NFL Week 9 takeaways - Lessons, big questions for every game

12:10 AM ET

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It is Week 9 of the 2022 NFL season — and as we attain the midway level, we should always begin seeing whether or not some contenders are in it for the lengthy haul.

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

Of eight video games within the early Sunday window, six got here right down to the fourth quarter. The Detroit Lions held on to a one-score result in hand the Green Bay Packers their fifth straight loss, the Minnesota Vikings got here again from 10 right down to beat the Washington Commanders and the Los Angeles Chargers secured a win over the Atlanta Falcons with a last-minute subject objective. The New York Jets‘ protection stood tall in a crucial AFC East matchup in opposition to the Buffalo Bills, handing the Payments their second lack of the season. Tua Tagovailoa led the Miami Dolphins to an in depth win over Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears, whereas the Jacksonville Jaguars got here again from a 17-point 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 100,000-yard career passing mark (together with playoffs) and lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a last-second win over the Los Angeles Rams in a battle of struggling NFC powers from a yr in the past. The Seattle Seahawks stayed scorching, profitable their fourth straight by defeating the Arizona Cardinals. Within the Sunday evening sport, the Kansas City Chiefs overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to deal with the Tennessee Titans, 20-17, in extra time.

The Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers are on a bye and can return to motion in Week 10.

Our NFL Nation reporters react with the most important takeaways and lingering questions off this week’s matchups and sit up for what’s subsequent. Video games are Sunday except famous. Let’s get to it.

Leap to a matchup:

Chiefs

What to know: The Chiefs should discover a option to transfer the ball and rating factors when opponents decline to blitz in opposition to Patrick Mahomes. Tennessee proved, maybe conclusively, that the way in which to gradual Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense is to not blitz. The Chiefs discovered a option to beat the Titans, however Tennessee was the third opponent to blitz Mahomes lower than 20% of the time and the Chiefs struggled offensively all thrice. They misplaced the primary two video games. The Titans had been nonetheless capable of get strain 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 subject objective in extra time, however in any other case Butker hasn’t been himself since coming back from an ankle damage within the season opener. He missed 4 video games and since his return had missed three of six subject objective makes an attempt earlier than his extra time winner, although he did make a Chiefs report 62-yard kick in Week 6 in opposition to the Payments. Butker additionally missed a PAT try in opposition to 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 opposition to 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 opposition to Kansas Metropolis. Tennessee entered the second half with a 17-9 lead over the Chiefs however failed to return away with the win. The largest distinction was an absence of carries for Derrick Henry. Henry solely obtained seven carries within the second half regardless of ending the primary half with 9 carries for 92 yards and two touchdowns.

Will the Titans broad receivers ever make an influence? The Titans completed with no single receiver having a reception. They proceed to depend on Henry however wouldn’t have a complementary piece to the speeding assault. Defenses play one-on-one protection on the surface with no security assist excessive and the Titans aren’t making the most of it. There possible are not any solutions on the way in which till rookie Treylon Burks finally returns from a turf toe damage that has saved him out for 3 weeks. — Turron Davenport

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

Buccaneers

What to know: The offense continues to underachieve, though it managed to engineer a landing drive within the closing minute with rookie tight finish Cade Otton catching the winner. Nonetheless, this does not take away from playcalling that has been ill-suited to suit the Bucs’ strengths and poor execution, together with broad receiver Julio Jones working the flawed method 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? Loads of the success needed to do with the Bucs’ reliance on the quick-passing sport. This Bucs group would not have the receivers for that. They’re constructed for a downfield assault. Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich’s insistence on working on first down with this offensive line is resulting in them being behind the chains, they usually barely tried any play-action passes this week. Brady did handle to develop into the primary quarterback to succeed in 100,000 passing yards within 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 means of Cooper Kupp, and as they noticed Sunday, it will not be sufficient in opposition to most groups. Even with broad receiver Van Jefferson again, quarterback Matthew Stafford continues to depend on his No. 1 receiver, who had eight catches for 127 yards and a landing. But it surely was not sufficient, and the Rams’ offense has demonstrated this season that relying solely on Kupp has not been a constant profitable components. Stafford and broad receiver Allen Robinson II linked on a formidable 15-yard catch within the third quarter, however he completed with three catches for twenty-four 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 result of the Rams had been attempting to commerce him. However the 2020 second-round decide ran for 3 yards on 5 carries. As a substitute, it was Darrell Henderson Jr. who led the Rams’ working backs with 56 yards on 12 carries. Henderson’s 23-yard rush within the third quarter was the group’s longest run of the season. The Rams will even possible have rookie working again Kyren Williams return subsequent week, which might imply a fair smaller position for Akers going ahead. — Sarah Barshop

