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NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked

From the Buffalo Bills' Monday Night Football dominance over the Minnesota Vikings to C.J. Stroud's five-touchdown explosion and Joe Burrow's international showcase in Madrid, here is the alternating breakdown of every major winner and loser from NFL Week 9.

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  1. NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked
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From the Buffalo Bills' Monday Night Football dominance over the Minnesota Vikings to C.J. Stroud's five-touchdown explosion and Joe Burrow's international showcase in Madrid, here is the alternating breakdown of every major winner and loser from NFL Week 9 across the league's most defining matchups.

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©Wikimedia Commons / Erik Drost & All-Pro Reels (CC BY-SA)

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22 Highlights · Full Editorial Review
#1

LOSER: The Las Vegas Raiders' Ball Security

Las Vegas wiped 14 points off the board through unforced ball-security blunders against San Francisco. Coughing up two separate fumbles directly into the opposing end zone turned potential touchdown drives into empty possessions.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — LOSER: The Las Vegas Raiders' Ball Security
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / All-Pro Reels (CC BY-SA 4.0)
#2

WINNER: James Cook

Buffalo running back James Cook put the offense on his shoulders under the Monday Night Football lights. Cook bled the clock against Minnesota with a workhorse 31 carries for 107 rushing yards and a touchdown in the 23-6 win.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — WINNER: James Cook
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / WuTang94 (CC BY 4.0)
#3

LOSER: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay's defense handed its offense a golden opportunity by intercepting Chicago 4 separate times. Yet the Buccaneers failed to capitalize on those short fields, letting a winnable NFC matchup slip through their fingers.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — LOSER: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / All-Pro Reels & WuTang94 (CC BY-SA 2.0)
#4

WINNER: Matthew Stafford And The Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford leaned on his veteran poise in the fourth quarter to guide the Los Angeles Rams to a hard-fought 20-13 victory. The clutch win keeps Los Angeles firmly in the thick of the NFC playoff race heading into Week 10.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — WINNER: Matthew Stafford And The Los Angeles Rams
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Titans & All-Pro Reels (CC BY-SA 3.0)
#5

LOSER: The Miami Dolphins' Offense

Miami's usually explosive offense ground to a halt against Detroit's physical defense in Week 9. The Dolphins stalled out on drive after drive in South Florida, finishing the afternoon with a season-low 9 points.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — LOSER: The Miami Dolphins' Offense
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Titans & CCS Pictures (CC BY-SA 3.0)
#6

WINNER: Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati wideout Ja'Marr Chase electrified the packed crowd at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. Chase shredded Atlanta's secondary to post the most productive first-half stat line of his NFL career in the 34-17 win.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — WINNER: Ja'Marr Chase
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / All-Pro Reels (CC BY-SA 4.0)
#7

LOSER: The Atlanta Falcons' Secondary

The Atlanta Falcons' defensive backfield had no answers for Cincinnati's passing game in Madrid. Repeated coverage breakdowns left receivers wide open downfield as Atlanta surrendered 34 points in the international defeat.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — LOSER: The Atlanta Falcons' Secondary
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Lisa Ferdinando (PD)
#8

WINNER: Patrick Mahomes And The Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs methodically dismantled the New York Jets in a 35-12 rout. Mahomes controlled the tempo from the opening quarter, tightening Kansas City's grip atop the AFC playoff picture.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — WINNER: Patrick Mahomes And The Kansas City Chiefs
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / All-Pro Reels (CC BY-SA 2.0)
#9

LOSER: The Los Angeles Chargers' Offensive Line

The Los Angeles Chargers' offensive line suffered a complete breakdown in pass protection during Week 9. Houston's defensive front lived in the Chargers' backfield all afternoon, piling up 8 sacks in the 44-22 loss.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — LOSER: The Los Angeles Chargers' Offensive Line
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / All-Pro Reels & Titans (CC BY-SA 4.0)
#10

WINNER: Christian Watson And Matthew Golden

Green Bay wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden made history together against New England. They became the first NFL teammate duo in four years to both eclipse 160 receiving yards in the same game during the 45-point outburst.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — WINNER: Christian Watson And Matthew Golden
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / K. Engmann & All-Pro Reels (CC BY-SA)
#11

