40 things we learned in Week 9 of the 2016 NFL season
The 40 things we learned from Week 9 of the NFL season:
1. Pittsburgh fans before the game: Woo hoo! Big Ben Roethlisberger is back.
2. Pittsburgh fans after the game: Damn, Ben, you came back way too soon.
3. Not sure who should be sadder Dak Prescott has found a new BFF in Jason Witten: Opponents or Tony Romo, who used to be Witten’s BFF.
4. Lions QB Matthew Stafford continues to wow. His 27-yard completion to set up the tying field goal was, well, wow.
5. Speaking of that ... hey, Vikings defense, what’s up? We know the offense is struggling but this OT loss is on you.
6. Odell Beckham Jr. gave the Giants the spark they needed with two first-quarter TDs. We’re telling you: Do not go to sleep on this team in the NFC.
7. OK, how many of you picked the Colts when the schedule came out and showed they were playing in Green Bay in November? Yeah, neither did we.
8. Not sure which was funnier: The attempted onside kick by Chris Boswell of the Steelers or the squirrel running onto the field in Green Bay.
9. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce was so, uh, upset he threw his towel at the official — symbolizing he was throwing a flag on them. He was ejected. Kelce post-game: "I can't throw my flag on the ref but he can throw his all day long." At least he kept his sense of humor — we think.
10. Could the Raiders be the antidote to an otherwise dull season? An emerging star at quarterback, an explosive offense and a dancing punter. Yeah, we'll watch that.
11. More on that dancing punter: Marquette King got the prime time showcase he deserved. He mimicked riding a pony and replicated Von Miller's sack dance. Fans loved the moves, and he wasn't flagged. How about lightening up for other celebrations?
12. At this point, we're assuming the officials are contractually obligated to screw up when they're in Seattle on a Monday night. Commiserate with the Packers and Lions, Rex.
13. Redskins CB Josh Norman says he was fined for criticizing officials, but Cam Newton did the same and got a phone call from the commissioner yet no fine. Excellent point.
14. So, Tampa. How is that coaching change working out? Yeah, that’s what we thought when it was made.
15. The Ravens are in first place in the AFC North. Well, all right then.
16. Social media exploded when Cowboys WR Cole Beasley did a TD celebration in Cleveland that many thought mocked LeBron James’ pre-game chalk-on-the-hands ritual. Wrong. This isn’t the first time he has done it. He calls it “Saucy Feet.” Beasley: "Pour the sauce on my hand and put it on the shoes. Saucy feet, man." Got it.
17. Good to see Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham recapturing his Pro Bowl form after last season's gruesome knee injury.
18. The Rams score three points until a TD in the final minute brought them to 10. And Jared Goff remains on the sideline. And Jeff Fisher is 3-5, headed to another 7-9 or 8-8 season. It all makes sense.
19. More Steelers numbers to digest: They were 0-for-their-first-10 on third-down conversions.
20. Nice reunion for Ravens WR Mike Wallce, who played his first four seasons in Pittsburgh: 4 catches for 124 yards and one 95-yard TD.
21. ESPN reported that Chip Kelly will not leave the 49ers for a college gig. Sorry, Niners fans.
22. This is the 10th straight Ravens game decided by a TD or less.
23. The Saints and 49ers combined for 1,057 yards total offense. Whoa.
24. Once again, the Chargers make us watch to the end. And that's fine because we could have watched RB Melvin Gordon all night, too.
25. And again we are left to remind you Golden Tate was so far in the doghouse earlier in the season, we almost couldn’t find him. Today, he is the toast of Detroit.
26. Ho-hum: Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi had only 111 yards rushing on Sunday, after back-to-back 200-yard games. Try to pick up your game a little next week, Jay.
27. Eagles rookie QB Carson Wentz became the first this season to throw interceptions on his team's first two possessions. And people were getting hurt jumping off the Wentz Wagon. But he will be OK. We think.
28. The Cowboys can act as cool as they want about the situation, but until the NFL rules on whether RB Ezekiel Elliott violated the personal conduct policy, it is a cloud that hangs over them.
29. The interception Aaron Rodgers threw on Sunday was the first in the last six home games against AFC teams.
30. If the season ended today, three teams from the NFC East would make the playoffs. And the one team in that division that started 3-0 would be the only one out. Yeah, we’re looking at you, Philly.
31. Marcus Mariota had the rare double-double. He threw a pick-six and had a fumble returned for a touchdown. See, we knew he was special.
32. Every time somebody tries to convince us the Packers are legit, we get a game like Sunday.
33. We wonder if Vikings K Blair Walsh just needs a little time away from the game. And wondering if Vikings management thinks the same thing.
34. The Steelers committed 10 penalties for 84 yards in the first half. And then were flagged for offsides on the second-half kickoff. That about sums up their day.
35. Twenty of the 32 teams are at .500 or below. We should put them all on nationally televised games? Wait, they already are? Never mind.
36. Kind of starting to get the impression the offensive coordinator wasn’t Blake Bortles’ only problem in Jacksonville.
37. Could there be a simmering Nick Foles-Alex Smith controversy in Kansas City? Probably not, but we like to start trouble.
38. Jets fans can relax. Ryan Fitzpatrick will start next week, according to coach Todd Bowles. We know that makes you feel better.
39. Seahawks at Patriots next Sunday. We’re sure Pete Carroll is looking forward to reliving that Super Bowl play all week.
40. OK, don’t forget to vote on Tuesday. #psa
PHOTOS: Best of NFL Week 9