkable company. Playing his 85th regular season game, he became the fourth player in the Super Bowl era with at least 60 touchdown receptions through his first 85 games, joining Jerry Rice, Randy Moss and Rob Gronkowski.
For LSU fans, the names surrounding Chase say plenty about the standard he has established. His partnership with Burrow continues to produce the kind of performances that made their time together in Baton Rouge unforgettable.
Patrick Queen Wrecks Cleveland’s Afternoon
Queen was Pittsburgh’s defensive headliner in a 27 to 6 victory over Cleveland. He led the Steelers with 12 tackles and added 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss, a pass defended and a forced fumble.
His forced fumble helped change the game. Keeanu Benton recovered the football, giving Pittsburgh possession for the drive that produced its first touchdown. The Steelers named Queen their Player of the Week.
Pittsburgh’s defense finished with eight sacks and two takeaways while keeping Cleveland out of the end zone. The victory was the Steelers’ fourth straight and moved them into sole possession of first place in the AFC North at 6 and 2.
Queen contributed to nearly every part of that defensive success. He finished tackles, pressured the quarterback, disrupted a passing lane and created a turnover that led to points.
Jayden Daniels Helps Washington Beat Philadelphia
Daniels completed 16 of 29 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown without an interception in Washington’s 27 to 10 victory over Philadelphia. He added 23 rushing yards, finishing with 240 yards of total offense.
Washington fell behind 10 to 0 before scoring the game’s final 27 points. Daniels helped settle the offense, directing an 89-yard touchdown possession that ended with an eight-yard scoring pass to Stefon Diggs.
On that drive, Daniels completed five of six passes and contributed a 14-yard run. His ability to move the offense through the air and on the ground helped Washington recover from its difficult start and take control.
K’Lavon Chaisson contributed on the other side of the football. Washington credited the former LSU defender with four tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and three quarterback hits, giving the Commanders another productive performance from a former Tiger.
Brian Thomas Jr. Gets Jacksonville Started
Thomas caught a 12-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring in Jacksonville’s 42 to 7 victory over Indianapolis. The reception completed a 12-play, 98-yard drive and gave the Jaguars an early advantage they never surrendered.
It was his only reception, but it came at an important moment. Facing third and goal, Trevor Lawrence found Thomas in the middle of the end zone to finish a possession that began at Jacksonville’s own two-yard line.
Jacksonville’s official coverage described the crowd chanting “BTJ” after the touchdown. For a talented receiver working through a difficult stretch, it was a welcome return to the end zone.
Jefferson Scores as Minnesota Takes Its First Loss
Justin Jefferson caught five passes for 33 yards and a touchdown in Minnesota’s 19 to 15 loss to Detroit. The Lions limited his receiving yardage, but he still supplied one of the Vikings’ two touchdown receptions.
Minnesota fell to 6 and 1 with its first defeat of the season. Jefferson received nine targets, although only one came during the second half as the Vikings struggled to sustain their passing attack.
Perkins Adds a Sack, Speights Helps the Rams Win
Harold Perkins Jr. recorded seven tackles, including five solo stops, and a sack in Atlanta’s 16 to 0 loss to Tampa Bay. The rookie followed his nine-tackle performance against San Francisco with another active afternoon, although the Falcons could not generate the offense needed to win.
Omar Speights contributed five tackles and a pass defended in the Rams’ 24 to 9 victory over the Chargers. Mason Taylor caught three passes for 19 yards in the Jets’ 38 to 33 loss to Las Vegas.
Monday night brought another victory for Chicago rookie Zavion Thomas, who caught one pass for four yards as the Bears defeated Seattle 34 to 17. Chicago improved to 6 and 2.
Malik Nabers and the Giants had their scheduled bye, along with the Saints and Texans. That left several prominent former Tigers idle, including Derek Stingley Jr., Danielle Hunter, Foster Moreau, Kayshon Boutte and Barion Brown.
Even with those players off, LSU supplied one of the weekend’s biggest offensive performances and one of its strongest defensive efforts. Burrow finished the game himself in Cincinnati, Chase added another milestone, and Queen helped put Pittsburgh atop its division.
Sources
Cincinnati Bengals official recap and player game logs; Pittsburgh Steelers official recap and Player of the Week report; Washington Commanders official analysis and statistical notes; Jacksonville Jaguars official game reports; Minnesota Vikings official coverage; Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets and Chicago Bears player logs; Dandy Don’s Week 8 NFLSU roster roundup.