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

Seahawks

What to know: Basic supervisor John Schneider hit residence runs with some veteran acquisitions over the offseason. Two of them — exterior 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 excessive with eight video games to go. Nwosu seems just like the Seahawks’ greatest free-agent signing since Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett in 2013, whereas Harris (one sack Sunday) has been the most efficient of the three gamers Seattle obtained again from Denver within the Russell Wilson commerce. Tight finish Noah Fant, additionally acquired within the Wilson commerce, had his greatest sport of the season, with 5 catches for 96 yards.

The place do the Seahawks rank within the NFC pecking order? The Eagles are clearly the category of the convention at 8-0. The Vikings are 7-1, as unspectacular as they’ve checked out instances. The 6-2 Cowboys may be the one different NFC group that may argue it is higher than Seattle, particularly after the Seahawks dealt with the Giants final week. Both method, the Seahawks are 6-3 with a 1½-game lead within the NFC West and an opportunity to get to 7-3 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 own worst enemy. Self-inflicted wounds have been their undoing underneath coach Kliff Kingsbury and are threatening to derail one other season. Penalties had been once more a giant downside on Sunday, as they dedicated 11 for 72 yards. That included back-to-back false begins, a rarity for a house group. In addition they fumbled thrice, shedding one when Kyler Murray was stripped whereas carelessly dealing with the ball on a scramble late within the first half. That possible price Arizona no less than three factors, if no more.

Have the Cardinals dug themselves too large of a gap? They’re in final place within the NFC West at 3-6, three video games behind the Seahawks with a pair of losses to Seattle. So any probability of staying alive within the division race is circling the drain. Competing for a wild-card spot is not out of the query with a few of their hardest opponents already out of the way in which and a manageable remaining schedule. However the solar 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 utterly dominated the Panthers in a rout. But it surely did not reveal something new a few Cincinnati group that has loads of work to do to succeed in the postseason. The Bengals have appeared distinctive in three wins in opposition to NFC South opponents. However within the AFC North, Cincinnati is 0-3. Discovering a stability between the extremes will possible determine the Bengals’ postseason destiny.

Is Joe Mixon again on monitor? Probably. Going into the sport, Mixon had minus-54 speeding yards above expectation, in line with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. He went plus-74 on Sunday, which is a superb signal for somebody who was underneath scrutiny within the week main as much as this sport. — Ben Child

Subsequent sport: at Steelers (Sunday, Nov. 20, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Panthers

What to know: It will likely be troublesome for interim coach Steve Wilks to maintain PJ Walker because the beginning quarterback in opposition to 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 wish to see what Darnold can do however possible will not have time to get him prepared on a brief week. Earlier than Sunday, one choice after subsequent week was to launch Mayfield and go along with Walker and Darnold the remainder of the season. Walker’s poor efficiency and the professionalism Mayfield has proven because the backup places all choices again on the desk.

Has the protection reached its restrict? Carolina’s one fixed all season has been the protection that performed fairly properly in all however one sport. That went out the window within the first half when Bengals working again Joe Mixon grew to become the primary participant to report 150 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? Unhealthy hole management is just not an excellent signal. On prime of the porous run protection, there have been 4 penalties referred to as for lining up offside. None of this can be a good signal for Wilks, a defensive coach, who’s combating for a shot on the full-time job. — David Newton

Subsequent sport: Falcons (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Patriots

What to know: Protection and particular groups cleared the path. Matthew Judon and Josh Uche had three sacks apiece — marking the second time in franchise historical past that a number 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 brief landing for the offense. After totaling 9 sacks, the Patriots head into their bye week at 5-4. It is exhausting to think about them having the offensive firepower to maintain up with Buffalo (and possibly even Miami), however they’ve no less than saved themselves within the hunt.

