NFL WEEK 8 RECAP: Has New England found next Tom Brady in Drake Maye? And is Falcons coach on the hot seat?

AFC CHANGE Before the start of this season, anyone betting on who’d be leading the AFC by Week 8 would not in a million years have put a cent on the Colts (7-1) and Patriots (6-2). But here we are. Not only did New England and Indi have dominant wins, with the former beating the Browns, 32-13, and the latter notching a 38-14 victory over the Titans, both squads got stellar play at key positions. If you don’t weigh positional value, is there a better player in the NFL right now than Colts running back Jonathan Taylor? Taylor had an insane fourth hattrick of touchdowns on the season this week and has already amassed more than 1000 all-purpose yards. For the Pats, second-year quarterback Drake Maye is the engine driving the team’s surprise success. Consider this stat from Week 8: Maye has seven consecutive games where he has thrown for more than 200 yards with a passer rating above 100. The only QBs in NFL history with more consecutive games like that are Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning – who all won MVP awards in those seasons. So, yeah, that’s not bad company to be in, and this week it came in a game where he was sacked by Myles Garrett five times. SHOWING OUT Maye and Taylor weren’t the only players making a statement in Week 8. How about much-maligned Broncos (6-2) passer Bo Nix, who (momentarily) silenced the doubters by tossing four TDs in a 44-24 stomping of the Cowboys (3-4-1). Even more maligned Miami (2-6) QB Tua Tagovailoa overcame a mystery eye ailment to throw four TDs in a 34-10 upset of the Falcons (3-4) Forget Tua’s eye, because NO ONE saw this coming, and it immediately puts Atlanta coach Raheem Morris on the hot seat in a season where his team has been wildly inconsistent. And give some love to Bills (5-2) RB James Cook, who had a contract dispute with the team in the offseason but reminded everyone of his value with 216 yards and two TDs in a 40-9 drubbing of a feisty Panthers (4-4) team. After two straight losses, a big game from Cook and QB Josh Allen, who rushed for two TDs of his own, also reminded the rest of the conference that Buffalo is the real deal. REVENGE AIN’T SWEET Steelers (4-3) QB Aaron Rodgers didn’t get the W against his old team, with the Packers (5-1-1) prevailing 35-25 on Sunday Night Football. Despite enjoying a 16-7 lead at the long break, Rodgers and co. couldn’t get much going in the second half and ultimately paid the price for drives stalling in the high red zone, forcing the offence to settle for field goals. That’s not going to do it against Green Bay, with QB Jordan Love authoring three consecutive TD drives after halftime. And can we spare a moment on what was colloquially known as National Tight Ends Day to recognise Packers TE Tucker Craft. The Steelers had no answer for Craft, who racked up 143 yards and two TDs. PANIC INDEX HIGH: The Vikings are in a tough spot. Sitting at 3-4 at the bottom of the NFC North, they have a veteran backup QB in Carson Wentz who is not good, while they wait for the return of JJ McCarthy from injury, who is effectively a rookie. MEDIUM: The Jets got their maiden win of the season in spectacular fashion over the Bengals, which was a touching moment for first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. But no one is cheering about a 1-7 record. LOW: The Ravens will hopefully get Lamar Jackson back from injury next week, and being 2-5 instead of 1-6, after a 30-16 win over the Bears, is huge. Does anyone think Baltimore CAN’T catch the Steelers for the division?