NFL Week 9: Largest questions, takeaways for each sport

Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season kicked off Thursday with the Ravens defeating the Dolphins. Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson delivered 4 landing passes in his return from a hamstring harm that sidelined him for 3 video games.

Within the early window Sunday, the 49ers acquired again on monitor with a commanding win over the Giants. The Patriots squeaked by the Falcons after kicker Parker Romo missed a game-tying further level within the fourth quarter. And the Steelers stalled the Colts' scorching begin, led by 5 takeaways on protection.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all of the motion, answering lingering questions popping out of every sport and detailing all the things else it's good to know for each group. Let's get to it.

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IND-PIT | LAC-TEN | ATL-NE
SF-NYG | BAL-MIA

Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap

Steelers

Is that this model of the Steelers protection right here to remain? Followers held a funeral for the Steelers protection outdoors Acrisure Stadium earlier than kickoff. Contained in the stadium, there was a resurrection because the protection acquired 5 sacks, compelled 5 takeaways and held the league's finest offense to simply 20 factors. With plenty of defensive gamers lacking (together with 4 safeties), Pittsburgh entered Sunday's sport outmanned on paper. But it acquired massive contributions from linebacker Payton Wilson (1 INT, 2 PBU), rookie Jack Sawyer (1 INT) and go rusher Alex Highsmith (2 sacks, 3 TFL, 1 FF) for a well-rounded efficiency. Can the Steelers use the identical recipe in Week 10?

Development to look at: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers unfold the ball round Sunday, finishing passes to 9 completely different gamers after focusing on 9 go catchers towards the Packers in Week 8. A lot has been made concerning the Steelers doubtlessly looking for a powerful No. 2 large receiver earlier than Tuesday's commerce deadline, however the offense acquired it carried out on Sunday, with massive contributions from the tight ends (10 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD) and operating backs (7 catches, 33 yards). Solely two large receivers had catches: Calvin Austin III (5 for 56 yards) and DK Metcalf (2 for six yards). — Brooke Pryor

Subsequent sport: at Chargers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Colts

What did this sport inform us concerning the Colts' NFL-leading offense? This one wasn't sophisticated: The Colts' success in earlier weeks was linked to the efficiency of their dominant offensive line. That's what made the beating they took on Sunday so stunning. Quarterback Daniel Jones was constantly underneath duress. Left sort out Bernhard Raimann (two sacks allowed) and proper sort out Braden Smith (sack fumble versus T.J. Watt) struggled all through. Consequently, so did operating again Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for a season-low 45 yards and was hit at or earlier than the road of scrimmage on six of his 14 speeding makes an attempt.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Jones had his worst day as a Colt, liable for 5 complete turnovers. Whereas two had been sack-fumbles that had been the results of safety breakdowns, and one other was a fluky interception off a batted go, he additionally threw interceptions that had been the results of poor selections or badly thrown balls. He completed 31-of-50 for 342 yards and three interceptions. Bouncing again from all of it could be his largest check this season. — Stephen Holder

Subsequent sport: vs. Falcons in Berlin (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET)

Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap

Chargers

If offensive sort out Joe Alt misses time after exiting the sport with an ankle harm, how a lot does that change expectations? The Chargers are 4-0 this season when Alt performs the complete sport, and 2-3 when he does not. Quarterback Justin Herbert has a QBR of 80 with Alt on the sphere, and 56 with out him. So the straightforward reply is it adjustments expectations considerably. Alt is maybe this group's most necessary participant not named Herbert. If Alt does miss vital time along with his ankle harm, the ceiling of this group lowers considerably.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Herbert's interceptions have gotten a priority. He threw his eighth interception of the season on the Chargers' first drive, which was returned for a landing by Titans linebacker Cody Barton. Herbert's eight interceptions are probably the most since 2022 (when he had 10). Sunday's interception marked his fourth towards the blitz this season — a brand new profession excessive in simply 9 video games. — Kris Rhim

Subsequent sport: vs. Steelers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Titans

Is the Titans' offense the worst within the NFL? Getting into Week 9, the offense ranked final in factors per sport (13.8), yards per sport (248.8) and speeding yards per sport (80.4). The passing assault was additionally second to final at 168.4 yards per sport. Sunday's efficiency was even worse. Tennessee acquired 14 factors from Barton's interception and Chimere Dike's punt return — the primary punt returned for a landing for the Titans since 2012. But they solely managed 20 factors. Tennessee's offense transformed simply 10 first downs and gained 206 yards of complete offense.

Turning level: The Titans compelled a three-and-out on the primary sequence of the second half, adopted by a 71-yard drive from the offense that stalled on the Chargers' 1-yard line when operating again Tony Pollard's try and punch it in on fourth down and take a 24-20 lead fell brief. Los Angeles then acquired the ball and drove 99 yards over 9 minutes to take a 10-point lead. — Turron Davenport

Subsequent sport: vs. Texans (Nov. 16, 1 p.m. ET)

Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap

Patriots

How a lot of a priority is the rising variety of hits on quarterback Drake Maye? Maye was sacked six occasions for 38 yards, one week after being sacked six occasions for 37 yards. A few of that may be a results of blocking in entrance of him, however Maye has acknowledged that he can do extra to guard himself at occasions (and likewise shield the ball by preserving two arms on it, which he did not do on a misplaced fumble late within the second quarter). Since 2000, Maye is the third Patriots quarterback to be sacked 5 or extra occasions in back-to-back video games, becoming a member of Jacoby Brissett (2024) and Drew Bledsoe (2000).

