Barkley is back, Maye is elite, and Garrett has the DPOY wrapped up. Here's your Week 8 overreaction report

Saquon Barkley appeared to rediscover his 2024 form to help the Eagles defeat the upstart New York Giants.

Myles Garrett went full monster mode, eclipsing Reggie White’s sack totals with five takedowns of the Patriots ' Drake Maye.

And the Jets and Dolphins - who came into the weekend with only a single win between them - both registered upset victories.

The takes came thick and fast after these performances, so let’s dig in and see which of them hold up, and what’s classic weekly overreaction.

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Saquon Barkley is back!

Verdict: Not an overreaction

After his heroic 2,000-yard campaign that powered the Eagles to their first Super Bowl win since 2017, few expected we’d have to wait until late October to see Barkley crack 100 yards again.

But after weeks of frustration - for fans and fantasy managers alike - he finally broke loose for 150, and he didn’t even need to play the whole game to achieve that feat.

Now, with that kind of performance under his belt, the talk is that Barkley will use it as a springboard to carry that form forward.

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Yes, it came against a defense that had been giving up 5.2 yards per carry to opposing backs before Sunday. And yes, he limped off and headed to the medical tent late on.

But still, Barkley looked fine on the sideline and later said he would’ve returned if needed.

The upcoming bye should get him fully healthy again and give center Cam Jurgens, a key component in Barkley’s record-breaking 2024 season, time to recover.

Myles Garrett has the DPOY award in the bag

Verdict: Overreaction.

Garrett’s career-best, franchise-record five sacks against the Patriots certainly boosted his Defensive Player of the Year résumé.

He was already in the thick of the race after a blistering start to 2025, but the Browns' sack master is not the only one making noise.

Brian Burns also added to his total, keeping pace with Garrett among the sack leaders. And Micah Parsons made a game-changing play, sacking Aaron Rodgers to seal the Packers’ win.

Sure, none of them matched Garrett’s Week 8 impact, but the season’s long. It’s way too early to call this thing over.

Drake Maye is elite

Verdict: Not an overreaction

I’ve been high on Maye from the start, but even I didn’t think he’d look this good.

He’s been simply sensational, producing the kind of performances that have rightfully pushed him into the MVP conversation.

Whether a promising rookie year and an eight-game sophomore surge are enough to earn him the “elite” label depends on your definition. Everyone has a different set of criteria.

But there’s no question he’s playing at that level right now, and after leading the Patriots to the top of the AFC East despite having to learn a new system, the verdict is clear.

The Jets and Dolphins are back in business

Verdict: Overreaction

Watching the Jets get off the board and the players' euphoria was just as heartwarming as watching the Dolphins leave their drama in the rearview and dismantle the Falcons.

Most fans of both teams are keeping perspective, painfully aware of how deep the issues run after 0-7 and 1-6 starts. But a few pundits have already jumped the gun, calling these games a turning point.

Let’s be real: the season’s too far gone. Each team can use the rest of the season to prove what they have - and don't have - in certain players, but both are still miles away from competing for anything other than draft position.

That said, both teams have some real talent on their rosters. So, with smart offseason moves and a strong 2026 NFL Draft, these wins could still be the first signs of something better.