With week nine in the books, the playoff race is starting to take shape and a few teams took steps forward to making the playoffs and a few took a few steps back. Here are the top eight team after the first nine weeks of the season.
8. Seattle Seahawks (6-2, 1st in NFC West)
The Seahawks had their worst performance of the season in their 44-34 loss to the Bills on Sunday. The defense gave up over 400 yards passing to quarterback Josh Allen and had no answer for him all day. Quarterback Russell Wilson did not have a great day as he turned the ball over four times and got sacked five times. He did have 390 yards passing and two touchdowns but the turnovers proved costly as the Bills scored 16 points off those turnovers. The Seahawks have now lost two of their last three games after starting the season 5-0. They also have the leagues worst pass defense, and its on pace to be the worst in NFL history. The one positive thing that the Seahawks can build on is the fact that they got seven sacks on Allen after only having 12 through the first seven games. The Seahawks will be back on the road Sunday for a showdown with the Los Angeles Rams.
7. Buffalo Bills (7-2, 1st in the AFC East)
The Bills probably got their best win of the season beating the Seahawks 44-34. The game was not as close as the score says. Quarterback Josh Allen threw for 415 yards and three touchdowns. That was the Bills second win win over the NFC West this season and now the Bills have a two game advantage in the division over the Miami Dolphins. The Bills 7-2 start is the best start since 1993 when they went 12-4 and made the Super Bowl. Allen is a big part of why the team is a off to such a great start this season. He has thrown for 2,587 yards, 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions. This win may have put Allen right back in the MVP conversation. The NFC West tour continues this weekend when they travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals.
6. Green Bay Packers (6-2, 1st in the NFC North)
The Packers bounced back after their week eight loss to the Vikings. They beat the 49ers 34-17 last Thursday to get a little separation in the NFC North. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a great game throwing for 305 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Davante Adams had a monster game as well catching ten balls for 173 yards and a score. That was Adams 3rd game this season with at least 10 catches and 150 yards receiving. That is the most in the NFL, and he has only played in six games this season. Rodgers is having another MVP caliber season. He has thrown for 2,253 yards, 24 touchdowns and just two interceptions. They are in a three-way tie for the number one seed in the NFC with the Saints and the Seahawks. The Packers will return home this Sunday to take on the lowly Jaguars.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3, 2nd in the NFC South)
The Bucs suffered their worst loss of the season Sunday night against the Saints. They lost 38-3, and Tom Brady played arguably his worst game of his entire career. He threw for just 209 yards and a season high three interceptions. The Bucs were down 31-0 at halftime and were not able to gain any momentum for the entirety of the game. This was their 2nd loss of the season the Saints and now they do not have the head to head tiebreaker when it comes to a potential division title. The Bucs margin for error is pretty slim when it comes to winning the division and potentially having a shot at the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. They will be in Carolina on Sunday to take on the Panthers.
4. New Orleans Saints (6-2, 1st in the NFC South)
The Saints got their most dominating win of the season in Tampa on Sunday night. They defeated the Bucs 38-3 behind four Drew Brees touchdowns and a great defensive performance. The Saints have been quietly flying under the radar this season after their 1-2 start. They have reeled off five straight wins and look like the best team in NFC at the moment. During this five game winning streak, the Saints are averaging 31 points per game and Brees has thrown 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. With the win, the Saints are now sitting as the number one seed in the NFC because of tiebreakers with the Seahawks and the Packers. The Saints return home on Sunday to take on the injury-ridden 49ers.
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-2, 2nd in the AFC North) The Ravens got back on track with a 24-10 win over the Colts on Sunday. Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson bounced back from his four turnover game in their loss to the Steelers going 19-23 for 170 yards and a rushing touchdown. The defense was able to force two turnovers including returning a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown. The Ravens are still two games behind in the division despite the 6-2 record. The next three weeks will be critical for them if they want to have a chance to win the division. They play the Patriots, the Titans, and the Steelers in their next three games. The game against the Steelers will be on Thanksgiving. Still plenty of time for the Ravens to pick up ground in the AFC playoff picture.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-0, 1st in the AFC North)
The Steelers continue to find ways to win no matter how ugly it is. They narrowly escaped the injury-ridden Cowboys 24-19. Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick knocked a ball down at the goal line as time expired to give them the slim victory as they improve to 8-0. They are the leagues only unbeaten team remaining. This is not the only game that has come down to the last second in recent weeks. Last week against the Ravens, it took a pass break-up in the endzone on a 4th down to win that game. Two weeks ago the Steelers nearly blew a 20 point lead against the Titans but the Titans missed a game tying field goal that would have sent the game to overtime. The Steelers still have another game against the Ravens this season and a game in Buffalo against the Bills. They will be at home this Sunday to take on the Bengals.
Kansas City Chiefs (8-1, 1st in the AFC West)
The Chiefs had a little bit of a scare at home Sunday vs the Panthers. They were able to squeak out a 33-31 win after the Panthers missed a game winning field goal as time expired. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been playing arguably his best football of his entire career. He threw for 372 yards and 4 touchdowns on Sunday. For the season, he has thrown for 2,687 yards, 25 touchdowns and just one interception. This team has been playing well on both sides of the ball all season aside from their one loss to the Raiders. They look like the favorites to not only win the AFC but to win the whole thing this year despite not having the best record in the NFL. The Chiefs will be on their bye week this week before traveling to Las Vegas next Sunday night to take on the Raiders and try to avenge their only loss of the season.
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