It’s already week nine of the NFL schedule, which means we’re right near the actual midway point of the season. After the last several weeks saw a slew of close games, this week saw a bit more variation in the final margin of games. Week six saw nine games decided by eight points or less, week seven saw a half-dozen games decided by six points or less and week eight was similar with six games decided by seven points or less.

On Sunday, we saw just six games decided by eight points or less. On the flip side, there were seven games decided by at least 10 points and six by 14 or more. This marked the final Sunday of the season ahead of the trade deadline, which is Tuesday at 4 pm ET. Let’s take a look at what went down across the league.

Cincinnati vs. Atlanta (in Madrid): Traveling across the Atlantic didn’t seem to impact the Bengals’ offense any as they doubled up the Falcons to improve to 6-2 on the year. Another big game for Joe Burrow, who was 24 of 29 for 271 yards and three scores. He added seven yards and a score on the ground. Chase Brown had the advantage in the snap count by a 35-22 margin over Samaje Perine but had just one more touch (nine carries, three receptions, 75 total yards to 11 carries, 43 yards) in the game. Another big game from Ja’Marr Chase (10 catches, 165 yards, TD) but Tee Higgins (five catches, 32 yards) and tight end Mike Gesicki (two catches, 11 yards) were disappointing. For the Falcons, Bijan Robinson turned in another solid game in a losing effort. He had 100 yards and a score on the ground plus six catches for 47 yards. Michael Penix Jr. was pedestrian (20 of 31, 162 yards, TD, INT) throwing the ball but he did add 50 yards on the ground. That could help make him more dangerous going forward, which is important in a watered-down NFC South.

Dallas at Indianapolis: In a battle of underachieving teams, the Cowboys nearly choked away another fourth quarter advantage before pulling out the win in the final two minutes. Dallas was without George Pickens but the offense didn’t miss a beat in the contest. Dak Prescott threw for 335 yards and two scores while the run game did damage as well. Javonte Williams had 101 yards and a score on the ground, with that coming with just 1:08 remaining, while Tyler Goodson added 77 yards. CeeDee Lamb reeled in 10 balls for 195 yards and a score. Despite a 508-271 advantage in total offense, the Cowboys saw a 10-point second half lead vanish before their late rally. Another dud showing for Jonathan Taylor, who had 13 carries for 46 yards and added five catches for 18 yards. He also lost a fumble. Seth McGowan (six carries, 45 yards, TD) saw 20 snaps to Taylor’s 44. He may well be the starter next week as Taylor sounded like a guy who expects to have played his final down with the franchise postgame.

New York Jets at Kansas City: Another day, another disappointing showing for the Jets as Aaron Glenn’s seat gets warmer with each loss. With no Garrett Wilson, the Jets’ passing attack was pedestrian. Geno Smith was just 18 of 32 for 165 yards and was sacked five times. Omar Cooper Jr. caught eight balls for 58 yards but it was a horrific day for you Adonai Mitchell owners. He was targeted seven times and caught as many balls as you did. That would be none. Breece Hall (15 carries, 61 yards, three catches, 26 yards) returned after missing five games though he was outsnapped 37-27 by Braelon Allen (eight carries, 33 yards, two catches, 21 yards) in the game. Huge showing for David Bailey, who had nine tackles, three TFL, two sacks and two forced fumbles. For the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes threw for 242 yards and two scores while shaking off what looked like it could have been an elbow injury. Kenneth Walker ran for 102 yards and a score while adding four catches for 41 yards and two scores. Emmitt Johnson got some work with six carries for 34 yards. Xavier Worthy had six catches for 49 yards but left the game with a hamstring injury. You have to think that Brett Veach is kicking the tires on trying to bring a receiver in ahead of the deadline. This injury might increase the urgency.

Detroit at Miami: For a game where we expected a one-sided contest and a good amount of offense, we didn’t really get it. The teams combined for seven field goals and there was just one touchdown in the contest. Neither side cracked 300 yards of total offense as Detroit held a 270-228 advantage. Jared Goff didn’t throw a TD pass and was picked once. Jahmyr Gibbs had 20 carries for just 74 yards though he did have the lone touchdown. In the passing game, Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight catches for 86 yards. Meanwhile, everyone else combined had 10 catches for 95 yards. Miami’s biggest play came on a fake punt when Bradley Pinion connected with Kaytron Allen for a 46-yard pass. Ollie Gordon II was limited to 55 yards on 16 carries. Caleb Douglas had a decent game with six catches for 70 yards but this Miami offense is a wasteland.

