NFL Week 9 Essentials
By Tony Mejia
We’re into the second half of the season, so some teams are going to start pulling no-shows as sure as a few people in your fantasy league have given up the ghost. We’ll start to see who has staying power, but often times, players and coaches who have held up well up to this point begin to fall back and start running out of gas. This always makes for interesting results as the holidays approach and letdowns occur due to checking out and lack of focus. Injuries, too. Here’s what you need to know about the potholes lie before wagering on Week 9:
Sunday, Nov. 6
Jacksonville at Kansas City: The Chiefs will have Nick Foles at the reins on their opening possession after he came in last week after Alex Smith suffered a head injury and threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Smith won’t dress, so this will be an opportunity to create a QB controversy for Foles, an Andy Reid favorite who struggled last year with the Rams and hadn’t looked as effective as he did last week since Chip Kelly’s first season with the Eagles. Although the Jaguars pass defense isn’t overwhelming, they are better than the woeful Colts, who rank among the league’s worst in most categories defending the aerial attack. The Jags come off consecutive losses and are playing back-to-back road games for the first time since Nov. 15 of last season, beating Baltimore in that situation. Jacksonville suffered a disappointing end to October with Blake Bortles pressing and the defense getting gashed, playing so poorly that ownership had to come out and say head coach Gus Bradley wouldn’t be fired. This will be a great test to see whether his team has responded to him over an extended period since they last played in Nashville on Oct. 27.
Detroit at Minnesota: After that 5-0 start, it feels like the sky is falling for the Vikings, who have managed just 10 points in each of the last two games as Sam Bradford keeps missing hot reads and getting hit. In his defense, offensive line play has been atrocious, which could be an issue since the Lions pressure the quarterback well and have a healthy Ziggy Ansah hunting for his first sack of the season. A breakthrough here has the potential to single-handedly swing this game, especially since getting loose would ease the burden on a secondary that has made some key interceptions to close games this season but has surrendered the NFL's highest opposing QB rating, completion percentage and second-most passing touchdowns. Getting RB Jerick McKinnon back to run the football and offer a different look via the wildcat should be invaluable for Minnesota since he was badly missed in Monday night’s loss to Chicago. With Ronnie Hillman also better acclimated, the Vikings are better equipped to run the football and improve on what is currently NFL’s second-worst rushing output, but the biggest boost should come from returning to their fancy new building since they’ve gone 3-0 there, outscoring opponents all currently sporting winning records by a combined margin of 72-37. A victory will ease the current tension after Pat Shurmur was elevated to offensive coordinator after Norv Turner “resigned” earlier this week. Minnesota swept last year’s meetings and is looking to maintain an NFC North lead it has held since Week 2.
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants: The Eagles have owned divisional rival New York over the last eight years, winning 13 of the last 16 meetings. Three different head coaches, Reid, Chip Kelly and Shurmur (interim) have beaten the Giants, but a new chapter opens with first-year head coaches Doug Pederson and Ben McAdoo squaring off. Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, Foles, Mark Sanchez and Bradford have all won duels against Eli Manning in that span, so Carson Wentz gets his initial crack at joining that club while looking to prevent Philadelphia from falling to .500 for the first time under his watch. The Giants are coming off their bye week while the Eagles are on the road for the second straight week, so NYG should ideally be fresher and better prepared. Odell Beckham had time to heal a hip injury and declared himself at 85-90 percent earlier this week, although the boost they expected in the secondary with safeties Darian Thompson (foot) and Nat Berhe (concussion) potentially returning now hinges solely on Berhe being cleared since Thompson was ruled out Friday. Philly’s major injury concerns lie up front, even with WR/KR Josh Huff getting himself cut. If you didn't get enough of Joe Buck during the World Series, you'll hear him here alongside Troy Aikman.
