Week 9 did not disappoint.
Over halfway through the regular season and Week 9 reminded us why the NFL is the most unpredictable sport on Earth.
From crazy upsets to last-minute heartbreakers, we were treated to absolutely everything.
So, let us dive right into this weekend’s action and decipher what was the top five shocks, surprises and ‘OMG’ moments.
It is not over ’till it’s over
Just when you think you have seen it all, something happens which makes you stand up, put your hands on your head, and scream out loud. The Chicago Bears-Cincinnati Bengals game was one of those.
At the two-minute warning, the Bears had a a 14-point lead and a 99.7% chance of winning according to ESPN. What followed was madness.
A Noah Fant touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion to Tee Higgins put the Bengals within six. They then pulled off just the fourth successful onside kick of the season.
With under a minute left on the clock in the fourth quarter, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco threw a last-gasp touchdown and two-point conversation to put the Cincinnati Bengals 42-41 ahead.
The comeback looked complete. The sideline was celebrating. The fans were roaring. But Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams decided the game was not over yet.
With 17 seconds remaining, Williams launched a missile downfield. It was caught by Colston Loveland, who ran into the end zone for a 58-yard game-winning touchdown.
Chicago did not just steal a victory, they earned it, accumulating 570 yards of offense. The Bengals, despite Flacco’s 470-yards and four-touchdown game, looked lost.
This follows their loss last week in the final two minutes to the New York Jets. Two consecutive weeks of scoring 38 points or more and two consecutive losses.
For the Bengals, this loss was more than just a mark on paper but a dejecting kick in the stomach. For the Bears, it is a victory that can inspire an attitude and belief in and around the franchise.
Steelers stun the Colts
Absolutely nobody, and I mean nobody, had the Pittsburgh Steelers beating the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts. But, Aaron Rodgers rolled back the years and put on a vintage performance, claiming a 27-20 victory on Sunday.
The story of the day? Defense, pure and simple.
Across the game, Mike Tomlin’s Steelers forced six turnovers, five sacks and made the Colts offense look desperate and lost. Jonathon Taylor, who has bulldozed defenses in the opening eight games, was restricted to just 45 rushing yards – significant proof of a resilient defensive effort.
Most importantly, this game has changed the mindset on both teams. The dominant Colts, arguably favourites for the Super Bowl, now look mortal.
Meanwhile, the Steelers have showed the league they mean business and with a 5-3 record, they want playoffs and more.
Do not write Rodgers and Tomlin off just yet; being veterans in the sport, they are building a franchise based on grit and determination. They have got bite, belief and a defensive front nobody wants to face.
The Colts, however, will hope this was merely a day to forget and by the end of February will become a distant memory.
Panthers snatch victory at Lambeau
I assume many of you, like me, had to check their notifications a few times when they read the scoreline to this game.
Carolina, the 13.5-point underdog, strolled into the Lambeau Field against a dominant Green Bay Packers, and beat them 16-13 after a last-second field goal. A few times a season the NFL will gift us an upset which shakes the divisions, and this was one of those occasions.
The Panthers sealed their victory through a hard running game and winding down the clock. Rico Dowdle rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns, bullying the Packers defense that looked helpless.
Jordan Love on the other hand, fired inconsistent and misplaced passes, leaving a frustrated offensive line. Concerns for Green Bay intensified following Tucker Kraft exiting the field with a suspected knee injury – the extent is still unknown.
By no means does this show the Panthers will put up a late playoff charge, nor does it mean the Packers have been found out.
But, a gutsy performance from a young Panthers side was a statement win that even the league’s strugglers can bite.
The Packers playoff hopes have taken a dent, and with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles coming up, they will have no choice but to fight back if they want to keep their season going.
Bills make Mahomes look human
The Buffalo Bills put down their biggest statement of the season so far, defeating four-time Super Bowl winners the Kansas City Chiefs 28-21.
Patrick Mahomes, a former Super Bowl winner and MVP quarterback, has been dominant this season, but a resilient Buffalo defense made him look…human?
Blitzing relentlessly, Mahomes looked flustered. Rushed throws and off-balance decisions meant the Chiefs offense struggled to get going and left the 30-year-old with his lowest completion rate of the season.
In contrast, Josh Allen spread the ball efficiently and took control. The Bills’ gameplay was physical, disciplined and executed to perfection.
Now, the Chiefs have problems to address. If they want to push for the playoffs, they will have to sort the weaknesses that have been exploited.
The Bills, however, are firmly back in the AFC picture and will be determined to finish what they have never done.
Vikings win 51-point thriller
This year, the Detroit Lions have been one of the dominant forces across the NFL.
Jared Goff has led his offense to huge victories in the opening eight games, but this weekend was not one of those occasions.
The Minnesota Vikings’ 27-24 win was a scrappy and tight game but it was a clear sign of the start of something positive. Part of the positivity was a returning J.J. McCarthy, whom many underestimated against such a high-powered Lions team.
McCarthy was calm in the opening stages, throwing two touchdowns and demonstrating the reason he was a first-round pick. He reached 143 yards and complete 14 of 25 passes.
Despite the Lions having their chances, the surprising factor was the Vikings’ controlled and calm attitude. Their defense kept John Morton’s offense to a minimum and their composure in the last moments of the game was impressive for such a youthful side.
Minnesota will no longer be seen as a punchline in the NFC North. With the Packers also losing and Bears winning, this division could be far closer than people predicted.
