NFL Week 9 Disappointments

With the completion of Week 9’s games, exactly half of the NFL’s regular season slate is now in the books. Certain teams won’t be happy looking at their film from this past weekend’s games, as players and collective units failed to deliver when it mattered most. We’ll take a look at those individuals and positional groups that might be shaking their heads.

The NFL’s international series returned in Week 9, as the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs squared off in Germany. Driving with a chance to tie the game, Dolphins center Connor Williams and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa could not connect on a shotgun snap. Tagovailoa fell on the errant ball on fourth down, sheepishly ending a game that felt like it would have a more thrilling ending.

The Seahawks have had a strong showing playing in the early window of games as a west coast team, but were absolutely throttled by the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Seattle got nothing going in any phase of the game. Perhaps more concerning is the recent play of quarterback Geno Smith, who might once again be showing why he was a backup for many years.

Once Matthew Stafford was injured during the 2022 season, Los Angeles’ campaign went into the tank a year ago. It seems like the Rams might be destined to experience that fate once again if Stafford isn’t able to make it back from a hand injury. Despite having two of the better wide receivers in the NFL, Los Angeles’ offense couldn’t get started with reserve Brett Rypien under center.

The Carolina Panthers have to be at least mildly concerned about the development of their rookie quarterback. Young’s struggles continue against the Indianapolis Colts, as the former Alabama star threw two interceptions and completed just 52 percent of his passes. The Panthers traded up to the number one overall pick in last April’s draft to select Young.

There may not be a more listless team in the NFL right now than the Giants. New York has dealt with a litany of injuries on their offensive line, and will now be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones for the rest of the season. He tore his ACL against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, meaning that he might not be available to start the 2024 campaign, either.

The Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles faced off in a pivotal NFC East clash. It may have been a sneak preview of a game we might see in the playoffs. Dallas held up against the reigning NFC champions quite well, but came up just short in the waning moments of the game. That’s been a running theme for the Cowboys, who haven’t quite been able to get over the hump.

Things might have just gone from bad to worse in New England, as the Patriots fell to 2-7 after a loss to the Sam Howell-led Washington Commanders in Week 9. It’s a tough pill to swallow for the franchise, which was on top of the world for the better part of two decades. Head coach Bill Belichick may have a tough time catching Don Shula’s all-time NFL wins record at this pace.

For all of the negativity surrounding Zach Wilson and the Jets offense, they still entered Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers above .500. However, a disappointing performance from New York and their young quarterback denied the Jets of a golden chance to gain a game in the AFC East.