The Patriots will meet Miami’s rookie quarterback Malik Willis for the first time on Sunday, but New England’s coach Mike Vrabel is no stranger to him. Vrabel drafted Willis in the third round for the Titans in 2022 and has followed his progress through a brief stint in Tennessee, a trade to Green Bay, and a three‑year, $67.5 million deal with the Dolphins. Willis has posted modest numbers — 1,057 passing yards, four TDs, four picks and three rushing scores — while Miami sits 5‑1, but Vrabel believes his arm strength and mobility are finally clicking.
Bengals running backs could produce high-level fantasy football results given their Week 8 matchup against the Titans.
If the Patriots want to make a big-time move before the trade deadline, then Jeffery Simmons would be a great player to pursue.
Lamar Jackson returns to full practice on Oct. 29 after missing three games with a high‑ankle sprain, putting the Ravens’ offense back on track ahead of their Week 8 road clash with the Buffalo Bills. While Jackson is listed as a full participant, defensive linchpins safety Kyle Hamilton and linebacker Roquan Smith skipped Wednesday’s session, alongside guard Olaivavega Ioane (knee) and veteran Calais Campbell (rest). Baltimore went 1‑2 without Jackson, including a loss to the Bengals, and he had logged 967 yards, six TDs and one INT before the injury. Jackson’s game status will be confirmed later in the week.
The Game Haus breaks down the fantasy quarterback hierarchy for Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season. Josh Allen (vs. Ravens) and Joe Burrow (vs. Titans) remain top‑tier "Must Start" options, with Drake Maye and Lamar Jackson (returning from injury) also high on the list. Mid‑range starters include Jordan Love, Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford, while low‑end starters feature Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. Deep‑league prospects such as Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield are highlighted, and several QBs—Brock Purdy, J.J. McCarthy, C.J. Stroud and Tyler Shough—are on bye. The article also notes Jackson’s health update and Mayfield’s return after a thumb injury, helping managers adjust lineups for the upcoming matchups.
Ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, the Chicago Bears are reportedly targeting multiple defensive players. ESPN insiders note interest in former Bear Khalil Mack (Los Angeles Chargers), DE Josh Sweat (Arizona Cardinals), and Titans' DE Jermaine Johnson II, while cornerback Alontae Taylor, a former teammate of DC Dennis Allen, emerges as a top corner option. The Bears also gauge interest in Jets' former Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright and scout D‑tackles Daron Payne (Washington) and Grover Stewart (Indianapolis). Coach Ben Johnson confirms GM Ryan Poles is “turning over every stone” to improve the roster. The article lists several league-wide sellers, suggesting a busy deadline for Chicago.
The Tennessee Titans claim former Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu off waivers, releasing Timmy Horne to make room. Laulu, 26, appeared in five games for the Raiders this season, recording five tackles, three QB hits and half a sack. He previously set a Raiders franchise record with 86 tackles by a defensive lineman over his first two seasons and logged 91 tackles, 5.5 sacks and eight passes defended in 39 games. Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, Laulu joins the Titans ahead of Week 8’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ja’Marr Chase misses Wednesday practice as the Bengals list him as a non‑participant with an “NIR – Rest/Ankle” designation ahead of the Week 8 clash with the Tennessee Titans. The 26‑year‑old has 32 catches for 351 yards and five touchdowns in six games, but his ankle issue’s severity and timing remain unclear. Cincinnati has not ruled him out for Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff, and his availability could be pivotal as the 4‑2 Bengals chase a top AFC North spot.
The Tennessee Titans pick up defensive tackle Jonah Laulu off waivers, per source Jordan Schultz. Laulu, a 26‑year‑old former Las Vegas starter, was cut by the Raiders after a modest 2026 season in which he logged five tackles and half a sack over five games. The former 2024 seventh‑round pick by the Colts signed a four‑year, $4.12 million rookie contract after playing at Oklahoma, but was waived by the Colts and later the Raiders. The move adds depth to the Titans' defensive line heading into the final weeks of the season.
