NFL Week 9 takeaways - classes, massive questions for every sport

it is Week 9 of the 2022 NFL season — and as we attain the midway level, we ought to always start seeing whether or not some contenders are in it for the prolonged haul.

to start the week off, the Philadelphia Eagles remained undefeated with a 29-17 win over the Houston Texans on Thursday evening time.

Of eight video games inside the early Sunday window, six obtained here proper down to the fourth quarter. The Detroit Lions held on to a one-rating lead to hand the inexperienced Bay Packers their fifth straight loss, the Minnesota Vikings obtained here again from 10 proper down to beat the Washington Commanders and the l. a. Chargers secured a win over the Atlanta Falcons with a remaining-minute discipline objective. The ny Jets‘ protection stood tall in a important AFC East matchup in direction of the Buffalo funds, handing the funds their second lack of the season. Tua Tagovailoa led the Miami Dolphins to a detailed win over Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears, whereas the Jacksonville Jaguars obtained here again from a 17-level deficit to beat the Las Vegas Raiders.

The New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals gained convincingly over the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers, respectively. The late afternoon slate noticed Tom Brady surpass the one hundred,000-yard profession passing mark (collectively with playoffs) and lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a remaining-second win over the l. a. Rams in a battle of struggling NFC powers from a 12 months in the past. The Seattle Seahawks stayed sizzling, worthwhile their fourth straight by defeating the Arizona Cardinals. inside the Sunday evening time sport, the Kansas metropolis Chiefs overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to look after the Tennessee Titans, 20-17, in further time.

The Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, ny Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers are on a bye and might return to movement in Week 10.

Our NFL Nation reporters react with the largest takeaways and lingering questions off this week’s matchups and look forward to what’s subsequent. video games are Sunday till famous. Let’s get to it.

bounce to a matchup:

PHI-HOU | BUF-NYJ | GB-DET
IND-NE | MIA-CHI | MIN-WSH
automobile-CIN | LAC-ATL | LV-JAX
SEA-ARI | LAR-TB | TEN-KC

Chiefs

What to know: The Chiefs should uncover a method to maneuver the ball and rating factors when opponents decline to blitz in direction of Patrick Mahomes. Tennessee proved, maybe conclusively, that the best method to sluggish Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense is to not blitz. The Chiefs found a method to beat the Titans, however Tennessee was the third opponent to blitz Mahomes decrease than 20% of the time and the Chiefs struggled offensively all thrice. They misplaced the principal two video games. The Titans had been nonetheless ready to get stress on Mahomes with out sending further defenders, sacking him 4 instances.

Is there purpose to be involved about kicker Harrison Butker? He made a 28-yard discipline objective in further time, however in any other case Butker hasn’t been himself since coming back from an ankle damage inside the season opener. He missed 4 video games and since his return had missed three of six discipline objective makes an try earlier than his further time winner, although he did make a Chiefs doc sixty two-yard kick in Week 6 in direction of the funds. Butker additionally missed a PAT try in direction of the Titans. The Chiefs are going to want Butker’s assist in the event that they proceed to battle on offense as they did in direction of Tennessee.— Adam Teicher

subsequent sport: vs. Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)


Titans

What to know: The Titans continued their second-half struggles, this time solely scoring three factors after halftime in direction of Kansas metropolis. Tennessee entered the second half with a 17-9 lead over the Chiefs however did not get back away with the win. the largest distinction was an absence of carries for Derrick Henry. Henry solely obtained seven carries inside the second half regardless of ending the principal half with 9 carries for ninety two yards and two touchdowns.

Will the Titans vast receivers ever make an affect? The Titans accomplished and by no means using a single receiver having a reception. They proceed to rely upon Henry however wouldn’t have a complementary piece to the speeding assault. Defenses play one-on-one safety on the pores and skin with no safety assist extreme and the Titans aren’t cashing in on it. There likely aren’t any options on the best means till rookie Treylon Burks finally returns from a turf toe damage that has stored him out for three weeks. — Turron Davenport

subsequent sport: vs. Broncos (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Buccaneers

What to know: The offense continues to underachieve, although it managed to engineer a touchdown drive inside the remaining minute with rookie tight finish Cade Otton catching the winner. nonetheless, this does not take away from playcalling that has been sick-suited to swimsuit the Bucs’ strengths and poor execution, collectively with vast receiver Julio Jones working the flawed means in movement. They proceed to be affected by drops, too (six on this sport, their most since 2016).

