MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Byrnes

No one ever talks about the linemen. 

A thankless job but the Chargers can tell you a good left tackle makes all the difference.

Week 8 started Thursday at Sofi Stadium:

*Minnesota (3-3) @ LA Chargers (4-3): LAC 37-10

After losing 2024 All-Rookie left tackle Joe Alt, in week 4 to an ankle injury, the Chargers lost that game, and two of the next three.

With Alt’s return Thursday, quarterback Justin Herbert passed for 227 yards, ran for 62 more, and his three touchdown passes led the dominant Chargers offense.

Also benefitting from Alt’s start was Kimani Vidal, who ran for a very efficient 117 yards and a touchdown, on 23 carries.

The Vikings continue to prove “the grass isn’t always greener”, as former Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold continues to succeed in Seattle (5-2), while the Vikings continue to struggle, managing just 165 total yards.

Sunday’s games:

*Cleveland (2-5) @ New England (5-2): N.E. 32-13

Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel has changed the culture of a once underachieving team and quarterback Drake Maye (282 yards-3 TDs) leading the offense is starting to pay off.

The Pats whipped the Browns, who wasted a banner day by defensive end Myles Garrett.

Garrett registered six solo tackles and a franchise-record five sacks but the effort did little to make up for the lackluster offense, that sputtered without the running game of Quinshon Judkins, who was injured in the third quarter.

*Buffalo (4-2) @ Carolina (4-3): Buf 40-9

The Bills showed why they continue to be among the favorites in the AFC, racking up 245 yards on the ground, and giving quarterback Josh Allen an easy day at the office.

Running back James Cook ran for 216 yards and two touchdowns while Allen added two rushing touchdowns of his own, in the blowout win.

Carolina reverted back to the team that looked lost at the beginning of the year, with QB Andy Dalton showing the wear and tear of his career.

Dalton ran for his life most of the game, fumbling twice and getting sacked seven times.

*Green Bay (4-1-1) @ Pittsburgh (4-2): G.Bay 35-25

It was a tale of two halves that began with the Steelers scoring on 4-of-5 first half possessions.

Green Bay responded by scoring on all five drives after halftime but the difference is in how they scored.

Pittsburgh began the game with three field goals while the Packers started the second half with three touchdowns to make the difference in the game.

Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (7 receptions-143 yards-2 TDs) was nearly impossible to tackle, throwing multiple defenders aside, on his way to a monster game.

Quarterback Jordan Love completed a franchise-record 20 consecutive passes on his way to a 360 yard, three score night.

Pittsburgh had tackling issues all game, and Chris Boswell was one of the only Steelers players on point all game, kicking four field goals (56, 50, 48, 56) on the day.

Other Sunday scores:

NYJ 39 – Cin 38

Bal 30 – Chi 16

Mia 34 – Atl 10

Hou 26 – SF 15

Phi 38 – NYG 20

TB 23 – NO 3

Ind 38 – Ten 14

Den 44 – Dal 24

Key Injuries:

-LAC S Derwin James Jr (ankle)

-Chi WR L. Burden III (concussion)

-NYG RB Cam Skattebo (ankle)

-Phi RB Saquon Barkley (groin)

-Was LT Laremy Tunsil (hamstring)

-Den CB Pat Surtain II (pectoral)

Monday Night:

*Washington (3-4) @ Kansas City (4-3): K.C. 28-7

Patrick Mahomes overcame two interceptions early-on and the Chiefs pulled away from the injury-plagued Commanders.

Travis Kelce looked cursed, with an open wiff on a pass that resulted in an interception, but later tied Priest Holmes’ franchise-record, with his 83rd Chiefs touchdown.

Even with starting quarterback Jayden Daniels sidelined, Washington gave up on the run early and didn’t capitalize on opportunities presented.

Byrnes Picks:

*Week 8 results:

(9-4) (79-41-1)

*Week 9 Picks:

Bal over Mia

LAR over NO

NE over Atl

LAC over Ten

Chi over Cin

Ind over Pit

NYG over SF

Den over Hou

Det over Min

GB over Car

Jax over LV

Buf over KC

Sea over Was

Dal over Ari