NFL Week 9 Preview 2026: Three Key Stats for Every Game

The NFL season reaches its halfway point, and Week 9 brings another packed schedule, including a historic trip to Madrid, some fascinating divisional battles and a huge Monday Night Football showdown.

With playoff positions beginning to take shape, every result matters. Here’s the UK Rookie breakdown of all 15 games, featuring three standout stats or trends and our verdict on each matchup.

Sunday – Madrid Game

Cincinnati Bengals vs Atlanta Falcons

Sunday 8 November | 2:30pm UK | Madrid

• 462 passing yards: Joe Burrow produced a monster performance against Tennessee in Week 8, throwing five touchdowns.
• 780 rushing yards: Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson entered the weekend as the NFL’s leading rusher.
• 29.4 points per game: Cincinnati arrived with the league’s second-highest scoring average, compared with Atlanta’s 21.4.

Rookie Verdict: The Bengals have the offensive firepower to take control, particularly if Burrow continues his outstanding form. Cincinnati to win. Atlanta offence way too quiet for me at times too…

Sunday – 6pm UK Kick-offs

Denver Broncos @ Carolina Panthers

• 15 consecutive wins: Denver entered Week 9 having won 15 straight regular-season games decided by eight points or fewer.
• 101 tackles: Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton led the entire NFL entering the weekend.
• 6–2 vs 3–4: Denver arrived with a considerably stronger record than Carolina.

Rookie Verdict: Denver’s ability to win close games could prove decisive. Broncos to edge another competitive contest.

Dallas Cowboys @ Indianapolis Colts

• 30 points scored: Dallas put up 30 against Arizona last weekend but still lost.
• 42 points conceded: Indianapolis suffered a heavy 42–7 defeat against Jacksonville.
• 63 combined points allowed: The Cowboys and Colts conceded a combined 75 points in Week 8, with defensive improvement essential for both sides.

Rookie Verdict: Both teams have plenty to prove defensively. Dallas could exploit Indianapolis through the air, but this looks difficult to call.

New York Jets @ Kansas City Chiefs

• 33 points scored: The Jets produced one of their better attacking performances against Las Vegas in Week 8, despite losing.
• 24 points scored: Kansas City fell 28–24 to division rivals Denver last weekend.
• 4-point margin: The Chiefs were just one score away from overturning that defeat.

Rookie Verdict: Kansas City should respond at home. The Jets will need another strong offensive display to keep pace. Chiefs to win.

Detroit Lions @ Miami Dolphins

• 19–15: Detroit defeated Minnesota in a hard-fought NFC North battle last weekend.
• 24–19: Miami narrowly lost to New England in Week 8.
• 19 points conceded: Both defences allowed exactly 19 points in their previous games.

Rookie Verdict: Detroit’s physical approach could give Miami problems, especially if the Lions establish their running game. Lions to win.

Cleveland Browns @ New Orleans Saints

• 6 points: Cleveland managed just two field goals in its 27–6 defeat to Pittsburgh.
• 21-point defeat: The Browns suffered one of the more convincing losses of Week 8.
• 0 touchdowns: Cleveland’s offence failed to reach the end zone against the Steelers.

Rookie Verdict: Cleveland must find more offensive production. New Orleans have an opportunity to capitalise at home. Saints to win.

New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles

• 27–10: Philadelphia suffered a disappointing defeat to Washington in Week 8.
• 17-point margin: The Eagles were comfortably beaten by their NFC East rivals.
• 10 points scored: Philadelphia’s attack struggled badly against the Commanders.

Rookie Verdict: A divisional matchup offers Philadelphia the perfect opportunity to respond. But I can only see it going one way – to the Giants. They just seem to be in free fall and already looking ahead to next season.

Los Angeles Rams @ Washington Commanders

• 24–9: The Rams defeated the Chargers in the battle of Los Angeles last weekend.
• 27–10: Washington secured an impressive divisional victory over Philadelphia.
• 33 combined points conceded: The Rams and Commanders both produced strong defensive performances in Week 8.

