4th & Monday: The surprises just won't stop in NFL's Week 9
The top two picks in the 2016 NFL draft have taken control. At least for a week.
2016's top pick Jared Goff lifted the L.A. Rams to a 51-17 demolition of the New York Giants while No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz pushed the Philadelphia Eagles to 8-1 after a 51-23 win over the top-ranked defense of the Denver Broncos. Each threw four touchdowns in their respective victories.
The Rams are a surprising 6-2 and lead the NFC West, while the Eagles improve to an NFL-best 8-1. The last four times Philadelphia opened seasons 8-1 or better, the team reached the NFL Championship (pre-1966) or Super Bowl. A potential NFC championship preview takes place at the L.A. Coliseum in Week 14.
Like the Rams, the New Orleans Saints are also a surprising 6-2 – this after an 0-2 start to the season – after manhandling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are among the season's biggest disappointments.
The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't need impressive rookie running back Leonard Fournette — who was suspended for Week 9 — to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in a game marred by a nasty brawl. The Jaguars are tied for first atop the AFC South with the Tennessee Titans, who improved to 5-3 after a win over the Baltimore Ravens.
MORE: 40 things we learned in Week 9
THE MUST-SEE MOMENTS YOU MISSED
— Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green and Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey had a short afternoon after being ejected following a nasty fight near the end of the first half.
— The Chiefs executed a touchdown celebration worthy of consideration for best of the this season.
— The Cowboys found out that bad things can happen when you play a prevent defense against the Chiefs' Tyreek Hill. Is this the new "Hail Mary"?
— Once you see Jameis Winston's pregame speech, you'll understand why the Buccaneers came out a little flat against the Saints.
— The Rams converted a third-and-33 situation into a touchdown. That hadn't been done in nearly 30 years.
— Cam Newton had a "slam dunk" touchdown against the Falcons and NBA star (and Panthers fan) Steph Curry had a hilarious reaction.
Meanwhile, Newton himself needs to brush up on his history – specifically regarding the Titanic.
— The staff at Lincoln Financial Field didn't have the firepower to keep up with the Eagles' explosive offense.
— Julio Jones' drop of a would-be TD sums up the kind of month the Falcons have had.
— Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans took exception with Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore shoving his quarterback, so he speared him.
— Former Cowboys QB and current CBS analyst Tony Romo made his first trip to Dallas since retiring, and the Cowboys greeted him with a tribute video.
Giants coach Ben McAdoo was asked what he told his team at halftime as they were trailing 27-10 to the Rams. "Um ... "
— Russell Wilson's second-quarter interception against the Redskins looked eerily similar to his most famous pick.
— Marquise Goodwin's Olympic speed certainly got the attention of Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson.
— Raiders tight end Lee Smith gave the perfect explanation for his personal foul penalty on the Dolphins’ Davon Godchaux.
TOP GALLERIES: Best of Week 9 | Cheerleaders
THE RUNDOWN
Jaguars 23, Bengals 7: Even without star rookie running back Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville was able to win for the third time in four games by holding Cincinnati's offense to just 148 total yards.
Panthers 20, Falcons 17: Cam Newton led a rushing attack that lifted Carolina to its second consecutive win, something that came with the help of Julio Jones' dropped TD reception that could have changed the complexion of the game.
Titans 23, Ravens 20: Marcus Mariota threw two TD passes, including Erick Decker's first score as a member of the Titans, with just under four minutes to play, giving Tennessee the cushion it needed.
Saints 30, Buccaneers 10: Drew Brees was spot on, completing 81.2% of his passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns in New Orleans' sixth consecutive victory.
Rams 51, Giants 17: Jared Goff set career highs with 311 yards and four TD passes, and Todd Gurley rushed for two scores to help L.A. get off to its best start since 2001. The Giants, meanwhile, have matched their worst eight-game start since 1980.
Eagles 51, Broncos 23: There seems to be no stopping Carson Wentz, who threw four TD passes for the second time in three weeks, as Philadelphia's offense steamrolled Denver's top-ranked defense.
