NFL Week 9 Recap: What We Learned About Every Team, Game by Game

Bengals win fourth straight, hold off Bills. Plus: Eagles take control of division, NFC's top seed; Chiefs hold key tiebreakers in AFC playoff race; Antonio Pierce wins Raiders's coaching debut; Joshua Dobbs rescues Vikings; C.J. Stroud throws for 470 yards in win; Patriots fall to 2–7.

This has the potential of being the best week of football we have this season.

For starters, the Dolphins and Chiefs tangled in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday morning, with Kansas City winning, 21–14. The Chiefs (7–2) now hold the top spot in the AFC standings as both teams prepare for their Week 10 byes.

In the early window, the Ravens showed their strength, crushing the Seahawks to join the Chiefs atop the AFC with seven wins. Baltimore is trying to stave off the Steelers, Bengals and Browns in the AFC North, with Pittsburgh and Cleveland also recording wins this week.

The late window gave us one of the league’s best rivalries in the Cowboys and Eagles at Philadelphia. With the Eagles winning 28–23, they moved 2.5 games ahead of Dallas, putting a hammerlock on the NFC East. 

In the nightcap, Cincinnati handled Buffalo 24–18 to earn its fifth victory of the campaign. As for Buffalo, it remains one game back of the Dolphins in the AFC East. 

SUNDAY

Bengals 24, Bills 18

• What it means for Bills: Buffalo (5–4) has to get going earlier with its offense. Against the Jaguars and Giants, the Bills scored seven points going into the fourth quarter. On Sunday night, Buffalo had 10 points with five minutes remaining. The issue has been turnovers (two more against Cincinnati) and the lack of a running game outside of Josh Allen; James Cook and Latavius Murray combined for 24 yards on eight carries while Allen had 44 yards on eight attempts. Not good.
• What it means for Bengals: Cincinnati (5–3) looks fully back. Joe Burrow torched the Niners last week, going 28-of-32 with three touchdowns. Against Buffalo, Burrow threw for 348 yards and two scores, helping the Bengals climb into the playoff picture while only sitting 1.5 games behind the Ravens in the AFC North. This is a contender once again.

Eagles 28, Cowboys 23

DeVonta Smith celebrates his 29-yard touchdown reception against the Cowboys :: Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Cowboys: All you need to know about Dallas (5–3) in a big spot is how the game ended. The Cowboys had first-and-goal on the 6-yard line. They took a false start, negating a quarterback draw. Then, they then watched Dak Prescott take an inexcusable sack. Then, they threw a rushed incomplete pass before being called for delay of game. On the game's final play from the 27-yard line, the Cowboys threw and completed a pass short of the goal line. Unreal.
• What it means for Eagles: It hasn’t been pretty often this season, but the result is almost flawless. The Eagles (8–1) have the league’s best record, and should be home free in the NFC East. The pass defense remains a problem, allowing 375 yards on 8.5 yards per attempt, but the pass rush notched four sacks. Philadelphia hasn’t found its best form yet, which is both an issue and a scary truth for the rest of the NFL.

Ravens 37, Seahawks 3

• What it means for Seahawks: Seattle (5–3) needs to burn the tape. The Seahawks are tied for first place in the NFC West with games against the Commanders and Rams coming up before seeing the 49ers twice in three weeks. That said, Geno Smith needs to be better. He was guilty of BLANK turnovers Sunday, giving Smith three consecutive games with multiple turnovers. It’s an ugly trend which must stop.
• What it means for Ravens: Baltimore (7–2) is a Super Bowl contender. The Ravens have now played two of the NFC’s best over the past three weeks, and both games were over early. The Ravens racked up 298 rushing yards (7.3 YPC) against Seattle while adding four sacks to their league-best total. The Ravens aren’t overwhelming at the skill positions, but they can run the ball, throw it well enough, and win on a weekly basis with their front four.

