Week eight was very wild in the NFL, as we got to see some running backs go off and have incredible games on the ground while making opposing defenses look silly.
However, some running backs struggled against formidable defenses as their respective offenses struggled to help them out. Week eight didn’t disappoint. We can’t wait to see what week nine gives us.
Here are the grades for all 32 NFL teams’ running backs after week eight.
Who are the top running backs in the NFL after week 8?
Arizona Cardinals: James Conner: C+
Conner had a decent day for the Cardinals, as they earned a very nice last-second 28-27 win over the Miami Dolphins in South Beach. Conner rushed for 53 yards on 20 carries, scored a rushing touchdown, and caught two receptions for 16 yards. A decent day for Conner, as he helped the Redbirds not only earn the win but also earn first place in the NFC West.
Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson: C+
Robinson played a decent game on the ground, as he and the Falcons earned a nice 31-26 road victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robinson rushed for 63 yards on 13 yards, caught six receptions for 37 yards, and scored a touchdown. A decent afternoon for Robinson; although he may not have forced his way into the end zone, he played a big role in the Falcons’ passing attack.
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Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry: B+
Henry had another solid game, even though the Ravens lost 24-29 to the Cleveland Browns in upset fashion. Henry rushed for 73 yards on 11 carries, scored a touchdown, and caught a reception for four yards. A good afternoon for Henry, as he continues to dominate on the ground for offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s offense. Henry and company return home and get prepared to host the Denver Broncos in week nine.
Buffalo Bills: James Cook: A
Cook had an impressive afternoon in the Pacific Northwest as he and the Bills defeated the Seattle Seahawks 31-10. Cook cooked the Seahawks’ defense with 111 yards on 17 carries, scored two touchdowns on the ground, and caught three receptions for 22 yards. If Cook keeps having performances like this, he may make it to his second straight Pro Bowl… and more.
Carolina Panthers: Chuba Hubbard: C-
Hubbard had a decent afternoon for the Panthers, in their 14-28 loss on the road against the Denver Broncos. Hubbard rushed for 56 yards on 15 carries and caught two receptions for 15 yards. Hubbard continues to be a bright spot for a woeful Panthers team, as his ground running gives the team some hope in their long rebuild.
Chicago Bears: D’Andre Swift: A
Swift had a great game for the Bears, even though they lost 15-18 to the Washington Commanders in walk-off fashion. Swift rushed for 129 yards on 18 carries and scored a rushing touchdown. Swift has become a wrecking ball for the Bears on the ground. Hopefully, Swift will continue to have a strong 2024 season.
Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown: D
Brown and the Bengals had a rough afternoon on the ground as they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 17-37. Brown rushed for 32 yards on 12 carries, scored a rushing touchdown, and caught two receptions for two yards. Brown may have scored a touchdown, but the rest of the Bengals’ rushing attack was held to 58 combined yards on the ground in a painful loss at home.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams Running Backs After Week 7 Games Of The 2024 Season
Cleveland Browns: Nick Chubb: C
Chubb had a nice day on the ground as the Browns stunned the Baltimore Ravens 29-24 at home. Chubb rushed for 52 yards on 16 carries on the day but didn’t score any touchdowns. Chubb slowly continues to shake the cobwebs off as he gets his groove back in the Browns’ rushing attack. However, it would’ve been nice to see Chubb score a touchdown.
Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliot: D+
Elliot and the Cowboys had a rough night on the road, as they lost 24-30 to the San Francisco 49ers on the road. Elliot rushed for 34 yards on 10 carries, scored a rushing touchdown, and caught a reception for four yards. A rough night for Elliot and the Cowboys. They have another tough test ahead of them when they travel east for a week nine showdown against the Atlanta Falcons on the road.
Denver Broncos: Jaleel McLaughlin: C
McLaughlin had a decent game for the Broncos, on the ground and the passing attack, as they defeated the Carolina Panthers 28-14. McLaughlin rushed for 47 yards on eight carries, caught a reception for nine yards, and scored a touchdown. McLaughlin isn’t the best running back in the NFL, but he’s still a reliable runner and pass catcher who helped the team secure a solid win.
Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs: A
Gibbs had a dominating day on the ground as he and the Lions decimated the Tennessee Titans 52-14. Gibbs rushed for 127 yards on 11 carries, scored a rushing touchdown, and caught a reception for six yards. Gibbs looked incredible and sharp, while his teammate David Montgomery rushed for 33 yards on nine carries, scored a rushing touchdown, and threw a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta in the second quarter. Overall, the Lions’ rushing attack, led by Gibbs and Montgomery, is one of the best units in the league.
Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs: A
Jacobs had a solid afternoon on the ground as he helped the Packers secure the 30-27 last-second win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacobs rushed for 127 yards on 25 yards, scored two rushing touchdowns, and caught a reception for negative two yards. Jacobs had a phenomenal game for the Packers on the ground and has been a great addition for the Packers all season long. Jacobs and the Packers return home and prepare for a very tough divisional test as they welcome the Detroit Lions to Lambeau Field in week nine.
Houston Texans: Joe Mixon: A
Mixon had a nice day on the ground as the Texans defeated the Indianapolis Colts 23-20. Mixon rushed for 102 yards on 25 carries, scored a rushing touchdown, and caught four receptions for 32 yards. So far, Mixon has had a great season with the Texans, as he looks like a one-man wrecking crew causing havoc against opposing defenses.
Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor: A-
Taylor returned to the Colts lineup and played a nice game on the ground, even though the team lost 20-23 against the Houston Texans. Taylor rushed for 105 yards on 20 yards, scored a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, and caught a reception for 12 yards. Taylor, along with Josh Downs, kept the Colts’ offense afloat, while Anthony Richardson and the rest of the offensive unit took a massive step back in their close divisional loss.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Tank Bigsby: C+
Bigsby had a good afternoon on the ground, as the Jaguars lost 27-30 in a failed comeback attempt. Bigsby rushed for 78 yards on 18 yards and caught two receptions for eight yards. It would’ve been nice to see Bigsby score a touchdown, but he wasn’t able to get into the end zone for the Jaguars. Bigsby and the Jags have to get prepared to travel north for an intense road match-up against the Philadelphia Eagles in hostile territory in week nine.
Kansas City Chiefs: Kareem Hunt: B-
Hunt had a good afternoon for the Chiefs, as they defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 27-20 in Sin City. Hunt rushed for 59 yards on 21 carries, scored a rushing touchdown, and caught a reception for four yards. A nice afternoon for Hunt as he continues to hold down the fort while Isiah Pacheco recovers from his fractured fibula injury.
Las Vegas Raiders: Alexander Mattison: F
Mattison and the Raiders’ rushing attack had a painful afternoon in their 20-27 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mattison rushed for 15 yards on 14 carries and caught five receptions for 29 yards. Mattison and the Raiders’ rushing attack was completely shut down by the Chiefs’ formidable defense all afternoon. Mattison and the company need to move on and prepare for their week nine match-up against the Cincinnati Bengals on the road.
Los Angeles Chargers: J.K. Dobbins: C+
Dobbins had a decent day on the ground as the Chargers dismantled the New Orleans Saints 26-8. Dobbins rushed for 57 yards on 17 carries, scored a rushing touchdown, and caught four receptions for 11 yards. Dobbins is a good running back who needs to continue producing on the ground if the Chargers want to have a respectable NFL season.
Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams: B
Williams had a nice Thursday night on the ground as the Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings in a controversial 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Williams rushed for 97 yards on 23 carries, caught five receptions for 19 yards, and scored a receiving touchdown. A nice night for Williams, as he continues to be one of the most reliable running backs in the NFL as a pass catcher and runner.
Miami Dolphins: De’Von Achane: B+
Achane had a very nice game for the Dolphins, but the Dolphins couldn’t get the job done, as they lost 27-28 in last-second fashion. Achane rushed for 97 yards on 10 carries, caught six receptions for 50 yards, and scored a touchdown. A nice day for Achane statistically. Having Tua Tagovailoa back on the field helped rejuvenate the Dolphins’ offense after being in the trash for the past six weeks.
Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones: C
Jones had a decent night on the ground, as the Vikings lost a tough and controversial 20-30 battle against the Los Angeles Rams. Jones rushed for 58 yards on 19 carries and caught two receptions for 37 yards. However, Jones didn’t score a single touchdown all game. A tough afternoon nonetheless for Jones and the Vikings as they return home to get prepared for the Indianapolis Colts coming to town in week nine.
New England Patriots: Rhamondre Stevenson: C+
Stevenson had a nice day on the ground in the Patriots 25-22 upset win over the New York Jets. Stevenson rushed for 48 yards on 20 carries, scored two rushing touchdowns, and caught three receptions for 17 yards. Stevenson had a decent day for the Pats, as they are still in rebuilding mode and have a lot more work to accomplish in their continued rebuilding year.
