NFL Nation reporters detail the biggest storylines for every team coming out of Week 8 and what they mean going forward.

AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West

NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West

AFC EAST

At 4-4, the Bills are now playing for a wild-card spot. Rex Ryan effectively conceded the AFC East to the 7-1 Patriots after Sunday's loss, admitting that the Bills have little chance to catch up in the division. With games at Seattle and at Cincinnati looming, the Bills' season is beginning to unravel. -- Mike Rodak

Week 9: at Seattle, Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET

The big story with the Dolphins headed into Week 9 is whether they can stay hot following their bye week. Miami is in the middle of its first two-game winning streak of the season with recent victories over the Steelers and Bills. The team took five days off during the bye to rest, however, and will work on shaking off rust before Sunday's division game against the Jets. -- James Walker

Week 9: vs. New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Tight end Rob Gronkowski on Sunday set the Patriots' record for touchdowns, scoring his 69th on a 53-yard connection with Tom Brady in the second quarter as New England rolled over the Bills. Gronkowski said after the game that he received a phone call in the locker room from wide receiver Stanley Morgan (1977-1989) to congratulate him on breaking his record, adding that it was an honor to do so close to where he grew up in western New York. The Patriots head into their bye week with four straight wins, and a tough game against the Seahawks looms in Week 10. -- Mike Reiss

Week 9: Bye

The Jets might actually make it through a week without a quarterback controversy. Ryan Fitzpatrick rallied the Jets to a win over the Browns, which should quiet the pro-Bryce Petty crowd for at least a week. Coach Todd Bowles said he never considered a change at halftime despite a poor performance by Fitzpatrick. It showed that Bowles doesn't think Petty, the new No. 2 now that Geno Smith is out for the season, is a viable alternative. Yet. -- Rich Cimini

Week 9: at Miami, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

AFC NORTH

The Ravens will be in first place in the AFC North on Sunday if they can beat the Steelers and end a four-game losing streak. Baltimore hasn't won since Sept. 25, but the Ravens are getting healthier. Five injured starters -- wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., linebackers Terrell Suggs and C.J. Mosley, guard Marshal Yanda and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley -- are all expected to be available after the bye. "That's something that's really important and valuable, and I'm excited about that," coach John Harbaugh said of the return of his big-name players. -- Jamison Hensley

Week 9: vs. Pittsburgh, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

A team with Super Bowl aspirations heading into the season needed some momentum after a ho-hum win over the winless Browns, but the Bengals were unable to capitalize on opportunities in settling for a tie against the Redskins. The Bengals' 3-4-1 record doesn't ruin their playoff hopes in a suddenly below-average AFC North, but bad penalties, defensive lapses and kicker Mike Nugent missing a field goal and extra point give the coaching staff plenty to think before a Monday night road game against the Giants on Nov. 14. -- ESPN.com staff

Week 9: Bye

The Browns are staring at the likelihood an 0-16 season. The first half of the season ended without a win and with a poor performance against a beatable team in the Jets. The next opponent is Dallas, which figures to be a big favorite. There are no easy answers on the schedule when it comes to the Browns erasing that zero in the win column. -- Pat McManamon

Week 9: vs. Dallas, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

The presence of Ben Roethlisberger looms large as the Steelers prepare for the rival Ravens. Coming off the bye week, Pittsburgh will start to prepare Landry Jones for his second consecutive start while Roethlisberger continues to recover from a torn meniscus. If Roethlisberger can complete a full practice before Sunday, he might just be ready to take the field less than three weeks after corrective surgery. But that's hardly a guarantee, even if Roethlisberger's light throwing sessions last week were encouraging. -- Jeremy Fowler

Week 9: at Baltimore, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

AFC SOUTH

At the midpoint of the season, the Texans have not played as well as their 5-3 record indicates. And quarterback Brock Osweiler said after Sunday's victory over the Lions that that's a good thing. The Texans enter their bye week leading the division and are 2-0 against AFC South teams. Houston has a lot of banged-up players, including running back Lamar Miller, who played through a painful shoulder injury on Sunday. Now the Texans have almost two weeks to get healthy, and Osweiler said they will use the time to "get some guys healthy" and "hit the reset button." -- Sarah Barshop

