Week 9 Thoughts
The Lions can win anywhere in any way
Entering Week 9, the Packers defense was #1 in takeaways generated and the Lions were #2. So one of the key factors in this game would be who could protect the ball and avoid the big mistake.
The Lions didn’t turn it over once. The Packers, on the other hand, turned it over before the end of the first half with a terrible interception by Jordan Love that was returned for a touchdown. That ended up being a turning point in the game.
Detroit can win in so many different ways, which is the mark of a championship team. For instance, from Weeks 4-7, Jared Goff threw for 295 yards per game with 7 TDs and 0 INTs. Last week, he threw for just 85 yards, but the Lions still scored 52 points. This week, he threw for just 145. It didn’t stop the Lions from taking it to the Packers in the rain in Lambeau. They got it done with a persistent run game (32 carries, 124 yards, 1 TD), a couple of big 4th-down conversions that led to touchdowns, and of course that pick-6.
The Ravens offense is the most complete in the NFL
One of the other teams that can beat you in multiple ways is the Ravens. And in a game against the Broncos that many thought would be close because of Denver’s defense, Baltimore won in convincing fashion, 41-10.
Derrick Henry rushed for over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. Lamar Jackson completed 16 of 19 passses for 280 yards and 3 TDs. More importantly, he ran the ball just 3 times for 4 yards. Which means the Ravens took it to a very good defense despite Jackson’s legs barely being a factor.
That just tells you how well he’s executing as a passer.
Josh Allen playing smarter under Joe Brady
The Bills completed their season sweep of the Dolphins on Sunday, dropping Miami to 2-6 and all but wrapping up the AFC East. Their closest competition remains the 3-6 Jets, who trail them by 4 games in the standings.
If not for the season Lamar Jackson is having, Josh Allen would be the front-runner for MVP. He has 20 total touchdowns and just 2 interceptions this season, and that’s really the part of his game that has taken significant strides. Allen has been more careful with the football, and it seems like he’s finally realizing that doing so doesn’t prevent him from also being able to make big plays. Because he’s had plenty of those this season.
Is this the formula that can finally beat the Chiefs in January?
The Cowboys aren’t a good football team
If you are terrible at running the ball AND stopping the run, odds are pretty good that you’re a bad football team. And that’s exactly what the Dallas Cowboys are in 2024. Just look at these rushing numbers on both sides of the ball:
Even in today’s NFL, you can’t win like that.
Yes, there have been some key injuries, but that doesn’t excuse away everything with this team. And while the running-the-ball/stopping-the-run component of the game wasn’t necessarily the determining factor in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, there were key moments throughout the afternoon where it was a big problem.
The offseason is going to get here sooner than the Cowboys anticipated if they can’t correct things in a hurry.
Justin Herbert is starting to look like himself
Don’t look now but Justin Herbert and the Chargers passing game are starting to take off. After 4 games of pedestrian production (144.5 yards per game, 6.35 yards per attempt), Herbert has been excellent over his last 4. He’s completed 65.2% of his passes for 286.8 yards per game, 8.69 yards per attempt, with 5 TDs, 0 INTs, and a 105.2 rating.
The Chargers had the #1 scoring defense in the NFL entering Week 9. If they can start lighting up the scoreboard with a dangerous passing game, they can make some noise in the AFC.