NFL Week Nine Review: Week Nine Delivers on Promise

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It was yet another week of delight and devastation across NFL fanbases. The prospect of the re-emergence of the Patriots under the brilliant Mike Vrabel, with six wins in a row, has made headlines across the newsboards. The Dolphins “parted ways” with GM Chris Grier in a bid to revitalise their season’s trajectory. This week’s schedule precedes the trade deadline, so plenty of online forums, chat groups and in-stadium talk pre- and post-game break downs included trade rumours and speculation. This week we review the return of Lamar Jackson, the Steelers’ defensive resurgence and wonder if the Bills’ regular season win over the Chiefs suggests a post-season win may FINALLY be on the cards!

Ravens Return to Form
The “MVP!” chants filled the Miami air with Lamar Jackson’s stellar return this week! His 204 passing yards and four passing TDs brought a breath of fresh air to this Ravens performance. The Ravens have missed him since his hamstring issue: and with two wins on the bounce, the Steelers will be looking over their shoulder nervously. The return of Jacskon also liberated Derrick Henry, who completed 119 yards from 19 carries. Alas, all progress is progress! The Dolphins are struggling in a midseason quagmire: epitomised by Mike McDaniel’s reaction to Tackle Larry Broom’s false start. McDaniel looked incandescent with rage as the flags flew and the Dolphins lost five yards. Dolphins’ GM Chris Grier was fired the morning after the loss to the Ravens: ahead of the trade window’s conclusion. Will we see players pushing for movies from Miami, even though McDaniel has been assured he will finish the season?
Ravens 28 Dolphins 6

Steelers Dents Colts Hopes
On Alumni night at Acrisure Stadium, the Steelers defense decided to turn back the clock in the presence of past Superbowl winners: with five sacks and eighteen QB pressures on Daniel “Indiana” Jones. The Steelers held MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor to 45 yards of carries and registered six total takeaways. Jones had registered just three in the previous fixtures this season. TJ Watt and Payton Wilson secured two consecutive turnovers from Colt possessions for fourteen points. Not for the first time this season, the Steelers defense helped the offense out, who struggled with just 225 yards achieved over the course of this game. Jones threw three interceptions and was unable to recover from the intensity of the Steelers pressure during the first half.
Steelers 27 Colts 20

Bills Best Chiefs …Again … In Regular Season
A battered and bruised Bills defense will be celebrated for a short period during this week in Buffalo. The three sacks do not tell the story of their impact, but the less than 50% of pass completion rate by Patrick Mahomes does! (The first time in his storied career) Josh Allen, on the other hand, completed 23 passes of 26 for 265 yards and looked his usual composed self. James Cook became the first running back to carry for over 100 yards against the Chiefs in twenty seven matches: thus suggesting THIS year could see a swap in fortunes for New York’s sole franchise. The celebrations will be muted given the Bills previous victories over the Chiefs in the regular season and eventual losses in the post-season, but given the depth of talent shown by defensive reserves, the possibility of a post-season win is carried, given the Chiefs defensive fragilities.
Bills 28 Chiefs 21

And so another tantalising week concludes and we are absolutely none the wiser as to who is in contention! How will the Colts recover? Can the Patriots remain consistent? Are the Ravens reborn? Do the Steelers have the roster depth to remain a challenger? How will the Bucs and Eagles perform on their return from their respective Byes? All we can do is sit back, watch and enjoy Week Ten!