NFL Game Week 9 - Schedule, Picks & Where to Watch
What a whirlwind Week 8 was. Anybody watching NFL RedZone was treated to a classic, with several games being decided in dramatic fashion in the dying seconds. Jameis Winston was in peak Jameis Winston form, leading the Browns to a shock victory over the Baltimore Ravens, and the New York Jets’ dismal season continued to spiral in hilarious fashion as they lost to the woeful New England Patriots. And how could I not mention the incredible Jayden Daniels Hail Mary to steal a victory away from Caleb Williams’ Chicago Bears?
But, onto Week 9. This week, we have the Steelers and 49ers on a bye, but plenty of juicy games to sink our teeth into, including some fantastic divisional matchups. Here are our standout games to keep an eye on.
Dallas Cowboys @ Atlanta Falcons
- Date & Time: Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
- Broadcast Details: FOX, Fubo Sports
Game Preview:
Depending on how this game goes, this might be the last time we feature the Dallas Cowboys in this weekly article. They have suffered depressing losses to the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers in the last two weeks, and with Washington and Philadelphia both thriving, they’re facing an uphill battle to remain relevant. This week, they will do battle with the Atlanta Falcons, who are fresh off another explosive offensive performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kirk Cousins is playing at a very high level this year, completing 68.3% of his passes for 2,106 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He should enjoy his outing this week, going up against a Dallas defense that is conceding the second-most points per game this year, with 28.3. While Cousins will be eyeing up their underperforming secondary, this is an even better matchup for the elite running back duo of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. They should fancy their chances going up against a porous defensive line that is giving up 154.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks 31st in the NFL.
For Dallas, not much is working. They are well outside the top 10 for points scored and yards gained per game, mainly because their rushing offense is ranked dead last in the NFL, producing just 74.1 yards per game. This means that Dak Prescott is having to do all of the work. The good news is that he’s producing the third-most passing yards per game, with 256, but a lack of playmakers is making this very difficult. He has thrown almost as many interceptions (8) as touchdowns (10), including two interceptions in each of his last three games.
Thankfully for Dallas, Atlanta ranks dead last in completion rate conceded, giving up a completion on 72.5% of pass attempts. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb finally got over 100 yards in the last game, and Dak will need him to be in red-hot form in this one if they are to keep up.
Prediction/Analysis:
It’s difficult to side with Dallas at the moment. Everything seems to be incredibly difficult for them, and the vibes are just generally down. In this game, they have to go into Atlanta’s stadium to tackle a red-hot offense, and I struggle to see them slowing down Bijan Robinson. This season could get messy for Dallas quickly.
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills
- Date & Time: Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
- Broadcast Details: CBS, Paramount+
Game Preview:
On paper, this should be a very one-sided affair, especially when you consider that the Buffalo Bills have won all of their last five games against Miami. On top of that, the Dolphins just suffered a defeat to the Arizona Cardinals, despite getting Tua Tagovailoa back, meaning they will enter this game as heavy underdogs. Nevertheless, we are including this in our games to watch this week, simply because the Dolphins are in sheer desperation mode already. If they drop to a 2-6 record, there is no coming back.
Miami has been a mess on offense this year, ranking dead last in points per game with 13.9. Obviously, Tua’s absence has been a big factor in this, but their complete inability to move the ball without him in the lineup has piled the pressure on head coach Mike McDaniel. They have the playmakers, and it is simply not good enough that they have been this bad. Now, they have to face a very talented Buffalo team who is scoring the fifth-most points in the league with 28.8, and conceding the fewest points in the league with 18.3.
The Buffalo Bills hold an advantage in almost every aspect of the game, and the arrival of Amari Cooper has seemingly opened up their offense even more, even if he did only have one catch in their last game. Against the Seahawks, Cooper could only manage 3 yards, but Khalil Shakir brought in nine receptions for 107 yards, and Keon Coleman continued his breakout with a five-reception, 70-yard, and one-touchdown performance.
Miami has been performing well on defense, giving up the fifth-fewest passing yards per game, with 176.3, but they are coming off a game in which they conceded 28 points to the Arizona Cardinals. Rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. got the better of Jalen Ramsey a few times, bringing in six receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown.
This is dangerous territory for Miami, but you can never rule out a team that has Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in the wide receiver room, and De’Von Achane in the backfield.
Prediction/Analysis:
As much as it would be fascinating to watch a defiant Miami Dolphins side come out here and save the season against a division rival, I just don’t see it happening. This team appears soft, and they are going up against a well-coached and well-rounded juggernaut in Buffalo. Josh Allen and his boys should get the job done here.
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers
- Date & Time: Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
- Broadcast Details: FOX, Fubo Sports
Game Preview:
The NFC North is the standout division in this 2024 season, boasting four of the most exciting up-and-coming teams in the NFL. Every inter-divisional clash is crucially important, which makes this weekend’s matchup between Green Bay and Detroit must-watch television.
The one danger to the overall quality of the game is a groin injury for Jordan Love, which has put him day-to-day. It’s hard to see Green Bay holding their own if he can’t play, although Matt LaFleur has managed to steer Malik Willis to three wins so far this season. When Willis was in the lineup, the Packers got creative and ran for fun, and their 156.9 yards per game on the ground is fifth-best in the NFL. However, when Love is in the lineup and they want to pass, they are having success there as well with their 230.5 passing yards per game, ranking ninth in the NFL.
Love has been box office entertainment this year, ranking fourth in the NFL with 15 passing touchdowns, despite playing two fewer games than everyone else in the top five. However, the downside is that he is also tied for the lead with nine interceptions, reflecting his aggressive style. Neutral fans should be crossing their fingers that Love plays this weekend, because it will be fascinating to watch him go up against a Detroit defense that is giving up the sixth-most passing yards per game, with 247.6, but is also tied for second in the NFL with 10 interceptions produced. They perfectly match Love’s boom-or-bust approach, which suggests there could be fireworks on Sunday.
When Detroit takes to the field, we know what to expect. They have been borderline unstoppable on offense, leading the league with 33.4 points per game, while ranking sixth in rushing yards per game, and first in passing completion rate. This reflects an offense that is succeeding in almost anything they put their mind to, led by a leading MVP candidate in Jared Goff. Goff benefits from having the best offensive coordinator in the game, in Ben Johnson, and a supremely loaded roster, but he is also delivering at such a high level. Can he keep it rolling against a much-improved Green Bay Packers defense, that is holding opponents to 21.3 points per game, which is 11th-best in the NFL?
Prediction/Analysis:
If Jordan Love can’t play in this game, it should be an easy win for the Detroit Lions. Campbell’s men will get my pick even if Love is playing, although it should be a much tighter game. Detroit should have no problem putting up points regardless, but Love’s presence in the lineup will absolutely allow Green Bay to keep it close, and he is capable of producing magic at any moment. Nevertheless, the Detroit Lions are the most well-rounded team in the NFL and should get the win here.
Honorable Mentions:
Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens
- Sunday, Nov 3rd | 1:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+
The Denver Broncos are the surprise in form team at the moment, and now they battle Baltimore team coming off a shock loss to Cleveland. Are the Broncos for real? We will find out here.
Author: Venuse, Inc