By Matthew DelDonna, PSO Director of Football Development
Nov 09, 2020

NFL Week 9 gave viewers a look into the future with a thrilling battle between future star QBs Kyler Murray and rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa, who made his second career start Sunday in brilliant fashion. An unexpected thriller in Dallas took place with a matchup of the undefeated Steelers going against a Cowboys team that hung on until the very end despite starting their fourth QB this season. Several other exciting games included a shootout in Jacksonville, another Chargers heartbreak, an unexpected blowout in what may have been the final Brady vs. Brees matchup ever, and much more.

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Key Fact: Kyler Murray is the only QB ever w/ 2,000+ PASS YDS & 500+ RUSH YDS through 8 games of a season.

Best Highlights:

  • Sanders hit this 50-yd FG to put MIA up for good

  • Tua delivered on this game-tying PASS TD

  • Madden-like moves from the QBs

  • Kyler’s connection with Kirk is strong

  • Cardinals TE man-handled it away from Miami

  • Another Miami scoop n’ score

Most Valuable Intel: Tua and K1 are going to give fans plenty of entertaining games to watch in the 2020s

Kyler Murray dazzled once again on the field, and Tua Tagovailoa looked like a seasoned vet in his second career start, akin to what football fans saw from him when he was leading the Alabama Crimson Tide. It truly was a thing of beauty to watch these QBs face off against each other, and the best part about it was the anticipation it gave viewers for their futures in the NFL. Each of these highly-regarded prospects could eventually become two of the best in the business, and are already showing signs of playing among the most entertaining players in the league. 

Final Results: MIA (+210) d. @ARI (-250) 34-31 [MIA +6 | o49]

Key Fact: Ben Roethlisberger now owns the record for most career seasons (17) without playing on a sub-.500 team in NFL history.

Best Highlights:

  • Minkah Fitzpatrick is a certified ball hawk

  • Eric Ebron hurdled his way to the GW-TD

  • CeeDee’s big night wasn’t enough to overcome PIT

  • DAL pulls out the trickery on the kick-off return

  • Boswell set a franchise record with a 59-yd FG

Most Valuable Intel: The Cowboys FINALLY found a QB that can keep them in games 

Even though the Cowboys suffered another loss, they were at least competitive and hung tight with one of the best teams in the NFL. It’s certainly not an ideal situation for them after Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury, but a LOT better than what they’ve had to endure over the last few weeks. Zeke finally seemed to have found a rhythm that he’s been in search of over the last few weeks, and if he and Gilbert can continue to improve on their performances from today, DAL might actually win a few more games this year and somewhat salvage an extremely disappointing season. 

Final Results: PIT (-825) d. @DAL (+605) 24-19 [DAL +14 | u44]

Key Fact: Jake Luton is the 1st player since 1950 w/ 300+ PASS YDS, 25+ CMP, & 1+ RUSH TD in his 1st career start.

Best Highlights:

  • Luton throws 73-yd TD bomb for 1st career CMP

  • Rook hit the B button on this impressive comeback attempt 

  • Fuller was off to the races on this 77-yd score

  • Cooks broke free for the 57-yd TD 

  • Watson hit the bullseye on this throw

  • Watt got his 100th career sack on a FF

Most Valuable Intel: JAX might have to consider a QB change

With Gardner Minshew out, Jake Luton started on Sunday against the Texans and had a surprisingly strong performance. While it was just one performance against a mediocre HOU defense, starting him going forward isn’t totally out of the question based on how JAX’s season has gone thus far with a current 7-game losing streak. JAX is in a rebuilding year, so now would be a good time for experimentation to figure out if their franchise signal-caller is currently on the roster.

Final Results: HOU (-310) d. @JAX (+260) 27-25 [JAX +7 | o49]

Key Fact: Justin Herbert has passed Cam Newton for the most PASS YDS (2,146) by a QB in his 1st 7 career games.

Best Highlights:

  • Chargers fall just short once again

  • Carr was dropping dimes all day

  • Herbert stays launching airstrikes

  • Williams just barely kept his toes in-bounds

Most Valuable Intel: LA Chargers are a good team that just can’t win games

Yet another lead slipped away from the Chargers’ grasp as it has apparently become part of their culture. This bad habit just can’t seem to be shaken by LA, and now the organization will have to take a long look at why the team continues to flop late in games, starting with the head coach. Anthony Lynn will almost certainly be on the hot seat after this week, and if he can’t turn things around soon, it’ll be the end of his tenure with the Chargers.

Final Results: LV (-115) d. @LAC (+105) 31-26 [LV -1 | o52.5]

Key Fact: Patrick Mahomes is the fastest player in NFL history to reach 100 career PASS TD (40 games).