Dallas at Cleveland: Tony Romo practiced 11-on-11 for the first time, so he’s getting closer to being ready, perhaps as early as next week. Rookie QB Dak Prescott further secured his hold on the position by leading a comeback overtime win over the Eagles last Sunday night and will look to improve to 4-0 on the road against a Browns defense that has allowed the most yards per game and surrenders 29.8 points, ranking 30th. In other words, he’s got a chance to really impress again, working with an offense that has helped produce over 28 points per game during Dallas’ current six-game winnings streak. Defensively, Dallas will be without CB Morris Claiborne and S Barry Church, who were both injured against Philly and face extended absences. Cleveland rookie QB Cody Kessler will look to take advantage as he returns to the lineup after overcoming a concussion. He’ll have speedy WR Corey Coleman (hand) back as the 15th pick in this past draft joins Terrelle Pryor in the lineup for the first time since Week 3, so Hue Jackson could have some tricks up his sleeve for this one. The Browns are 0-8 for the first time since 1975 season after blowing a 20-7 halftime lead against the Jets on Sunday. They’re 2-11 over their last 13 home games.
N.Y. Jets at Miami: New York had given up 51 of 58 second-half points entering Week 7, so it has been surprising to see them rally from halftime deficits in consecutive weeks, albeit against the banged-up Ravens and winless Browns. We’ll see if the unexpected rise from the dead continues on the road in South Florida, where the Jets have gone 4-1 since 2010. The Dolphins are on a three-game losing streak against their AFC East rival and in the midst of their own resurgence, riding RB Jay Ajayi’s rise to consecutive wins before enjoying a bye week entering this one. Ajayi, looking to become the first player in NFL history to run for 200 yards in three straight games, will encounter a Jets run defense that is among the league’s most formidable, allowing a single 100-yard rusher (David Johnson) this season in becoming the stingiest in yards per game (74.0). They’ve got injury-related issues at linebacker, but didn’t trade Sheldon Richardson and are therefore deep enough to effectively square off against a Miami offensive line that has impressed greatly since becoming whole. Speaking of which, the Jets are banged-up there too, listing All-Pro center Nick Mangold as doubtful after he missed action last week, while Breno Giacomini, Ryan Clady and Brent Qvale all harbor injury concerns. This will be New York’s final road game until Dec. 11.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore: Terrell Suggs wholeheartedly believes Ben Roethlisberger will play after undergoing knee surgery on a torn meniscus less than three weeks ago and it’s starting to look like he’ll be proven correct. Oddsmakers initially installed the Ravens as a 2.5-point favorite, but it’s been available as a pick’em for much of the week and several books now favor the Steelers on the road. Backup Landry Jones finished 29-for-47 in his lone start at New England, but should have a better shot at success if he is pressed into duty since Pittsburgh is coming off its bye week. Sammie Coates, who has struggled with a hand injury since racking up 139 receiving yards and two TDs in a win over the Jets, is expected back at full strength to serve as the deep threat for whoever is under center. Antonio Brown, who was battling a hip issue, also benefited greatly, which doesn’t bode well for the Ravens’ injury-riddled secondary. Although they’re 6-2 coming off a bye under John Harbaugh, they lost to the Jags at home last season in that situation. Baltimore has won five of six in this rivalry and hasn’t lost at home to the Steelers since 2010, but is currently experiencing its first four-game losing streak in eight years under Harbaugh.
New Orleans at San Francisco: These former NFC West rivals surrender the most points per game of anyone thus far, the only teams giving up over 30. That makes it a bit surprising to see that the total opened at a relatively modest 50.5 before being bet up a few points. Although Drew Brees matched a season-low with just one touchdown pass last week, he’s thrown eight touchdowns against just two interceptions against the Panthers, Chiefs and Saints, getting rid of the ball quickly and giving his team life after an 0-3 start. The 49ers are coming off their first bye week under Chip Kelly, so we’ll see what he’s comes up with in the lab. His record post-bye in Philadelphia was a solid 2-1, producing an OT win over Dallas and a split with Arizona, but he’s now working with Colin Kaepernick, who just celebrated his 29th birthday on Thursday and hopefully wished for his first productive game in over a year. The 49ers are 1-8 in his last nine starts and haven’t seen him complete over 60 percent of his passes twice in that span. He did run for 84 yards in the pre-bye loss to Tampa Bay and could be more dangerous in the read option game if he gets talented RB Carlos Hyde back from a shoulder sprain suffered Oct. 16. He’ll be a game-time decision.
