Week eight is here, and the Buccaneers' defense is turning heads. They shut out the Falcons in a game built on a dominant offensive line and a heavy dose of the run, with almost no passing game to speak of. We talk about why the defense looks so good right now. We also cover what the offense still needs to show, including a real passing game. Then we look at where that leaves the Bucs in a messy NFC South, a half game behind Carolina, with the Bears up next on Sunday night. One of us gives Todd Bowles a little credit. The other still isn't ready to. We also get into the rest of the weekend:

• Chiefs vs. Broncos: a fourth-and-goal flag that decided the game, and a long debate about the refs, the NFL and the entertainment business.

• Packers over Panthers:

  a close Thursday night game between two teams we're still not sold on.

• Cardinals over Cowboys: Dallas blows a big lead and loses in overtime.

• Colts: a team in sell mode, with Jonathan Taylor trade talk and a Vikings quarterback idea.

• Lions: a scary injury that reminded us these are real people with families. We're hoping for good news.

• Rapid fire: the Steelers, Bills, Raiders, Bengals, Chargers, Patriots and Commanders.

This week's menu is soul food: black-eyed peas, collard greens with ham, and Publix fried chicken, paired with a Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale from Atlanta. We lock in our Week 9 picks, with a few games where we disagree. Then we find out how Jacob pays for losing the pick'em. He's blindfolded while mystery foods are flung at his face, and he has to guess what they are. Maple syrup, strawberry jam and mayo all make an appearance.