Why does the offense proceed to battle after 9 weeks? a quantity of the success needed to do with the Bucs’ reliance on the quick-passing sport. This Bucs staff does not have the receivers for that. They’re constructed for a downfield assault. Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich’s insistence on engaged on first down with this offensive line is ensuing in them being behind the chains, and additionally they barely tried any play-movement passes this week. Brady did handle to show to be the principal quarterback to attain one hundred,000 passing yards inside the come-from-behind win, although. — Jenna Laine

subsequent sport: vs. Seahawks in Munich, Germany (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET)


Rams

What to know: The Rams’ offense runs by way of Cooper Kupp, and as they noticed Sunday, it will not be ample in direction of most teams. Even with vast receiver Van Jefferson again, quarterback Matthew Stafford continues to rely upon his No. 1 receiver, who had eight catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. nonetheless it was not ample, and the Rams’ offense has demonstrated this season that relying solely on Kupp has not been a fixed worthwhile formulation. Stafford and vast receiver Allen Robinson II related on a formidable 15-yard catch inside the third quarter, however he accomplished with three catches for twenty-4 yards. Jefferson, in his second sport again, did not have a catch on 5 targets.

What did Cam Akers‘ return imply for the Rams’ working backs? Akers’ return was a storyline heading into Sunday’s sport since he had not performed since Week 5 as a consequence of the Rams had been making an try to commerce him. nonetheless the 2020 second-spherical choose ran for three yards on 5 carries. instead, it was Darrell Henderson Jr. who led the Rams’ working backs with fifty six yards on 12 carries. Henderson’s 23-yard rush inside the third quarter was the staff’s longest run of the season. The Rams might additionally likely have rookie working again Kyren Williams return subsequent week, which may imply an glorious smaller function for Akers going forward. — Sarah Barshop

subsequent sport: vs. Cardinals (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Seahawks

What to know: frequent supervisor John Schneider hit residence runs with some veteran acquisitions over the offseason. Two of them — outdoors linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and defensive finish Shelby Harris — had been a part of one other dominant defensive effort that carried Seattle to a win over Arizona. Nwosu had two sacks and now has seven this season — a profession extreme with eight video games to go. Nwosu seems to be simply like the Seahawks’ best free-agent signing since Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett in 2013, whereas Harris (one sack Sunday) has been in all probability the easiest of the three gamers Seattle obtained again from Denver inside the Russell Wilson commerce. Tight finish Noah Fant, additionally acquired inside the Wilson commerce, had his best sport of the season, with 5 catches for ninety six yards.

the place do the Seahawks rank inside the NFC pecking order? The Eagles are clearly the class of the convention at eight-zero. The Vikings are 7-1, as unspectacular as they’ve checked out instances. The 6-2 Cowboys may even be the one fully different NFC staff which will argue it is greater than Seattle, particularly after the Seahawks dealt with the Giants final week. both means, the Seahawks are 6-three with a 1½-sport lead inside the NFC West and an alternative to get to 7-three heading into their bye in the event that they beat the Buccaneers subsequent week in Munich. — Brady Henderson

subsequent sport: vs. Buccaneers in Munich, Germany (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET)


Cardinals

What to know: The Cardinals proceed to be their very personal worst enemy. Self-inflicted wounds have been their undoing beneath coach Kliff Kingsbury and are threatening to derail one other season. Penalties had been as quickly as extra a massive drawback on Sunday, as they dedicated eleven for seventy two yards. That included again-to-again false begins, a rarity for a residence staff. additionally they fumbled thrice, dropping one when Kyler Murray was stripped whereas carelessly dealing with the ball on a scramble late inside the principal half. That likely value Arizona no decrease than three factors, if no extra.

