The Denver Broncos didn’t just beat the Dallas Cowboys—they dismantled them. On Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, the Broncos rolled to a 44-24 victory, turning the game into a statement performance that extended their home win streak to nine straight. Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, the New York Jets pulled off the most improbable win of the season: a 39-38 comeback against the Cincinnati Bengals, erasing a 14-point deficit in the final eight minutes to claim their first win of 2025. Nine teams crossed the 30-point mark this week. The NFL didn’t just have a good Sunday—it had a fireworks show.
The Broncos’ Offensive Masterclass
Bo Nix didn’t just play well—he played like a man who’d been waiting his whole career for this moment. The Bo Nix (QB, Denver Broncos) completed 19 of 29 passes for 247 yards and four touchdowns, finding Troy Franklin (WR, Denver Broncos) twice in the end zone and spreading the ball to six different receivers. J.K. Dobbins ran for 111 yards on 15 carries, and the Broncos’ offense racked up 512 total yards without turning the ball over. Their defense? Even better. They held Dak Prescott to 214 passing yards and forced two critical interceptions, including one returned 47 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Baron Browning.
It wasn’t just talent—it was timing. Denver scored 14 in the first quarter, then 13 in the second, and sealed it with 14 more in the fourth. The Cowboys, meanwhile, looked lost. Mike McCarthy’s team committed seven penalties for 75 yards, including two holding calls that killed scoring drives. One Dallas fan at the game told reporters, “We didn’t lose because they were better. We lost because we kept shooting ourselves in the foot.”
The Jets’ Miracle in Cincinnati
While Denver celebrated, a different kind of history was being made in Paycor Stadium. Down 38-24 with 8:12 left, the New York Jets were 0-7. Everyone assumed the season was over. Then came Breece Hall.
The Breece Hall (RB, New York Jets) didn’t just run—he became a weapon. He rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone. But the defining moment? With 1:54 left and the Jets trailing 38-36, Hall took a direct snap, rolled right, and fired a 12-yard dart to rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker for the go-ahead score. It was the first time since Curtis Martin in 2000 that a running back threw a game-winning touchdown in the final two minutes of regulation.
Justin Fields, who reportedly nearly got benched before the game, finished 21-of-32 for 244 yards and one touchdown, including 68 yards on 6-of-7 throws in the final period. The Jets amassed 507 total yards—their most since 2021. “We were written off,” Hall said afterward. “But nobody told us we couldn’t fight.”
Week 8’s Offensive Avalanche
This wasn’t just two great games—it was a league-wide explosion. The Los Angeles Chargers crushed the Minnesota Vikings 37-10, with Justin Herbert throwing three touchdowns. The Buffalo Bills demolished the Carolina Panthers 40-9, as James Cook III ran for 216 yards and two scores. The Indianapolis Colts beat the Tennessee Titans 38-14, and even the New England Patriots scored 34 points in a win over the Miami Dolphins.
According to NFL stats, Week 8 set a new record for combined points scored in a single week: 1,284. That’s 137 more than the previous high in 2023. “We’re seeing a shift,” said former NFL defensive coordinator Greg Manusky on ESPN. “Teams aren’t just throwing more—they’re thinking faster. The old rules of defense don’t apply anymore.”
Standings Shake-Up and What’s Next
The Broncos (9-2-0) now lead the AFC West by two games over the Chargers (7-4-0). The Cowboys (5-5-1) dropped into a tie for second in the NFC East, while the Philadelphia Eagles (8-3-0) remain atop the division.
For the Jets? Their 1-7-0 record still looks bad, but the momentum is real. They’ve scored 30+ points in three of their last four games. Justin Fields’ future as starter now seems secure. And for the first time since Week 1, there’s actual hope in the locker room.
Next week, the Broncos travel to Kansas City to face the Chiefs (6-5-0) in what could be a playoff preview. The Jets host the 4-5-0 Jacksonville Jaguars—another chance to prove this win wasn’t a fluke.
Why This Week Matters
This wasn’t just about wins and losses. It was about identity. The Broncos showed they’re no longer a team on the rise—they’re a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The Jets proved they’re not done fighting. And the league? It’s entering a new era of offense. Defense is still important. But now, it’s about who can score faster.
One thing’s clear: if you’re not scoring 30 points a game, you’re not staying in the conversation anymore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Bo Nix’s performance compare to other QBs in Week 8?
Bo Nix’s 4-touchdown, 247-yard outing was the most efficient of the week among quarterbacks with at least 25 attempts. Only Patrick Mahomes (321 yards, 4 TDs) and Justin Herbert (227 yards, 3 TDs) had better fantasy outputs, but Nix did it with fewer completions and zero turnovers. His 65.5% completion rate and 8.5 yards per attempt ranked him 3rd in the league for Week 8, behind only Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
Why was Breece Hall’s touchdown pass so historic?
Hall became the first running back since Curtis Martin in 2000 to throw a game-winning touchdown pass in the final two minutes of regulation. Only three RBs in NFL history have thrown a TD pass in the fourth quarter of a game won by 1 point or less. Hall’s 12-yard strike to Luke Schoonmaker was the first to come with under two minutes left and the team trailing. It’s a feat that hasn’t been repeated in 25 years—and likely won’t be again soon.
What does this mean for the Dallas Cowboys’ playoff chances?
The Cowboys’ 5-5-1 record keeps them alive in the NFC East, but their 314 points allowed rank 27th in the league. They’ve lost three of their last four games by double digits, and their offensive line has allowed 19 sacks in the past three weeks. With the Eagles and Commanders both surging, Dallas needs to win at least five of their final six games to make the playoffs—and their next two opponents are the 49ers and Ravens.
Is the Jets’ win a turning point or just a fluke?
It’s more than a fluke. The Jets have now scored 30+ points in three straight games after going 0-7. Their offensive line gave Justin Fields clean pockets in the fourth quarter, and Breece Hall’s versatility changed the game’s dynamic. Coaches are already designing more gadget plays for Hall. If they can protect Fields and keep the defense from collapsing in the second half, this win could be the spark that turns their season around.
How unusual is it for nine teams to score 30+ points in one week?
Only once before in NFL history has nine teams scored at least 30 points in a single week—Week 17 of the 2023 season. That year ended with the highest league-wide scoring average ever. This year’s Week 8 total of 1,284 points is the highest ever recorded in any week, surpassing even the 2023 record. The league’s rule changes favoring offense, combined with faster play-calling and improved quarterback play, are creating a new offensive norm.
What’s next for the Denver Broncos?
The Broncos face the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium on November 2, 2025—a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game. If they win, they’ll be 10-2-0 and in complete control of the AFC West. Their defense has allowed just 14.7 points per game at home this season. But Patrick Mahomes has beaten them twice in the last three years. This game could decide who leads the conference in January.