NFL Week 8 Winners and Losers: Broncos Finally Beat Mahomes, Chiefs

One of the more painful streaks in Denver Broncos history is finally over.

The Broncos (3-5) defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 24-9 on Sunday, ending a 16-game losing streak to the Chiefs (6-2) that dated back to Week 2 of the 2015 season. It had been 2,965 days since that game. This marks the first time Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes has lost to Denver after winning his first 12 games against the AFC West foe.

"It just felt so good to win," Broncos safety Justin Simmons, who has been with the Broncos since 2016, said after the game.

A Broncos season that has so far been highlighted by Sean Payton coaching drama—and allowing 70 points to the Miami Dolphins just over a month ago—has finally given fans a reason to celebrate. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw three touchdowns, while the Broncos defense picked off a flu-ridden Mahomes twice and held him to a 59.2 passer rating. Denver is one of the clear winners from the Week 8 slate.

Here are some of the other winners and losers from around the league on Sunday.

NFL Winners From Week 8

Will Levis Has Strong Titans Debut: Ryan Tannehill threw two touchdowns on 158 passing attempts over six games this season before he suffered an ankle injury. On Sunday, rookie second-round pick Will Levis threw four in his first NFL start. The former Kentucky QB completed 19 of 29 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns—three of which were caught by DeAndre Hopkins—in the Tennessee Titans' 28-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

"I've been dreaming of this moment as a kid my entire life," Levis said. "Even to touch the field in an NFL game, let alone win, is incredible."

The win improved the Titans' record to 3-4. It would be tough for head coach Mike Vrabel to take the ball away from Levis moving forward, even if Tannehill is healthy.

Seahawks Suddenly Atop Division: Geno Smith connected with rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a nine-yard, go-ahead touchdown with 38 seconds remaining in a 24-20 Seattle Seahawks win over the Cleveland Browns. And all of a sudden, Seattle (5-2) is alone at the top of the NFC West standings.

The San Francisco 49ers have lost three straight after starting 5-0. And the Los Angeles Rams (3-5) were just pummeled by the Dallas Cowboys, 43-20, in a game that saw starting QB Matthew Stafford leave with an injury. The only other threat to the Seahawks in the division is the Arizona Cardinals (1-7). And, well, they're the Cardinals.

Seattle is a half-game ahead of San Francisco in the standings going into Week 9, though head coach Pete Carroll is downplaying that for now.

"We're in pretty good shape," Carroll said Sunday. "That's good. And we're still growing."

Bryce Young Finally Gets a Win: The first six games of the 2023 season were hardly ones to remember for Bryce Young or the Carolina Panthers. But the No. 1 overall pick led Carolina to its first win of the season with a 15-13 victory over the Houston Texans in Week 8. Young led the Panthers (1-6) on a 15-play, 86-yard drive late in the fourth quarter to set up Eddy Pineiro's game-winning field goal.

"You love opportunities like that," Young said after the game. "You go in and have a chance to end the game on your terms and just try to take the game. Down by one, what else would you hope for? That's what we play for."

The rookie threw for 235 yards and a touchdown on the day, outdueling No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud (16-of-24 for 140 yards).

NFL Losers From Week 8

Fans Wanting Offense in New York: The New York Jets' 13-10 overtime win over the New York Giants on Sunday felt like a game straight out of the Big Ten West. There were more combined punts (24) in this game than points (23). The Giants, without either of their top two quarterbacks for most of the day, finished with minus-nine passing yards, the fewest in a game since 2000, according to the Associated Press.

The Giants, for obvious reasons, relied mostly on the ground game. Running back Saquon Barkley compiled 128 yards on 36 carries. And the G-Men nearly still won. Kicker Graham Gano missed a 35-yarder with just over a minute to go.

49ers Drop Third Straight: Not a whole lot is going right for the 49ers during their current three-game losing skid. An offense that had turned the ball over only twice during San Francisco's 5-0 start has now done so a combined seven times in the past three games—including three times on Sunday. And what is usually a stout defense allowed Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to complete 19 consecutive passes at one point, and three touchdowns overall on the day, in a 31-17 49ers loss.

The 49ers are without standouts Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams, but getting players back from injuries isn't the only obstacle for San Francisco at the moment.

Teams With QB Injuries: Five quarterbacks playing in the early slate on Sunday left their games early with an injury: Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh Steelers), Tyrod Taylor (New York Giants), Desmond Ridder (Falcons) and Stafford.

Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, according to multiple reports. Pickett and Taylor both exited with rib injuries, while Stafford suffered an injury to his right thumb. Ridder was evaluated for a concussion and remained out after being cleared.