FOUR DOWN TERRITORY: top four performers from week eight of the NFL season

CINCINNATI — The following is my list of the top four performers from week eight of the NFL season.

4. Eagles run game – When I was reading over the stat sheet for the Eagles 44-6 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, I was stunned to see the number of carries the Eagles running backs got. Three different running backs had 12 or more carries in this game, and five running backs combined for 46 carries in the game. That is a throwback stat sheet. I don’t know how often we’ll see that kind of stat sheet again this season.

3. Mike White – QB, New York Jets (37/45, 405 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT) – I had to include him on this list somewhere. He was very good on Sunday against the Bengals, no doubt. He operated the Jets offense with full command, poise and the leadership of a 10-year veteran. Not flinching with the Jets offense down by double digits twice is admirable, and I have to give credit where credit is due.

2. Cooper Rush – QB, Dallas Cowboys (24/40, 325 yds, 2 TD, INT) – But it was Rush who had the best performance by a backup quarterback in week eight. On prime time, on the road, and he made all the big throws to lead the Cowboys to another win in a game they maybe shouldn’t have won. Watch the game-winning throw to Amari Cooper, and it looks like a throw from Tom Brady or Russell Wilson. And here’s the most impressive stat? Thirteen-point-five yards per completion. He wasn’t just checking the ball down or dinking and dunking. He was pushing the ball down the field.

1. New Orleans Saints – I have the Saints at number one because it really was a total team effort from them in their win over Tampa Bay. Think about this: Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is out for the season. Remember when he dominated Saints box scores for their receivers stats? The box score from Sunday saw 10 different Saints, inclduing Kevin White- remember him?-, with a reception, and keep in mind long-lost Trevor Siemian was in as the backup quarterback in the wake of Jameis Winston’s season-ending injury.

Think about if you’re Saints head Sean Payton for a minute. You spend all the time that you did designing an offense for Winston and on the fly had to call plays for Trevor Siemian. And he did, and got everybody involved in the offense. That’s great coaching. That’s a team coming together and winning a marquee game and confirms my preseason expectations that, yes, this is a playoff team.

Also worth noting, the Saints defense had another impressive performance Sunday with three sacks and two interceptions. If their defense can continue to make life miserable for opposing offenses, this team will be in the playoffs. And so long as Sean Payton is calling plays on offense and Alvin Kamara is making a difference both rushing and receiving, this team will be just fine and present come mid-January.