Here is your NFL Week 9 Preview
Thursday, Oct. 31
8:20pm ET on FOX in Select Markets
San Francisco 49ers (7-0) vs Arizona Cardinals (3-4-1)
San Francisco RB Tevin Coleman ran just 11 times for an impressive though not Earth-shattering 105 yards, but still managed to find the end zone four times to lead San Francisco to a 51-13 dismantling of the Panthers. Coleman’s running mate, Matt Breida, left the game with a bum ankle and may not play this week. At 7-0, the Niners remain the NFC’s only undefeated team and their +130 point differential is second only to the Patriots. The Cardinals were the victims of Drew Brees’ return, as the Birds fell 31-9. Rookie QB Kyler Murray struggled, hitting on just 19 of 33 for 220 yards and no touchdowns. The Arizona defense is currently last in the league in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns allowed. Look for the Niners to stay undefeated.
Sunday, Nov. 3
1pm ET on FOX in Select Markets
Washington Redskins (1-7) vs Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Case Keenum’s return in Minnesota was cut short as the Washington QB was knocked out of last week’s game with a concussion. It was early in the third quarter, with Washington already trailing 13-6, so it made little difference. Keenum is in the league’s concussion protocol, but will start if he’s cleared to play this week. Buffalo’s defense gave up a season-high 31 points in their loss to the Eagles last week, as they gave up a season-high 218 yards on the ground. Buffalo should get their act together in time to handle Washington, who is probably the worst team in the NFC.
Minnesota Vikings (6-2) vs Kansas City Chiefs (5-3)
The Vikes gained 400+ yards for the fourth week in a row en route to a 19-9 win over lowly Washington. Kirk Cousins had another fine day, connecting on 23 of 26 for 285 yards and now leads the league in completion percentage at 72.1 percent and yards per attempt with 9.3. The Chiefs have now lost three of four after falling 31-24 to the Packers. Backup QB Matt Moore did well also, completing 24 of 36 for 267 yards and two TDs, but the secondary got picked apart by Aaron Rodgers, who hit on 23 of 33 for 305 and three TDs. Even if Patrick Mahomes makes it back, he’s says he could suit up, coach Andy Reid is preaching caution. The Vikings have a decent chance of stealing a road win with their superior D.
Chicago Bears (3-4) vs Philadelphia Eagles (4-4)
Place kicker Eddy Piniero was wide left with the potential game-winning field goal as time expired, dooming the Bears to a 17-16 loss at the hands of the Chargers. Piniero had earlier hit from 22, 25 and 19 yards in the second quarter to give his team a 9-7 lead, but it was to no avail. Carson Wentz got it done for Philly, completing 17 of 24 for 172 yards and a TD, while Jordan Howard balanced the attack with 96 yards on 23 carries as the Eagles bested the Bills 31-13. If they can get DeSean Jackson healthy, they just might make a run for the postseason.
4pm ET on FOX in Select Markets
Detroit Lions (3-3-1) vs Oakland Raiders (3-4)
The Lions broke a three-game skid by beating the Giants 31-26, surviving a career day from QB Daniel Jones. Matthew Stafford connected on 25 of 32 for 342 yards and three TDs, including two that went for 40+ yards. The Raiders were up 21-13 going into the fourth quarter, but a pair of touchdown passes from DeShaun Watson to Darren Fells did them in. The Raiders lost 27-24, wasting a solid day from Derek Carr, who was 18 for 30 for 285 yards, three TDs and no picks or sacks. But that’s what happens when your defense is bottom five. Take the Lions.
8:20pm ET on NBC in Select Markets
New England Patriots (8-0) vs Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
In their closest game of the season the Pats still won by two touchdowns, beating the Browns 27-13, giving coach Bill Belichick the 300th win of his career. The Pats have also benefited from a weak schedule, with the Bills standing as the only opponent that has more than two wins this season. Things get tricky from here as they face five winning teams in a row. The Ravens were tied 13-13 with Seattle heading into halftime, and then ran off 13 unanswered points capped off by Marlon Humphrey’s 18-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Not only did their defense hold Russell Wilson to a 48.8 percent completion rate, but Lamar Jackson ran for 116 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Jackson now leads the league with 6.9 yards per carry and 12 fumbles (though he has recovered five).
Monday, Nov. 4
8:15pm ET on ESPN
Dallas Cowboys (4-3) vs New York Giants (2-6)
The Cowboys have yet to win a game against a winning team, their biggest victory coming two weeks ago over Philly, 37-10. It was a convincing performance as the defense forced four turnovers and Amari Cooper and Ezekiel Elliot both topped 100 yards. Still, the Cowboys are coming off a bye week and are the only winning team in the league’s weakest division. The G-men have dropped four in a row, losing to Detroit 31-26, though it wasn’t that close, as they scored a meaningless TD with a 1:23 to play. It was a waste of a great day from rookie QB Daniel Jones, who completed 28 of 41 for 322 yards, four TDs and zero picks. What’s amazing is that they managed to lose despite besting the Lions in first downs, rushing yards, yards per carry, completions, sacks, turnovers, penalties, penalty yards, third-down conversions and time of possession.
Stats courtesy Pro-Football-Reference.com
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