Every week, Yardbarker highlights a very powerful folks main into the week’s NFL video games.
From gamers to coaches and past, listed here are the ten most vital folks to regulate in Week 9.
QB Jayden Daniels | Washington Commanders
In an 18-15 Week 8 win over the Chicago Bears, Jayden Daniels threw a profitable 52-yard Hail Mary to large receiver Noah Brown. Will the rookie ship extra late-game heroics in Sunday’s highway sport towards the New York Giants?
Though the Giants (2-6) have misplaced three straight video games, they may current a difficult matchup for Daniels. New York leads the league in sacks (35) and ranks eighth in passing yards allowed (189.4).
Daniels — who has the league’s fifth-best QBR (72.7 in eight video games) — might nonetheless lead the Commanders (6-2) to a 3rd consecutive win and additional his MVP case. As of Wednesday, FanDuel offers him the fifth-best odds (+900) to win the award.
QB Joe Flacco | Indianapolis Colts
On Wednesday, Colts HC Shane Steichen confirmed Joe Flacco will substitute QB Anthony Richardson in a Week 9 highway sport towards the Minnesota Vikings (5-2), by way of JJ Stankevitz of the crew web site.”This isn’t only a one-week change,” the coach stated.
Indianapolis could also be making the suitable choice. By way of six video games, Richardson has accomplished a league-low 44.4 % of his passes for 4 TDs and tossed seven interceptions. Flacco, in the meantime, has accomplished 65.7 % of his passes for seven TDs and one decide in 4 video games.
Final season, Flacco went 4-1 in 5 begins whereas filling in for injured Browns QB Deshaun Watson, main Cleveland to the postseason. Maybe the 2023 Comeback Participant of the 12 months will assist Indianapolis (4-4) vie for a playoff spot.
WR DeAndre Hopkins | Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
DeAndre Hopkins — whom the Chiefs (7-0) lately acquired in a commerce with the Tennessee Titans — had two receptions for 29 yards in a 27-20 Week 8 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Ok.C. head coach Andy Reid indicated he ought to have a bigger function in Monday’s house sport vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4).
“He was chomping on the bit on the sideline desirous to play,” Reid advised the media earlier this week. “And on the identical time figuring out that he did not have all of it down so there was a endurance there. However he was into the sport, and I feel you can see extra within the subsequent sport.”
5-time Professional Bowler Hopkins may very well be in retailer for a dominant efficiency towards Tampa Bay’s Twenty ninth-ranked move protection (255.4 YPG).
QB Bo Nix | Denver Broncos
Over his previous 4 video games, Nix has appeared just like the man for Denver. Throughout this stretch, the rookie has a 3-1 beginning report and accomplished 66.6 % of his passes for 870 yards, seven TDs and one interception.
Can Nix maintain rolling on Sunday on the Baltimore Ravens? As of Wednesday, ESPN Analytics offers the Ravens (5-3) a 74.4 % likelihood to win their house sport.
Whether or not the Broncos (5-3) pull off an upset or not, do not be shocked if Nix has one other spectacular efficiency. Baltimore’s passing protection ranks final in yards allowed (291.4).
RB Josh Jacobs | Inexperienced Bay Packers
Packers QB Jordan Love suffered a groin damage in a 30-27 Week 8 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It is nonetheless unclear whether or not he or backup QB Malik Willis will begin in Sunday’s house sport towards the Detroit Lions (6-1).
Anticipate the Packers (6-2) to depend on Josh Jacobs, even when Love performs. By way of eight video games, Jacobs has the league’s fourth-most dashing yards (667 on 145 carries).
Since star defensive finish Aidan Hutchinson suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in Week 6 towards the Cowboys, Detroit has struggled to cease the run. Over their previous two video games, the Lions allowed 297 dashing yards.
HC Mike McCarthy | Dallas Cowboys
Mike McCarthy is within the closing 12 months of a five-year contract, and his future appears much more unsure after a 3-4 begin.
“Until there’s an abrupt and dramatic reversal in efficiency and outcomes, we may very well be approaching McCarthy’s closing 10 video games as head coach of the Cowboys,” wrote longtime NFL reporter Ed Werder of WFAA-TV in Dallas on Wednesday. “That is the furthest right into a season that the Cowboys are under .500 since McCarthy’s first in Dallas.”
Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones lately advised KRLD-FM in Dallas he wouldn’t fireplace McCarthy in the course of the season. Regardless, Sunday’s highway sport towards the Atlanta Falcons (5-3) looks as if a must-win for McCarthy.
QB Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts has seemingly erased his turnover downside. Over his previous three video games, he has 9 TDs (4 passing and 5 dashing) and no turnovers. In his first 4 video games, Hurts had 5 turnovers (4 interceptions and one misplaced fumble).
Based on NBC Sports activities Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank, that is the primary time Hurts has had three straight video games and not using a turnover since Weeks 5-7 in 2022.
The Eagles (5-2) want Hurts to maintain taking part in mistake-free in Sunday’s house sport towards the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6).
QB Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow stays assured about Cincinnati’s playoff possibilities regardless of a 3-5 begin.
“I feel 10 wins normally get you in,” Burrow stated following a 37-17 Week 8 loss to the Eagles. “So, we have to win seven out of 9. That is doable, so we’ll go from there.”
Based on Tankathon, the Bengals have the league’s 18th-toughest remaining schedule. Maybe Burrow and the Bengals will catch fireplace in Sunday’s house sport towards the Raiders (2-6), whose move protection is seventh-best within the NFL (189.1).
WR Ladd McConkey | Los Angeles Chargers
Ladd McConkey’s nine-yard TD catch in a 26-8 Week 8 win over the New Orleans Saints reminded Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh of former Carolina Panthers star Steve Smith Sr. (The previous QB performed with Smith in 2001.)
“It is like they each had this means and this talent virtually to look a technique after which catch it a couple of toes the opposite manner,” Harbaugh lately stated, by way of ESPN’s Kris Rhim. “It is actually delicate, it is actually good.”
If McConkey retains dwelling as much as the lofty comparability in Sunday’s highway sport towards the Browns (2-6), that will be wonderful for the Chargers (4-3). Smith made 5 Professional Bowls in 16 seasons with the Panthers and Ravens.
HC Mike Macdonald | Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks (4-4) have misplaced 4 of their previous 5 video games, forcing Mike Macdonald to ditch a few of his plans. He lately advised KIRO-AM in Seattle the Seahawks will give attention to areas the place they thrive as an alternative of “sunk prices.”
The coach stated Seattle plans to “double down” on its up-tempo offense, that means the Seahawks will probably run extra no-huddle to catch opponents off guard.
Monitor whether or not the rookie HC’s technique works in Sunday’s house sport towards the Los Angeles Rams (3-4).
