Deadspin | Week 9 NFL Capsules
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff high-fives teammates throughout warmups earlier than the sport towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Ford Discipline in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.
WEEK 9 NFL CAPSULES
Denver Broncos (5-3) at Baltimore Ravens (5-3), 1 p.m. ET
The Week 9 Broncos-Ravens capsule will transfer at 4 p.m. ET Friday because of uncertainty across the standing of QB Lamar Jackson.
Dallas Cowboys (3-4) at Atlanta Falcons (5-3), 1 p.m. ET
The primary-place Falcons are working towards their first successful season and playoff look since 2017, successful 4 of their final 5 video games. Atlanta is 2-3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with an opportunity to maneuver to 6-3 for the primary time since 2016 when the Falcons have been NFC champions. Scoring is up and Atlanta has eclipsed the 30-point whole in three video games this 12 months, a mark it failed to fulfill a single time in 2023. Kirk Cousins’ 2,106 passing yards rank third within the NFL and his 14 touchdowns by means of the air are tied for fifth, with 5 gamers catching a minimum of 29 passes by means of eight video games. The Cowboys have dropped two in a row and are 2 1/2 video games behind the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders. The primary of these two losses was a 47-9 drubbing at house to the Detroit Lions on Oct. 13. With Micah Parsons (ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) out, the Cowboys are trending south in a rush on protection. They’ve allowed the second-most factors within the league (28.3 per recreation) and probably the most speeding yards (154.6, tied with the Carolina Panthers). With out a working recreation — the Cowboys common lower than 74 yards per recreation — QB Dak Prescott has three straight two-interception video games.
Miami Dolphins (2-5) at Buffalo Payments (6-2), 1 p.m. ET
Von Miller is again from suspension following Buffalo’s 31-10 win at Seattle because the Payments look to enhance head coach Sean McDermott’s dominance of the Dolphins. McDermott is 14-2 towards Miami, and Buffalo beat the Dolphins by the identical 31-10 rely in Week 2. Payments RB James Prepare dinner has supplied a constant working recreation. He scored twice final week and shredded Miami again in September, hauling in a TD go earlier than discovering the top zone twice on the bottom. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion within the third quarter of the house loss to Buffalo and he missed the subsequent 4 video games. The Dolphins misplaced thrice throughout that span, averaging 10 factors in these 4 contests. With Tagovailoa again, the Dolphins imagine there’s time to crash the playoff image. He accomplished 28 of 38 passes for 234 yards and a landing in a 28-27 setback towards the Cardinals final week. Dolphins RB De’Von Achane had 147 yards from scrimmage final week and is turning into a dependable weapon in his second season. He has 346 whole yards (115.3 per recreation) with 4 TDs (three speeding) in three profession video games towards the Payments.
New Orleans Saints (2-6) at Carolina Panthers (1-7), 1 p.m. ET
New Orleans could not be happier to see Carolina pop up on the schedule for the second time this season. Not solely have the Panthers allowed 18 extra touchdowns than they’ve scored this season, the Saints try to snap a six-game shedding streak that started Week 3. In Week 1, the Saints smothered the Panthers with scores on 9 consecutive drives in a 47-10 romp. Carolina’s solely landing within the recreation was a late run by Bryce Younger, who was benched earlier than Week 3 however will get set to make his second begin in a row because of Andy Dalton’s thumb harm. Younger performed properly at Denver final week and related on two TD passes. The Saints are solely a recreation forward of the Panthers within the NFC South standings and face their very own considerations. Derek Carr’s indirect harm led to rookie QB Spencer Rattler taking up because the beginning quarterback in Week 6. Carr threw for 3 touchdowns within the first assembly. Rattler has thrown for one TD prior to now three video games mixed. Carr may very well be again from the harm Sunday making an attempt to spark an offense averaging 15.7 factors per recreation throughout the shedding skid.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-5), 1 p.m. ET
Joe Burrow is placing up MVP-type statistics — 15 touchdowns, three interceptions — however the Bengals aren’t pulling in wins with a protection permitting 25.4 factors per recreation. They have been hit for 37 factors by the Eagles final week in a 20-point loss throughout which Philadelphia was the much more bodily crew on either side of the road of scrimmage. The failures aren’t completely on the Bengals’ protection. Cincinnati is winless at house at 0-4 and failed to attain 20 factors for the third recreation in a row final week. The Raiders didn’t reap the benefits of alternatives towards the Chiefs final week, together with 1-for-3 in goal-to-go conditions, leading to a 27-20 loss. Neither crew has been capable of generate speeding yards constantly, rating within the backside 5 within the league in yards per recreation on the bottom. The imbalance has put the Raiders in a double-digit deficit in each recreation this season. QB Garder Minshew was toast towards the Chiefs’ blitz final week — Kansas Metropolis notched 5 sacks — and the Bengals are one of the crucial blitz-happy groups within the NFL.
Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) at Cleveland Browns (2-6), 1 p.m. ET
Rumors swirled in Cleveland that this may very well be the ultimate recreation for DE Myles Garrett with the Browns because the commerce deadline approaches. However he isn’t the previous No. 1 decide creating probably the most buzz in The Land. Jameis Winston began his first recreation of the season with Ken Dorsey put in as Cleveland’s play-caller, and the mix labored magic — 2024 crew highwater marks in factors (29), passing yards (321), first downs (22), touchdowns (three), passing touchdowns (three), third-down share (53.3) and yards per go try (7.5) — to beat the Ravens. The Chargers are eighth within the NFL in whole protection (305.4 yards per recreation) and have 17 sacks, a priority for Cleveland’s beleaguered offensive line. Winston was sacked solely twice final week (Deshaun Watson was sacked 33 occasions in seven video games) and Dorsey stated there is a renewed concentrate on a bodily working recreation as Nick Chubb works his method again from a 2023 season-ending knee harm.
Washington Commanders (6-2) at New York Giants (2-6), 1 p.m. ET
The Commanders are the primary crew for the reason that 2016 Dallas Cowboys to open a season 6-2 with a rookie beginning quarterback, and fourth since 1950. Jayden Daniels had 326 yards and the walk-off 52-yard Hail Mary landing go to beat the Bears final week. He is finishing 71.8 p.c of his passes (second within the NFL) and constantly discovering No. 1 WR Terry McLaurin, a Big-killer in earlier seasons (25 receptions, 362 yards) over 4 profession video games towards New York. The Giants made secret of their affinity for Daniels in an offseason HBO (*9*) collection, however Brian Daboll’s crew is the one opponent this season to maintain the Commanders out of the top zone. The Giants stopped Daniels six occasions within the crimson zone in a 21-18 Week 2 loss however they have been trampled for 215 speeding yards and Washington related on seven area objectives. Quarterback is a continuing speaking level across the Giants, with Daniel Jones making an attempt to show his value and going for his third consecutive recreation towards Washington with out an interception. The Giants’ protection stays a power with a league-best 35 sacks, however the offense averages 14. 8 factors per recreation in comparison with Washington’s 29.5 ppg common.
New England Patriots (2-6) at Tennessee Titans (1-6), 1 p.m. ET
The Patriots have received six of the previous seven conferences, however for the primary time in 25 years there will not be a Belichick or Vrabel concerned. Tennessee overtly shifted to creating plans for the 2025 roster on the commerce deadline, and the way forward for QB Will Levis stays unsure this week and long-term. Levis has been preventing a shoulder harm for the reason that Titans’ final win. The Patriots imagine No. 3 decide Drake Maye may very well be the franchise quarterback, however he spent the week in concussion protocol. The Patriots ended a six-game shedding streak final week with a 25-22 win over the New York Jets and skilled hand Jacoby Brissett is able to step in ought to Maye miss the sport. The Titans are reeling from three consecutive losses, the newest a 38-point shellacking (52-14) at Detroit. Mason Rudolph has two touchdowns and three interceptions as Levis’ substitute, however the Titans have struggled in comeback mode. Tennessee enters this week with 5 consecutive scoreless quarters within the second half and 12 whole factors within the fourth quarter this season — all towards the Dolphins in Week 4.
Chicago Bears (4-3) at Arizona Cardinals (4-4), 4:05 p.m. ET
Out of the blue a risk within the NFC West, the Cardinals are surviving with little go rush behind strong offensive line play and robust performances from QB Kyler Murray and the working recreation. James Conner is over 700 yards from scrimmage and a driving power behind Arizona’s three wins in 4 video games. All had slender margins — one level at San Francisco, two factors over the Chargers and the 28-27 victory at Miami final week — and Arizona continues to be being outscored by 27 factors on the season. Murray has 11 landing passes, three picks and averages 8.4 yards per carry with two touchdowns. The previous No. 1 decide matches up with rookie prime total decide Caleb Williams this week. Williams (5 interceptions) performed properly sufficient to get the Bears a fourth consecutive victory final week however then the Hail Mary in Washington occurred. It was the third loss for Chicago, all in video games when the Bears didn’t get to 17 factors. Third-down conversions stay a rub for offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The 33 p.c conversion charge and 183.6 passing yards per recreation on the season each rank within the backside 5 of the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-2), 4:05 p.m. ET
The Eagles have received three straight video games. They picked up a second consecutive highway victory final weekend, successful 37-17 at Cincinnati following a 28-3 defeat of the New York Giants in Week 7. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts accounted for 4 TDs (three speeding) towards the Bengals and didn’t flip the ball over for a 3rd straight recreation. Saquon Barkley ran for 108 yards, surpassing 100 scrimmage yards for the sixth time in seven video games, and is No. 2 within the NFL with 766 speeding yards. The Eagles rank second within the league in speeding with 165.9 yards per recreation and fourth with 12 speeding touchdowns. Philadelphia meets a Jacksonville protection that ranks twenty ninth in scoring (28.0 factors per recreation) and whole protection (382.1 yards per recreation). The Jaguars have been unsuccessful in coach Doug Pederson’s first return to Philadelphia, the place he coached from 2016-20 and led the Eagles to their solely Lombardi Trophy in Tremendous Bowl LII. The Eagles welcomed him again with a 29-21 win towards Jacksonville on Oct. 2, 2022.