Week 9: Bye

Playing Green Bay at Lambeau Field is a tough enough challenge when it healthy. It's a major challenge when you have a bunch of injuries. That could be the case next weekend for the Colts. Among the players injured in Sunday's loss to Kansas City: cornerback Vontae Davis (concussion) and right tackle Joe Reitz (concussion), while right guard Denzelle Good left the locker room with a boot on his left foot, and receiver Phillip Dorsett left with his left shoulder wrapped. The Colts were already without tight end Dwayne Allen (ankle), defensive lineman Kendall Langford (knee) and defensive lineman Henry Anderson (knee) against the Chiefs. -- Mike Wells

Week 9: at Green Bay, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Coach Gus Bradley fired offensive coordinator Greg Olson earlier this week and promoted quarterbacks coach Nathaniel Hackett. Bradley and Hackett will speak to the media on Monday and hopefully explain how the offense will change before this weekend's game at Kansas City. There may have been some disconnect between Olson and quarterback Blake Bortles, but the main issue for the offense's struggles has been Bortles' poor play all season. -- Mike DiRocco

Week 9: at Kansas City, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

While players report back to team headquarters Monday after three days off, the coaching staff was at the facility Sunday to begin construction of a game plan for the Chargers. The Titans have lost six consecutive games in San Diego, including a January 2008 wild-card game. Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt coached the Titans for 21 games in 2014 and 2015 and will have some insight into their personnel. The Titans are in second place in the AFC South, just a game off of Houston's pace. -- Paul Kuharsky

Week 9: at San Diego, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

AFC WEST

The Broncos were without two starters on defense -- and even went more than a half without defensive coordinator Wade Phillips calling plays -- and yet the defense continues to roll. They had three interceptions and sacked Philip Rivers four times in a victory over the Chargers. It means the Broncos are 6-2 at the halfway point and continue to cover up most blemishes with a defense that takes it all as business as usual. Phillips was taken to the hospital after a sideline collision Sunday, Bradley Roby started at cornerback for Pro Bowler Aqib Talib and Corey Nelson started at linebacker for Brandon Marshall. "No one is waiting around for somebody else to make a play," linebacker Von Miller. said. "We feel like the next play is our chance to make a play for our team." -- Jeff Legwold

Week 9: at Oakland, Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET

The transition to Nick Foles at quarterback Sunday against the Colts wasn't just seamless. The Chiefs were better with Foles than they were with Alex Smith, who exited the game with a concussion. Foles brought some life to the downfield passing game by completing four passes of 28 yards or more. The Chiefs had only eight such pass plays in their first six games. "I don't think anybody blinked an eye," said wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who played with Foles for a time with the Eagles. "He is a guy that everyone knows likes to throw the ball down the field." The Chiefs have no reason to fear if Foles has to start next Sunday against the Jaguars. That will depend on how quickly Smith mends. -- Adam Teicher

Week 9: vs. Jacksonville, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

If the Raiders can escape with an overtime victory in Tampa Bay from so many self-inflicted wounds -- an NFL-record 23 penalties for a franchise-record 200 yards -- how good can they be with a much cleaner effort? Oakland will have that chance to find out next week with the defending champion Broncos coming to town for a nationally televised Sunday night game. "I already started on them in the locker room," said Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who passed for a franchise-record 513 yards and four touchdowns against the Buccaneers. "My mind is already there ... the road to the Super Bowl goes through them." Added left tackle Donald Penn, who caught a TD pass in his return to Tampa: "We're going to go out there and show the world what we've got. Big game." -- Paul Gutierrez

Week 9: vs. Denver, Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET

Even though the Chargers suffered a tough loss to the Broncos on the road Sunday, quarterback Philip Rivers said the team can hang its hat on the fact that it split the season series with the defending Super Bowl champs this season. With a 3-5 record at the midpoint of the season, Rivers believes the Chargers can get back in the playoff hunt. San Diego hosts the Titans at Qualcomm Stadium next week, followed by the Dolphins before heading into the bye week. "I'm fired up," Rivers said. "Shoot, we've got to two at home to get to 5-5 at the bye ... Then we've got a six-game season." -- Eric D. Williams

