I wish we could just put entire NFL divisions on the bye. Like, just give them a timeout. Send them to their rooms.
I'm done with the AFC South. Give me a week where all four of those teams just sit it out. Then we could follow that with the NFC East. Seen enough of that crew for a while. Spare me.
Of course, it doesn't work that way. So, instead, in a week with fewer games than the norm with a total of six teams on the bye, and only one of those teams coming from the aforementioned divisions, we're left with this. Week 9's Sunday and Monday slate features just two divisional games and not many heavyweight battles.
Yeah, we're a little short on marquee matchups.
What we do have going for us are some potentially massive wild-card tiebreakers where these head-to-head outcomes might end up determining which middling team sneaks into a final postseason spot and which ones are shuffling through their draft position yet again. Meantime, Arizona, Baltimore, Seattle, Houston, Kansas City and Detroit enjoy their mid-season break with the bye.
Drop Everything
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Green Bay Packers (6-1) at Carolina Panthers (7-0)
Sun., Nov. 8, 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX):
Why To Watch: What the hell happened to Aaron Rodgers last week? I know the Denver defense is great and all, but Rodgers throwing for under 100 yards is unfathomable. Holding Green Bay to 46 total plays on offense is just as shocking. Green Bay's offense hasn't looked the same for a while and losing Jordy Nelson looks bigger by the week. Now the Packers have to face one of the most potent defenses in the NFL again, and one that features no shortage of playmakers at linebacker and defensive line. It's a short week for the Panthers after hosting the Colts on Monday night. And this is a game that just might determine the first overall seed in the NFC playoffs and thus the road to the Super Bowl in that conference. Generally, an angry Aaron Rodgers is a very bad thing for the opposition, but in this case he's meeting a quarterback who may be more of an MVP candidate than even he is at this stage of the season, and a team that looks willing to win ugly and just keep willing itself to victories.
What To Watch For: How do the Packers unlock Randall Cobb? I'd expect him to be smothered by top corner Josh Norman here, and with few other targets showing the ability to separate, Rodgers may have to start taking more risks with the ball and trying to throw people open. It's dangerous and runs counter to his approach -- especially around the red zone -- but something has to give … Not sure how long Eddie Lacy will have to turn this around before others like James Starks get a longer look. Comments about his weight and production are troubling … Jared Allen is pretty familiar with this Packers offensive line -- which hasn't been very good. There could be a situation or two for him to alter the course of the game coming off the edge … Newton is in position to take off and go if need be. The Packers have struggled against running quarterbacks and I would anticipate plenty of read-option looks Sunday … At some point the Packers are going to need a big game from a tight end. Not doing more at the trade deadline might haunt them some … The Packers better hope that secondary heals up quickly. Their corners were exposed Sunday night … If Panthers win, Ted Ginn is a part of three plays of 30 yards or more on offense and/or special teams.
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Oakland Raiders (4-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-4)
Sun., Nov. 8, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS):
Why To Watch: For the third straight week the Raiders play what amounts to a wild-card tiebreaker, and after taking care of business with the Chargers and Jets, a win at Pittsburgh would make them definitive front-runners for the top wild-card spot with the second half of the season underway. Questions remain about their ability to close out games, especially on the road, and this will be a big challenge with the Steelers knowing their current three-game home stand will likely dictate the course of their season. It's crazy to think the Raiders are actually the offense that has to be more feared in this game, but given the state of Ben Roethlisberger's knee, the loss of Le'Veon Bell for the season and Pittsburgh's recent woes on that side of the ball, that's precisely the case. You can't help but wonder if Pittsburgh can keep pace with Oakland should this game really open up.
What To Watch For: Big Ben will be better this week, probably much better. He was clearly feeling his way through the game last week and getting a handle on his knee. He was floating balls and not as crisp as normal. I'd expect a lot of that to change this week … Bell's loss cannot be overstated. He is the straw that stirs this drink and this team ran out of gas quickly when he went down late last season. DeAngelo Williams is good in doses but having a 20-carry load might not be who he is at this stage … Derek Carr was harassed by the Bengals Week 1 and then knocked out of the game, but since Week 2 the youngster has a QB rating of 107.5. Only Tom Brady and Carson Palmer have been better. His TD/INT ratio is an astounding 15-3 in those six games (only Brady's 16-1 is better) and he's completing 66 percent of his passes. Big time stuff right there … Can't imagine the Steelers aren't doubling Amari Cooper from the onset, but Michael Crabtree is making opponents scheme against him as well … Injuries to the Steelers offensive line are looking more crippling and I expect to see Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith moved all over the place here.