LOSER: The New York Jets

The New York Jets saw their fading AFC wildcard hopes take a decisive hit against Kansas City. Unable to slow down the Chiefs or sustain drives of their own, the Jets fell flat in a lopsided 35-12 loss in Week 9.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — LOSER: The New York Jets
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / U.S. Army Reserve & NY Jets (CC BY 3.0)
#12

WINNER: The Detroit Lions' Defense

Detroit's defense rallied around an injured teammate to deliver an inspiring four-quarter stand against Miami. The Lions bottled up the Dolphins' speed all afternoon, refusing to allow a single touchdown across the entire game.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — WINNER: The Detroit Lions' Defense
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Maize & Blue Nation & M. Barera (CC)
#13

LOSER: The Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders watched their record slide to 2-5-1 after another frustrating finish. Questionable fourth-quarter clock management and conservative late-game play calling drew heavy scrutiny as another winnable game slipped away.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — LOSER: The Washington Commanders
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / All-Pro Reels (CC BY-SA 4.0)
#14

WINNER: Brock Purdy And The San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy delivered another poised, mistake-free performance to keep San Francisco's offense rolling at full speed. Purdy accounted for 3 touchdowns to guide the 49ers to a decisive 38-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — WINNER: Brock Purdy And The San Francisco 49ers
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Jar-Lar & Alexia Boulot (CC BY-SA 4.0)
#15

LOSER: Caleb Williams' MVP Campaign

Chicago escaped Week 9 with a narrow victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Caleb Williams dented his MVP momentum in the process. The Bears quarterback threw 4 interceptions, turning a winnable outing into a tense four-quarter sweat.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — LOSER: Caleb Williams' MVP Campaign
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / All-Pro Reels & ZappaOMatic (CC BY-SA)
#16

WINNER: Joe Burrow And The Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow orchestrated an offensive clinic at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for the NFL's international showcase in Madrid. Burrow picked apart Atlanta's coverage from the opening drive to lead the Cincinnati Bengals to a 34-17 rout.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — WINNER: Joe Burrow And The Cincinnati Bengals
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / All-Pro Reels (CC BY-SA 2.0)
#17

LOSER: Kirk Cousins And The Las Vegas Raiders

Kirk Cousins and the Las Vegas Raiders handed away their clash with San Francisco through a string of self-inflicted mistakes. A costly pick-six and multiple fumbles near the goal line erased any chance of keeping pace with the 49ers.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — LOSER: Kirk Cousins And The Las Vegas Raiders
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / K. Allison & All-Pro Reels (CC BY-SA)
#18

WINNER: Jordan Love And The Green Bay Packers

Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers proved their high-powered passing attack belongs among the league's best. Love carved up New England's defense on the road, hanging 45 points on the Patriots in a statement Week 9 victory.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — WINNER: Jordan Love And The Green Bay Packers
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Titans & All-Pro Reels (CC BY-SA)
#19

LOSER: Drake Maye And The New England Patriots

Drake Maye and the New England Patriots suffered a costly first-half collapse against Green Bay. Maye threw 3 interceptions before halftime, bringing his season giveaway total to 13 and tying him for the top turnover spot in the NFL.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — LOSER: Drake Maye And The New England Patriots
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Tennessee Titans (CC BY 3.0)
#20

WINNER: C.J. Stroud And The Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud set Week 9 ablaze with an unstoppable passing clinic against Los Angeles. The Houston quarterback threw for 384 yards and 5 touchdowns, carving up the Chargers' secondary to power a commanding 44-22 blowout victory.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — WINNER: C.J. Stroud And The Houston Texans
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Tennessee Titans (CC BY 3.0)
#21

LOSER: Carson Wentz And The Minnesota Vikings

Stepping in under center to replace Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz endured a brutal Monday Night Football outing against Buffalo. He completed just 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards before getting benched in Minnesota's lopsided 23-6 primetime loss to the Bills.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — LOSER: Carson Wentz And The Minnesota Vikings
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / All-Pro Reels & M. Barera (CC BY-SA)
#22

WINNER: The Buffalo Bills' Defense

Buffalo delivered a dominant primetime defensive clinic to beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-6 on Monday Night Football. The Bills suffocated Minnesota's attack from the opening kickoff, holding the Vikings to just 6 points and 178 total yards all night.

NFL Week 9's Biggest Winners and Losers, Ranked — WINNER: The Buffalo Bills' Defense
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / WuTang94 & Alan Kotok (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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