Week 9: vs. Tennessee, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

NFC EAST

Dez Bryant's 53-yard catch in the first quarter in the overtime win over Philadelphia on Sunday was his longest since a 65-yarder in the 2014 finale and Dak Prescott's longest completion of his career. As the Cowboys see more defenses focus more on stopping Ezekiel Elliott, they will have to make plays down the field in the passing game. That's what happened in 2014 when DeMarco Murray finished with 1,845 yards and Bryant coming alive with 10 touchdown receptions in the last seven games. Now the Cowboys' attention turns to the winless Browns -- and the Cowboys' looming quarterback decision. -- Todd Archer

Week 9: at Cleveland, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

The Giants return Monday from the bye week, and they'll have to shake off the stink from the Josh Brown situation. Brown was released on Tuesday, not long after the players escaped for their week off. They'll return with the black cloud hanging over the franchise, and with a key divisional matchup with the Eagles on the horizon. It's a crucial game for the Giants in a competitive NFC East. -- Jordan Raanan

Week 9: vs. Philadelphia, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

The Eagles' offensive inconsistencies will be one of the dominant stories this week, as quarterback Carson Wentz averaged just 4.1 yards per pass and the team averaged just 4.1 yards per play. But Tuesday's trade deadline is also worth watching -- Philadelphia has been linked to a few players, including wide receivers Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery. One answer to help in opening the offense could come in a trade, but the cost might be too high for general manager Howie Roseman. -- ESPN.com staff

Week 9: at New York Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

The Redskins' top offensive priority entering the second half of the season must be the red zone. It cost them Sunday as they converted just one of four trips into touchdowns, a big reason why they ended in a tie with the Bengals. But that was just a continuation of the season as Washington entered this game ranked 28th with a 42.9 percent success rate. They were good here last year. "Defenses caught up to us, now we have to stay ahead of defenses," receiver Pierre Garcon said. -- John Keim

Week 9: Bye

NFC NORTH

The Bears' best chance to steal a victory on Monday night is for quarterback Jay Cutler to play like, well, Jay Cutler. Chicago's offense skewed far too conservative the past two games under Brian Hoyer. Cutler is not nearly as cautious. History tells us Cutler will attempt to show off his big arm and take shots down the field to Alshon Jeffery, even against Minnesota's top-rated defense. Maybe taking an occasional calculated risk is what the Bears' offense -- ranked 32nd in points scored (15.9) -- needs to get going. The Vikings are such a superior operation from top to bottom that it's hard to envision the Bears pulling off the upset unless Cutler goes off. -- Jeff Dickerson

Week 9: Bye

Games in the NFL are often going to be close, but the Lions have to figure out a way to avoid their penchant for needing last-minute drives from quarterback Matthew Stafford to bail them out. Stafford has been very good all season long, but -- as Sunday's loss to Houston showed -- Detroit's way of winning games is not sustainable on a consistent basis this season. Particularly on the road, where the Lions are 1-3. -- Michael Rothstein

Week 9: at Minnesota, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Get ready for some more shootouts. After the way Matt Ryan and the Falcons threw the ball in their high-scoring win over the Packers on Sunday in Atlanta, you can bet most teams -- beginning with Andrew Luck and the Colts this coming week -- will try to do the same thing. Aaron Rodgers did his best to keep up, but four touchdown passes weren't good enough. -- Rob Demovsky

Week 9: vs. Indianapolis, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

The Vikings' offense struggled in Philadelphia last weekend, and though they could have an easier task in Chicago on Monday night, they'll have to adjust their offense with several skill position players injured. Running back Jerick McKinnon won't play because of a sprained ankle, and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was still in the NFL concussion protocol on Saturday, though coach Mike Zimmer thought Patterson would play Monday. Wide receiver Jarius Wright will also miss the game. The Vikings will have to lean on Matt Asiata in the running game, and could look for a contribution from Ronnie Hillman, who played his first snaps for the team last week. -- Ben Goessling