Have the Cardinals dug themselves too massive of a hole? They’re in final place inside the NFC West at three-6, three video games behind the Seahawks with a pair of losses to Seattle. So any probability of staying alive inside the division race is circling the drain. Competing for a wild-card spot will not be out of the question with a pair of of their hardest opponents already out of the best means and a manageable remaining schedule. nonetheless the photo voltaic is setting quick on Arizona’s season. — Henderson

subsequent sport: at Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Bengals

What to know: sure, the Bengals fully dominated the Panthers in a rout. nonetheless it did not reveal something new a few Cincinnati staff that has an superior deal of labor to do to attain the postseason. The Bengals have appeared distinctive in three wins in direction of NFC South opponents. however inside the AFC North, Cincinnati is zero-three. discovering a stability between the extremes will likely resolve the Bengals’ postseason destiny.

Is Joe Mixon again on monitor? probably. Going into the sport, Mixon had minus-fifty 4 speeding yards above expectation, in retaining with NFL subsequent Gen Stats. He went plus-seventy 4 on Sunday, which is an environment nice signal for somebody who was beneath scrutiny inside the week main as a lot as this sport. — Ben youngster

subsequent sport: at Steelers (Sunday, Nov. 20, eight:20 p.m. ET)


Panthers

What to know: it is going to be tough for interim coach Steve Wilks to maintain PJ Walker as a consequence of the starting quarterback in direction of the Falcons on Thursday. Walker had two interceptions and 9 yards passing earlier than Wilks turned to Baker Mayfield for the second half. The Panthers are anticipated to activate Sam Darnold from injured reserve Tuesday. they should see what Darnold can do however likely will not have time to get him ready on a quick week. earlier than Sunday, one selection after subsequent week was to launch Mayfield and go together with Walker and Darnold the the rest of the season. Walker’s poor efficiency and the professionalism Mayfield has proven as a consequence of the backup areas all decisions again on the desk.

Has the protection reached its restrict? Carolina’s one fixed all season has been the protection that performed pretty properly in all however one sport. That went out the window inside the principal half when Bengals working again Joe Mixon turned the principal participant to doc a hundred and fifty yards and 4 speeding touchdowns in a half since Seattle’s Shaun Alexander in 2002. Carolina had given up seven speeding touchdowns all season. So has this unit given up? dangerous hole administration will not be a great signal. On prime of the porous run protection, there have been 4 penalties referred to as for lining up offside. None of it is a great signal for Wilks, a defensive coach, who’s stopping for a shot on the whole-time job. — David Newton

subsequent sport: Falcons (Thursday, eight:15 p.m. ET)

Patriots

What to know: protection and particular teams cleared the path. Matthew Judon and Josh Uche had three sacks apiece — marking the second time in franchise historic previous that a quantity of gamers totaled three or extra sacks in a sport (Andre Tippett, Don Blackmon in 1985) — and a blocked punt by Jonathan Jones arrange a quick touchdown for the offense. After totaling 9 sacks, the Patriots head into their bye week at 5-4. it is onerous to think about them having the offensive firepower to sustain with Buffalo (and presumably even Miami), however they’ve no decrease than stored themselves inside the hunt.

How a lot hope is there for the Mac Jones-led passing offense? Jones accomplished 20-of-30 for 147 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions as a consequence of the offense struggled to discover a rhythm. whereas the Colts have given opposing QBs some factors this 12 months, it is additionally reliable to shock why Jones & Co. have not sustained extra momentum. Shaky play alongside the offensive line has been onerous to overlook in latest weeks, and maybe the return of starting coronary heart David Andrews — who missed two video games with a concussion — after the bye will solidify some issues, as first-spherical choose Cole unusual has struggled at left guard in his absence. — Mike Reiss

subsequent sport: vs. Jets (Sunday, Nov. 20, 1 p.m. ET)


Colts

What to know: The Colts had the worst single-sport offensive manufacturing in coach Frank Reich’s 5 seasons, ending with 121 whole yards, and are actually zero-2 with quarterback Sam Ehlinger beneath coronary heart. The Colts made the change to Ehlinger coming into their Week eight sport in direction of Washington, however by way of two weeks, they do not have a passing touchdown. Sunday in Foxborough, the underside fell out. The Colts’ offensive line was in shambles, with the Patriots racking up 9 sacks — in all probability the most allowed by the Colts in a sport since 2017. The quarterback change and the firing of offensive coordinator Marcus Brady have not modified a factor in Indy.