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Denver Broncos (7-0) at Indianapolis Colts (3-5)
Sun., Nov. 8, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS):
Why To Watch: Peyton Manning turned back the hands of time Sunday night after a brutal first half of the season and tore up the Packers. Now, in what most surely is the final season of his career, he gets to face his old club for what could be the last time (playoffs not withstanding, because someone will win the AFC South; it's mandated). And Manning has a chance to effectively put the curtain down on the regime that began after he and former general manager Bill Polian were shown the door. Andrew Luck, of course, has been looking like the old man lately, with his shoulder and now ribs the center of much consternation and this season looking more like his first in the NFL than his fourth. Fairly delicious subplots, and one can only imagine that Manning carving up the Colts might be just enough to send owner Jim "Two Super Bowls With Luck" Irsay into the kind of rage that could leave not just his offensive coordinator (fired Tuesday) but his head coach looking for work with the bye looming in Week 10. So, yeah, other than that just an average midseason NFL game. Nothing to see here.
What To Watch For: I do expect substantive changes in the offense with Pep Hamilton gone and Rob Chudzinski now calling the shots. There will be more intricate protections and more max protections and more limitations on what Luck can and cannot do on any given play … Denver's run game has to carry the way. As much as Manning's redemption and the fact that suddenly the first six weeks didn't happen seemed to be the definitive narrative of last week's broadcast, the reality is he is limited and he has been struggling mightily and the biggest thing that changed Sunday night was Denver showed intent and acumen running the football and putting Manning into situations where he could do damage. He didn't have to try to carry them. Against this defense I'd expect C.J. Anderson to be given every opportunity to reward fantasy football owners who stuck by him despite a lost first half of the season … Vontae Davis on Demaryius Thomas should be fun. Colts will need to turn Manning over more than once to win this game and he's been throwing his share of picks. Expect jumped routes, especially on sideline throws … Either Von Miller or DeMarcus Ware is coming out of this with three sacks; maybe both of them do … If you do a shot every time the Colts get a holding penalty or procedural penalty on offense you might not make it to the second half … The Colts lack of pass rush, or anything close to it, could doom them here. Manning will feel pressure early if you give an inkling of an ability to get to him. But Indy is fifth-worst in NFL in sacks and only Robert Mathis has flashed any ability to occasionally get home.
The Kids Can Raise Themselves
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St. Louis Rams (4-3) at Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
Sun., Nov. 8, 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX):
Why To Watch: One of these teams could very well be playing January football. The Rams have quietly been one of the best teams in the NFL since Week 3. This team is becoming a tough out, and if Nick Foles can just maintain some semblance of a pulse out there and make a few decent throws a game, the Rams are going to stay in the hunt. The Vikings have similar limitations in the passing game, but like the Rams they have a true feature back and they rely heavily on their defense as well. These two teams are pretty damn similar and their recipes for wins are almost identical. This looks like one of those old fashion games where the team with the most rushing attempts wins. In an era of pass interference flags deciding games, I'm totally cool with this novel concept, by the way.
What To Watch For: I like how the Rams are bringing Todd Gurley through games. They tend to pace him a little more in the first half and then unleash him in the second half. He's averaging 7.1 yards per carry in the second half with nine of his 51 runs going for 10 yards or more. That's obviously a ridiculous percentage. Minnesota has allowed only 14 runs of that length this season. Only Baltimore and Seattle have allowed fewer. Yet three such runs have gone for touchdowns, tied for the highest total in football … The Rams have been stellar against the run -- 3.7 yards per carry, far superior to the Vikings -- and no way will they let Adrian Peterson beat them. Teddy Bridgewater will see plenty of blitz looks from a stacked box and will no doubt be looking for Stefon Diggs for big runs after the catch as his hot read with the pressure coming … Amazing how little the Vikings are getting out of Charles Johnson, Kyle Rudolph and Mike Wallace. None of them is averaging even 42 yards per game receiving, none have more than 26 catches, and Diggs has half of the team's six receiving touchdowns despite just starting to actually get in the offense three weeks ago … The Rams are finally putting all of Tavon Austin's explosiveness to use. Given their limitations on offense, I would love to see them have a week where he gets 10 touches.
Well, It Is Professional Football
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Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) at New York Jets (4-3)
Sun., Nov. 8, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS):
Why To Watch: Things can turn in an instant in this league and the Jets badly need a get-right game here to stop a two-game slide. Ryan Fitzpatrick's ability to grip a ball with his non-throwing hand is their biggest story of the week, and having to start Geno Smith in this game would not be conducive to their chances of winning. The Jets have to get back to establishing themselves at the point of attack and this defense should be plenty fired up after laying an egg at Oakland. This might be a bad time for the Jags to come up against them. Jacksonville is fresh off a bye and surviving the Bills in London. One thing about Gus Bradley's teams in Jacksonville, they haven't been nearly as dreadful in the second half of the season as they have in the first. This is usually when they start to make a nominal move.
What To Watch For: If Fitzpatrick starts, is he altering the way he hands the ball off? The run game is the core of this team and having to deviate a bit to hand it off from different angles can set them back … Chris Ivory has taken a pounding and he has been in and out a bit recently. Is this a game where he can get 20 carries against a porous defense and get himself back on track? … Allen Robinson should get a lot more attention than he does. He's become Blake Bortles' favorite target and he adds a much-needed aspect of versatility to a dull offense … Time for Julius Thomas to step up and start stretching the field and latching on the seam routes for the Jags … This is another game where an opponent should concede its limitations in the run game -- a la New England -- and try to make plays on Antonio Cromartie as much as possible. The Jets pass rush lacks individual brilliance at outside linebacker and Bortles will put up some numbers here, I believe, if he gets to use the pass to try to open up the run … The return of center Nick Mangold would be huge for Jets. It's a different offensive line with him there.
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Miami Dolphins (3-4) at Buffalo Bills (3-4)
Sun., Nov. 8, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS):
Why To Watch: Oh, remember those heady days when Rex Ryan was riding high and sending Richie Incognito out as a team captain as a precursor to pummeling Miami? Think about how much has changed since that Week 3 encounter. Ryan's team has lost three of four games, traded a quarterback who may have been starting (Matt Cassel) and started a quarterback who probably should have been gone (EJ Manuel). His defensive players are also throwing verbal haymakers about his scheme and there is already talk of an offseason shakeup. And in Miami, since that 41-14 loss to the Bills, the Dolphins players got their wish. The mutiny of coordinator Kevin Coyle and head coach Joe Philbin took place, interim coach Dan Campbell went from sideshow to cult hero back to sideshow, and after beating up on AFC South tackling dummies for two weeks the Dolphins are back under scrutiny after getting exposed by the Pats. It's safe to say the loser of this game is in trouble. It would be a big blow to whatever playoff hopes they have, and if Ryan's team comes off its bye looking anything like the outfit that went into it, it's gonna be a long winter in Western New York.
What To Watch For: When the Bills have looked competent it has been with Tyrod Taylor under center and he should be good to go here. Should he manage to have Sammie Watkins at his disposal for a full game, the Bills might actually have a cutting edge to their passing game that's been gone since September … Miami has to run early and run often. Too much Ryan Tannehill won't be a good thing and at some point. With all the money the Bills have sunk into that defensive line, somebody is going to get some sacks, right? The Dolphins are without their top young right tackle. I'd be running Lamar Miller to the left, quite a bit … Expect a ton of LeSean McCoy here. Stopping the run has been a big issue for Miami … Rookie Karlos Williams went over 100 yards in the first game and is recovering from his concussion and is expected to play for the Bills … Buffalo held Jarvis Landry to 66 combined yards in the first meeting; highly doubtful that is the case again in this one … The meeting of defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Marcell Dareus should bring out the best in at least one of them. They're worth about a combined $110M guaranteed on the contracts they signed this year and have combined for all of three sacks … If the Dolphins can't get more out of TE Jordan Cameron (just 12 catches for 128 yards over his last 5 game) I have a hard time seeing this offense take off against competent opponents (although that might not apply to this Bills defense given their play this season) … The Bills rank dead last in negative yardage accrued by its defense, which is hard to imagine from an attacking Rex Ryan defense with this many high-priced players on it.
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Tennessee Titans (1-6) at New Orleans Saints (4-4)
Sun., Nov. 8, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS):
Why To Watch: The Saints are back from the dead. At 4-4, and with a run of games against AFC South teams still ahead, the schedule sets up nicely. They are back to playing winning football at home after falling into a deep funk at the Superdome. If Drew Brees is allowed enough time, he can still carve up a defense on any given Sunday. The Saints just may have a playoff run in them yet, especially if teams like the rival Falcons continue to falter in front of them the climb back up the standings gets even easier. And, well, the Titans might just be able to top getting the second-overall pick last spring by nabbing the first-overall selection in May. Wouldn't that be something?
What To Watch For: How quickly might the Titans regret not just letting Marcus Mariota sit a while longer? Their tackles are failing miserably and the protection is not nearly good enough and the rookie will see plenty of pressure from Rob Ryan here. New Orleans is getting much better looks at the quarterbacks lately and Cam Jordan is starting to come on. Keeping Mariota healthy could be a chore in the second half of the season … Benjamin Watson is beasting out for the Saints. Not hearing too much groaning for Jimmy Graham in the month of October. Since the start of last month Watson ranks second in the NFL among all tight ends in receptions (Gary Barnidge! has one more at 30) and second in yards (399, trailing Barnidge by eight) and only Rob Gronkowski and Greg Olsen are averaging more yards per catch in that span … The Saints may rely on C.J. Spiller more with Khiry Robinson now out for the season. Must keep the run game going … The Titans defense has actually been pretty solid. But lack of talent on offense is staggering.
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New York Giants (4-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)
Sun., Nov. 8, 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX):
Why To Watch: Jameis Winston probably won't get the credit he deserves this season and it seems he'll be overshadowed by others, but this Bucs team has come a ways from last year and at least now can compete with the lesser teams in the league. Against a defense as porous as the Giants he should be able to put together some numbers and this very well could be another shootout. Maybe not quite as out-of-control as the Giants' game at New Orleans last week, but wild enough. I wouldn't be shocked to see both quarterbacks throw for more than 400 yards and this game go down to the final possession.
What To Watch For: The Giants have allowed more than 1,500 yards of offense the past three weeks. Let that soak in. Their pass rush is non-existent and I have a hard time thinking they don't find a few snaps on Sunday to start seeing what exactly Jason Pierre-Paul can do off the edge. They have nowhere to go but up … The Bucs have the worst pass defense in the NFL, allowing opposing passers a rating of 111.5, and allowing completions on 71 percent of their passes. Eli Manning will be licking his lips. This could be a fantasy football bonanza … Bucs have turned the ball over only once in the past three weeks and they damn near won all three. They've scored 91 points in that span. Winston has four touchdowns and no picks in that span … Doug Martin is now fourth in the NFL in rushing yards and averaging a robust 4.6 per carry … With the Giants run game stagnant, expect to see more Shane Vereen and Orleans Darkwa this week. Vereen will get a lot of targets in the short passing game, too.
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Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) at Dallas Cowboys (2-5)
Sun., Nov. 8, 8:30 p.m. ET (NBC):
Why To Watch: The NFC East features teams in generally very large television markets, and the team that wins this division hosts a playoff game. That's why these clubs will generally be forced down your throat nationally week after week, and you can't stop it if you tried. So just submit and take it for the gong show that it is and sit back and chuckle. This week it's the Jerry Jones/Greg Hardy circus vs. Chip Kelly's incredibly shrinking offense. I'm not sure Sam Bradford will like what he sees of this Dallas defense a second time around, and, well, the Eagles only mustered 10 points against Dallas back in Week 2 and that was before Hardy and Rolando McClain and Randy Gregory came back to the fold. Of course, that's also the last time the Cowboys won, losing five in a row, yet they still would springboard all the way to second in the division with a win here (assuming the Skins don't upset the Patriots).