Week 9: vs. Detroit, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

NFC SOUTH

Matt Ryan talked leading into Sunday's game about how the Falcons needed to show mental toughness. Well, Ryan definitely set an example for his teammates by directing his 34th-career game-winning drive -- capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass to Mohamed Sanu -- in a win over the Packers. It helped the Falcons break a two-game losing streak. And the resilience displayed by Ryan and the Falcons is something they can build off of going into a crucial NFC South game against the Buccaneers on Thursday night in Tampa. -- Vaughn McClure

Week 9: at Tampa Bay, Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET

The win against Arizona on Sunday lifted a big weight off the shoulders of a Carolina team that hadn't won in a month. The Panthers hope the pressure they got defensively (eight sacks) will carry them forward and help turn around the season. Quarterback Cam Newton got something off his chest, calling out officials for not calling late hits when he's in the pocket. The NFL MVP said he will take his case to commissioner Roger Goodell. -- David Newton

Week 9: at Los Angeles, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

The Saints have shown an impressive amount of patience and resilience to climb back to 3-4 after an 0-3 start. They have a great chance to get back to .500 with a trip to San Francisco coming up and key defensive players Delvin Breaux and Sheldon Rankins returning soon from injuries. That patience and resilience was also the formula to outlast Seattle on Sunday after trailing 14-3 early. The Saints' 35 rushing attempts matched Drew Brees' 35 pass attempts as they held the ball for more than 36 minutes. "Where's the stat guy in the room to say the last time that happened?" Brees said. (The answer was 2014.) -- Mike Triplett

Week 9: at San Francisco, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

Against the Raiders, the Bucs surrendered a record-number of total yards (626) and passing yards (513) in a heart-breaking overtime loss. To make matters worse, they face the Falcons on Thursday night and may be without running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who left the game with a foot/ankle injury and did not return. Coach Dirk Koetter said, "I don't think it's probably good." For Bucs fans, neither is the fact that every other team in the NFC South won their game Sunday, making the Bucs' chances of winning the division a whole lot tougher. -- Jenna Laine

Week 9: vs. Atlanta, Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET

NFC WEST

The Cardinals enter their bye week 3-4-1, but they're optimistic they can go on a run when their second half begins in two weeks against the 49ers, who they've already beaten once this season. Arizona needs to use the bye week to get healthy and fix some issues that have been plaguing them all season. The latest? Protecting quarterback Carson Palmer. In Sunday's loss to the Panthers, the Cards' offensive line allowed a season-high eight sacks. -- Josh Weinfuss

Week 9: Bye

The Rams had a nice day for a team that didn't play, with the division-rival Seahawks (now 4-2-1) and Cardinals (3-4-1) both losing. The Rams have lost three straight games, but they have a nice opportunity to make up some ground coming out of their bye week. Their next four opponents -- the Panthers, Jets, Dolphins and Saints -- are a combined 11-18. The Rams will also be pretty healthy, with cornerback Trumaine Johnson and defensive tackle Michael Brockers the only players nursing serious injuries, and both having a chance to play in Week 9. -- Alden Gonzalez

Week 9: vs. Carolina, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

The good news for the 49ers is that Week 8 represented the first time since the opener that they didn't lose. The bad news is that they didn't get a win to end their six-game losing streak because it was their bye week. Last week, coach Chip Kelly shouldered the blame for San Francisco's struggles and said he and his coaching staff would be working hard to find solutions to their many problems during their down time. Whether any real fixes are found remains to be seen, but at least as the Niners host New Orleans next week they should be healthier than they were before the bye. -- Nick Wagoner

Week 9: vs. New Orleans, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

There will be a lot of focus on the officiating from the Seahawks' loss to the Saints, but in terms of what the team can actually control, the focus this week will be on the offense. Against the worst scoring defense in the NFL, Russell Wilson & Co. managed just one touchdown on nine offensive possessions. The Seahawks have gotten in the end zone just once in their past 23 drives. The offense has no rhythm right now, and the team is having a difficult time coming up with solutions. Wilson has played through three different injuries. The offensive line has had issues. And the run game has been inconsistent. The defense will keep the Seahawks in a lot of games, but if the offense can't do its part, the next stretch of games, which includes the Bills, Patriots and Eagles, could be rough. -- Sheil Kapadia

Week 9: vs. Buffalo, Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET