Cheap shots, deep shots, revisionist history, and 50-burgers headline NFL Week 9.
WASHINGTON — There were only two games between teams with winning records in NFL Week 9 — and the results basically showed it.
Lions 30
Packers 17
Brett Hundley is the first Packers QB in 25 years to start a MNF game without the name Favre or Rodgers on the back of his jersey. That — and the Lions playing well enough to go an entire game without punting for the first time since 1971 — is why Detroit has now won two of their last three trips to their Frozen Tundra of Hell.
(AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
AP Photo/Mike Roemer
Raiders 27
Dolphins 24
Two mystifying streaks stay alive for both disappointing teams this season: Miami still has no rushing touchdowns and Oakland still has no interceptions (an NFL-record through nine games). If you can’t run on a lousy Raiders D or pick off Jay Cutler, you’re just not worthy of the playoffs.
(Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images
Redskins 17
Seahawks 14
I don’t know if it was Guns N’ Roses or me pronouncing their season dead , but the Redskins came up with their most inspiring win of the season despite Kirk Cousins being held without a TD. Josh Doctson has made a few big catches this season but he’ll need to be more consistent if he’s going to help save the ‘Skins’ season.
(AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
AP Photo/Stephen Brashear
Chiefs 17
Cowboys 28
Dallas did something no else has done in 2017: Intercepted Alex Smith. But not before the league’s highest rated QB set an NFL record with 287 straight passes without an INT to start the season. Couple that with holding Kareem Hunt to just 61 total yards, and this is the most impressive outing yet for an otherwise shaky Cowboys defense.
(AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
AP Photo/Brandon Wade
Cardinals 20
49ers 10
The 0-and-Niners extended their franchise-worst start by demonstrating more fight at the end of the game than during it: Adrian Peterson made NFL history by toting the rock 37 times (the most ever by a player older than 32 or older) for 159 yards and Drew Stanton actually looked like a decent QB up against C.J. Beathard. So much for that Garoppolo buzz …
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)
AP Photo/Ben Margot
Colts 20
Texans 14
You know why Bill O’Brien was pissed all week ? Because he knows life without Deshaun Watson will look a lot like Sunday.
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Broncos 23
Eagles 51
Hey Denver … if Philly runs a college offense , then you’re running a junior varsity defense.
And I hate to say this … but the Philadelphia Eagles are the team to beat in the NFC. There. I said it.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Rams 51
Giants 17
Jared Goff’s career day (312 yards, 4 TDs) made history: Goff and Carson Wentz became the first #1 and #2 picks from the same draft to each throw for 4 TDs on the same day. You can’t talk about the next generation of franchise QBs without mentioning these two.
And if this isn’t the Giants quitting, I can’t wait to see what is.
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Falcons 17
Panthers 20
Um, Cam? If your 6-3 Panthers are the Titanic you know what comes next , right?
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Bucs 10
Saints 30
New Orleans is the third team in the Super Bowl era to win six straight games following an 0-2 start. The other two — the 1993 Cowboys and 2007 Giants — went on to win the Super Bowl. I’m not ready to bail on my preseason Super Bowl pick but it really is starting to look like the NFC will become a two-horse race between the Eagles and Saints.
Meanwhile, if Tampa hit as many deep shots as cheap shots , their fans wouldn’t be begging for a throwback coach .
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Bengals 7
Jaguars 23
Cincinnati didn’t have Leonard Fournette to worry about but still got gashed for 149 yards and lost by 16. Plus, losing A.J. Green hurts them way worse than it does Jacksonville losing Jalen Ramsey. The Bengals are done and the AFC South is the Jaguars’ to win.
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
Ravens 20
Titans 23
Joe Flacco’s two interceptions were not only the difference in the game (they led to 13 of Tennessee’s 23 points) but they’re part of a season long trend: Flacco has thrown a league-high seven picks on throws of 15 or more yards downfield. I know injuries and a lack of weapons plague this offense but methinks it’s time for Baltimore to start looking for alternative options under center.
(Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Bills 21
Jets 34
I’m sorry … I can’t see these two teams play on a Thursday and not immediately think of the Color Rush Debacle of 2015 .
(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
AP Photo/Kathy Willens