2022 NFL power rankings, Week 8: Buccaneers and Packers held at bay

It was a short week for Dennis Allen’s club as the team was in the desert for a Thursday night contest. Quarterback Andy Dalton came up with his share of big plays and the Saints owned a 14-6 lead early in the second quarter.

But while Dalton threw for 361 yards and four scores, he also served up three interceptions – two of those returned for TDs late in the second quarter. Allen’s club gained 494 yards of total offense but couldn’t overcome the miscues.

Late Thursday evening, versatile running back Christian McCaffrey was dealt to the 49ers for a total of four draft picks (3 in 2023). On the field, the Panthers hosted Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.

And Steve Wilks’ team was more than up for the challenge, shutting out their NFC South rivals for better than three quarters. On the other side of the ball, D’Onta Foreman (118) and Chuba Hubbard (63) combined for 181 yards rushing in the victory.

Mike Tomlin’s club looked to build on last week’s surprise of the Buccaneers. The Steelers were down 13-0 after one quarter and the defense was on the ropes against Miami’s passing attack. But Pittsburgh adjusted and stayed in the game.

Down 16-10 in the fourth quarter, the Steelers saw two drives end with Kenny Pickett interceptions. The rookie signal-caller wound up throwing for 257 yards and one score but was picked off a total of three times.

Kevin Stefanski’s struggling team brought a three-game losing streak into Baltimore. The Cleveland defense limited the Ravens to 254 total yards and sacked Lamar Jackson three times.

But it’s the run defense that has been the biggest issue as of late and Joe Woods’ unit gave up 160 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, Browns’ quarterback Jacoby Brissett had a rough day, sacked five times and committing one of the team’s two turnovers in the loss.