The aftermath of week 9 in the NFL: The Dallas Cowboys win their 7th game in a row, leaving the Cleveland Browns without a win after nine games. The Oakland Raiders might be the biggest story thanks to a big win over the Denver Broncos, getting them closer to their first playoff appearance since 2002.
In the NFC East, the New York Giants sent the Philadelphia Eagles tumbling by shutting down Carson Wentz. The Indianapolis Colts surprised many with a gritty performance to upset the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field. The AFC North looks mediocre with three-four loss teams fighting for the division top spot, as the Baltimore Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers despite the return of Big Ben.
Atlanta Falcons (6-3) 43 Â Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) 28:Â Nothing changes. The Bucs are still winless at home, unable to slow down Matt Ryan. He threw four touchdown passes, one to Julio Jones (111 yards), as they have a 1.5 game lead over the New Orleans Saints.
Dallas Cowboys (7-1) 35 Â Cleveland Browns (0-9) 10:Â The Browns scored first, but then the Cowboys scored 21 consecutive points, and overall Cleveland, this time with Cody Kessler at quarterback (not too bad with one touchdown pass), look on the surefire way to finish this season with 0 on the win column. Dak Prescott threw 3 touchdown passes and completed 77% of his throws, as Jason Witten enjoyed his passing with 134 yards and a touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliott ran for two scores.
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-4) 14 Â Baltimore Ravens (4-4) 21:Â Ben Roethlisberger returned to throw a touchdown pass and an interception while running for one as well. Joe Flacco had the same kind of production. the difference? The Ravens had Justin Tucker with a couple of difference making field goals, and Chris Moore scoring off a blocked punt.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) 14 Â Kansas City Chiefs (6-2) 19:Â The Chiefs scored first and relied on Carlos Santos’ leg to deliver the other 12 points, as they improve to 4-0 at home and on a four-game winning streak, ranked second in what looks like the strongest division in the NFL this season.
New York Jets (3-6) 23 Â Miami Dolphins (4-4) 27:Â Jalin Marshall converted a Ryan Fitzpatrick throw into a touchdown to give the Jets a 23-20 lead with 5:42 to go. The Dolphins responded with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Kenyan Drake, and hung on for the win. The Dolphins have now on three in a row since shifting to more running, as Jay Ajayi finished with 111 yards and one touchdown.
Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) 23 Â New York Giants (5-3) 28:Â The Eagles drop their fourth game out of their last five, falling behind early and then playing catchup. Eli Manning had a wild game with 4 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions, while Carson Wentz threw for 364 yards but no touchdowns and two interceptions. Odell Beckham Jr. stood out with two touchdown receptions.
Detroit Lions (5-4) 22 Â Minnesota Vikings (5-3) 16:Â The NFC North is wide open, as the Vikings couldn’t give Sam Bradford any help from the running game, resulting in a 3rd consecutive loss. This time it came in overtime, as Matthew Stafford connected with Golden Tate for the 28-yard touchdown. Blair Walsh missed a key field goal, again.
Carolina Panthers 13 (3-5) Â Los Angeles Rams (3-5) 10:Â The Rams for the fourth time in a row after another poor offensive performance from Case Keenum and Todd Gurley. The Panthers scored in the first quarter off a Newton-Olsen touchdown, and then held on for the win, despite being outgained by almost 100 yards.
New Orleans Saints (4-4) 41 Â San Francisco 49ers (1-7) 23:Â Another day in the terrible era of the 49ers. Colin Kaepernick threw a couple of touchdown passes but also an interception. The Saints had no problem holding the lead, as Drew Brees threw 3 touchdown passes and Mark Ingram ran for one while rushing for 158 yards.
Tennessee Titans (4-5) 35 Â San Diego Chargers (4-5) 43:Â A fun little shootout included Melvin Gordon shocking everyone with a 196 yard day on the ground, including one touchdown. Philip Rivers threw 2 touchdown passes, while Marcus Mariota threw for 3 and 2 interceptions, one of them returned for a touchdown.
Indianapolis Colts (4-5) 31 Â Green Bay Packers (4-4) 26:Â The Packers are in unfamiliar territory, ranked 3rd in the NFC North. The Colts opened a 14-point lead at halftime, and managed to not screw it up in a poor finish. Frank Gore ran for two touchdowns while Andrew Luck threw for one and two interceptions. Aaron Rodgers threw for 297 yards and 3 touchdowns while also rushing for 43, the Packers couldn’t overcome the Colts beginning the game with a 99-yard kickoff return by Jordan Todman.
Denver Broncos (6-3) 20 Â Oakland Raiders (7-2) 30:Â The Raiders lead the AFC West and Derek Carr looks like an MVP favorite. Who would have guessed?! The Raiders led 13-0 and clinched the game in the fourth quarter with a Latavius Murray touchdown. Carr didn’t throw any touchdown passes, but Murray ran for 3 scores and 114 yards.
AFC Standings
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NFC Standings
NFC East | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Dallas Cowboys | 7 | 1 | 0 | .875 | 2–1 | 5–1 | 223 | 140 | W7 |
New York Giants | 5 | 3 | 0 | .625 | 2–1 | 4–3 | 161 | 164 | W3 |
Washington Redskins | 4 | 3 | 1 | .563 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 186 | 189 | T1 |
Philadelphia Eagles | 4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | 0–3 | 2–4 | 202 | 145 | L2 |
NFC North | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Minnesota Vikings | 5 | 3 | 0 | .625 | 1–2 | 3–3 | 155 | 126 | L3 |
Detroit Lions | 5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | 1–2 | 4–2 | 205 | 206 | W1 |
Green Bay Packers | 4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | 2–1 | 3–3 | 198 | 187 | L2 |
Chicago Bears | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 2–1 | 2–3 | 141 | 179 | W1 |
NFC South | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Atlanta Falcons | 6 | 3 | 0 | .667 | 3–1 | 4–2 | 305 | 259 | W2 |
New Orleans Saints | 4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 242 | 238 | W2 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 2–1 | 3–3 | 180 | 232 | L2 |
Carolina Panthers | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 0–3 | 3–4 | 204 | 207 | W2 |
NFC West | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Seattle Seahawks | 4 | 2 | 1 | .643 | 1–1–1 | 2–2–1 | 131 | 109 | L1 |
Arizona Cardinals | 3 | 4 | 1 | .438 | 1–1–1 | 2–2–1 | 179 | 140 | L1 |
Los Angeles Rams | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 2–1 | 3–4 | 130 | 167 | L4 |
San Francisco 49ers | 1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 1–2 | 1–6 | 167 | 260 | L7 |