Rookie Verdict: Two teams coming off impressive victories. The Rams look capable of controlling possession, but Washington’s home advantage makes this a close one. Rams to edge it.

Sunday – Late Games

Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Chargers

9:05pm UK

• 0 wins: The Chargers entered Week 9 still searching for their first victory of the season.
• 9 points: Los Angeles managed just nine against the Rams in Week 8.
• 40% of penalties: Offensive holding and false starts accounted for roughly 40% of NFL penalties through eight weeks, with both teams among the league’s most penalised for holding.

Rookie Verdict: Houston should see this as an opportunity to build momentum. The Chargers need a dramatic improvement offensively. Texans to win.

Las Vegas Raiders @ San Francisco 49ers

9:25pm UK

• 19 touchdown passes: Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins entered Week 9 ranked second in the NFL.
• 99 career touchdown passes: Brock Purdy needed just one more to reach the century mark.
• 6 consecutive games: Christian McCaffrey had scored a rushing touchdown in six straight appearances.

Rookie Verdict: San Francisco’s balanced attack should be difficult to stop, although Cousins gives the Raiders a genuine passing threat. 49ers to win.

Green Bay Packers @ New England Patriots

9:25pm UK

• 5–3 records: Both teams entered this heavyweight matchup with identical winning records.
• 2,246 passing yards: Jordan Love led the NFL in passing yards entering Week 9.
• 4 wins in 5 games: Both the Packers and Patriots had won four of their previous five matches.

Rookie Verdict: One of the most intriguing games of the week. Drake Maye and Jordan Love are both in excellent form, but Green Bay’s passing attack could make the difference. Packers to edge it.

Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks

9:25pm UK

• 66 receptions: Arizona tight end Trey McBride led the NFL in catches entering Week 9.
• 64 receptions: Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba ranked second in the league.
• 3–5 vs 4–4: Seattle entered with a narrow advantage in the NFC West standings.

Rookie Verdict: Expect both teams to lean heavily on their leading receivers. Seattle’s home advantage could be decisive. Seahawks to win.

Sunday Night Football

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Chicago Bears

Monday 9 November | 1:20am UK

• 16–0: Tampa Bay shut out Atlanta in Week 8, delivering a dominant defensive performance.
• 34 points: Chicago’s offence impressed in its victory over Seattle.
• 6–2 record: The Bears entered Week 9 with one of the NFC’s strongest records.

Rookie Verdict: Chicago’s explosive attack faces a Tampa Bay defence full of confidence. This could be one of Sunday’s closest games. Bears to win narrowly.

Monday Night Football

Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings

Tuesday 10 November | 1:15am UK

• 33.3 points per game: Buffalo entered Week 9 with the NFL’s highest-scoring offence.
• 13.3 points allowed per game: Minnesota boasted the league’s best scoring defence.
• 73.1% blitz rate: The Vikings had blitzed on nearly three-quarters of opposing dropbacks, the highest rate through Week 8 since 2015.

Rookie Verdict: The game of the week. Josh Allen faces one of the toughest defensive challenges in football, but Buffalo’s offensive versatility could be enough. Bills to win a thriller.

UK Rookie’s Week 9 Games to Watch

Game of the Week: Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings — the NFL’s best scoring offence against its best scoring defence.

Potential Shootout: Cincinnati Bengals vs Atlanta Falcons — Burrow’s passing attack against a Falcons side featuring Bijan Robinson.

One to Watch: Green Bay Packers @ New England Patriots — two in-form quarterbacks and teams with identical 5–3 records.

Upset Watch: Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks — divisional familiarity could make this closer than the standings suggest.

Where to Watch NFL Week 9 in the UK

NFL Week 9 action is available through Sky Sports and NFL Game Pass on DAZN, with selected games shown live on Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports+.

For the full UK television schedule, kick-off times and channel information, check out our NFL on TV UK guide.

Who do you think wins the biggest games of Week 9? Join the conversation in the UK Rookie NFL Forum.