Carolina at Los Angeles: The Panthers put together a great effort out of their bye week with a wire-to-wire win over Arizona, so they find themselves across the country looking to keep hope alive. It’s going to take a significant run for them to crawl out of the huge hole they’ve dug, but since Carolina’s next two games are at home, there’s room for optimism. Health will play a key role since center Matt Kalil and LB Luke Kuechly, two of the NFL’s best at their positions, are both listed as questionable. With LB Shaq Thompson and left tackle Michael Oher ruled out, Carolina could be at a huge disadvantage if either Kalil or Kuechly is unable to play. The Rams stumbled into their bye week on a three-game losing streak suffered in part due to their defense being besieged by injuries, so their pause came at a perfect time. Top corner Trumaine Johnson hopes to play after being sidelined by a high ankle sprain. Cam Newton failed to account for a touchdown last week for the first time since Oct. 2014, so he’ll be looking to rebound against a unit that is stingy when whole. The Panthers are 0-3 as a road favorite this season after going 6-1 in that role last season.
Indianapolis at Green Bay: Andrew Luck will make his Lambeau Field debut with his team’s season and head coach’s job potentially on the line, so there’s no pressure here at all. He won his first duel against Aaron Rodgers as a rookie back in ‘12, connecting with Reggie Wayne in the final minute to post a memorable fourth-quarter comeback as the Colts rallied from a 21-3 halftime deficit. The Colts will need that type of magic to overcome their massive defensive shortcomings, but since their offensive line play has been so awful, it will likely be left to Luck to continue his superb play despite the piano strapped to his back. He’ll have T.Y. Hilton in there despite a hamstring injury suffered in last week’s loss at Kansas City, but his already porous line will be without starters Joe Reitz and Jack Mewhort the defense could be forced to try and contain the Packers without top corner Vontae Davis if he can’t clear concussion protocol. Green Bay is 3-1 at Lambeau Field after uncharacteristically slumping at home down the stretch last season, so its hoping to bounce back there after blowing a late Week 8 lead at Atlanta. It should help to have LB Clay Matthews and CB Quinten Rollins back to aid the cause on defense since both expect to play. Versatile WRs Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery also have a shot to be out there, though both will likely be game-time decisions..
Tennessee at San Diego: Over the past four games, the Chargers have played defending champ Denver twice in addition to road games at Oakland and Atlanta. The combined record of that group is a healthy 18-7 entering Sunday, so the Bolts have certainly been tested, faring extremely well in splitting that monster slate. Will they have enough in the tank to hold off a Titans team looking to get over .500 this late in a season for the first time since 2011? It doesn’t help matters that rookie playmakers Hunter Henry (TE) and Jatavis Brown (LB) have already been ruled out, as has second-year CB Craig Mager. Standout LB Denzel Perryman and key safety Jahleel Addae appear doubtful, so the Chargers could have a hard time stopping a Marcus Mariota-led Titans offense that has helped average 30 points over the last four games and will have NFL rushing leader RB DeMarco Murray in there after suffering a toe injury in their Oct. 26 win over the Jags. Standout TE Delanie Walker will be a game-time decision, but Tennessee’s defense should be healthy. Since relocating from Houston, the Titans are 1-8 against the Chargers and are 0-5 in San Diego.
Denver at Oakland: Sunday night matchups have actually been the NFL's go-to games thus far this season, with attractive matchups typically resulting in good games with a few exceptions. Hopefully this lives up to billing, because it's a beauty on paper. Whether great or a stinker, this showdown will produce a 7-2 team and AFC West leader upon completion. It offers great contrast, since Denver will be looking to ride its defense in stopping a potent Raiders attack that has scored 30 or more in three of the last four games, riding emerging star QB Derek Carr, who comes off his second four-touchdown game of the season, throwing for 513 yards in an OT win in Tampa. He's up to 17 TD passes while throwing just three picks. The Broncos will have to contain him without top corner Aqib Talib, who will miss his second straight due to back trouble. Reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week Bradley Roby will start in his place. Broncos QB Trevor Siemian hasn’t looked sharp since returning from a shoulder injury, missing passes and looking more rattled behind shaky offensive line play than he did while looking like a natural in winning his first three starts. It will definitely help that C Matt Paradis and rookie RB Devontae Booker should be available. The Broncos had won eight straight in this series before Oakland pulled a 15-12 upset at Mile High last December. The Raiders are looking for their first home win in this series since 2010. These teams meet again in Denver on Jan. 1 in the regular-season finale.
