Nine down, nine to go.
Week 9 marks the midway point of the 2026-27 season and whether you have a glass-half-empty or glass-half-full type of perspective will likely depend on your team’s current record.
With the injuries piling, seasons crumbling and the trade deadline on Tuesday, here’s a look at the week’s top storylines.
Rams gain massive boost
The Los Angeles Rams have been at the forefront of every conversation for the first half of the season and it’s easy to understand why. The Super Bowl-favourites coming into the year now sit at 4-4 and on the outside of the playoff picture.
While the injuries are plentiful, special teams have been their biggest hitch. They own a league-worst 63.6 field goal percentage and rostered two kickers during Week 8: Joshua Karty for kickoffs and Brandon McManus for field goals and PATs.
But now they’re shaping up to finally have Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald on the field together for the first time since they joined forces with their five combined Defensive Player of the Year awards. Head coach Sean McVay announced Garrett is likely to start his first game since Week 1, when he hit the injured reserve after undergoing knee surgery to deal with an ailment he had heading into the year.
The Rams will try to win their third straight as they hit the road to face the Washington Commanders. Their playoff odds would jump from 42 to 50 per cent with a win, but a loss would deliver an even bigger hit, dropping them down to 29 per cent.
Sleepless in Seattle
Speaking of high expectations, the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks have found themselves right beside the Rams at 4-4 and are currently without a seat in the playoffs.
They head to Arizona without quarterback Sam Darnold (quad) as Drew Lock — who beat the Cardinals in Week 2 after Darnold was held out with a glute injury — is set for his second start of the year.
The Seahawks have yet to find a new identity on offence after losing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker in free agency, as Darnold’s nine interceptions are tied for second most in the NFL.
Luckily, they have a defence with a nickname. “The Dark Side” is keeping them stable, allowing the fewest total yards per game (250) while limiting opponents to just 19.9 points per contest (tied for 6th in the NFL).
If the Cardinals can muster another upset as an underdog, they would move into a tie with the Seahawks for last place in the NFC West within at least one game of the Rams. Chaos.
Trade deadline looming
There have been four substantial trades in the days leading into the 2026 NFL trade deadline set for Tuesday — with more surely brewing.
Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor headlines the candidates across the league, with contenders such as the Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings in search of a boost at the position. But can they meet the Colts’ steep asking price?
Teammate Josh Downs is likely to also draw plenty of eyes from teams needing help at wide receiver as the Colts (2-6) continue their sell-off, having shipped out Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner.
Elsewhere at receiver, Brian Thomas Jr. is in search of a fresh start after losing snaps with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and if the Browns lose again to the New Orleans Saints, they could be inclined to move on from Jerry Jeudy for the right draft pick.
On the defensive side, Khalil Mack could certainly field a hefty return should the winless Chargers feel enticed to move on. A reunion in Chicago with the Bears could be on the horizon.
There were eight deals on deadline day in 2025. What will 2026 have to offer?
Game to watch: Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings — Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Josh Allen will face one of his toughest tests of the season when the Bills head to Minnesota for a clash with the Vikings in primetime.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has created a machine with his club sitting at 6-1 atop the NFC North.
Behind the success? The blitz.
Minnesota is sending an extra man to the quarterback (a Next Gen Stats era record) 75.3 per cent of the time. That’s 31.9 per cent more than the next highest team in the Washington Commanders.
Though his extremely aggressive style won’t exactly come as a surprise to Allen. He faced Flores six times when the Vikings DC was still head coach of the Miami Dolphins and Allen holds a clean 6-0 record.
But Flores’ new home has a whole new array of weapons and is currently allowing the fewest points per game (13.3) and the second fewest total yards per game (271.6).
Oppositely, the Bills have scored the most points per game in the NFL (33.3) and are second in total yards per game (393.1). A true best-on-best matchup.
The Vikings will be without starting quarterback Kyler Murray after losing him week-to-week with a hamstring injury, turning to Carson Wentz for his second start this season (Week 2 win over the Bears).
Injuries, injuries and more injuries
Backup quarterbacks across the league are earning their paychecks in 2026 — 11 teams have had to turn to more than one starter under centre and that’s just scratching the surface.
The Cleveland Browns became the latest team to join the club. Deshaun Watson is set to miss a clash against the New Orleans Saints with concussion symptoms after taking a high hit that was flagged for roughing the passer in Week 8.
Even if he is cleared in time for Sunday, head coach Todd Monken stated Shedeur Sanders will get the nod as Watson missed the entire week of practice.
The following key players not on injured reserve have already been ruled out for their Week 9 matchup:
- Sam Darnold, SEA (QB)
- Deshaun Watson, CLE (QB)
- Kyler Murray, MIN (QB)
- Mike Evans, SF (WR)
- A.J. Brown, NE (WR)
- TreVeyon Henderson, NE (WR)
- Garrett Wilson, NYJ (WR)
- DeVonta Smith, PHI (WR)
- Quenton Nelson, SEA (G)
Phillips’ favourites (Season record: 0-0)
Lions at Dolphins — Pick: Lions -6.5: Detroit cruises into Miami on a three-game win streak; the Dolphins are winless at home (0-3).
Browns at Saints – Pick: Saints -3.5: Cleveland’s offence has struggled in Sanders’ limited time at the helm.
Cardinals at Seahawks — Pick: Cardinals +8.5: The Seahawks simply aren’t scoring enough for this large of a spread with a backup quarterback.
Full Week 9 schedule (all times ET):
Thursday, Nov. 5
Jacksonville Jaguars 33, Baltimore Ravens 10
Sunday, Nov. 8
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Atlanta Falcons, 9:30 a.m. ET (Madrid, Spain)
Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. ET
Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET
New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET
Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m. ET
Las Vegas Raiders at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears, 8:20 p.m. ET
Monday, Nov. 9
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, 8:15 p.m. ET
Bye week: Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans
