Week 8 NFL Wrap - Maye’s Rise, Falcons’ Fall, and Tush Push Drama 🏈

With Week 8 in the books, we’re breaking down the key storylines from the past weekend, including breakout performances, controversial plays, and shocking blowouts. From Drake Maye’s rise in the QB rankings to the Tush Push debate and the Falcons’ struggles, there is plenty to unpack before Sunday’s games.

Drake Maye: Rising Fast in the QB Rankings

Drake Maye has quickly become one of the NFL’s biggest breakout stories. The Patriots rookie has posted five straight games with a passer rating over 100 and more than 200 passing yards, earning early “top 10” buzz from fans and analysts.

Maye’s talent was never in doubt coming out of North Carolina, with his strong arm, size, and athleticism translating smoothly to the pro game.

It’s still early, and consistency over time will define whether he’s truly elite. How he handles pressure, reads defenses, and performs when plays break down will determine if this fast start is the beginning of something special or just a hot streak.

Tush Push Controversy Returns After Giants Game

In Week 8, the Eagles ran their signature “Tush Push” against the Giants, but a blown whistle before a fumble recovery by Kayvon Thibodeaux sparked debate. Officials ruled forward progress had been stopped, negating what looked like a turnover.

The play remains one of the NFL’s most polarizing. A proposal to ban the pushing element fell just short of passing, and defenders continue to argue it gives offenses an unfair edge. As long as it’s legal, teams will keep building around it, forcing defenses to find new ways to counter one of football’s most unstoppable short-yardage plays.

Falcons Falter in Blowout Loss to Dolphins

The Dolphins snapped a three-game skid with a dominant 34–10 win over Atlanta in Week 8. Tua Tagovailoa was efficient with 205 yards and four touchdowns, while the Falcons managed only 213 total yards and looked flat throughout.

Miami’s offense looked back in rhythm, using play-action and quick routes to carve up the Falcons defense. For Atlanta, this kind of one-sided loss raises real concerns about the offense’s identity and whether the team can recover momentum before the season slips away.

Blast Off With Rockets in Player Picks 🚀

This week, I’m trying out a new Player Picks feature on the OwnersBox app called Rockets. Rockets give you access to more markets, like TDs and home runs, that normally fall outside our usual odds and they come with bigger payouts. The more Rockets you stack, the higher your potential win.

For Sunday’s games, I have two of my favorite picks ready to launch. Combine these and you can hit a 4.6x payout or add more Rockets to really watch your payout take off.

Picks:

- Oronde Gadsden: More than 0.5 Rush + Rec TD - Gadsden’s rookie breakout is real and I am buying into the hype. He is a true red-zone threat in a high-powered offense facing a struggling Titans defense.

- Drake London: More than 0.5 Rush + Rec TD - London was a last-minute scratch in Week 8 but I expect him to bounce back in a big way. He will be a key part of the Falcons’ offensive game plan to bounce back.