Chiefs 21, Dolphins 14

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates with Bryan Cook after Cook's 59-yard return after a Dolphins' fumble gave Kansas City a 21-0 lead :: Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Dolphins: Miami (6–3) has to get over the proverbial hump. It’s played three games against top-tier competition, and the offense is yet to top 20 points. On Sunday morning, Kansas City gave the Dolphins every opportunity to win the game late, including a hideous third-and-one call, along with Patrick Mahomes fumbling deep in his own territory. In the end, though, Miami couldn’t make Kansas City pay for its mistakes.
• What it means for Chiefs: Kansas City has an elite defense, but the offense is not performing to past levels. Mahomes threw for 185 yards and two scores, but in the second half was throttled, and finished with only 46 yards in the second half. Still, the Chiefs hold the top seed in the AFC with key tiebreakers over the Dolphins and Jaguars heading into their bye week. Up next, the Eagles on Monday night in two weeks.

Vikings 31, Falcons 28

Dobbs passed for 158 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 66 yards and another score after just five days of practice with the Vikings :: Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Vikings: What a win. The Vikings (5–4) looked finished at 1–4, especially with injuries to Justin Jefferson and Kirk Cousins. Yet here’s Minnesota, only 1.5 games back of the Lions in the NFC North while holding a playoff position entering Week 10. Joshua Dobbs was fantastic in a reserve role, throwing for 158 yards and two touchdowns, including a game winner to Brandon Powell with 20 seconds remaining. Despite all the setbacks, the playoffs are in play.
• What it means for Falcons: Arthur Smith is on the hot seat. This is Smith’s third year, and the Falcons (4–5) aren’t improving. Once again, Atlanta doesn’t finish games, the quarterback situation is unsettled and the usage of his first-round offensive picks is questionable at best. Against the Vikings, the Falcons only gave Bijan Robinson 13 touches while targeting Kyle Pitts just five times. It’s losing football.

Browns 27, Cardinals 0

• What it means for Cardinals: Arizona (1–8) is likely getting Kyler Murray back next week, but will it matter? The Cardinals were competitive in September but over the past six weeks have lost by double digits five times. With Murray, the offense will certainly have more punch, and Arizona does have the Falcons, Texans and Rams up next. Still, the Cardinals need everything to go right to have a chance most weeks.
• What it means for Browns: The defense remains a juggernaut. After playing below standard against the Colts and Seahawks, Cleveland (5–3) returned to form by holding Arizona to 58 total yards while forcing three turnovers and notching seven sacks. With star left tackle Jedrick Wills being carted off with an air cast on his right leg, the offense was hit with another big injury. If the Browns are going to make a playoff push, the defense must continue to be special. 

Raiders 30, Giants 6

• What it means for Giants: It seemingly never ends for the Giants (2–7). They finally get Daniel Jones back after he missed multiple weeks with a neck ailment, and then he’s forced out early with a noncontact knee injury. With Tommy DeVito potentially starting for the foreseeable future, New York is going to firmly be in the Caleb Williams sweepstakes. After being Coach of the Year in 2023, Brian Daboll is going through every imaginable hurdle this season.
• What it means for Raiders: It turns out playing for a coach you don’t despise can do wonders. The Raiders (4–5) rolled the Giants on Sunday, racking up 24 first-half points as rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell threw for 135 yards on 9-of-10 passing before the break. Also, Josh Jacobs finally had his first 100-yard performance of the year, showing Las Vegas might finally have an offense after two months of being tamped down by the ineffective Josh McDaniels. 

Texans 39, Buccaneers 37

Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the draft, threw for 470 yards and five touchdowns against the Buccaneers :: Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Buccaneers: With four consecutive losses, the Buccaneers (3–5) are falling apart. The offense was terrific in Houston, but the defense allowed 496 yards and 39 points, including a game-winning drive of 75 yards in 40 seconds. Every week over the past month, one of the units has been unable to get going. If things don’t change, it’s hard seeing Baker Mayfield and Todd Bowles coming back in 2024.
• What it means for Texans: C.J. Stroud has arrived. The Texans (4–4) needed Stroud to be brilliant all afternoon and the rookie performed, throwing for 470 yards and five touchdowns in a comeback win. Additionally, Houston has a litany of playmakers to be excited about, including first-year receiver Tank Dell, tight end Dalton Schultz and wideout Nico Collins. After winning only 10 games over the past three years, the Texans are no longer a pushover.

