NFL Week 9 preview

Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NFL NETWORK)

OK, so this isn't one of the big matchups. I'm sure the NFL thought that Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Derek Carr and Jon Gruden would be great theater, but Garoppolo is out for the year, Carr has, depending on who you talk to, lost the support of some of his Raiders' teammates, and Gruden's first season has only been successful if being arguably the worst team in the league was his goal going in. This game is a Bay Area race to the bottom, and one gets the sense that the loser might end up happier than the winner. The Raiders, in particular, seem to have more to gain by losing, as their Khalil Mack trade robbed them of an elite pass rusher and disruptive force, and Nick Bosa and Houston's Ed Oliver could both offer instant help in that area as potential top overall picks. This one is appointment viewing only if you really, really like professional football or enjoy watching train wrecks in progress.

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Four weeks ago, the Steelers were reeling at 1-2-1 after a home loss to the Ravens in Week 4, but they've since ripped off three straight wins and gotten healthier during their bye week. Meanwhile, Baltimore has lost three of four since its win over Pittsburgh: a slopfest to the Browns; a one-pointer to the Saints on, of all things, a missed extra point by normally automatic Justin Tucker; and most recently a sound thrashing at the hands of the Panthers. Baltimore traded for Ty Montgomery to try and bolster the running game, after Montgomery and the Packers clearly needed a parting of ways in the wake of his ill-advised kick return against the Rams. Most felt that the Steelers needed help at cornerback, but they did not make any deals and seem at peace with the idea of going with Artie Burns, Coty Sensabaugh and Cam Sutton opposite Joe Haden. One man answering all the questions for Pittsburgh is James Conner, who has been lights out the last three weeks. Le'Veon Bell was great last year on the road in Baltimore. Will Conner mirror that and avenge his anemic Week 4 performance? A loss could cripple the Ravens.

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Things aren't good for the Bills. That probably qualifies as the understatement of the year, but it's still a fitting assessment. Nathan Peterman, who has 13 completions and four interceptions on the year, will get the start for Buffalo. Khalil Mack didn't suit up for the Bears last week, but if he does this time, Buffalo is in big trouble. Chicago ranks in the top 10 in both scoring offense and defense, and Mitch Trubisky is putting up good numbers. The Bears have suffered tough losses to the Patriots and Dolphins but beat the Jets last week and figure to have a strong chance to go 2-2 against the AFC East this season. Jordan Howard gets the bulk of the carries for Chicago, but Tarik Cohen is more of a home run hitter, as evidenced by his 70-yard touchdown catch last week. A win would keep the Bears atop the NFC North no matter what, but a loss would turn the division into even more of a morass than it already is. Unless there's a miracle for the Bills, though, this should be winnable for the visitors.

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

In true Cleveland fashion, Hue Jackson and Todd Haley had a power struggle and neither guy won. The only thing that really matters for Cleveland is Baker Mayfield's development, and whatever environment is most positive for him is by default a good one. The Browns have a talented defense, but Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward can only do so much. Joe Schobert being able to play would be a help for Cleveland, but it's hard to imagine the Browns stopping the Chiefs under any circumstances. Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City are firing on all cylinders, and Kareem Hunt has been a touchdown machine over the last three weeks. The Chiefs have tons of weapons, but they can't afford to take a week off, as New England is looming one game back in the loss column with a head-to-head win to its credit. One good thing for Cleveland is that Kansas City's defense is weak, which means Mayfield might have the opportunity to build some confidence, even if getting a win is going to be a tall order.

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

A Dolphins win would keep an ever-so-slight amount of pressure on the Patriots, but a loss would turn the AFC East into the mediocre slog it is every year. Brock Osweiler will start yet again for Miami, and apparently he has designs on hanging onto the job when Ryan Tannehill's shoulder is fully healed. Tannehill might not be the most inspiring player, but he's quite a bit better than Osweiler. A win here would give the Jets a chance to enter their bye week at 5-5, given that they get the Bills next week. If that happens, New York's remaining schedule will give them a reasonable chance at reaching seven or eight wins. That might not be the best thing for New York, as a higher draft pick would probably be better for the team's long-term development. If you're rooting for AFC East chaos, root for a Dolphins win as well as a Patriots loss to the Packers. That will make things just tight enough that a sprained knee for Tom Brady could shift the balance of power.

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Minnesota couldn't prevail at home in the rematch of the Minneapolis Miracle game, which isn't surprising, given the level at which the Saints have been operating on offense this season. The Vikings still have plenty of opportunities to seize control of the NFC North, and while they need to handle their business here, they do have two cracks at the Bears, who are percentage points ahead in the division at this point. Detroit's running game, which was coming off a 248-yard game against the Dolphins the week before, hit the skids against the Seahawks, notching only 34 yards on the ground, and with Golden Tate traded, the Vikings will key even more on the ground game. Minnesota's rush defense ranks in the top half of the NFL in most categories, so even though Matt Stafford likely wants to get Kerryon Johnson the ball, he might have to do most of the heavy lifting through the air. Speaking of the passing game, one of Minnesota's most interesting subplots concerns Adam Thielen, who leads the NFL with 74 catches and 925 yards, to go along with six touchdowns. Thielen has notched at least 100 yards receiving in all eight games this season, which is an ongoing NFL record. Can he keep it up against Detroit's mediocre pass defense? Probably.

