We're back with another recap NFL article this time focusing on Week 8 of the NFL season.  It was quite an interesting week for football both for fantasy owners and for the general fan.   There a bunch of things to recap on including the NFL trade deadline, coach firings, and some big time individual performances.   As always, this article aims to recap last weeks action and highlight what was impressive and what has left us with some questions.  We live by 1 rule in these articles: NO HOLDING BACK.  If something needs said, it will be said.  Nothing is held back as we highlight those teams/players that left us with some good impressions and those that left us with some questions.   Please take a read and let me know your comments on this past weekends NFL action.  Enjoy!

IMPRESSIONS

James Conner Flourishing

James Conner has been nothing short of impressive this season.  With all the buzz and news concerning LeVeon Bell and his return / impact on the Steelers, James Conner has basically picked up the duties and performed like one of the best backs in the NFL.  His stats are stunning.  He has 599 yards on the ground this season to the tune of 4.7 yards a carry with an incredible 9 TDs.   For all the haters that said he isn't a great receiver, Conner has added another 323 receiving yards on the season.  It seems like 200 all purpose yards are a regular weekly occurrence for the young back.  Outside of a couple random weeks where the Steelers simply abandoned the run early, James Conner continues to rip apart opposing defenses.  Just this past week he added 2 more TDs to his resume while rushing 24x for 146 yards (6 yards a carry) and catching 5 passes for 66 yards.  He has been so impressive the question isn't how much will Conner play when Bell returns but how much Bell will play behind Conner.  There is no reason Conner won't continue to be the lead dog for the Steelers this season and for many years to come.  If you ask me, stay away Bell, the Steelers are better off without you.  

Seattle Seahawks Keep Rolling Along

It seems like no one is noticing just how nice of a season the Seahawks are putting together this season.  Going into the season and actually a few games in, the Seahawks got a lot of hate.  Their offensive line was bad.  Russell Wilson couldn't perform.  Their defense was lacking.  They had no receivers, running backs, or playmakers other than Wilson.  The list and problems went on and on.  After starting 0-2, the Seahawks quietly went about their business and started winning.  In fact, after beating Detroit this past weekend and winning 4 of their last 5 games, the Seahawks are now 4-3.  I'm not saying they are the best team in the NFC, but for all the crap and hate they received to start the season, I find it impressive that they kept moving along and winning games.  Their division and the NFC is stacked this year but I believe the Seahawks will make the playoffs as a wild card.  They might not light the world on fire with their offense but they are solid top to bottom.  Their defense has also looked impressive throughout October.   Yea, they have to contend with the Rams but they played them close at home just a few weeks ago, losing only by 2.  They need to keep it up and travel to LA in 2 weeks for a big showdown with the Rams, but nonetheless, I think the Seattle Seahawks deserve some credit for turning things around and going about their business in the NFC. 

QUESTIONS

Cleveland Browns Personnel

Following a Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cleveland Browns cleared house firing both head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley.  Although the firing of Haley was a bit questionable, I personally believe it was a long time coming for Hue Jackson.  I understand Cleveland's roster has not been ideal over the last couple of years and a guy deserves some time to right the ship but Jackson was just terrible in Cleveland.  The Browns are likely to finish this season with a losing record, their 11-straight year of the kind.  Hue Jackson took over as coach in 2016 and has shown no improvement despite the Browns continually drafting in the top 5/10 of the NFL draft (in addition to collecting several yearly 1st round picks).  His record, 3-36-1 as head coach for the Browns doesn't quite paint the picture of how bad awful they have been year over year.  The Browns famously went defeated last season and accumulated only 1 win from 2016-2017.  This season season was off to what would be considered one of their best starts in years but then all went to hell in October.  First, they clearly are having difficulties closing out games which to me is a bad reflection on coaching (4 OT games as an example).  Second, Hue Jackson's and Todd Haley's relationship quickly soured as the season went along.  So much so that Jackson began publicaly criticizing the offense being called by Haley and declaring he would be involved in the future.  Well as it turns out, they got humiliated by the Steelers with an anemic offensive showing, to which the Brown's just went ahead and fired everyone.  So be it.  It was about time for Jackson and unfortunately Todd Haley was caught in the crossfire.  Moving forward the Browns will be led by interim head coach (former defensive coordinator) Gregg Williams.  Yes, the guy known for the Saints bounty gate program, don't get me started.  Questions clearly remain moving forward.  

New Names - New Homes

This past Tuesday was the NFL trade deadline and boy did it go down with a bang.  Several big trades had occurred ahead of the deadline and in our last article we highlighted some of those trades as well as potential movements that could have still occurred.   Some of the more significant highlights from this past Tuesday included:

• Dante Fowler - DE - Traded from Jaguars to Rams
• Golden Tate - WR - Traded from Lions to Eagles
• Demaryius Thomas - WR - Traded from Broncos to Texans
• Ha Ha Clinton-Dix - S - Traded from Packers to Redskins

I believe Dante Fowler was the most significant trade considering the Rams sacrificed a 2019 - third round pick and a 2020 - fifth round pick for basically a season rental.  No question Fowler is explosive and gives them one of the best defensive fronts, if not the best defensive front in the game.  However what the Rams gave up is significant and may cost them in the long run.  They are clearly going for it all this year.  Lets see how it plays out.  The other trades are easier to swallow in terms of what was given up.  I believe Clinton-Dix greatly improves the Redskins already good defense.  However, I still question what Demaryius Thomas adds to the Texans as he is not anywhere near the type of player he has been in the past.  Golden Tate still has upside but again, in the Eagles offense, what does he really add?  The Eagles needed an RB not a WR in my opinion.  In any case, all these trades were exciting but it remains to be seen just how impactful they truly are and if the return is worth in the investment.