What ought to we make of the Colts’ protection? The unit is taking half in terribly properly, nonetheless it does not matter. The Patriots had a season low in offensive yardage Sunday, nonetheless the protection can not account for the scarcity of manufacturing by the Indianapolis offense. The Colts’ protection entered the sport rating inside the best 10 in scoring protection and whole yards, however that has been persistently overshadowed by the offense’s incapability to attain. The Colts’ offensive struggles are a tough actuality to merely settle for for defensive veterans equivalent to DeForest Buckner and Stephon Gilmore, who’re having good seasons however do not have something to level for it. — Stephen Holder

subsequent sport: at Raiders (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Lions

What to know: The Lions traded tight finish T.J. Hockenson on Tuesday to divisional rival Minnesota, however in his absence quarterback Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes to his replacements, Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell, inside the second and fourth quarters. Detroit’s offense had been shut out inside the second half of every sport since Week 4 vs. Seattle, however that modified in Sunday’s victory in direction of inexperienced Bay.

Did defensive backs coach Aubrey nice’s firing encourage the protection? sure. coming into the inexperienced Bay sport, Detroit’s protection was permitting in all probability the most factors per sport, which led to nice’s dismissal earlier inside the week. Members of the secondary shouldered the blame for the Lions’ choice after which responded with a strong efficiency, which included two interceptions from rookie safety Kerby Joseph. coming into the day, the Lions had two picks all season. that they had three in direction of the Packers. — Eric Woodyard

subsequent sport: at Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)


Packers

What to know: Aaron Rodgers appeared tons like Brett Favre, throwing willy-nilly and getting picked off thrice in consequence, and the the rest of the Packers appeared unrecognizable — no decrease than when using the previous three seasons as a consequence of the baseline. Two of Rodgers’ interceptions obtained here from contained in the crimson zone and a third from simply outdoors the 20, and it marked his first sport with three picks since 2017. he is had 5 three-interception video games in his profession, and by no means actually one of the principal 4 had come in direction of an NFC North staff. This time it obtained here in direction of a Lions staff that had two interceptions all season going into the sport and had been permitting 32.1 factors per sport. As dangerous as issues had been for the Packers of their 4-sport dropping streak, dropping a fifth in a row — to the one-win Lions — raises issues to a whole fully different diploma.

what quantity of extra video games are you able to realistically count on the Packers to win? Their subsequent three opponents — the Cowboys, Titans and Eagles — entered Sunday with a mixed doc of 19-4. they do not play a staff at the second with a dropping doc till Dec. 4 at Chicago, which is three-5. and additionally they nonetheless have video games in direction of the Rams, Dolphins and Vikings (who already beat the Packers in Week 1) earlier than they wrap up the common season with the Lions at residence. — Rob Demovsky

subsequent sport: vs. Cowboys (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Dolphins

What to know: The Dolphins weren’t a go-rusher away from fixing their protection, no decrease than Sunday, and Bradley Chubb, whereas promising in his first start after being acquired in a commerce, will not be a one-man savior. Bears quarterback Justin Fields did basically something he needed to, working for 178 yards and scoring 4 whole touchdowns. whereas Fields’ means set makes this defensive efficiency look like an outlier, the poor tackling has been there all season.

How sustainable is that this shootout mannequin? It labored in direction of the Lions. It labored in direction of the Ravens. nonetheless the Bears pushed the Dolphins to the brink in a shootout few people noticed coming. Miami’s protection has compelled its offense to play almost completely to make up for its shortcomings, and that does not really feel like an glorious Bowl-worthwhile formulation. If the Dolphins’ offense will not be clicking, there’s little purpose to ponder their protection may cease an elite staff. Their protection obtained here up with a pair of massive stops late inside the fourth quarter Sunday (with assist from a questionable no-name on Chicago’s remaining drive), however what quantity of extra instances can the Dolphins get away with this? — Marcel Louis-Jacques

subsequent sport: vs. Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)


Bears

What to know: The Bears’ offense has superior proper into a extreme-powered unit over the previous three weeks, and a massive purpose is Justin Fields’ working. His 178 speeding yards Sunday, collectively with a sixty one-yard touchdown scramble, had been in all probability the most by a quarterback in a daily-season sport in NFL historic previous. Fields usually is the principal participant in NFL historic previous to throw three touchdown passes and rush for no decrease than a hundred and fifty yards inside the identical sport. inventive playcalling resulted in Darnell Mooney‘s first touchdown of the season and two TDs for Cole Kmet, who’s growing proper into a crimson zone risk.

