Around the AFC
Jets… back? The Jets finally stopped their losing streak at five games with a 21-13 win over Houston on Thursday night. For a while, it looked like Aaron Rodgers and company might get smothered again, but they got the catch of the year from Garrett Wilson and a late touchdown from Davante Adams. Not a bad recipe, really. The Jets have to get really hot from here and while it may not be likely, a glance at their next six games suggests it’s not impossible, either.
Crown ‘em. While New York tries to turn its season around, the Bills look like they’ve already got the AFC East about wrapped up. Buffalo is 6-2. New York got its third win to open Week 9, but Miami and New England are each stuck on two. One week isn’t going to turn this from a blowout to a tight race, but if there’s any hope of competition, the Dolphins probably need to beat the Bills on the road Sunday.
Famous Jameis. How about Jameis Winston? He threw the game-winner for Cleveland on Sunday against Baltimore and helped the Browns double their win total in the process. Think having him instead of DeShaun Watson under center makes a difference for a relatively talented team? They’ll get a chance at another home upset Sunday against the Chargers.
Around the NFC
Bounce-back Bears? Is there a more brutal way to lose than on a Hail Mary? And one in which one of your defenders is taunting the crowd for several seconds during the play? That’s Chicago’s week after falling to Jayden Daniels and the Commanders on Sunday. They can’t afford that kind of thing in the toughest division in football. Now Caleb Williams and company must attempt to bounce back at 4-4 Arizona. Should be a good one in the desert.
Captain Kirk. The Falcons knocked off Tampa on Sunday to take the lead in the NFC South. Kirk Cousins is third in the NFL in passing yards and all those offensive weapons in Atlanta are making plays. Carolina and New Orleans are horrible, so this is a two-horse race. If the Falcons can notch a home win Sunday against Dallas, they’ll further solidify their lead, especially with all the injuries the Bucs are dealing with.
Fly Eagles. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Philadelphia this year, but they’re 5-2 and hosting the 2-6 Jaguars this weekend. Then, two straight division games against the Cowboys and then a potentially huge Thursday night game Nov. 14 against Washington. It’s the first of two matchups between the teams. The second arrives Dec. 22 and those could go a long way toward determining the NFC East.
Game of the Week
Detroit at Green Bay
One of the best divisional matchups of the season pits the 6-1 Lions and the 6-2 Packers. Detroit’s been an offensive force all season. Green Bay leads the NFL in takeaways and has a diversity of offensive weapons. The biggest question going into this game is, once again, the health of Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who is dealing with a groin issue. If he can’t go, it’ll be up to Malik Willis to try to keep a revelatory year as Green Bay’s No. 2 going. On the other side, Jared Goff is playing terrific football and is in the MVP consideration midway through the year.
Lions 31, Packers 28
Lock of the Week
Washington at New York Giants
These franchises made opposite bets at the quarterback position this spring. The Commanders took Jayden Daniels at No. 2 and the Giants stuck at No. 6 and drafted receiver Malik Nabers, who, to be fair, is blossoming into a terrific player already. Daniels, paired with first-year head coach Dan Quinn, has been an instant franchise changer. It’s remarkable to watch. The Giants, meanwhile, are stumbling toward the end of the Daniel Jones era after the 2024 season. Washington is a 3.5-point road favorite.
Commanders 28, Giants 20
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Upset of the week
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle
The Rams have bounced back from a horrible start to beat Las Vegas and Minnesota the past two weeks. Matthew Stafford threw for four touchdowns against the Vikings and in the wide-open NFC West, that puts Los Angeles right back into the mix. They’re there alongside the Seahawks, of course, who lost to Buffalo last week and now will look to bounce back. The Rams have gotten healthier and they’re not, apparently, trading Cooper Kupp. But 2-point road favorites at Seattle? That’s a tough sell.
Seahawks 24, Rams 23
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