Detroit Lions (6-1) at Inexperienced Bay Packers (6-2), 4:25 p.m. ET
Lions QB Jared Goff set the NFL document with a completion share of 83 p.c over a five-game stretch. The just-completed run of video games additionally slotted the Lions in uncommon firm with a cumulative four-game record-tying 172 factors (2019 Ravens). Goff has devoured towards Inexperienced Bay in his profession with 12 touchdowns, three INTs and a passer score of 98 in seven begins. The Packers are optimistic Jordan Love (groin) can be a part of the battle for first place within the NFC North. He had three TD passes within the final assembly and is on a run of seven consecutive house video games with a number of TD passes. If Love cannot play, Malik Willis is the subsequent man up. He helped information the Packers to a fourth consecutive win, 30-27 at Jacksonville final week after Love was injured. The Packers’ protection leads the NFL with 19 takeaways however Inexperienced Bay has solely a plus-four turnover margin and tied with a league-worst 9 damaged tackles final week.
Los Angeles Rams (3-4) at Seattle Seahawks (4-4), 4:25 p.m. ET
How thrilled was Rams QB Matthew Stafford to have the band again collectively final Thursday? He posted his sixteenth profession four-TD recreation and the Rams climbed nearer to the highest of the crowded NFC West to arrange a big midseason matchup with the Seahawks. Seattle misplaced each video games to the Rams final season, however Los Angeles is 0-3 on the highway in 2024. However a run protection giving up virtually 150 yards per recreation — and a mean of 163.3 prior to now three video games — may very well be ripe for the selecting given the success of Rams RB Kyren Williams. He has eight speeding touchdowns and scored a pair at Seattle final season. Buffalo all however erased the bottom recreation of the Seahawks final week. Kenneth Walker had 9 carries for 12 yards and Zach Charbonnet ran thrice for 4 yards. QB Geno Smith leads NFL in passing yards (2,197) and completions (212), and the Seahawks may once more lean closely on the aerial assault given the Rams’ weaknesses within the secondary.
Indianapolis Colts (4-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-2), 8:20 p.m. ET
The Vikings are winless since a 5-0 begin and welcome Indianapolis for a primetime date Sunday, the primary assembly between the groups since Minnesota received in additional time and set the NFL document for the biggest comeback in historical past (33 factors) in December of 2022. Anthony Richardson was benched after going 3-1 in his final 4 begins as a result of he is on a historic monitor — for lowest completion share — as a pocket passer. Into the lineup steps Joe Flacco, who took the Browns’ passing recreation to the subsequent stage and pushed Cleveland to the playoffs final season with 300-yard video games in 5 consecutive begins. Flacco, 37, continues to fireplace the ball from the pocket and has a number of TD passes in three of 4 video games with the Colts, together with two begins. Sam Darnold has been a robust stand-in for the Vikings in his first season with the crew and has 5 two-TD video games. Minnesota is shifting ahead with out LT Christian Darrisaw (ACL), however acquired Cam Robinson from the Jaguars this week to take his place.
–Monday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (7-0)
The Chiefs try to start out 8-0 for the third time in franchise historical past (2003, 2013) towards the franchise that delivered Kansas Metropolis its final Tremendous Bowl loss. QB Patrick Mahomes thrives on “Monday Night Football,” the place he is 7-2 with 23 TDs (21 go, two rush). However he isn’t placing up the kind of numbers Baker Mayfield has for the Buccaneers this season. Mayfield leads the NFL in TD passes (21), ranks second in passing yards (2,189) and third in completion share (71.1). The final quarterback to rank within the prime three in every class by means of Week 8 of the season was former Chiefs QB Alex Smith in 2017. Kansas Metropolis’s protection has been borderline dominant, particularly in slowing working backs within the crimson zone. Tampa deployed RBs Rachaad White and Bucky Irving in receiving roles final week and so they mixed for 12 receptions for 151 yards whereas TE Cade Otton caught two TD passes. The Chiefs have allowed a league-low 15 performs of 20-plus yards. Mahomes is trying to find a stronger reference to new goal DeAndre Hopkins. He caught two passes at Las Vegas final week in his debut with Kansas Metropolis. Hopkins wants 5 receptions to develop into the seventh participant all-time to achieve 950 profession catches in his first 12 seasons.
–Discipline Stage Media