Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season delivered two remarkable stories that underscore the value of depth and a strong running attack. In Phoenix, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew stepped in for struggling starter Jacoby Brissett and guided the Arizona Cardinals to an overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made history by defeating the Atlanta Falcons without completing a single pass.
Gardner Minshew’s Turnaround Performance
Arizona head coach Mike LaFleur faced a dilemma when starter Jacoby Brissett struggled against Dallas, completing only 10 of 23 passes for 119 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, four sacks and a passer rating of 41.8. With the Cardinals trailing 17‑3, LaFleur turned to backup Gardner Minshew, who entered the game with 1:35 left in the third quarter.
Minshew answered the call by completing 17 of 23 passes for 188 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 137.3. His efficiency contrasted sharply with Brissett’s difficulties and helped Arizona erase the deficit, ultimately winning 33‑30 in overtime.
LaFleur praised Minshew’s readiness, noting his “timing was great” and that he is “as resilient as they come.” The coach added that the quarterback’s performance unlocked the offense, beginning with a six‑yard completion to receiver Devin Duvernay and a key run by running back Tyler Allgeier.
Following the victory, LaFleur announced that Minshew will assume the starting role moving forward, emphasizing the quarterback’s competitive spirit and preparation as reasons for the decision.
Tampa Bay’s Run‑Only Victory
In a rain‑soaked contest, the Buccaneers ran the ball 56 times for 324 yards, completely shutting down the Atlanta Falcons’ defense, which had been ranked among the league’s best against the run. The Bucs recorded zero pass completions, becoming the first team in 52 seasons to win a game without a single completed pass and the first in 20 years to finish with zero net passing yards.
Running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell led the ground assault. Irving logged 27 carries for 170 yards, a touchdown, seven forced missed tackles and five runs of ten or more yards. Gainwell added 25 carries for 140 yards, nine forced missed tackles and five runs of ten or more yards. Their combined effort marked the first pair of teammates in 50 seasons to each record at least 20 rushing attempts and 125 yards in the same game.
According to Next Gen Stats, Tampa Bay called a designed run on 90.0% of its plays, the highest single‑game rate since 2021. The Buccaneers’ rushing yards were evenly distributed across quarters (68, 83, 98, and 80 yards), and they continued to run a variety of concepts—inside zone, outside zone, man and counter—throughout the game.
Falcons safety Jessie Bates admitted the team struggled to contain the relentless ground attack, especially in the fourth quarter. He praised his own unit’s early effort but acknowledged the breakdown later in the game.
Looking Ahead
The Cardinals will now prepare for their next matchup with Gardner Minshew at the helm, while the Buccaneers aim to maintain their run‑heavy approach. A rematch between Tampa Bay and Atlanta is scheduled for Week 16 on December 27, offering a chance to see whether the Bucs will re‑introduce a passing game or continue to dominate on the ground.
These performances highlight the importance of depth on a roster and the strategic advantage of a strong rushing attack, especially when weather or defensive matchups limit passing opportunities.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
