NFL Week 8: Highest-graded plays of the week

  • The Denver Broncos have one of the best-blocked plays in PFF history: Every offensive lineman on the play earned a positive grade.
  • Jonathan Taylor’s long touchdown run: The Colts running back is gaining MVP buzz after another dominant performance.

This season, we’re launching a weekly series at PFF that provides a behind-the-scenes look at our grading process. Each week, we’ll break down some of the highest-graded individual plays, complete with tweets to show you the action.

Here are a few standout plays from Week 8.

RJ Harvey’s perfectly blocked touchdown run

This 40-yard touchdown run by Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey was impressive enough on its own, but the blocking made it exceptional. All five offensive linemen and tight end Adam Trautman earned positive grades on the play. None stood out more than guard Quinn Meinerz, who earned multiple positive grades and became the first offensive lineman this season to record a block graded at +1.5 by PFF.

Nate Wiggins‘ second interception of the season

Nate Wiggins has been sticky in coverage for the Ravens all season, but this was arguably the best play of his sophomore campaign. He read Caleb Williams’ throw perfectly, undercutting the route to give Baltimore the ball in scoring range and earning a +1.5 PFF grade on the play.

Jonathan Taylor’s 80-yard touchdown run

Jonathan Taylor continues to generate buzz for Offensive Player of the Year honors and is even starting to enter the MVP conversation — with Sunday’s performance serving as another example why. He earned a +2.0 PFF grade on this long run, showing excellent footwork to stay in bounds after making a defender miss before turning on the speed to outrun everyone to the end zone.

Michael Pittman Jr.’s sensational catch

Jonathan Taylor wasn’t the only Colts offensive player to earn a +2.0 PFF grade on a play. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. matched that mark with a spectacular touchdown grab, trapping the ball against his body with one hand while tightly covered by a defensive back.

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