What we learned in NFL Week 9: Ravens team to beat in the AFC?
What we learned in NFL Week 9: Ravens team to beat in the AFC?
Cowboys-Eagles end in dramatic fashion, and the Texans are fun to watch?
Following their defeat to the Seahawks last week, the Cleveland Browns, a contender in the AFC North, made a strong comeback. All eyes were on quarterback Deshaun Watson as he made his return to the field after a shoulder injury that had limited him to only five passes since Sept. 24. Feel free to crack all the jokes you like. Still, the truth remains that the Browns sacrificed too many resources to abandon Watson at this point. They're going to capitalize on this cash cow and extract as much value as possible.
Watson did enough to secure an easy win, but his performance paled in comparison to the sensational showing of new Minnesota Vikings QB Josh Dobbs in Atlanta. Stroud's adventures took an unexpected turn when he found himself immersed in an exhilarating narrative that unraveled in the heart of Houston.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, two of the NFL's top teams, secured impressive victories to start and end the day. The Chiefs triumphed in a Sunday morning ET kick in Germany, while the Eagles showcased their skills in a memorable performance.
The Ravens left no room for doubt as their overpowering performance led to a decisive 37-3 victory over the Seahawks on Sunday. Instead, the game dangled precariously on the brink of a blowout at halftime and progressed into a commanding performance by the third quarter. Seattle's offense, which has struggled in recent weeks, only managed to gain 151 yards. The team managed to achieve six first downs, one less than the number of scoring drives by the Ravens.
Is Baltimore the NFL’s team to beat?
The Ravens' offense has been unstoppable, causing havoc for their opponents in their home games against Detroit and now Seattle. Lamar Jackson's fumble, along with another turnover by Odell Beckham before halftime, were the only hiccups faced.
The Ravens' offense was on fire, effortlessly amassing a staggering 515 yards, the most in the entire season. Keaton Mitchell showcased his speed and agility, accumulating an impressive 138 rushing yards on only nine carries. Gus Edwards, the running back, made his mark on the game by scoring two touchdowns. Despite the Ravens' impressive array of playmakers, rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers had a difficult time on Sunday, only gaining 11 yards.
Can a defense halt this unstoppable offense when they are firing on all cylinders? That is the question that is going to give defensive coordinators nightmares at night, but the Ravens also entered Week 9 with the NFL’s best defense. This team is an unstoppable force, gaining momentum like a rolling train. They have a chance to solidify their dominance in the AFC North with two upcoming home games against Cleveland, and the eagerly awaited Cincinnati.
Josh Dobbs with a clutch performance
In the last minute of the fourth quarter, with the Vikings trailing by four points, Dobbs prepared to throw on fourth-and-7, only to be swiftly met with pressure from Falcons edge rusher Bud Dupree on his blindside. Had Dupree finished the sack, he would have been showered with accolades and congratulatory pats on the back. But, that is not how it came to be.
Amid an intense game, Dobbs made a crucial play three plays later, finding Brandon Powell for a game-winning touchdown in the Vikings' thrilling 31-28 triumph.
Dobbs, an Arizona Cardinal at mid-week, finished 20-of-30 for 158 yards and two passing touchdowns. Not only did he score a touchdown, but he also added an impressive 66 yards rushing to his stats.
Dobbs and the Vikings' performance was awe-inspiring, despite the fact that he had just joined the team recently.
The Texans and C.J. Stroud are fun to watch?
Let's shift our focus to Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans, who deserves recognition as a Coach of the Year candidate. Stroud, his quarterback, is steadily solidifying his position as the frontrunner for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Stroud's Sunday performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a thrilling spectacle, with a final score of 39-37. In a single game, Stroud completed 30 out of 42 passes for 470 yards, setting a new rookie record with his remarkable performance. With only six seconds remaining, he managed to deliver his final touchdown pass to Tank Dell.
The Texans team, despite their talent, is far from perfect, which was clear in their loss last week to the Carolina Panthers, who had not won any games previously. However, it can be confidently stated that Stroud is performing at a superstar level as the quarterback, while being supported by a group of young and exceptionally talented playmakers.
Houston is swiftly becoming a 4-4 team and is currently just one game back in the AFC wild-card race, so it's important to look out now. The performances of Ryans and Stroud have been exceptional. If the offensive line can maintain a consistent level of play, there is a possibility for the Texans to achieve something remarkable during Stroud's debut season.
Is it time for the Cowboys-Eagles round 2 yet?
The reason we all have a deep love for football is exemplified by that particular game, which kept us on the edge of our seats until the very last moment. The added theatrics at the end made it even more thrilling. I'm uncertain if the second round can surpass the excitement of that game, but there will undoubtedly be a substantial amount of anticipation. I firmly believe this because the next game is scheduled to take place in Dallas. Why don't we dive right into the game?
Despite quarterback Jalen Hurts being injured, the Philadelphia Eagles managed to hold off their rivals and secure a 28-23 victory, which ultimately gave them control of the NFC East halfway through the season. Despite this, Dallas came incredibly close to changing the outcome of the game on several occasions, almost forcing overtime. One instance was when tight end Luke Schoonmaker was initially ruled down at the two-inch line, despite appearing to score a touchdown.
Subsequently, during the final possession of the game, Dallas successfully made progress and reached the Philadelphia 6-yard line, only to encounter obstacles in the form of a false start, sack, and delay of game penalty. Prescott, standing way back at the 27-yard line, made his last pass, which resulted in a completion to receiver CeeDee Lamb. However, the ball came up just a few yards shy of reaching the end zone.
Deshaun Watson returns, kind of
Considering Watson's health status, it was determined that he was in good enough condition to compete on Sunday, and the Browns made the astute choice of giving him some playing time against an Arizona team that is currently in contention for a top-2 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Cleveland will face off against Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Denver in their upcoming schedule.
Given the circumstances, it was crucial to gradually reintegrate Watson into his routine, and it was evident that the Browns adopted a cautious approach in the beginning stages of the process. In the first quarter, Watson connected with receiver Amari Cooper on a 59-yard pass, which showed signs of more promising moments to come.
The Browns have a formidable defense and a strong running game, making them a tough match for any opponent week after week. Whether they can be more than just a combative, wild-card contender will probably revolve around Watson’s ability to be the best adaptation of himself. He hasn’t been yet, but perhaps Sunday will be a start in the right direction. As the season goes along, we will gain more insight into what is to come.
Defense ruled the day in Germany
The Dolphins and Chiefs clashed in Germany, giving fans a glimpse of what the AFC title game could look like amidst the vibrant atmosphere. Kansas City held on for a nail-biting 21-14 win as Miami fumbled a fourth-and-10 snap in the final moments.
Despite initial expectations, the offensive display between these two teams, orchestrated by coaches Mike McDaniel and Andy Reid, and featuring quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Patrick Mahomes, was anything but offensive. Tagovailoa and Mahomes both had their lowest passing totals of the season: Tagovailoa with 193 yards, and Mahomes with 185 yards.
There is no denying that the Chiefs defense is transforming into a legitimate Super Bowl contender, provided the offense can maintain an acceptable level of performance. Prior to Week 9, Kansas City had the sixth-best defensive EPA ranking, and it is expected to improve after their performance on Sunday.
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