Colts 20, Texans 14: Houston had the ball inside the Indianapolis 10-yard-line with less than 20 seconds to play, but the Texans were unable to cash in and the Colts ended a three-game losing streak.
Redskins 17, Seahawks 14: Kirk Cousins' deep pass to Josh Doctson set up Rob Kelley's game-winning 1-yard TD run as Washington sidestepped Russell Wilson's late scoring strike to Doug Baldwin.
Cowboys 28, Chiefs 17: Dak Prescott accounted for three TDs, Ezekiel Elliott rushed for one score and Dallas kept Kansas City's run game in check.
Cardinals 20, 49ers 10: Adrian Peterson went off for 159 rushing yards on a career-high 37 carries and Drew Stanton tossed two TDs to help Arizona even its record at 4-4.
Raiders 27, Dolphins 24: Beast Mode was back from suspension and feasted on the Dolphins, rushing for two TDs in the win.
Jets 34, Bills 21 (Thursday night): Right when that Bills hype train got rolling, it derailed in a bad way in front of a national television audience.
VIDEO: Highlights from Week 9
EYES ON THE (FANTASY) PRIZE
Rams wide receiver Robert Woods was one of the major beneficiaries of Jared Goff's huge game against the Giants. Entering Week 9 with no touchdown catches this season, Woods scored twice on his four receptions and racked up 70 yards.
With Dez Bryant exiting early due to a sprained ankle, Cowboys wideout Terrence Williams was a major force, catching all nine of his targets for 141 yards. Williams hasn't visited the end zone yet this season, but he could get more opportunities — especially if Bryant's ankle injury lingers.
Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green could be facing a suspension after being ejected for throwing punches at Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey. If he has to sit out a game, veteran Brandon LaFell could be in line for more targets next week vs. Tennessee.
Rookie running back Corey Clement of the Eagles may be an attractive pickup after scoring three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in a blowout win. But fantasy owners will have to wait a week to reap any benefit with a Week 10 bye upcoming.
The Buffalo Bills may have traded for Kelvin Benjamin to be their new No. 1 receiver, but his presence could also open things up for everyone else. Deonte Thompson caught seven passes for 81 yards and a touchdown on Thursday night, and rookie Zay Jones caught six balls for 53 yards and his first TD. Both could be sneaky pickups this week for owners in deep leagues.
MORE: Week 9 fantasy football takeaways
INJURY UPDATE
— The Buccaneers turned to veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in the second half against the Saints after starter Jameis Winston suffered a shoulder injury.
— Tampa Bay also lost defensive end William Gholston to a neck injury. Gholston was carted off the field but could be seen moving his hands as he was taken off the field.
— Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant sprained his ankle in the third quarter against the Chiefs and did not return. Dallas coach Jason Garrett is hopeful Bryant will be fine by the end of the week but will have an update Monday.
— Seahawks running back Eddie Lacy was lost in the first quarter against the Redskins due to a groin injury, and his status for Seattle's Thursday night game at Arizona is uncertain.
— The Jaguars suffered a double dose of bad luck when defensive end Dante Fowler (elbow) and left tackle Cam Robinson (ankle) suffered injuries and did not return.
— It was a bye week on the field for the Bears, but they and Zach Miller got a big win when it was announced the Chicago tight end would likely be released from the hospital Monday. Miller suffered a horrific knee injury last week and had to undergo emergency surgery to save his leg from being amputated.
Click here to keep up with all injury news throughout the week.
COMING THIS WEEK
MONDAY: Week 9 concludes with an NFC North battle as the Detroit Lions visit the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
TUESDAY: Paste BN Sports' NFL experts offer their power rankings for all 32 NFL teams after Week 9. Don't agree with our rankings? Speak up! Submit your own rankings to tell us where our experts got it wrong with our NFL FAN Power Rankings.
THURSDAY: Week 10 kicks off Thursday in Glendale as the Arizona Cardinals play host to the Seattle Seahawks (8:25 ET, NBC). Before the game make sure to check out our expert picks for every Week 10 game.