NFL 2023 Week 9: Biggest questions, risers and takeaways

Drew Sample showcases his multifaceted skills as he effortlessly hurdles over Taylor Rapp and dives into the end zone, extending the Bengals’ lead just before halftime.

The kickoff of Week 9 was an action-packed game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans, ending in a thrilling comeback victory for the Steelers. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins made history by playing the first-ever regular-season game in Frankfurt, Germany. The Chiefs dominated the game, securing an early 21-point lead and managing to hold on for a seven-point victory.

In another noteworthy matchup, Joshua Dobbs made his debut as the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, stepping in for rookie Jaren Hall who was unable to play due to injury. RB Gus Edwards and QB C.J. Stroud led their respective teams, the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, to wins, while Deshaun Watson made his return as the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, with the team’s defense delivering a shutout.

Later that evening, interim coach Antonio Pierce led the Las Vegas Raiders to a resounding victory over the New York Giants. The Philadelphia Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, managed to hold off the Dallas Cowboys, solidifying their 8-1 record for the season. Lastly, Joe Burrow led the Cincinnati Bengals to a victory over the Buffalo Bills, with the Bengals starting to gain momentum.

Our NFL Nation reporters were quick to react, providing valuable insights into each game and addressing any lingering questions that emerged from the matchups. They also identified the rising and falling players and teams, highlighting standout performances and areas for improvement. Let’s dive into the analysis.

Jump to a specific matchup:
– Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
– Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs
– Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons
– Arizona Cardinals vs. Cleveland Browns
– Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers
– Washington Football Team vs. New England Patriots
– Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints
– Seattle Seahawks vs. Baltimore Ravens
– Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans
– Indianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers
– New York Giants vs. Las Vegas Raiders
– Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
– Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Sunday Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals

Is Joe Burrow a legitimate contender for the MVP award? It may seem premature, but the answer is a resounding yes. After fully recovering from his right calf injury, Burrow has been leading the Bengals’ offense with exceptional performances. In back-to-back weeks, the Bengals have defeated two division-winning teams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Buffalo Bills. Against the Bills, Burrow completed 31 of 44 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns. With the Bengals winning four straight games, Burrow’s stellar play is gaining attention, and he is becoming a front-runner for the MVP title.

Stock Up: Bengals tight ends. Despite facing criticism for their lack of production this season, Irv Smith Jr., Drew Sample, and Tanner Hudson showcased their potential in this game. The trio combined for a total of 10 catches, 101 receiving yards, and two touchdowns.

Stock Down: Joe Mixon. After an impressive performance against the 49ers, Mixon struggled to find his rhythm in this game. He gained only 28 yards on his first 10 carries and finished with a modest 37 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Mixon had a minus-25 rush yards over expectation, indicating a dip in his performance.

Next Game: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Sunday Matchup: Buffalo Bills

What’s plaguing the Bills’ offense? The Bills seem to be searching for answers. While they started the game strong, averaging 12.1 yards per play on their opening drive that resulted in a touchdown, they quickly lost momentum, producing four consecutive drives lasting five plays or fewer. Their attempts to establish a productive running game proved unsuccessful, with running back James Cook averaging a meager 3.3 yards per carry on six attempts. Despite quarterback Josh Allen nursing a right shoulder injury, the Bills’ offense continues to struggle, lacking consistency and cohesion.

Stock Up: Dalton Kincaid. Despite his fourth-quarter fumble that prematurely ended a promising drive, Kincaid showcased his potential in this game. He recorded 10 receptions, 81 receiving yards, and 11 targets, becoming the first rookie tight end since 2014 to achieve double-digit receptions in a game.

Stock Down: Defensive backfield. In the early weeks of the season, the Bills’ defense excelled at takeaways, leading the league with 11 through Weeks 1-4. However, their performance has significantly declined since then, with only three takeaways since Week 5 and none in their last two games, including the matchup against the Bengals. Injuries to key players in the linebacker and secondary positions have further hindered their ability to generate turnovers, a crucial factor in their early defensive success.

Next Game: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (Monday, Nov. 13, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Sunday Matchup: Philadelphia Eagles

Are the Eagles legitimate contenders in the NFC? With an impressive 8-1 record, the Eagles have established themselves as the team to beat in the NFC East. Currently, they hold a comfortable lead over the Dallas Cowboys in the division. However, they face a challenging upcoming schedule, including matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys (in Dallas), and Seattle Seahawks. These games will truly test their mettle and determine their position as potential top seeds in the NFC.

Stock Up: The connection between QB Jalen Hurts and WRs DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. Over the past two weeks, Hurts has demonstrated exceptional chemistry with his receivers, completing 24 of 25 passes when targeting Brown and Smith. In this game, Hurts threw a touchdown pass to each receiver, exemplifying their strong rapport on the field.

Stock Down: S Kevin Byard. Byard struggled in this game, giving up a team-high 71 receiving yards on three catches when targeted. Furthermore, he committed a personal foul penalty in the fourth quarter, which could have had negative implications had Dallas been in the red zone at the time.

Next Game: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Monday, Nov. 20, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Sunday Matchup: Dallas Cowboys

Should the Cowboys be considered a legitimate threat in the NFC? Despite the loss, the Cowboys boast an impressive record, with only two teams having more wins than them (Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions). Although they currently sit 2.5 games behind the division leaders, their strong performance and the advantage of playing four of their next five games at AT&T Stadium, where they have won 11 consecutive games, cannot be overlooked. However, their margin for error has significantly decreased, and they will likely need assistance from the Eagles in the remaining nine games to contend for the division title. Ultimately, their path to the playoffs may lie in securing a wild card spot.

Stock Up: K Brandon Aubrey. Aubrey has been a reliable kicker for the Cowboys, setting an NFL record by making 19 consecutive field goals to begin his career. In this game, he added to his streak by successfully converting a 51-yard field goal late in the second quarter.

Stock Down: The Cowboys’ “elite” defense. Although the Cowboys pride themselves on having one of the best defenses in the NFL, their performance in the second half against the Eagles highlighted some concerns. The Eagles produced two touchdown drives of 60 and 87 yards, while the Cowboys’ defense committed three penalties that allowed the Eagles to seize control of the game.

Next Game: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Sunday Matchup: Las Vegas Raiders

Was the Raiders’ dominant win a one-time occurrence, or can they sustain this level of performance? The Raiders undoubtedly capitalized on the emotional momentum generated by the recent firings within the organization. Interim coach Antonio Pierce now faces the challenge of maintaining that fire without letting it burn out. To achieve this, the Raiders must focus on quality offensive playcalling, effective game management, getting running back Josh Jacobs back to his All-Pro form (as evidenced by his season-high 98 rushing yards and two touchdowns in this game), and relying on their stingy defense. Sustaining this level of performance will be crucial, especially with another prime-time game against the New York Jets approaching.

Stock Up: QB Aidan O’Connell. O’Connell, a rookie, made his regular-season home debut and proved his mettle. He displayed composure, confidence, and control, completing 16 of 25 passes for 209 yards without an interception. Interim coach Antonio Pierce has named O’Connell the starting quarterback moving forward, recognizing his impressive performance.

Stock Down: The run defense. Despite the Raiders’ dominant display in all aspects of the game, their run defense showed some vulnerabilities. Giants running back Saquon Barkley exploited the Raiders’ base nickel defense, rushing for 90 yards on 16 carries. This could potentially provide a blueprint for future opponents who rely heavily on their running game.

Next Game: Las Vegas Raiders vs. New York Jets (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

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