How a lot hope is there for the Mac Jones-led passing offense? Jones completed 20-of-30 for 147 yards, one landing and no interceptions because the offense struggled to discover a rhythm. Whereas the Colts have given opposing QBs some issues this yr, it is also truthful to marvel why Jones & Co. have not sustained extra momentum. Shaky play alongside the offensive line has been exhausting to overlook in latest weeks, and maybe the return of beginning middle David Andrews — who missed two video games with a concussion — after the bye will solidify some issues, as first-round decide Cole Strange 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-game offensive manufacturing in coach Frank Reich’s 5 seasons, ending with 121 complete yards, and are actually 0-2 with quarterback Sam Ehlinger underneath middle. The Colts made the change to Ehlinger coming into their Week 8 sport in opposition to Washington, however by means of two weeks, they don’t have a passing landing. Sunday in Foxborough, the underside fell out. The Colts’ offensive line was in shambles, with the Patriots racking up 9 sacks — probably 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 enjoying extraordinarily properly, however it would not matter. The Patriots had a season low in offensive yardage Sunday, however the protection can’t account for the dearth of manufacturing by the Indianapolis offense. The Colts’ protection entered the sport rating within the prime 10 in scoring protection and complete yards, however that has been constantly overshadowed by the offense’s lack of ability to attain. The Colts’ offensive struggles are a troublesome actuality to just accept for defensive veterans comparable to DeForest Buckner and Stephon Gilmore, who’re having good seasons however don’t have anything to point out 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 landing passes to his replacements, Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell, within the second and fourth quarters. Detroit’s offense had been shut out within the second half of each sport since Week 4 vs. Seattle, however that modified in Sunday’s victory in opposition to Inexperienced Bay.

Did defensive backs coach Aubrey Nice’s firing encourage the protection? Sure. Getting into the Inexperienced Bay sport, Detroit’s protection was permitting probably the most factors per sport, which led to Nice’s dismissal earlier within the week. Members of the secondary shouldered the blame for the Lions’ choice after which responded with a robust efficiency, which included two interceptions from rookie security Kerby Joseph. Getting into the day, the Lions had two picks all season. They’d three in opposition to the Packers. — Eric Woodyard

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

Packers

What to know: Aaron Rodgers appeared lots like Brett Favre, throwing willy-nilly and getting picked off thrice because of this, and the remainder of the Packers appeared unrecognizable — no less than when utilizing the previous three seasons because the baseline. Two of Rodgers’ interceptions got here from contained in the purple zone and a 3rd from simply exterior 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 not one of the first 4 had come in opposition to an NFC North group. This time it got here in opposition to a Lions group that had two interceptions all season going into the sport and had been permitting 32.1 factors per sport. As unhealthy as issues had been for the Packers of their four-game shedding streak, shedding a fifth in a row — to the one-win Lions — raises issues to a complete different degree.

What number of extra video games are you able to realistically anticipate the Packers to win? Their subsequent three opponents — the Cowboys, Titans and Eagles — entered Sunday with a mixed report of 19-4. They do not play a group at present with a shedding report till Dec. 4 at Chicago, which is 3-5. They usually nonetheless have video games in opposition to 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 pass-rusher away from fixing their protection, no less than Sunday, and Bradley Chubb, whereas promising in his first begin after being acquired in a commerce, is just not a one-man savior. Bears quarterback Justin Fields did basically something he needed to, working for 178 yards and scoring 4 complete touchdowns. Whereas Fields’ talent 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 opposition to the Lions. It labored in opposition to the Ravens. However the Bears pushed the Dolphins to the brink in a shootout few individuals noticed coming. Miami’s protection has pressured its offense to play almost completely to make up for its shortcomings, and that does not really feel like a Tremendous Bowl-winning components. If the Dolphins’ offense is not clicking, there’s little purpose to consider their protection might cease an elite group. Their protection got here up with a pair of massive stops late within the fourth quarter Sunday (with assistance from a questionable no-call on Chicago’s closing drive), however what number 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 developed right into a high-powered unit over the previous three weeks, and a giant purpose is Justin Fields’ working. His 178 speeding yards Sunday, together with a 61-yard landing scramble, had been probably the most by a quarterback in a regular-season sport in NFL historical past. Fields can be the primary participant in NFL historical past to throw three landing passes and rush for no less than 150 yards in the identical sport. Inventive playcalling resulted in Darnell Mooney‘s first landing of the season and two TDs for Cole Kmet, who’s creating right into a purple zone risk.

What changes will the Bears make to help their go rush? Chicago’s largest downside with its go rush is just not a personnel challenge. The Bears’ defensive philosophy is rooted in getting strain with an ordinary go rush — they rank sixteenth with a 24.3% strain charge when speeding 4 — and it has develop into predictable for opponents to assault. Chicago allowed Tua Tagovailoa to finish 70% of his passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to commonplace strain. His different passing landing got here when the Bears rushed three. The Bears inexplicably didn’t blitz Tagovailoa within the first 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 need gained the NFC North on Sunday. Not actually, after all, however in bettering their report to 7-1 on a day the Packers and Bears misplaced, the Vikings have constructed a five-game lead within the loss column within the division. Sunday’s victory over the Commanders was the fourth sport by 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 might have requested from tight finish T.J. Hockenson? Nope! After three days of follow with the group, Hockenson had by far the very best sport for a Vikings tight finish this season. He was focused a game-high 9 instances, catching all 9 for 70 yards. He wasn’t all the time elusive within the tight finish display 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 wanted a decent finish with Hockenson’s talent set. — Kevin Seifert