Cleveland at New Orleans: This game was about as exciting as watching paint dry for the first 54 minutes and then all hell broke loose. The score was 6-6 with under six minutes to go before we saw four scores in the final 5:38 of regulation, including two scores in the final 58 seconds, to send the game to overtime tied at 16. In overtime, New Orleans went down the field and scored on a 15-yard TD pass from Tyler Shough to Juwan Johnson and they kicked the extra point. With a minute to go, Shedeur Sanders hooked up with Harold Fannin Jr. on a 39-yard score but the Browns went for two. Sanders’ pass to Denzel Boston was incomplete and the Saints picked up the win. Sanders threw for 297 yards and two scores while adding 28 yards on the ground. Boston had six catches for 98 yards while KC Concepcion had four for 85 and a score, his first career NFL TD. Tyler Shough threw for 265 yards and a score while adding 51 yards on the ground. Nice game for Audric Estime, who Cleveland cut loose last week, as he had 15 carries for 72 yards and a score. After the Saints cut Kendre Miller this week, they had to be like Lionel Richie and “Dancing on the Ceiling” after seeing someone look competent on the ground. Of course, Travis Etienne is due back from IR soon, so his time in the sun may be short-lived. Jordyn Tyson finally made his NFL debut, catching four balls for 30 yards, and lost a fumble. It seems that maybe the latest edition of the Kardiac Kids may have konked out.

New York Giants at Philadelphia: To give you an idea of how long it’s been since the Giants last won in the City of Brotherly Love, neither team scored an offensive touchdown and the starting quarterbacks were Eli Manning and Michael Vick. Josh Brown kicked five field goals for the Giants in a 15-7 victory on October 27, 2013. This game probably set football back a few years with the lack of offensive execution. Devin Singletary ran 21 times…for 31 yards. Not to be outdone, Saquon Barkley had 13 carries for 22 yards and a score against his former team. Jameis Winston, who came in when JJ McCarthy was out with a hip injury, threw the lone touchdown pass, a five-yard strike to tight end Isaiah Likely. Joe Milton made his first start of the season for the Eagles, going 18 of 34 for 169 yards and added 64 yards on the ground as the game’s leading rusher. He also was sacked seven times, three by Arvell Reese. The MVP of the game? Dominic Zvada, who hit field goals from 53, 49, 38 and 49 yards. It was his Mark Moseley moment and at 5-2-1, the Giants are the lone team in the NFC East with a winning record.

Los Angeles Rams at Washington: In a game that was tight the whole way, the Rams broke a 13-13 tie early in the fourth quarter on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua. Neither team led by more than seven in the contest and give the Commanders credit for hanging in for the contest. However, you don’t get anything in the standings for moral victories. Interesting thing for the Rams is that the running back spot is becoming more of a timeshare each week. Kyren Williams owned a 48-27 advantage in snaps over Blake Corum. Williams had 15 carries for 45 yards and three catches for 16 yards. Corum had 11 carries for 58 yards and a score, marking the fourth straight game he’s had at least 11 touches and his fifth straight with a touchdown. Puka Nacua continued to be a one-man wrecking crew as he caught 14 passes for 150 yards and a score. Myles Garrett had three sacks and forced a fumble in the contest. Jayden Daniels threw for 274 yards and a score while Van Jefferson (five catches, 58 yards, TD) and Chig Okonkwo (six grabs, 57 yards) were the top pass catchers. Stefon Diggs (three catches, 51 yards) and Antonio Williams (three receptions, 25 yards) were uninspiring.

Denver at Carolina: Bo Nix had another one of those games where he played mediocre football for three quarters before suddenly finding himself in the fourth. The Broncos had their fifth fourth-quarter comeback win of the season in this one but it’s something they have to clean up sooner rather than later. One can ill afford to play with fire like this in the postseason. A key turning point in the game was a challenge on what was originally ruled an incomplete pass by Bryce Young. After review, it was ruled an interception and Denver proceeded to go 80 yards, capped by a nine-yard TD run by Jonah Coleman, to give the Broncos a 19-14 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Coleman dominated snaps at the running back spot, 58-11, over J.K. Dobbins. Coleman had 17 carries for 57 yards plus a score while adding four catches for 31 yards. Pat Bryant had four catches for 56 yards and a score in his return from IR while Jaylen Waddle (catch, 22 yards) left the game and was being evaluated for a concussion. Young threw for 276 yards and three scores plus that critical pick after two dud performances. Darren Waller caught eight balls for 90 yards and a score as he had a good showing.

Houston at Los Angeles Chargers: Houston came out of the bye with a vengeance as they dropped the hammer on the lowly Chargers. Leading 10-9 with five minutes to play in the first half, the Texans ripped off 28 unanswered points and never let Los Angeles back in the mix. C.J. Stroud torched the Chargers’ beaten up secondary to the tune of 384 yards and a career-high tying five touchdown passes. Kayshon Boutte (four catches, 125 yards, two TD) and Tank Dell (four catches, 105 yards, TD) had big games in the passing game. Another rough outing for Justin Herbert, who was 13 of 23 passing for 193 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked eight times with Will Anderson Jr., Jadeveon Clowney and Sheldon Rankins each recording two. Meanwhile, the three-headed run game for the Chargers continued to be without resolution. Omarion Hampton (13 carries, 60 yards) had 29 snaps while Kimani Vidal (seven carries, 30 yards, catch, six yards) had 28 and Keaton Mitchell (seven carries, 33 yards, three catches, 34 yards) had 18. The Chargers are 0-8 on the year now. What happens first, Mike McDaniel gets fired, Jim Harbaugh gets fired, Justin Herbert gets benched or Willie Beamen leads the Albuquerque Aztecs to a Pantheon Cup title?