Stat to know: After holding Bijan Robinson to 45 speeding yards, the Patriots at the moment are the one group since 1950 to carry opposing operating backs to underneath 50 yards within the first 9 video games of the season, per ESPN Analysis. No different group had completed that feat within the first eight video games of the season.— Mike Reiss

Subsequent sport: at Buccaneers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Falcons

What can the Falcons do to get Robinson going? The Falcons are 3-0 when their star operating again will get 75 or extra yards on the bottom. When Robinson does not hit that mark, they're now 0-5, after he rushed for under 45 yards Sunday. Atlanta's teaching workers would say it needs to be a run-first group, however the Falcons have a tough time committing to their floor sport, particularly when taking part in from behind. Robinson had solely 12 carries Sunday. Atlanta wants to determine a method to get him again right into a rhythm, as a result of he is a game-changing participant.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Michael Penix Jr. was inconsistent regardless of throwing three landing passes to large receiver Drake London, going 22-of-37 for 222 yards. However he did lead the Falcons on what ought to have been a game-tying drive that was marred by kicker Parker Romo's extra-point miss. On that drive, Penix had a 40-yard go to London and two fourth-down conversions to the receiver, considered one of which was a one-handed catch for an 8-yard landing. — Marc Raimondi

Subsequent sport: vs. Colts in Berlin (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET)

Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap

49ers

The 49ers are within the thick of the race, however how aggressive ought to they be at Tuesday's commerce deadline? Sunday's win most likely should not change the 49ers' prudence in relation to the commerce deadline, however that does not imply they need to sit it out. Even earlier than vital accidents to linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) and defensive finish Nick Bosa (ACL), they'd gladly have taken a 6-3 begin. So that they owe it to themselves to make one other transfer or two, particularly after rookie defensive finish Mykel Williams departed Sunday's sport with an obvious decrease physique harm. It most likely will not be splashy, however one other high quality participant or two may assist the protection keep afloat because the offense will get more healthy.

Stat to know: Operating again Christian McCaffrey continues to do a lot of the heavy lifting and etch his identify additional in NFL document books. With 164 scrimmage yards, McCaffrey surpassed 500 speeding and 500 receiving yards by 9 video games. He is the second participant up to now decade to try this (Saquon Barkley, 2018), and the second Niner to attain it (Roger Craig, 1985). McCaffrey is also as much as 16 profession video games with at the very least one speeding and one receiving landing, passing Marshall Faulk for probably the most of all time. — Nick Wagoner

Subsequent sport: vs. Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Giants

What's going on with the Giants protection? All these edge rushers and so they cannot cease anybody. Sunday was the third straight sport the Giants allowed at the very least 30 factors. The protection cannot cease the run (particularly to the sides) and barely present any resistance with their injury-ravaged secondary. 49ers quarterback Mac Jones accomplished his first 14 passes. The go rush is not efficient sufficient when opponents could make straightforward completions and run at will. Christian McCaffrey had over 150 yards and two touchdowns, whereas San Francisco completed with virtually 400 yards of complete offense.

Development to look at: Tight finish Theo Johnson has dropped a go in three straight video games. Johnson now has 5 drops this season, which is among the many prime 10 leaguewide. To compound the issue, three of the 5 have been on third down. This week, Johnson's drop got here late within the second quarter and ruined a possible Giants drive when the ball clanked off his arms and shoulder pads. He caught a landing go earlier within the sport (his fifth of the season), however the drops have gotten a major problem. — Jordan Raanan

Subsequent sport: at Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap

Ravens

Has Lamar Jackson reentered the NFL MVP dialog? Positively, as a result of he underscored his worth this previous month. In his return from a hamstring harm that sidelined him for 3 video games, Jackson instantly had Baltimore buzzing once more, finishing 78% of his makes an attempt (18-of-23) and throwing 4 landing passes. He places stress on a protection due to his playmaking potential. Teammates say Jackson additionally provides confidence as a result of they know he'll get them the ball once they're open. Jackson is the last word difference-maker. Within the three video games that he missed, Baltimore averaged 14.3 factors. With Jackson this season, the Ravens are averaging 31.8 factors.

Development to look at: The Ravens held a group to 17 factors or fewer in three straight video games, tying the longest streak by any group this season. That is fairly a turnaround for a protection that had been closely criticized after permitting an NFL-worst 35.4 factors per sport within the first 5 weeks. With two compelled fumbles and an interception towards the Dolphins, the Ravens recorded their most turnovers since three of their final assembly with the Dolphins in 2023. — Jamison Hensley

Subsequent sport: at Vikings (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Dolphins

At 2-7, will the Dolphins commerce away gamers on the deadline? Within the weeks main as much as Thursday's loss, Dolphins group sources stated there was no plan to make any sweeping roster adjustments — however there is a feeling across the league that a number of of their gamers could possibly be out there with the season changing into insurmountable. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips stated it is his desire to remain in Miami, whereas linebacker Bradley Chubb stated that call is out of his arms. Coach Mike McDaniel instructed reporters after the sport that it would be “irresponsible” to touch upon any potential trades and that the group is targeted on “dictating the phrases” forward of the Payments matchup. The group should handle Tuesday's commerce deadline with out basic supervisor Chris Grier, who was let go on Friday.

Stat to know: On go makes an attempt inside 2.5 seconds of snapping the ball, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa accomplished 18 of 25 passes for 209 yards. On makes an attempt that took longer than 2.5 seconds, he accomplished 7 of 14 passes for 52 yards and an interception with a minus-16.8 completion share over expectation. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Subsequent sport: vs. Payments (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)