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Adrian Peterson has turned back the clock. Of the seven games he has played, two have been duds, and the other five have ranged from very good to superb. Peterson romped for 149 yards on 26 carries against the Giants last week, and his excellence has been the driving force behind Washington's ball-control, minimal risk offense. The Redskins have leaned on their defense and hoped that their offense won't lose them games — a decidedly old-school approach in what is becoming more and more a new-school NFL. Atlanta was, for a time, the poster child for that new NFL, with weapons all over and the capacity to go off for 40-plus points on any given weekend. Now the Falcons are near the bottom of the league in total defense, and though they've won two in a row, are still not scoring enough to beat good teams. A win over Washington would keep them in the race in the NFC South, but a loss would most likely doom them for the year. Even though Washington should win, it would still surprise some if it did. Alex Smith can prove quite a bit with a command performance here.

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Two teams going in opposite directions meet in this one. The Panthers drilled the Ravens last week, dominating after giving up an opening-drive touchdown. Tampa Bay benched Jameis Winston and went back to Ryan Fitzpatrick, but it's hard to imagine FitzMagic really reappearing for the rest of the season. Carolina's offense is still rounding into form, but slowly coming around. The Panthers haven't seen Fitzpatrick yet this year, but they're doubtless ready for him, and playing at home should help. A win keeps Carolina right where it needs to be in the NFC South, as the Panthers have not yet seen the Saints this season and, therefore, control their own destiny within the division. Christian McCaffrey hasn't been a touchdown machine this year, nor has he managed to make huge plays in the receiving game, but he has emerged as Cam Newton's most consistent weapon, and more importantly, has been enough of a threat to take the pressure off Newton and the rest of the Panthers' weapons. He and the rest of Carolina's offense should have a field day with what has proved to be a putrid Tampa defense.

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Texans have won five in a row after losing three to start the year and in the process have taken control of the AFC South, especially in light of Jacksonville's collapse. Denver has played the Chiefs tough twice this season, and all they have to show for their efforts is an 0-2 record in those games and a 3-5 mark overall. A flip of those two outcomes, and the Broncos would be 5-3, Kansas City would be 5-3 and the AFC West would be very interesting. As it stands, Denver can afford only one more loss before its playoff chances go from "not good" to "borderline impossible." Courtland Sutton should be interesting now that Demaryius Thomas has been traded to the Texans. Speaking of which, one imagines it will be awkward when Thomas is announced as a member of the visiting team in what used to be his home stadium. If I had to guess, I'd predict a big game for Thomas and a bunch of sort of conflicted boos from a crowd accustomed to cheering for him.

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)

Are the Chargers still laying in the weeds? At 5-2, they'd currently be a hard-luck fifth seed in the AFC, only because they're in the same division as the Chiefs. Despite plenty of defections and injuries, Seattle's defense has maintained its high level of play, ranking fourth in the league in points allowed per game as well as fifth in yards allowed. Seattle has, with its defense, as well as Chris Carson at running back, followed the familiar "run the ball, stop the run," formula that has been so successful throughout the years in the NFL. The Seahawks will get one of their sternest tests in the form of Philip Rivers, Melvin Gordon III and the Chargers, who have won four in a row and rank in the top 10 in the league in points scored and yards gained. Los Angeles does need to prove it can beat a better team, however, as the five wins have come against teams with a combined record of 9-28-1. The two losses have come against Kansas City and the Rams, which are a combined 15-1, but a dominant performance on the road against a decent opponent would be a message to the rest of the league.

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

This is the game of the week and possibly the game of the year in the NFL. The undefeated Rams narrowly survived Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, primarily because of a terrible decision by the now-traded Ty Montgomery, and now Jared Goff and Co. will have to go into Drew Brees' building and outscore the Saints. And make no mistake: This will be a game defined by offense, even with Los Angeles' acquisition of Dante Fowler Jr. from Jacksonville. Each team has a plethora of weapons at every position, and while the Rams have a more talented defense, their secondary injuries leave them vulnerable, and the Saints have home-field advantage on their side — no small matter where the Superdome is concerned. The inside track on home field in the NFC playoffs is at stake here, and that could prove to be pivotal, particularly for New Orleans. There's still plenty that could happen, especially in the rugged NFC South, but this game is highly important and should be a treat for fans who love offense.

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)

While the combined records aren't as gaudy as Rams vs. Saints, this would also be a candidate for game of the year. Aaron Rodgers is doubtless smarting after the way the Packers lost to the Rams, and while Tom Brady and the Pats are flying high, they'll likely have to put up a ton of points to win. The chess match between Rodgers and Bill Belichick should be a lot of fun, but Rodgers is the rare player whose gifts are so prodigious that they can outstrip Belichick's maniacal scheming. New England has to win to keep pace with the Chiefs, and a loss would put them at risk of falling behind Pittsburgh in the AFC standings, even though they do have a meeting with Pittsburgh later this year. In case you're wondering about the importance of a top-two seed for the Pats, just know that they've never made it to the Super Bowl under Belichick when they've had to play on Wild Card Weekend. So, no pressure, guys.

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Amari Cooper makes his Dallas debut in this one, and one imagines that no one is happier than Dak Prescott, who could use a true No. 1 target in the passing game. Tennessee is part of the utterly uninspiring AFC South and has lost three in a row. The Titans' offense is perpetually in a state of flux, and its status as third to last in both yards and points reflects that. If the Titans lose and the Texans win, they'll be close to out of the running in the division. But the stakes are just as high for the Cowboys, who lost to division-leading Washington last week and are two games back of the Redskins. The only person happier about Cooper's arrival than Prescott is probably Ezekiel Elliott, who has been excellent despite having defenses keyed up to stop him all year long. If Cooper can keep a safety out of the box, Elliott could start to run wild and make Dallas a completely different team offensively. One imagines that to be the idea the Cowboys had in mind when they made the trade with Oakland. Whether it comes to fruition is another story.