Leading up to Sunday the stories of the week revolved around wide receivers. Starting with the tragic accident involving now-former Las Vegas Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs. Followed by New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas announcing that his recovery has suffered a setback, just after the NFL trade deadline had passed. Finally, Odell Beckham Jr. was released from the Cleveland Browns, after his father had some less than flattering criticism of quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The receivers took away from the other top stories. The return of future hall of fame running back Adrian Peterson, who was signed by the Tennessee Titans after Derrick Henry required surgery on his foot that will shelve him six to ten weeks. Also, the Los Angeles Rams added another big name to their defense, by acquiring Von Miller from the Denver Broncos ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. Here are the takeaways from Week 9.
Don’t Reserve his Bust Just Yet
New York Jets quarterback Mike White, who in his first NFL start last week, played so well Canton requested White’s jersey and game ball from his win over Cincinnati. He also earned both AFC Offensive Player of the Week and FedEx Air Player of the Week. The fanfare took a hit after White suffered a forearm injury early against the Indianapolis Colts. Prior to exiting threw his fifth touchdown of the season, one more than injured No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson had tallied.
Josh Allen Squared
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Allen was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 draft. The latter had a trifecta against the former. Josh Allen recorded a sack, an interception, his first of his career, and recovered a fumble of none other than Josh Allen.
Dawgs Survive in the Jungle
The Cleveland Browns were in Cincinnati to take on their division and interstate rivals the Bengals. The Browns were dealing with behind-the-scenes drama leading up to this game. Meanwhile, the Bengals were coming off an upset loss to the Jets. The Browns played dominating complementary football. Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes. Nick Chubb rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns and the defense intercepted Joe Burrow twice in the 41-16 blowout.
Meanwhile
The Baltimore Ravens, who trailed the visiting Minnesota Vikings 24-10 early in the third quarter, after the second-half kickoff was returned 98 yards for a touchdown by Kene Nwangwu, rallied back to force overtime. A 36 yard Justin Tucker field goal sealed the victory. It’s the third time this season Lamar Jackson and company have overcome a double-digit deficit.
Last Laugh, Again
Stephon Gilmore‘s revenge game against his former team the New England Patriots came in just his second game for his current team the Carolina Panthers, who finally had running back Christian McCaffrey back on the field. Gilmore intercepted Mac Jones early, but the Patriots got the last laugh in the 24-6 victory. J.C. Jackson recorded a pair of interceptions, including a pick-six.
Blowout in Big D
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was back under center after being a late scratch last week. His bevy of weapons were looking to pick up where they left off against the reeling Denver Broncos. The Broncos, who seemed to all but give up on the season after trading Von Miller ahead of the trade deadline, had other intentions. The Broncos won 30-16, with all of the Cowboys’ points coming in the fourth quarter when the game was all but over.
The Real McCoy Rides Again
The Arizona Cardinals were without quarterback Kyler Murray, and wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green in Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. In Murray’s place was 11 year veteran Colt McCoy. McCoy was efficient with the football, going 22-26 for 249 yards and a touchdown. Running back James Conner led the way for the Cardinals accounting for the total touchdowns in the 31-17 win.
Defense Trumps.. well Defense
Sunday night’s matchup lost some of its luster after Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry went down with a fracture in his foot last week. So the anticipated head-to-head with Aaron Donald was not to be. As many expected, this game was decided by the defense, but contrary to those expectations, it was the Titans’ defense rather than the Los Angeles Rams defense that prevailed and shut down the opponents.
The Titans’ defense sacked Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford five times, three of those at the hands of defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. They also recorded two interceptions, which they converted into 14 points, on back-to-back Rams’ snaps, the second was returned for a touchdown by safety Kevin Byard. The 28-16 win was the number one seed in the AFC’s fifth straight.
Move Over Madden
For years the consensus had been that being the cover athlete for the Madden video game has been more curse than a blessing. This season there’s been another curse that has been even more so than that of Madden. The Manningcast features Peyton Manning and Eli Manning analyzing the Monday night game as it happens. The guest list has featured some of the NFL’S best.
For many of those guests, their appearance has been detrimental to their respective teams in their subsequent games. Travis Kelce, Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, and Tom Brady all suffered this fate in past weeks. This week it was Week 8 guest, Josh Allen whose Bills team was upset by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Many may decline an invitation from the Manning’s in the coming weeks.
Classy Move
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love‘s mom has been to all his games since he was redshirting in college. To accommodate her for her son’s first NFL start in place of Aaron Rodgers, the Kansas City Chiefs did their part to oblige her, well sort of. The Chiefs put her in the absolute last row of Arrowhead Stadium, good thing she brought her binoculars.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