Green Bay at New England: Green Bay took control of the game early and had New England playing from behind the rest of the way. Jordan Love had a massive day, hitting 23 of 29 passes for 372 yards and three scores while adding a 13-yard score on the ground. In what was a deviation from the last couple weeks, it was Pierre Strong Jr. (eight carries, 22 yards, two catches, 11 yards) leading the running back room with 30 snaps. Kaleb Johnson (14 carries, 68 yards, TD) saw 26 snaps while Josh Jacobs (four carries, five yards played 10 snaps and suffered a fractured finger. Christian Watson (seven catches, 171 yards, TD) and Matthew Golden (10 grabs, 164 yards, TD) both had massive showings. For the Patriots, don’t be fooled by Drake Maye’s 299 yards and three scores. He threw three meatball subs with extra sauce, including one on the second play of the game, and was sacked four times. Rhamondre Stevenson had six carries for 32 yards, caught three passes for 46 yards and a score, and lost a fumble before leaving with a knee injury. If he can’t go next week in Munich against the Lions, with TreVeyon Henderson still not practicing, it would be Corey Kiner (eight carries, 55 yards, TD) as the lead back. DeMario Douglas (five catches, 102 yards) had a good showing for the Patriots as the top option with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs sidelined.

Las Vegas at San Francisco: San Francisco jumped in front early and then battered the Raiders in submission with takeaways in the second half to roll to 7-1 on the year. For the Raiders, Ashton Jeanty regained the snap advantage by a 32-17 margin over Mike Washington Jr., but neither guy did anything to write home about. Jeanty had six carries for 25 yards and in what has to be considered impressive, finished with five catches…for NEGATIVE five yards. Washington Jr. ended up with six carries for negative three yards. Another good game for Brock Bowers, who had seven catches for 111 yards and a score. Not a great game for Kirko Chainz, who finished with 216 yards, a score and three interceptions. San Francisco ran for 190 yards with Kaelon Black (11 carries, 70 yards) and Christian McCaffrey (18 carries, 68 yards, TD) leading the way. Brock Purdy threw for 232 yards and two scores, ran for 40 and another, and led the 49ers to an easy win. Give props to Jordan Watkins, who had four catches for 86 yards and a score. The 49ers defense forced five turnovers, including a pick-six by Jaden Dugger.

Arizona at Seattle: Well, Minshewmania lasted all of a week before reality set back in and the calls for Carson Beck may get louder. The Cardinals were unable to generate much in the way of offense in the contest. Minshew II was 21 of 30 passing for 166 yards in the contest. Meanwhile, Tyler Allgeier, who ran all over Dallas in the second half last week, finished with 17 carries for 46 yards. In the passing game, the Cardinals still got production from Michael Wilson (six catches, 60 yards) and Trey McBride (seven grabs, 54 yards) in the game. Seattle didn’t have a big offensive showing but the throwback to the Legion of Boom defense, at least for one week, carried the day. Drew Lock was a solid game manager, going 19 of 28 for 175 yards and a score. Tight end A.J. Barner ran for one score and caught one, becoming the first Seahawk to do that since Chris Carson in 2019. Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught seven passes for just 51 yards but did crack the 1,000-yard mark for the third straight season. Lock suffered an oblique injury in the contest and his status going forward is unclear. If Lock and Sam Darnold (quad) are both out, Jalen Milroe would be the next man up.

Tampa Bay at Chicago: Early on, it looked like Chicago was going to run away with this game. The Bears led 14-0 after one quarter, 17-3 in the second quarter and 24-13 after three quarters. Tampa Bay rallied to tie the game at 24 with 2:51 remaining only to see Chicago go 49 yards in eight plays to set up Cairo Santos’ winning 38-yard field goal as time expired. That was set up by a blown coverage by Tampa Bay, setting up a 36-yard pass to Colston Loveland. Bucky Irving had 20 carries for 97 yards and two scores for the Buccaneers while adding four catches for 28 yards. Baker Mayfield threw for 243 yards and two picks though he did run for the game-tying two-point conversion. Caleb Williams threw for 279 yards with two scores but also threw four picks in a game for the first time in his career. Luther Burden III had seven catches for 97 yards and a score, though he did have a critical fumble late in the fourth quarter that led to the tying touchdown for Tampa Bay. The Bears’ run game was shut down as D’Andre Swift had just 31 yards on 12 carries. Meanwhile, Salvon Ahmed had five carries for 25 yards.

As far as the Monday night contest between the Bills and the Vikings go, this is a clash where we have the best offense in the league against the league’s best defense. Josh Allen is familiar with the style of defense that Brian Flores likes to run from his three-year stint as head coach of the Dolphins from 2019-21. In those games, Allen was 6-0 and threw for 1,525 yards with 16 touchdowns and two interceptions. In addition, he added 200 yards and two scores on the ground. Minnesota has a great defense but their offense struggles. Allen takes care of business and Carson Wentz can’t keep up. Buffalo wins this one 24-14.

--Chris Kubala