New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara: C-
Kamara had an okay afternoon on the ground, as the Saints were humiliated on the road 8-26 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Kamara rushed for 67 yards on 10 carries and caught six receptions for 55 yards. Despite Kamara’s performance, the Saints couldn’t get much going on offense, as they fell flat against the Chargers’ defense.
New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy Jr.: A
Tracy Jr. had a breakout night for the Giants, even though they lost a painful 18-26 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. Tracy Jr. rushed for 145 yards on 20 yards, scored a rushing touchdown, and caught two receptions for five yards. An impressive performance on the ground for Tracy Jr., which unfortunately got overshadowed by Daniel Jones’ struggles. Hopefully, Tracy Jr. continues to be a shining light for the G-Men moving forward.
New York Jets: Breece Hall: B-
Hall had a good afternoon for the Jets statistically, even though they fell to the New England Patriots 25-22. Hall rushed for 80 yards on 16 carries and caught a reception for nine yards, but didn’t score a single touchdown all game. Similar to Garrett Wilson, it would’ve been very nice to see Hall break the goal line and add some points to the board. However, Hall and the Jets weren’t able to do that, as they returned home for a week nine Halloween match-up against the Houston Texans.
Philadelphia Eagles: Saquon Barkley: B+
Barkley had another monster day on the ground as he and the Eagles dominated the Cincinnati Bengals 37-17. Barkley rushed for 108 yards on 22 carries and caught a reception for three yards. It would’ve been nice to see Barkley score a touchdown, even though Jalen Hurts scored three rushing touchdowns on the ground for the Birds. Barkley and company return home and will get set to host the Jacksonville Jaguars in week nine.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris: A-
Harris had a very nice night on the ground for the Steelers as they defeated the New York Giants 26-18. Harris rushed for 114 yards on 19 carries and caught three receptions for 17 yards. It would’ve been very nice to see Harris score a touchdown, but he had a nice night against the Giants’ defense, as he topped over 100 yards on the ground.
San Francisco 49ers: Isaac Guerendo: B+
Guerendo stepped up as Jordan Mason left the game with a shoulder injury. Guerendo rushed for 85 yards on 14 carries, scored a rushing touchdown, and caught three receptions for 17 yards. If Mason is out long-term, Guerendo needs to continue performing well until Christian McCaffrey is cleared to return to action. Luckily for Guerendo and the 49ers, the team enters a week nine bye week where they’ll get some well-needed rest.
Seattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker III: F
Walker III and the Seahawks’ rushing attack was silenced in their 10-31 loss at home against the Buffalo Bills. Walker III rushed for 12 yards on nine carries and caught four receptions for 33 yards. Walker III and the rest of the Seahawks’ running backs ran into a strong brick wall, which was the Bills’ defense, which held the ground attack to 32 yards all NFL game. Zach Charbonnet scored the team’s only touchdown. Walker III and the Seahawks have to move on from that loss and get focused for their week nine match-up when the Los Angeles Rams come to town.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucky Irving: C-
Irving had a decent afternoon in the Bucs’ rushing and passing attack despite the team losing a tough 26-31 divisional battle against the Atlanta Falcons. Irving rushed for 44 yards on nine carries and caught seven receptions for 40 yards. Not the best day for Irving, as he didn’t score a touchdown, but it was not the worst day either, as he showed his talents as a dual-threat NFL running back for the Bucs.
Tennessee Titans: Tony Pollard: B-
Similar to his teammate Calvin Ridley, Pollard had a nice day for the Titans statistically, while the rest of the Titans’ offense failed to do much of anything in their humiliating 14-52 loss on the road against the Detroit Lions. Pollard rushed for 94 yards on 20 carries and caught three receptions for 23 yards on the day. Pollard is a good NFL running back, but the rest of the Titans fall apart in devastating losses, making Pollard’s production almost forgotten.
Washington Commanders: Brian Robinson Jr.: C
Robinson Jr. had a good day for the Commanders in their 18-15 walk-off win against the Chicago Bears. Robinson Jr. rushed for 65 yards on 16 carries and caught a reception for 11 yards. It would’ve been nice to see Robinson Jr. score a touchdown for the Commanders in the win, but the team earned a very impressive win at home. Robinson Jr. and the Commanders travel north to MetLife Stadium for a divisional rematch against the New York Giants in week nine.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams’ Starting Running Back From WORST To FIRST After Week 7 Games Of The 2024 Season
