NFL: 5 Things from Week 9

The NFL is like no other, and Week 9 reminded us that you can’t predict a thing.

5 Things I Learned in Week 9

1. Any Given Sunday – The NFL has something most other leagues do not have – parity. The difference between the best team and worst team is really not that great. The best teams like the Bills can and did lose to the Jags. The Cardinals who didn’t have their top players crushed the 49ers. That’s what makes this league so compelling. Any team can beat anyone and even when you think you’ve got it figured out, you get dusted.
2. Dogs Are Barking – On the season, Underdogs are dominating, which inevitably will settle out. However in Week 9, the Dogs completely crushed it winning 11 of 14 games Against The Spread and 6 of 14 Straight Up.
3. Mike Vrabel for Coach of the Year – I’ve been going against the Titans for week, but somehow even without the Top RB, TEN continues to win (now 5 straight wins since that Jets letdown). That’s coaching to me. Vrabel, a former Patriot, learned toughness, and his teams play with it. He should be the odds on favorite for the award now. I’ll be rooting for him.
4. Jonathan Taylor Will Lead the League in Rushing – The Colts have gotten back to basics by running the ball. 2nd Year RB, Jonathan Taylor with Derrick Henry on the shelf should take the crown this year. He crushed the Jets for 172 yards, which marked 4 out of his last 6 games over 100 yards and 8 rushing TDs over that span. Yes, Chubb is back for CLE, but I like Taylor and think he’s just getting started.
5. No Dominant Team – After 9 Weeks, there is no clear lead horse in the League. The Chiefs have faltered, the Rams can’t run the ball, the Bucs have match up issues with some teams, and the Bills are obviously mortal. This will make for a crazy December and January as the playoffs approach.

Wegs Index After Week 9

1. Bills 5-3 (2.67) – The Bills lack toughness, especially on Offense. They need to find a running game, as QB Josh Allen leads the team in rushing. Still tops in this Index, but exposed on Sunday.
2. Cardinals 8-1 (3.17) – The Cardinals are better than I expected, and they have life without Kyler Murray. Still, I think the tougher games are ahead in their schedule.
3. Bucs 6-2 (5.83) – The Bucs were happy to sit out the calamity this weekend. Curious to see if they start running more after the bye.
4. Rams 7-2 (7.00) – Rams show that they are not as great as expected. Their O Line looks suspect at this point. Top 5 Offense that can’t protect the QB is strange.
5. Cowboys 6-2 (9.83) – The Boys were not prepared on Sunday, and that screams Mike McCarthy to me. Still a shoe in for the NFC East, but a deep run will depend on coaching.
6. Patriots 5-4 (9.83) – The Pats D has become the 4th Best in Points Against. Plus, back to back Pick 6s have helped the fledgling Offense. They still have a shot a the AFC East.

Bye Week: Bears, Bengals, Giants, Texans

Marquee Games in Week 10

• Browns at Patriots (-1.5, 45.5 Total) – Sunday, 11/14 at Noon Central – The Patriots have been rolling, but the Browns found something last Sunday against the Bengals. This should be a great game, and I’m curious to see if Mac Jones plays better than he has in the past 2 weeks. I like the Browns.
• Bucs at WAS (+9.5, 51.5 Total) – Sunday, 11/14 at Noon Central – Why do I have a -9.5 spread on the Marquee Games? Well, the Bucs struggled with this team in the playoffs last year, and I am still giving WAS one more chance to show me something. I like WAS to Cover in this one.
• Chiefs at Raiders (+2.5, 51.5 Total) – Sunday, 11/14 at 7:20 PM Central – The AFC West has gotten a whole lot more interesting. The 2 match ups last year were incredible theater, but both teams are not playing at the same level. I’m shocked the books are still favoring the Chiefs at this point, but Vegas does not have a home field advantage. I like the Raiders in a close one.

Time is flying through the season.

Wegs