Vikings Drop Undefeated Record

Two months after the 1972 Miami Dolphins completed the only undefeated season in NFL history, the league lost its last remaining perfect team. The Minnesota Vikings entered Week 8 as the sole 6-0 squad in the league but fell 19-15 to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, ending their bid for a unique place in football records.

The defeat highlighted the limitations of an offense that struggled to generate points against elite defenses. The Vikings' loss came in a game characterized by defensive dominance, a pattern that has defined their season. With the undefeated streak snapped, the NFC North leaders must now navigate the remainder of the schedule without the psychological edge of an unblemished record.

Elsewhere in Week 8, the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Tennessee Titans 43-36 in overtime. Quarterback Joe Burrow recorded 462 passing yards and five passing touchdowns, along with a rushing touchdown. This performance made Burrow the second player in NFL history to achieve that statistical combination in a single game. He is the first to do so in 75 years, following the merger of the AFL and NFL.

Burrow's historic day was marred by three interceptions, but the Bengals' defense limited the damage to one field goal off those turnovers. Tennessee also gained a safety on one possession, meaning the Titans netted only one point from turnovers despite their opportunities.

The Dallas Cowboys suffered a dramatic collapse at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Dallas led by 10 points with 3 minutes and 54 seconds remaining in regulation but allowed a missed extra point to force overtime. The Cowboys then lost 33-30, with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew playing for Arizona during the decisive final minutes. This marks the fifth straight season the Cardinals have won at AT&T Stadium.

In Baltimore, the Ravens lost 36-10 to the Buffalo Bills after injuries forced rookie Joe Fagnano into the starting lineup. Lamar Jackson returned from a sprained ankle but was hurt in the first play with a thumb injury, requiring surgery and at least four weeks of recovery. Backup Tyler Huntley also suffered a toe injury. The Ravens' offense has scored no more than 13 points in its last three games.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers recorded a rare 16-0 shutout over the Atlanta Falcons, becoming only the second team since 1974 to win without a single pass completion. Baker Mayfield went 0-for-3, while Bucky Irving rushed for 170 yards and the game's only touchdown. Heavy rain contributed to the offensive struggles for both teams, as Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions in his career-worst performance.