Best Highlights:

  • Amazing effort from Bridgewater to convert 4th down

  • Mahomes became the fastest to 100 career PASS TD

  • All-Pro’s making things happen

  • Mahomes fooled the whole defense on these TDs

  • Charlton pulled off this fake punt to perfection

  • Crazy catch from a wild McCaf

Most Valuable Intel: Patrick Mahomes looks like the MVP favorite once again

It’s been nothing but good things for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense in 2020. Mahomes has been marvelous, setting NFL records along the way, despite the champs barely being able to escape a Panthers team that they should’ve taken down by more than two points. With Mahomes on a historic tear right now, he not only makes KC the team to beat but could also add another MVP trophy to his resume at just 25 years old.

Final Results: @KC (-525) d. CAR (+420) 33-31 [CAR+10 | o51.5]

Key Fact: Buffalo Bills have started a season 7-2 for the 1st time since 1993 when they went to a 4th straight Super Bowl.

Best Highlights:

  • Josh Allen showed he’s still an elite QB 

  • Dropping moon-ball dimes is Wilson’s forté

  • Wilson hit Lockett on a wicked side-arm throw

Most Valuable Intel: A lack of pass rush will be Seattle’s ultimate downfall

So far, both of SEA’s losses have come against teams over .500 and most of its wins are versus sub-.500 teams. The defense is going to be the teams’ biggest question going forward, so far allowing a hefty 27 PPG as stellar offensive play led by Russell Wilson has carried the team to a 6-2 record. Seattle’s defense is bad enough as it is, but it becomes near impossible to win games when Wilson also turns the ball over himself. Even with Jamal Adams back and looking like an All-Pro, the Seahawks D still needs pressure upfront to generate TOs themselves, but they’ve yet to prove to be effective in that regard at all. 

Final Results: @BUF (+147) d. SEA (-167) 44-34 [BUF +3 | o55.5]

Key Fact: Daniel Jones is now 4-0 against Washington in his career and 1-16 against everybody else.

Best Highlights:

  • Late INTs on Alex Smith seal the deal

https://twitter.com/Giants/status/1325543670603517952

  • Smith’s 1st TD since returning went 68 yds to Terry Mac 

  • Everyone tried to go after this fumble

  • Engram laid out to haul in this TD grab

Most Valuable Intel: WAS has a big decision on their hands with major future implications

After Kyle Allen went down with what looked to be as severe of an injury as Dak Prescott’s was from earlier this season, WAS now has two QBs it can turn to: Alex Smith or Dwayne Haskins. On one hand, Smith has the experience factor in his favor and is a more proven player, who looked good during most of Sunday’s defeat. However, it may be wiser to put Haskins back in at this point since he can still be the future leader of this team. Additionally, there is still skepticism regarding Smith’s health and durability that calls for serious consideration on whether it’s smart and/or safe to have him behind center on a weekly basis as the risk factor for re-injury greatly increases. Allen’s departure leaves a major question in the nation’s capital.

Final Results: NYG (+140) d. @WAS (-160) 23-20 [NYG +3 | u43.5]

Key Fact: Julio Jones has the most REC YDS (12,763) in NFL history through the 1st 133 career games.

Best Highlights:

  • Ryan dropped a dime to Zaccheaus on this TD

  • Ryan did his best Favre impression on this pass

  • DEN made a late comeback in ATL because it’s ATL

Most Valuable Intel: The Falcons could easily be 6-2 this year

Although the Falcons are essentially out of the playoff hunt, they’re not ready to give up on their season just yet. After pulling out a 34-27 win when it looked like ATL was on its way to blowing yet another lead, the team came through and got its 3rd-straight win after starting 0-6. This certainly is no reason to expect a miracle run for a playoff spot ahead, but it’s worth noting that the Falcons could easily have three more wins if it wasn’t for some historic blown leads.

Final Results: @ATL (-219) d. DEN (+189) 34-27 [ATL -4.5 | o50.5]

Key Fact: Jimmy Graham has tied Harold Carmichael for the 4th most career REC TD (79) by a TE in NFL history.

Best Highlights:

  • A.J. Brown wouldn’t be denied of the end zone

  • Welcome to Tennessee, King

  • CHI pulled off the fake punt

Most Valuable Intel: Tennessee thrives when facing adversity

Dating back to the end of last season, there was much doubt surrounding whether TEN could really do anything once they were in the playoffs against elite teams. It’s now known that TEN took that adversity and turned it into an unprecedented run that almost got them to the Super Bowl. Once again, after starting 5-0, the Titans suffered back-to-back losses and were faced with adversity, especially if they lost three in a row. They clearly take being doubted to heart and bounced back against the Bears with a solid defensive performance. Mike Vrabel and the leadership in place have the Titans able to overcome any adversity thrown at them.  

Final Results: @TEN (-275) d. CHI (+230) 24-17 [TEN -6.5 | u46.5]

Key Fact: Dalvin Cook single-handedly has more total TDs (12) this season than the New York Jets (8).

Best Highlights:

  • Dalvin cookin’ it up once again

  • Jones made a man miss on his way for 6

Most Valuable Intel: Dalvin Cook needs to be the focal point of the offense, not Kirk Cousins

Dalvin Cook is having a season unlike any other RB in NFL history as he’s not only single-handedly outscoring an NFL team (NYJ), but he’s also finding the end zone in every single game he has suited up in, something that hasn’t been done in 25 years since Emmitt Smith. Cook has completely dominated two NFC North opponents in a row and makes it clear that Minnesota needs to run their offense through him, not Kirk Cousins, if they want to win games and be successful. 