Subsequent sport: at Payments (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Commanders

What to know: Washington’s win streak ended as a result of it continued to harm itself on the worst moments. Doing so has price the Commanders in a number of losses this season. The protection, which performed properly for 3 quarters, gave up essential third-down conversions on a subject objective drive — a go interference and a 47-yard achieve — after which Taylor Heinicke floated a excessive 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-ahead subject objective that allowed Minnesota to maintain the ball and run 100 extra seconds. Penalties and opponents’ large performs have led to too many losses, and on Sunday they led to Washington shedding a winnable residence sport.

How lengthy will they keep on with Heinicke? The gamers and coaches all say the identical factor: There’s one thing about Heinicke. He has that “it” issue. However when it goes unhealthy, it would not look good — he was 15-for-28 for 149 yards on Sunday — and results in questions on how lengthy they will keep on with him as soon as Carson Wentz returns (in two weeks, on the earliest). Though Heinicke authors some magical and enjoyable moments, he additionally flirts with catastrophe. This time, it led to a fourth-quarter interception that arrange the tying landing. Nonetheless, if the Commanders win at Philadelphia subsequent week, there is a good probability they’d hold rolling with Heinicke. — John Keim

Subsequent sport: at Eagles (Monday, Nov. 14, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Chargers

What to know: The Chargers wanted a game-winning 37-yard subject objective from rookie Cameron Dicker to enhance to 5-3. With the win, the Bolts stay within the hunt for his or her second playoff berth in 9 seasons, however their schedule turns into way more troublesome within the second half. The Chargers’ power of schedule in video games performed to date ranks thirtieth within the NFL, in line with ESPN analytics, and their power 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 number of injured gamers, together with broad receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, edge rusher Joey Bosa and kicker Dustin Hopkins. Nonetheless, extra names had been added to the checklist Sunday, as defensive lineman Austin Johnson left the sport due to a proper knee damage and proper sort out Trey Pipkins III was sidelined due to a left knee damage. There isn’t any clear timeline for his or her returns. — Lindsey Thiry

Subsequent sport: at 49ers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Falcons

What to know: It is the barrier the Atlanta Falcons can not seem to break. 13 instances for the reason that begin of the 2018 season, the Falcons have been at .500. 13 instances, Atlanta has misplaced its subsequent sport — together with on Sunday — persevering with the longest stretch at .500 or beneath (74 video games) within the NFL. The final time the Falcons had been over .500 was additionally their most up-to-date playoff look: 2017. In a season by which there was a number of progress and shocking success, a profitable report eludes Atlanta.

Is that this what to anticipate from the Falcons’ working sport going ahead? Cordarrelle Patterson‘s return to the beginning position was going to lead to alterations to Atlanta’s top-five working sport, all for the higher. And that confirmed because the Falcons as soon as once more rushed for over 200 yards. However the breakdown of carries — virtually a 50-50 cut up for Patterson and Tyler Allgeier, with some work for Caleb Huntley — makes it exhausting to foretell how the remainder of the season will go. The Falcons are clearly going to be good with Patterson and can proceed to maneuver him across the formation, which might hold him from taking over a large workload just like what he noticed earlier than his knee damage. The emergence of Allgeier — who appeared superb Sunday with 99 yards — and Huntley in Patterson’s absence most likely means Patterson will nonetheless get an excellent quantity of labor in typical sport conditions, with Allgeier and Huntley enjoying extra in four-minute situations. — Michael Rothstein

Subsequent sport: at Panthers (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Jets

What to know: The largest win of the Robert Saleh period was highlighted by quarterback Zach Wilson‘s greatest efficiency of the season. Below intense strain after final week’s three-interception catastrophe, Wilson set a profession excessive for completion share (72%), eradicated the careless selections that brought about a lot hurt final week and orchestrated a protracted subject objective drive to win it. He had one turnover (strip sack) however managed the sport properly. This was precisely what he and the Jets wanted. It confirmed the Jets is usually a playoff group in the event that they stick with their components — run the ball (174 yards vs. Payments), play nice protection and play just about mistake-free at quarterback.