Colts 27, Panthers 13

• What it means for Colts: Gardner Minshew had struggled the past three weeks, fumbling four times while being intercepted on five occasions. This weekend, the Colts (4–5) got a clean game from their signal-caller and won easily over an overmatched Panthers team. Indianapolis has been in every game this season save for its loss at Jacksonville. If Minshew doesn’t give the ball away, the Colts are a tough out each week.
• What it means for Panthers: It’s early, really early, but it’s hard to feel like the Panthers (1–7) won’t feel immense regret passing on C.J. Stroud for Bryce Young. Young played well last week against Stroud’s Texans, but in every other game this year, he’s ranged from middling to poor. Against the Colts, Young uncorked an ugly pick-six to Kenny Moore III, while putting up a stat line of 173 yards on 4.4 yards per attempt with three interceptions. Carolina has myriad problems, but none are bigger than the increasing likelihood it traded its future for the wrong quarterback.

Commanders 20, Patriots 17

• What it means for Commanders: Sam Howell continued to be a roller-coaster, but Sunday was a good ride. Howell threw for 325 yards and a touchdown, while also tossing a hideous interception in the end zone at the conclusion of the first half. Still, Howell did enough along with the Commanders’ (4–5) defense to improve their standing in the NFC wild-card chase.
• What it means for Patriots: New England (2–7) is the AFC’s worst team, and it’s not arguable. The Patriots don’t have an offensive skill-position player to rely on save for Rhamondre Stevenson. Facing the 29th-ranked defense in football, at home, Mac Jones threw for 220 yards on 44 attempts. Bill Belichick has to consider going to Bailey Zappe at some point based on a season’s worth of ineptitude from Jones. 

Saints 24, Bears 17

• What it means for Bears: The Bears (2–7) need Justin Fields back in the worst way. After beating the Raiders in his pro debut, Tyson Bagent has thrown five interceptions over the past two weeks. While Fields’s return isn’t saving what has become another lost season in Chicago, the Bears need to evaluate him throughout the final two months. Outside of that task, the rest of 2023 is about youngsters improving and deciding whether coach Matt Eberflus deserves a third campaign.
• What it means for Saints: If the Saints (5–4) are going to be more than a speed bump for a good team come January, they need more from their offense. The Bears committed five turnovers and came into the weekend 23rd in yards and 28th in points allowed. Still, New Orleans only scored 24 points, largely because of an asinine 4th-and-inches quarterback sneak, a missed field goal and a passing game which averaged 6.1 yards per attempt. 

Packers 20, Rams 3

• What it means for Rams: This might come as a huge shock, but the Rams (3–6) aren’t winning games with Brett Rypien under center. Rypien went 13-of-28 for 130 yards and an interception on an afternoon where the defense kept the score close. Luckily for Los Angeles, it now hits the bye week and should get Matthew Stafford back afterwards. Oh, and the Cardinals are on deck.
• What it means for Packers: The offense was nothing special, but Green Bay (3–5) should be excited about its rushing output. The Packers entered the day 26th averaging 88.4 rushing yards per game, but ran all over the Rams with 184 yards on 4.8 yards per carry. If Green Bay is going to climb back into the playoff race, that’s the way forward. Lean on Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon.

THURSDAY

Steelers 20, Titans 16

• What it means for Titans: It’s unclear if Will Levis is the answer in Tennessee (3–5), but he’s at least interesting. The second-round rookie threw for 262 yards (6.7 YPA) and an interception in the defeat, but showed a strong arm and real composure in the pocket despite taking four sacks. If the Titans can nurture Levis into a starting-caliber quarterback with upside this season, 2023 is a win regardless of record.
• What it means for Steelers: False hope is both a wonderful balm and a nasty pain in waiting. Pittsburgh (5–3) is somehow in the AFC North race largely because it has an excellent defense that gives the offense a ton of possessions and terrific field position. The problem? That offense usually needs every possible advantage to score. Kenny Pickett has thrown six touchdowns in eight games. On Thursday, George Pickens had two catches … for minus-1 yard. It’s a never-ending cycle of bad offense, great defense and ugly games.