What modifications will the Bears make to assist their go rush? Chicago’s best drawback with its go rush will not be a personnel subject. The Bears’ defensive philosophy is rooted in getting stress with a customary go rush — they rank sixteenth with a 24.three% stress price when speeding 4 — and it has show to be predictable for opponents to assault. Chicago allowed Tua Tagovailoa to finish 70% of his passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns in direction of customary stress. His fully different passing touchdown obtained here when the Bears rushed three. The Bears inexplicably did not blitz Tagovailoa inside the principal half and despatched further rushers on 4 of 30 dropbacks. — Courtney Cronin

subsequent sport: vs. Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Vikings

What to know: The Vikings might want gained the NFC North on Sunday. Not actually, in spite of every thing, however in bettering their doc to 7-1 on a day the Packers and Bears misplaced, the Vikings have constructed a 5-sport lead inside the loss column inside the division. Sunday’s victory over the Commanders was the fourth sport all by way of which the Vikings have overcome a fourth-quarter deficit to win. they’ve been strolling a tightrope all season, however that tightrope is main them straight to a division title.

Is there something extra the Vikings can have requested from tight finish T.J. Hockenson? Nope! After three days of observe with the staff, Hockenson had by far in all probability the easiest sport for a Vikings tight finish this season. He was focused a sport-extreme 9 instances, catching all 9 for 70 yards. He wasn’t on a daily basis elusive inside the tight finish visual display unit sport, however his first catch — a 19-yard go over the center — was the longest by a Vikings tight finish this season. If nothing else, this sport proved how a lot the Vikings needed a great finish with Hockenson’s means set. — Kevin Seifert

subsequent sport: at funds (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)


Commanders

What to know: Washington’s win streak ended as a consequence of it continued to harm itself on the worst moments. Doing so has value the Commanders in a quantity of losses this season. The protection, which performed properly for three quarters, gave up essential third-down conversions on a discipline objective drive — a go interference and a forty seven-yard buy — after which Taylor Heinicke floated a extreme go over the center that was intercepted and led to the tying rating. There additionally was an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by John Ridgeway on a go-forward discipline objective that allowed Minnesota to maintain the ball and run one hundred extra seconds. Penalties and opponents’ massive performs have led to too many losses, and on Sunday they led to Washington dropping a winnable residence sport.

How prolonged will they follow Heinicke? The gamers and coaches all say the identical factor: There’s one factor about Heinicke. He has that “it” subject. however when it goes dangerous, it does not look good — he was 15-for-28 for 149 yards on Sunday — and ends in questions on how prolonged they’re going to follow him as quickly as Carson Wentz returns (in two weeks, on the earliest). although Heinicke authors some magical and pleasurable moments, he additionally flirts with disaster. This time, it led to a fourth-quarter interception that arrange the tying touchdown. nonetheless, if the Commanders win at Philadelphia subsequent week, there is a great probability they’d preserve rolling with Heinicke. — John Keim

subsequent sport: at Eagles (Monday, Nov. 14, eight:15 p.m. ET)

Chargers

What to know: The Chargers needed a sport-worthwhile 37-yard discipline objective from rookie Cameron Dicker to increase to 5-three. With the win, the Bolts stay inside the hunt for his or her second playoff berth in 9 seasons, however their schedule turns into far extra sturdy inside the second half. The Chargers’ energy of schedule in video games performed up to now ranks thirtieth inside the NFL, in retaining with ESPN analytics, and their energy of schedule remaining ranks tenth.

