The New England Patriots (8-1) finally lost a game, which is the big story in NFL Week 9 after the Baltimore Ravens tripped up the Pats 37-20 on Sunday Night Football. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers (8-0) secured a victory on Thursday Night Football to become the only team in the NFL that has yet to lose a game.
Meanwhile, in the lowlight of NFL Week 9, the tanking Miami Dolphins finally won a game at the expense of the pathetic New York Jets.
In a season where road teams are winning at a higher clip than usual, home teams prevailed 11-2 in NFL Week 9. Home teams on American soil went 11-0 on Sunday, with six winners in the early slot, four in the late afternoon slot, and the Ravens winning on their home turf on Sunday night against the Patriots. The Jaguars were designated as the “home team” in the London Game, and lost to the Houston Texans.
NINERS WIN AGAIN, NOW 8-0
San Francisco 49ers 28, Arizona Cardinals 25… The Niners (8-0) were in control for most of this game with four TD passes from Jimmy G. The Cards (3-5-1) made it a close sweat with 18 points in the second half. Newly-acquired RB, Kenyan Drake, rushed for 110 yards and a TD, and he looked like a new man since getting sprung from the Miami Dolphins. With the Pats loss, the Niners are the only undefeated team in the NFL.
UNDEFEATED NEVERMORE
Baltimore Ravens 37, New England Patriots 20… Undefeated, nevermore! The Ravens (6-2) were a +3 home dog, and upended the Patriots (8-1) and their perfect season on Sunday Night Football. Lamar Jackson and company jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but turnovers let the Pats right back in the game 17-13. The Ravens’ D shut down the Pats in the second half, and pulled away with a 17-point victory. The Ravens ran all over the Patriots, unleashing for 210 yards on the ground. Mark Ingram rushed for 115 yards and Jackson added 61 yards, plus two rushing touchdowns (and an additional passing touchdown). The Ravens passed their first big test, while the Patriots lost a big game and failed their midterm exam.
CMAC MVP WATCH
Carolina Panthers 30, Tennessee Titans 20… Christian McCaffrey stole the show once again, and led the Panthers (5-3) to an easy victory over the Titans (4-5), who scored a garbage-time touchdown to make the score look respectable even though they got steamrolled by the CMAC Attack. McCaffrey scored three touchdowns and combined for 166 yards as the stadium in Charlotte echoed with MVP chants.
NO MAHOMES, NO PROBLEM… WE GOT BUTKER
Kansas City Chiefs 26, Minnesota Vikings 23… Without Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs (6-3) held off the invading Vikings (6-3) in the second-biggest matchup of NFL Week 9. Backup Matt Moore managed the game well with 275 yards, zero interceptions, and a touchdown strike to Tyreek Hill. Harrison Butker kicked four field goals, including two in the final 2:30 of the game. He drilled a 54-yard FG to tie the game at 23-23, and then connected on a 44-yarder as time expired to put KC ahead, 26-23.
LONDON NOT CALLING MINSHEW
Houston Texans 26, Jacksonville Jaguars 3… The Texans (6-3) dominated the Jags (4-5) in their annual London home game. The under hit yet again in London, but at least fans were treated to a DeAndre Hopkins touchdown and a monster day from Carlos Hyde (160 yards). Minshew Mania came to and end during a whimper across the pond.
WILSON 5 TD JACKPOT
Seattle Seahawks 40, Tampa Bay Bucs 34 OT… The Seahawks (6-2) won a back-and-forth game in overtime against Bruce Arians’ Bucs (2-5). Russell Wilson put on his superhero cape and threw five touchdowns, including the game winner in overtime. If you’re not into Christian McCaffrey for MVP, then you’re probably voting for Wilson. After a sensational five-TD game like this, it’s hard not to agree.
BOLTS SHOCK CHEESEHEADS
LA Chargers 26, Green Bay Packers 11… The Chargers (4-5) showed up as a home dog, especially Melvin Gordon (2 TD, 109 combined yards). The Bolts’ D blanked the Packers (7-2) in the first half, and held Aaron Jones to 30 rushing yards. The D also kept Aaron Rodgers out of the end zone until the fourth quarter.
ANOTHER QB DOWN, STEELTOWN STEALS WIN
Pittsburgh Steelers 26, Indianapolis Colts 24… The Steelers (4-4) and Mason Rudolph held off backup QB Brian Hoyer and the Colts (5-3), who really have no quit in them. The Colts lost QB Jacoby Brissett to a sprained knee. Brian Hoyer threw three touchdowns in a relief stint, and nearly pulled off a comeback. Minkah Fitzpatrick returned a Pick 6 for a touchdown for the Steelers.
DEVIN DAY IN THE 716
Buffalo Bills 24, Washington Redskins 9… The Bills (6-2) held rookie Dwayne Haskins and the Skins (1-8) to three field goals. Rookie RB, Devin Singletary, led the Bills with 140 combined yards and a touchdown.
EAGLES RISING, BEARS SLOWLY DYING
Philadelphia Eagles 22, Chicago Bears 14… Da Bears (3-5) had another slow start and didn’t wake up from their hibernation in time to catch the Eagles (5-4). The Eagles D held the Bears to 164 yards of total offense and sacked Mitch Trubisky three times. The Eagles efficiently ran the ball with their 1-2 punch, Jordan Howard (1 TD) and Miles Sanders, who combined for 156 total yards from scrimmage.
BABY RAIDERS SHINE
Oakland Raiders 31, Detroit Lions 24… Rookies Josh Jacobs and Hunter Renfrow led the Raiders (4-4) to a comeback win against the Lions (3-4-1), despite a 406-yard day from Matthew Stafford. Jacobs scored two rushing touchdowns, and Renfrow scored the winning TD.
FISH FINALLY WIN, LOLJETS PUNCHLINE AGAIN
Miami Dolphins 28, New York Jets 18… So much went wrong for the Jets (1-7) in this one. Of course, only the #LOLJets could lose to a tanking Dolphins (1-7) squad. A classic #LOLJets moment. Head coach Adam Gase even screwed under bettors by kicking a meaningless field goal to put the game over 42.5. Stay tuned for the weekly #LOLJets rant.
ANOTHER BACKUP NAMED ‘ALLEN’ SHINES
Denver Broncos 24, Cleveland Browns 19…Â Backup QB Brandon Allen did a bang-up job with 193 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Broncos (3-6) to a home dog victory over the Browns (2-6). Denver’s D kept Nick Chubb in check, and prevented OBJ from finding the end zone. At this point through NFL Week 9, it’s safe to say that all that preseason Browns hype was nothing but hot air.
For the straight dope on each week, check out more NFL quickie weekly recaps.