What To Watch For: What did Kelly diagnose about his team during the bye? Could he actually think as highly of Bradford's play as he has spoken publicly? Is he looking at different film than everyone else is? Some secret angle no one else has? … Look for a lot more from Dez Bryant this week. He was just working his way through the game last week in his first back from a lengthy injury absence. He won't be a decoy this time, and if Byron Maxwell tries to man up on him, well, look out … Will Kelly finally concede that Ryan Mathews looks better in his scheme than DeMarco Murray and give him more work? … The Eagles need one of their young receivers to make an impact in the second half. Their speed and young legs have been largely wasted … Credit Dallas for finally sticking to the run to a fault last week against Seattle, and this Eagles front is not Seattle. Darren McFadden can find some chunks of yards here … This would be the Cowboys' third win within the division -- which explains why they are still in the hunt.
You've Got A Problem
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Atlanta Falcons (6-2) at San Francisco 49ers (2-6)
Sun., Nov. 8, 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX):
Why To Watch: If this doesn't get the Falcons turned around I'm not sure what will. It's reached DEFCON levels in San Francisco with Blaine Gabbert actually being viewed as a viable starting option at quarterback and the team trying to slash salary and move key veterans at the deadline. Atlanta hasn't looked nearly the same the past few months and you can't help but wonder if the initial rush of adrenaline provided by rookie coach Dan Quinn is fading and the realities of this roster are setting in. Scheme can only overcome so much, and this is a game the Falcons must win if they're to avoid a drop from the standings.
What To Watch For:With Colin Kaepernick on the sidelines, what kind of body language do we get there? Am I the only one who thinks upper management is actually hoping he snaps? How long before Gabbert is benched for him, because I'm not sure what good will come of this quarterback change other than increasing odds of a first-overall pick … Matt Ryan is slumping and force-feeding Julio Jones isn't going to be enough to snap out of it. He's thrown five picks in the past four games. The lack of secondary options has been suffocating and someone needs to step up. Of Ryan's 209 completions, 120 have gone to Jones and Devonta Freeman … The Falcons' lack of pass rushing being a bigger void by the week … 49ers running game an absolute wasteland right now.
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Washington Redskins (3-4) at New England Patriots (7-0)
Sun., Nov. 8, 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX):
Why To Watch: The last time the Patriots were dreaming of an unbeaten season -- even as they refused to acknowledge it each week -- they destroyed the Skins, 52-7, to go 8-0. I'm just sayin'. I don't think they will go to those lengths here, and this isn't a team that gets under their skin the way the Colts or Dolphins do. So I believe they will show some mercy here.
What To Watch For: Kirk Cousins went into the bye off a dramatic comeback win, which I'd think would keep the calls for his head down for at least another week … The Redskins' run game was a point of emphasis over the bye and I suspect we see more of rookie Matt Jones this week … With the Patriots working through some injuries on their offensive line, expect a heavy dose of LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis here. Washington allowed 4.8 yards per carry and I anticipate a lot of running right at Ryan Kerrigan … I feel a big second half coming on for Chandler Jones. Pats quietly among NFL leaders in sacks.
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Chicago Bears (2-5) at San Diego Chargers (2-6)
Mon., Nov. 9, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN):
Why To Watch: It's Monday night and the World Series is over and you aren't really watching November NBA games, are you? Philip Rivers is on a record-setting yardage pace and Jay Cutler is playing solid football. Did I mention this is a Monday night game?
What To Watch For: Both of these teams at least find wild and wacky ways to lose. Should make for a bizarre fourth quarter … How quickly does this home crowd turn on the slow-starting Chargers? Especially with a potential move to LA growing closer … The loss of Matt Forte tears at the heart of everything Bears do on offense. Everything was built around him and if his loss leads to more outside throws, does the bad Cutler resurface? Dude hasn't had a multi-pick game yet this season.