When will the Chargers’ plethora of injured gamers return? The Chargers have continued to pin their playoff run hopes on the return of a quantity of injured gamers, collectively with vast receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, edge rusher Joey Bosa and kicker Dustin Hopkins. nonetheless, extra names had been added to the itemizing Sunday, as defensive lineman Austin Johnson left the sport on account of a proper knee damage and proper sort out Trey Pipkins III was sidelined on account of a left knee damage. there isn’t any such factor as a clear timeline for his or her returns. — Lindsey Thiry

subsequent sport: at 49ers (Sunday, eight:20 p.m. ET)


Falcons

What to know: it is the barrier the Atlanta Falcons can not appear to interrupt. thirteen instances for the purpose that start of the 2018 season, the Falcons have been at .500. thirteen instances, Atlanta has misplaced its subsequent sport — collectively with on Sunday — persevering with the longest stretch at .500 or under (seventy 4 video games) inside the NFL. The final time the Falcons had been over .500 was additionally their newest playoff look: 2017. In a season all by way of which there was a quantity of progress and surprising success, a worthwhile doc eludes Atlanta.

is that this what to anticipate from the Falcons’ working sport going forward? Cordarrelle Patterson‘s return to the starting function was going to lead to alterations to Atlanta’s prime-5 working sport, all for the greater. And that confirmed as a consequence of the Falcons as quickly as as quickly as extra rushed for over 200 yards. nonetheless the breakdown of carries — almost a 50-50 chop up for Patterson and Tyler Allgeier, with some work for Caleb Huntley — makes it onerous to foretell how the the rest of the season will go. The Falcons are clearly going to be smart with Patterson and might proceed to maneuver him throughout the formation, which may preserve him from taking over a massive workload very similar to what he noticed earlier than his knee damage. The emergence of Allgeier — who appeared very good Sunday with ninety nine yards — and Huntley in Patterson’s absence in all probability means Patterson will nonetheless get a great quantity of labor in typical sport circumstances, with Allgeier and Huntley taking half in extra in 4-minute circumstances. — Michael Rothstein

subsequent sport: at Panthers (Thursday, eight:15 p.m. ET)

Jets

What to know: the largest win of the Robert Saleh period was highlighted by quarterback Zach Wilson‘s best efficiency of the season. beneath intense stress after final week’s three-interception disaster, Wilson set a profession extreme for completion proportion (seventy two%), eradicated the careless selections that brought on tons harm final week and orchestrated a protracted discipline objective drive to win it. He had one turnover (strip sack) however managed the sport properly. This was precisely what he and the Jets needed. It confirmed the Jets is usually a playoff staff in the event that they preserve on with their formulation — run the ball (174 yards vs. funds), play good protection and play almost mistake-free at quarterback.

Do the Jets have amongst the various best defenses inside the NFL? fully. The Jets, ranked sixth in yards allowed inside the start of the day, outplayed the vaunted Buffalo protection. They intercepted Josh Allen twice and sacked him 5 instances in a season-defining efficiency. They did it with a 4-man rush, hardly ever blitzing. Their deep safety was glorious. Receiver Stefon Diggs, who caught a forty two-yard go on the sport’s first play, was held and by no means using a reception inside the second half. Rookie Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed had been excellent at cornerback. — rich Cimini

subsequent sport: at Patriots (Sunday, Nov. 20, 1 p.m. ET)


funds

What to know: Josh Allen performed his worst sport of the season, ending 18-of-34 for 205 yards with two interceptions — and it can have been three interceptions, nonetheless the Jets missed a risk inside the fourth quarter. The quarterback appeared out of sync collectively with his receivers, and the offense was unable to persistently put collectively drives or capitalize on a quantity of the longer drives it did have. Allen’s two speeding touchdowns established an early lead, nonetheless the offense may not construct on them. One signal of the funds’ offensive woes? Receiver Stefon Diggs did not have a second-half reception — solely the second time he has gone and by no means using a catch in a half prior to now two years.

Is the funds’ run protection a vital concern now? sure. The funds had been lacking key gamers on protection — linebacker Matt Milano and safety Jordan Poyer — however that is not an excuse for the means the run protection has struggled for a second straight sport. Even when it was clear the Jets would run the soccer on the remaining drive of the fourth quarter, they continued to choose up vital features. The funds have allowed the two highest speeding totals of the season prior to now two video games (208 yards vs. Packers; a hundred seventy five vs. Jets). — Alaina Getzenberg

subsequent sport: vs. Vikings (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Jaguars

What to know: This come-from-behind victory may even be a turning level for a staff making an try to get hold of out discover out how to play a whole sport. The Jaguars had been both tied or had a lead inside the fourth quarter in 5 of their six losses however may not shut the deal. Rallying from a 17-zero first-half deficit and making a defensive stand inside the fourth quarter — after lacking a discipline objective which will have given them a seven-level lead — may even be an infinite confidence increase for the Jaguars of their subsequent two video games in direction of the Kansas metropolis Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.

