Teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack and gear up for playoff seedings. We pretty much know who will at least get into the playoffs and who probably won't So, lets wrap up Week 9 and also look ahead:
Jets over Bills-
The Jets continue to surprise, and with a break here and there, could've been an even more dominant force in AFC East. The Billa are also a surprise team, but not winning a key division game at New York tells you that Buffalo isn't ready to contend. The Jets go to Tampa Bay, in a pretty much must-win game for the Bucs, while Buffalo takes on a red-hot New Orleans Saints team invading buffalo.
Panthers over Falcons-
Carolina is putting itself into playoff contention, and the stretch run, when the Panthers play the Saints, Buccaneers and Falcons again, will tell the tale. How will Cam Newton play? Meanwhile, Atlanta comes home to take on a surging Dallas club. Atlanta has lost two straight home games, In order for them to keep in touch with the Saints and Panthers, Atlanta needs to step it up. Carolina stays home with a Miami Dolphins team in chaos.
Colts over Texans-
Even with Andrew Luck, the awful Colts beat Houston on the road. Tells you how much QB DeShaun Watson means to the Texans. What a week in Houston- winning the World Series and losing Watson to a season-ending knee injury. Indianapolis goes home to face the Steelers, as Houston plays the high-octane Rams in LA.
Jaguars over Bengals-
Hard to believe that Jacksonville has a real shot now to win the AFC South. With QBs Luck and Watson out, the Jags only need to keep an eye on Marcus Mariotta and Tennessee. The Bengals continue their rocky season, as their coach gets ever closer to finally getting fired. Jacksonville has the Chargers flying east, while Cincinnati plays the second game of their three-game road trip, traveling to Tennessee.
Cardinals over 40'ers-
Even with their regular quarterback Carson Palmer out with a broken arm, the Cards still had enough to beat a hapless Niners team in San Francisco. Adrian Petersonn ran wild, as the Cards tried to stay alive in NFC West. The 49'ers fell to 0-9 and are playing out thee string, in a battle with Cleveland for the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft next spring. Arizona heads back to the desert with a big divisional match-up with Seattle. SF may get their first win of the year this week, as they take on the dreadful Giants at home.
Cowboys over Chiefs-
Give the Cowboys credit for beating KC and winning their third game in a row. They have two games ahead with the Eagles, and if they don't win the NFC East Dallas should get a wild card spot. Kansas City is on a bye this week before going to New York and facing the Giants. KC doesn't have much competition in their division, but need to keep an eye on the Raiders.Dallas better not look ahead to the Philadelphia game, as they play in Atlanta this week.
Saints over Buccaneers-
The Saints won their sixth game in a row as Drew Brees continues to shine and the Saint defense improves with each week. Tampa Bay, a trendy pick before the season, is 2-6 and getting buried in NFC South. New Orleans goes to chilly Buffalo, where the Bills should have a decent shot to upset the Saints out of their dome. The Bucs host the Jets in a pretty meaningless game.
Rams over Giants-
The Rams destroyed the Giants, 51-17 in New York, moving to 6-2, atop NFC West. They look more real each week and should at least make the playoffs. The Giants are a mess and need to clean house after the season. They are even thinking of sitting down Eli Manning. The fly west to take on San Francisco in a game of losers.
Eagles over Broncos-
We already broke down this game yesterday. Basically the Eagles put themselves at another level with their 51-23 crushing of Denver. The Broncos have now lost 4 in a row and look lost. John Elway has been trying to find another quarterback for 20 years, ever since John Elway himself The Birds ar eon their bye this week while Denver finally goes home- to face the Patriots.
Titans over Ravens-
Tennessee solidified their hold on first place in AFC South, with Jacksonville as their only threat, now that QB Watson suffered a season-ending injury for Houston. Baltimore continues to have a schizophrenic season, dropping to 4-5. No one is challenging Pittsburgh in AFC North, with the Ravens a huge disappointment. The Titans stay home with Cincy while Baltimore has a bye.
Redskins over Seahawks-
Luckily for the Eagles, who go to Seattle in a few weeks, the Seahawks aren't what they used to be at home, losing to Washington last week and barely getting by Houston the week before. Seattle is battling the LA Rams while the "Skins are just trying to survive in NFC East. A wild card berth would be the most realistic goal for Washington now. Seattle goes to Arizona for a divisional game, while Washington plays Minnesota at home.
Raiders over Dolphins-
Oakland kept their season alive by squeaking by Miami Sunday night. I still fear the Raiders, who look like the only legitimate threat to Kansas City in AFC West. Miami is 4-4 but feels like a losing team, with the coach in upheaval, after having traded Jay Ajayi to the Eagles. Oakland has their bye week before going home for three straight games in Oakland. Miami will soon be an after-thought, as they play in Carolina this week, have their bye, then go to new England.
Lions over Packers-
The better quarterback prevails again. Matthew Strafford lit it up against the Pack, as Aaron Rodgers fill-in, Brett Hundley, continues to struggle. Someone needs to win the NFC North. The Vikings are 6-2 without Sam Bradford, although Teddy Bridgewater may return. The Bears aren't serious contenders. So, the Lions could win the division if they get their act together with key divisional match-ups ahead. Detroit has Cleveland at home, travel to Chicago, before they play their traditional Thanksgiving Day game with Minnesota. Green Bay goes to the bears this week, trying to survive until Rodgers returns.
Chicago, Cleveland, Minnesota, New England Pittsburgh and the LA Chargers were all off last week.
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