Do the Jets have probably the greatest defenses within the NFL? Completely. The Jets, ranked sixth in yards allowed at the beginning 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 four-man rush, hardly ever blitzing. Their deep protection was glorious. Receiver Stefon Diggs, who caught a 42-yard go on the sport’s first play, was held with no reception within the second half. Rookie Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed had been excellent at cornerback. — Wealthy Cimini

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

Payments

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

Is the Payments’ run protection a significant concern now? Sure. The Payments had been lacking key gamers on protection — linebacker Matt Milano and security Jordan Poyer — however that is not an excuse for the way the run protection has struggled for a second straight sport. Even when it was clear the Jets would run the soccer on the ultimate drive of the fourth quarter, they continued to select up important beneficial properties. The Payments have allowed the 2 highest speeding totals of the season prior to now two video games (208 yards vs. Packers; 175 vs. Jets). — Alaina Getzenberg

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

Jaguars

What to know: This come-from-behind victory may very well be a turning level for a group attempting to determine methods to play an entire sport. The Jaguars had been both tied or had a lead within the fourth quarter in 5 of their six losses however could not shut the deal. Rallying from a 17-0 first-half deficit and making a defensive stand within the fourth quarter — after lacking a subject objective that may have given them a seven-point lead — can be an enormous confidence enhance for the Jaguars of their subsequent two video games in opposition to the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.

When is QB Trevor Lawrence going to play constant soccer? Lawrence performed one among his greatest video games of the season one week after enjoying one among his worst, which included throwing one other interception ultimately zone. Coach Doug Pederson has stated he’ll make Lawrence work by means of the ups and downs of his struggles. Giving Lawrence fast throws to get him in a rhythm helps, however Pederson stated 12 months 2 in his system will make a giant distinction. — Mike DiRocco

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

Raiders

What to know: Good issues occur for the Raiders’ offense when broad receiver Davante Adams is focused early and infrequently. Adams, who had one catch for 3 yards in a shutout loss at New Orleans final week, introduced his presence with authority early in Jacksonville. Adams, who was coping with an sickness the earlier week, made the Jaguars’ secondary pay with a season-high 143 receiving yards — on 9 catches — and two touchdowns earlier than halftime. No marvel the Raiders jumped to a 17-0 lead with 10:51 to play within the second quarter.

So why did not the Raiders journey Adams within the second half? Between taking that 17-0 lead and trailing 27-20, Adams had one catch, on eight targets, for 3 yards. It is mystifying how briskly the Raiders went away from the recent hand, it doesn’t matter what sort of unique defenses had been thrown at Adams. As a result of if he is doubled, tripled and/or bracketed, another person is open. Plus, the inevitable defensive collapse did not assist, because it was the third time the Raiders, who fell to 2-6, blew such a lead (20-0 to Arizona and 17-0 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, as he helped information the Eagles to their first 8-0 begin with an ugly-early, good-enough-late win over the Texans. Hurts referred to this as a “enterprise journey,” however these near him knew the return to Houston held particular that means. It wasn’t all the time fairly, however he rose to the second, tossing a pair of landing passes — together with a go-ahead 17-yard strike to A.J. Brown within the third quarter — to maintain the undefeated prepare rolling.

How a lot will DT Jordan Davis‘ absence damage them? The Eagles’ first sport with out Davis, who was simply positioned on injured reserve with a proper excessive ankle sprain, proved problematic for the push protection. Houston’s Dameon Pierce went off for over 100 yards on 27 carries regardless of being the protection’s major focus all week. Davis has been a difference-maker. Getting into the sport, the Eagles allowed 3.9 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, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Texans

What to know: Welcome again, Dameon Pierce. Final week, the rookie working again struggled in opposition to the Titans and completed with 35 yards, his second-lowest complete of the season. However in opposition to the undefeated Eagles, he bounced again with an enormous efficiency that gave the Texans an opportunity to win. He completed with 139 yards speeding and produced a spotlight run of 36 yards that featured defenders bouncing off of him within the second quarter. The Texans’ offense goes as Pierce goes, if he is rolling, they’ve an opportunity.

What’s up with receiver Brandin Cooks? Cooks did not play Thursday evening due to private causes after not being traded on the deadline. Cooks was sad with the truth that he wasn’t traded. The Texans could not discover a deal that labored for them, as groups did not wish to tackle his assured $18 million wage for 2023. Cooks is the Texans’ main receiver with 354 yards and 32 receptions. However he is in the midst of a subpar season by his requirements, averaging 50.6 yards per sport, the second-lowest per-game common of his profession. — DJ Bien-Aime

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

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