When is QB Trevor Lawrence going to play fixed soccer? Lawrence performed actually one of his best video games of the season one week after taking half in actually one of his worst, which included throwing one other interception inside the future zone. Coach Doug Pederson has mentioned he’ll make Lawrence work by way of the ups and downs of his struggles. Giving Lawrence quick throws to get him in a rhythm helps, however Pederson mentioned 12 months 2 in his system will make a massive distinction. — Mike DiRocco

subsequent sport: at Chiefs (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)


Raiders

What to know: Good issues happen for the Raiders’ offense when vast receiver Davante Adams is focused early and typically. Adams, who had one catch for three yards in a shutout loss at New Orleans final week, introduced his presence with authority early in Jacksonville. Adams, who was dealing with an sickness the earlier week, made the Jaguars’ secondary pay with a season-extreme 143 receiving yards — on 9 catches — and two touchdowns earlier than halftime. No shock the Raiders jumped to a 17-zero lead with 10:fifty one to play inside the second quarter.

So why did not the Raiders journey Adams inside the second half? Between taking that 17-zero lead and trailing 27-20, Adams had one catch, on eight targets, for three yards. it is mystifying how briskly the Raiders went away from the latest hand, it does not matter what kind of unique defenses had been thrown at Adams. as a consequence of if he is doubled, tripled and/or bracketed, one other particular person is open. Plus, the inevitable defensive collapse did not assist, as a consequence of it was the third time the Raiders, who fell to 2-6, blew such a lead (20-zero to Arizona and 17-zero at Kansas metropolis). but all six Raiders losses are by one possession. — Paul Gutierrez

subsequent sport: vs. Colts (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Thursday

Eagles

What to know: Jalen Hurts‘ return residence proved to be an historic evening time, as he helped information the Eagles to their first eight-zero start with an disagreeable-early, good-ample-late win over the Texans. Hurts referred to this as a “enterprise journey,” however these shut to him knew the return to Houston held particular which means. It wasn’t on a daily basis pretty, however he rose to the second, tossing a pair of touchdown passes — collectively with a go-forward 17-yard strike to A.J. Brown inside the third quarter — to maintain the undefeated prepare rolling.

How a lot will DT Jordan Davis‘ absence harm them? The Eagles’ first sport with out Davis, who was simply positioned on injured reserve with a proper extreme ankle sprain, proved problematic for the frenzy protection. Houston’s Dameon Pierce went off for over one hundred yards on 27 carries regardless of being the protection’s principal focus all week. Davis has been a distinction-maker. coming into the sport, the Eagles allowed three.9 yards per rush with him on the sphere (70 rushes) versus 6 yards per rush with him off the sphere (112 rushes). — Tim McManus

subsequent sport: vs. Commanders (Monday, Nov. 14, eight:15 p.m. ET)


Texans

What to know: Welcome again, Dameon Pierce. final week, the rookie working again struggled in direction of the Titans and accomplished with 35 yards, his second-lowest whole of the season. however in direction of the undefeated Eagles, he bounced again with an infinite efficiency that gave the Texans an alternative to win. He accomplished with 139 yards speeding and produced a spotlight run of 36 yards that featured defenders bouncing off of him inside the second quarter. The Texans’ offense goes as Pierce goes, if he is rolling, they’ve an alternative.

What’s up with receiver Brandin Cooks? Cooks did not play Thursday evening time on account of private causes after not being traded on the deadline. Cooks was unhappy with the very simple actuality that he wasn’t traded. The Texans may not uncover a deal that labored for them, as teams did not should sort out his assured $18 million wage for 2023. Cooks is the Texans’ main receiver with 354 yards and 32 receptions. however he is inside the midst of a subpar season by his requirements, averaging 50.6 yards per sport, the second-lowest per-sport common of his profession. — DJ Bien-Aime

subsequent sport: at Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

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