Final Results: @MIN (-172) d. DET (+152) 34-20 [MIN -3 | o51.5]

Key Fact: Baltimore Ravens have 31 straight games with 20+ points, the longest streak in NFL history.

Best Highlights:

  • Rivers fell on the Ravens return after Peters FF

  • Wild fumble recovery for Indy in the red zone

Most Valuable Intel: The Colts aren’t among the AFC’s elite

A good test for a team to see if they’re among the best of the best is to play the Baltimore Ravens. The truly premier teams in the league (Ex. Chiefs, Steelers, Titans) will be able to find ways to slow down this remarkable rushing attack and put a W on the scorecard, however, teams that fall short of this championship-caliber designation, typically falter to the almighty Ravens. Baltimore is too big, strong, and elusive to be stopped by a good team. It takes a great team to beat the Lamar Jackson Ravens, and Indy proved they aren’t that even though the defense played well. Baltimore’s defense exposed the Colts for what they are: a playoff contender, not a Super Bowl contender. 

Final Results: BAL (-115) d. @IND (-105) 24-10 [BAL +1 | u47.5]

Key Fact: Tampa Bay only ran the ball 5 times, the fewest carries by any team in a game in NFL history.

Best Highlights:

  • Smith’s toe-tap TD kicked off Saints beatdown in Tampa

  • Sanders fully extended for this TD

  • Saints’ D feasted off TOs

  • Harris slipped out of multiple tackles for a big gain

Most Valuable Intel: Saints are the most dangerous NFC team when healthy

The Saints made a huge statement to the rest of the NFL after dismantling Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in a 38-3 blowout SNF victory. Despite all the high anticipation heading into tonight’s game (Antonio Brown’s TB debut, potentially the last Brady-Brees matchup, Michael Thomas’ return), it failed to live up to the hype by a long shot. This game did prove to Saints doubters however that they are still a force to be reckoned with, especially when NO has their best player healthy and no major injuries slowing them down. Riding a 5-game winning streak, NOLA gained control of the NFC South and completed the season sweep of Brady’s Bucs. With the holes Green Bay & Seattle have on defense, New Orleans can be considered the favorite in the NFC as long as they stay healthy. 

Final Results: NO (+158) d. @TB (-178) 38-3 [NO +3 | u51]

Key Fact: Aaron Rodgers has the 4th most career games (27) of 4+ PASS TD  of all-time.

Best Highlights:

  • Rodgers + Adams = Automatic

  • MVS left all alone on 52-yd TD bomb

  • A career game from Richie James

Most Valuable Intel: Davante Adams has a case for the #1 WR in the NFL right now when healthy 

For the last few years, when Davante Adams is healthy, there isn’t much opposing defenses can do to stop him. That trend has continued into 2020 as Adams has a league-leading eight REC TD despite only playing in six games so far. It’s no question that he is ultimately the biggest difference-maker on this offense outside of Aaron Rodgers, totaling a whopping 422 REC YDS and 6 TD over the last 3 games. 

Allen Lazard’s absence during that span certainly contributed to more targets being thrown in Adams’ direction, but regardless he has been the Packers’ greatest asset on passing downs since his explosive 2018 season where he was just one catch short of breaking Sterling Sharpe’s team-record of 112 REC set in 1993. With a rather soft schedule ahead, expect Adams to continue having dominant performances barring any setbacks to his health and solidify his spot as fantasy football’s premier WR1.

Final Results: GB (-260) d. @SF (+220) 34-17 [GB -5.5 | o48.5]

Key Fact: New York Jets have started a season 0-9 for the 1st time in franchise history

Best Highlights:

  • Pats survived a scare after Folk’s GW FG

  • Cam made a Superman play on this one

  • Vintage Flacco was tossing dimes all night

  • Byrd made moves to get deep into NYJ teritory

  • Jackson’s pick set up NE’s game-tying drive

  • Meyers had a bday to remember (169 YDS)

Most Valuable Intel: Jakobi Meyers could be emerging as NE’s WR1

Outside of Julian Edelman, the Patriots’ WR corps is one of the youngest groups in the league and lacks a true WR1. Slot WR Edelman isn’t getting any younger, and with him now back on the injury list after being placed on IR, NE might move on from him soon as his current contract is set to end in 2021. The most likely wideout currently on the roster to take over his spot as the Patriots go-to wide receiver would be Jakobi Meyers, who proved tonight that he is more than capable of such with a breakout performance (12 REC, 169 YDS). While it’s certainly still too early to deem him the Pats’ next star receiver, his potential is promising, especially as a 2019 UDFA.

Final Results: NE (-430) d. @NYJ (+350) 30-27 [NYJ +9.5 | o42]

Full game highlights of every NFL Week 9 game will be posted here once they conclude.

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