The New York Giants, sitting 4-2-1 atop the NFC East heading into Week 8, are reportedly targeting both a defensive tackle and a running back before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Insider Jordan Schultz cites five realistic options: DT A’Shawn Robinson (Buccaneers) and veteran Daron Payne (Commanders) to fill the void left by Dexter Lawrence, plus RBs Alvin Kamara (Saints), Tony Pollard (Titans) and DT Vita Vea (Buccaneers). Kamara and Pollard could give quarterback Daniel Skattebo a dynamic backfield, while the DTs would bolster the interior line cost‑effectively.
Cam Ward’s self‑praise is at odds with the Titans’ reality. After a 26‑0 loss to Houston in Week 4, Ward claimed he was “very good,” and this week he added his footwork is “very good.” Yet head coach Robert Saleh points out persistent footwork flaws, and Ward’s stats back the concern: he ranks 30th in passer rating (73.8) and 23rd in completion percentage (62.0) while posting a league‑worst 5.0 yards per attempt. The growing disconnect between Ward’s confidence and on‑field performance raises doubts about his viability as a long‑term starter for Tennessee.
Sharp Football’s Week 8 Worksheet breaks down the Titans‑Bengals clash, highlighting a -10.5 spread and a 28.5 implied total. Cincinnati leads the league with a +11 sack differential, a 50.6% third‑down conversion rate and 83.3% of its touchdowns coming through the air, while Tennessee struggles with a 35% double‑digit trailing rate and the worst first‑half margin (-62). Quarterback preview shows Joe Burrow rebounding to a QB1 performance (25.9 fantasy points) after a scoreless first half, whereas Titans’ Cam Ward offers low‑risk QB2 upside against a weak rush defense (30th in yards allowed). The worksheet also notes the Titans’ poor pass defense (69.2% completion rate) and the Bengals’ dominance in passing efficiency, supplying key angles for fantasy lineups.
The Chicago Bears are targeting Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons as a key trade deadline acquisition. Simmons, 29, boasts 46.5 sacks and 72 tackles for loss since 2019 and carries a contract of $124 million through 2029. The Titans could offload him for roughly two draft picks—likely a 2027 first‑rounder—while absorbing $14.1 million dead cap this season and $21.2 million in 2027. With the Bears already missing DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson, analysts say he would solidify a struggling defensive line, though price concerns remain amid other market options like Khalil Mack and Josh Sweat.
The Tennessee Titans are just 1-6 to start the 2026 season and seem poised to miss the playoffs for a fifth straight season.
Trade chatter heats up across the AFC. The Indianapolis Colts field interest in WR Josh Downs, though they’re unlikely to move RB Jonathan Taylor after his recent extension. Jacksonville’s WR Brian Thomas Jr. appears on the chopping block, with the Jaguars also linked to a possible DT Daron Payne deal if Washington parts ways. In Tennessee, edge rusher Jermaine Johnson is deemed obtainable, while RB Tony Pollard and CB Alontae Taylor surface as trade candidates, though the Titans may hesitate to part with key offensive pieces. These rumors could reshape rosters before the deadline.
With the NFL trade deadline just two weeks away, the 1‑6 Tennessee Titans are rumored to be sellers. ESPN’s Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler list three Titans—DE Jermaine Johnson II, RB Tony Pollard and CB Alontae Taylor—as prime trade candidates. Johnson, a veteran edge rusher on an expiring deal, could fetch draft picks despite being acquired for T’Vondre Sweat. Pollard, also on an expiring contract, may be moved despite GM Mike Borgonzi’s earlier denial, potentially aiding teams needing a back if the Colts keep Jonathan Taylor. Taylor, a three‑year, $58 million free‑agent signing, faces a hefty guaranteed 2027 salary, making a trade unlikely without a major price.
