We’re more than halfway through the season and nearly every division is still up for grabs. The only exception might be the AFC East, where the Patriots have a three-game lead over the Bills.
There are several key division matchups in Week 9, beginning with the NFC South-leading Falcons (5-3) heading to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers (3-4) on Thursday (8:25 p.m. ET, NFL Network).
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The Falcons are coming off a dramatic 33-32 win over the Packers (4-3), who host the Colts (3-5) on Sunday. Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu was clutch down the stretch against the Packers, with five of his nine receptions coming on a game-winning drive that ended with Sanu’s 11-yard touchdown from Matt Ryan.
The Falcons have the NFL’s No. 1 offense behind Ryan, who leads the league with 2,636 and 19 touchdowns. That will put some pressure on Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston, who has thrown 14 touchdown passes, but also nine interceptions. Facing Atlanta’s 27th-ranked pass defense could help Winston put up some big numbers. Tampa Bay beat Atlanta in Week 1 and has won three straight in the series.
"When we watch the film, there are tons of things we can clean up," Ryan said this week. "There are tons of things we can do better. If anybody is content of if anyone thinks we are where need to be, they need to change their attitude and get out of that mindset because we can absolutely be better than we’ve been up until this point. We need to be better moving forward."
The Bengals and Redskins have the week off following their trip to London. Also receiving byes this week are the Cardinals, Bears, Texans and Patriots.
Lions (4-4) at Vikings (5-2), Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
The Vikings have fallen back to the pack. They were the last team to lose a game this season, but have dropped two straight. A loss at Philadelphia was followed by Monday night’s embarrassing loss to the Bears, who won for just the second time in eight games. That prompted offensive coordinator Norv Turner to resign Wednesday with tight ends coach Pat Shurmur taking over the offense. Shurmur was Sam Bradford's offensive coordinator during Bradford's rookie season in 2010 and last year in Philadelphia.
"We believe in Coach Pat, so we know that we’re going to get things right and get things going again," running back Jerick McKinnon said. "The main focus is getting back on track and getting some wins. We can’t let something like this distract us. We just have to get back on track."
The Vikings offensive line is a mess, specifically tackles Jake Long and T.J. Clemmings, who have been the replacements for the injured Matt Kalil and Andre Smith. The Lions defense has 18 sacks on the season, including three in Sunday’s 20-13 loss to Houston.
The Vikings had forced a turnover in 10 straight games, but that streak was snapped against the Bears. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has done a good job of taking care of the ball with just four interceptions this season.
The Lions can climb into contention in the NFC North with a win and both teams will be keeping an eye on the Colts-Packers game at Lambeau Field.
Eagles (4-3) at Giants (4-3), Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Neither the Eagles nor the Giants want to let the Dallas Cowboys (6-1) run away with the NFC East. The loser of Sunday’s game at the Meadowlands could fall three games back of the Cowboys, who are expected to win Sunday against the winless Browns.
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is playing more like a rookie following a torrid three-game start to the season. The Eagles have lost three of four since going 3-0 to open the season. Wentz had his second-highest completion percentage last Sunday against the Cowboys, but his 32 completions were for a pedestrian 202 yards. He’s averaging less than 5 yards per completion over the last two games, but the Eagles will have to open up the offense a bit to outscore a Giants team looking for its third straight win.
Steelers (4-3) at Ravens (3-4), Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
One of the NFL’s best rivalries renews itself Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. A win by the Ravens, who are looking to snap a four-game losing streak, will move them into a tie atop the AFC North. The Steelers can increase their lead in the division by snapping a two-game skid.
While it is an important midseason division game, the Steelers and Ravens will play each other again in the penultimate weekend. The Steelers close the season with three division games.
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Baltimore’s fourth-ranked defense will be tested by Pittsburgh’s 11th-ranked offense that has plenty of weapons.
The key matchup will be Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith matched up against Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. In seven games against the Ravens with Smith in the lineup, Brown has 37 receptions for 425 yards, but zero touchdowns.
One question mark is whether Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be able to play because of an injured knee. The Ravens expect him to be on the field.
"There’s no question in my mind he’s playing. It’s not even up for debate. If he’s practicing, he’s playing," Smith said. "Since I’ve been here, what I’ve learned about this guy, unless he has no foot this week, I don’t think he’s not going to be in the game. The only time he wasn’t playing, we knew for sure, he was at home. Other than that, if he’s even in the facility, he’s going to play."
Broncos (6-2) at Raiders (6-2), Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
The winner of Sunday’s game at the Coliseum will be in sole possession of first place in the AFC West. The Raiders have overcome penalties and a porous defense thanks to an explosive offense led by third-year quarterback Derek Carr, who is coming off a record performance.
Carr threw for a franchise-best 513 yards in Tampa, but Denver’s third-ranked defense will present a much tougher test. Oakland, which has the NFL’s fourth-ranked offense, has weapons outside in Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, who will face off against Broncos corners Aqib Talib and Chris Harris.
In 10 career games against the Raiders, Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas has scored in just one. He said the Broncos need more offense. He and Emmanuel Sanders may have to provide it in Oakland.