Titans defensive end Jermaine Johnson could be on the move, says NFLTradeRumors' Jeremy Fowler. Despite being acquired from the Jets last offseason, Fowler estimates a 30% chance of a trade as Tennessee, now 1‑6 and rebuilding, seeks draft capital. ESPN's Matt Bowen cites the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears as potential suitors. Johnson, 27, is in the final year of a fully guaranteed rookie deal (totaling $13.1 M with a $6.7 M signing bonus) after the Jets exercised his $13.4 M fifth‑year option. This season he’s logged 18 tackles, four TFLs and three sacks in seven games.
In a 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Titans coach Brian Daboll revamps the ground game, leaning on gap concepts that let the offensive line dominate. Running back Tony Pollard erupts for 129 yards and three touchdowns on 5.2 yards per carry, marking his best performance against Cleveland since 2025. The shift to a power‑run approach delivers the team's most efficient rushing showing of the season, offering a glimpse of offensive cohesion despite Tennessee’s 1‑6 record after seven weeks.
Amid the focus on marquee names such as Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley as potential trade candidates, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard could be most prominent player at the position to get moved before Nov. 10.
The Bengals (4‑2) host the struggling Titans (1‑6) as the week’s marquee NFL showdown. Key battles include Titans’ pass‑rusher Jeffery Simmons versus the injured Dalton Risner and veteran Ted Karras, while Jermaine Johnson tests All‑Pro‑caliber tackle Amarius Mims, who has allowed just four pressures all season. Tennessee’s Tony Pollard, fresh off 129 rushing yards and three TDs against Cleveland, faces rookie linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter, both prone to missed tackles. Finally, Bengals center Austin Schlottmann must contend with the league’s premier interior defender Dexter Lawrence, who boasts 22 pressures, four sacks and a DPOY buzz. These matchups will likely decide whether Cincinnati can capitalize on its recent surge.
The Titans prepare for their Week 8 clash with the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium after a loss to the Cleveland Browns, a team among the AFC North’s four with winning records. The preview highlights ongoing debate over quarterback Cam Ward’s future, citing a mock draft that explores a potential 2027 QB pick, and references recent Bengals momentum from a comeback win over the Ravens. Additional NFL news includes upcoming trade deadline targets and a look at the Bengals’ recent performance.
Chase Brown, once a top offensive weapon for the Bengals, has posted a slower start to the 2026 season, but his fantasy PPR points per game are already better than in 2024 and 2025. At 12.5 points per game through weeks 1‑7, he ranks 21st among running backs, up from 30th in 2024 and 34th in 2025. Historical splits show he exploded to elite numbers (19.6‑21.2 PPR) in weeks 8‑18 of the prior two seasons, suggesting a strong finish is possible as the Bengals head into their matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
The New York Giants enter their Week 8 bye atop the NFC East with a 4‑2‑1 record, sitting as the conference’s third seed behind the Vikings and 49ers. Their lead rests on razor‑thin margins—a +2 point differential (163‑161) and three wins by a touchdown or less, including overtime victories over the Titans, Washington and Houston. Backup quarterback J.J. McCarthy, thrust into the starter role after Jaxson Dart’s injury, has posted efficient starts but yet to face a comeback scenario. Defensively, the Giants rank 18th in points allowed, rely on takeaways, and are hit by key injuries to Brian Burns, Tremaine Edmunds and Jevon Holland. After the bye they face the Eagles and Commanders in back‑to‑back division games; winning both could cement a two‑game cushion, while a split would expose the fragility of their slim point differential. Coach John Harbaugh stresses the first‑place spot is an opportunity, not a guarantee, and the next two weeks will test if it’s earned.
The Tennessee Titans are bad and have been for quite some time. That's not to say they can't finally turn things around though.
Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion delivers a breakout performance in Week 7, recording eight catches for 129 yards and 23 rushing yards—including an 18‑yard run that set up a touchdown—in the comeback win over the Tennessee Titans. The stat line ranks eighth‑best for a rookie single‑game in Cleveland history and puts him ahead of teammates with 30 receptions and 315 receiving yards. His effort earns him a nomination for the NFL’s Pepsi Rookie of the Week, with fan voting open through Thursday 11 a.m. EST.