NFL Week Nine: Winners and Losers

Week nine saw a few interesting things: some breakouts, standouts, and a few head scratchers. Here are my winners and losers:

Winners:

1. Baltimore Ravens: Quarterback Joe Flacco threw for a touchdown to wide receiver Mike Wallace. Wide receiver Chris Moore’s blocked punt for a touchdown helped the Ravens defeat AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers 21-14. The stats were about even in this game but in the end, the Ravens made more plays.
2. Detroit Lions: Quarterback Matt Stafford did it again as his game-winning 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Golden Tate helped the Lions defeat the Minnesota Vikings 22-16 in overtime. At 5-4, the Lions are right there in contention for the NFC North.
3. New York Giants: Though the Giants did just about everything they could to lose, questionable play-calling, interceptions by quarterback Eli Manning, but they did just enough defeating NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles 28-23.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Quarterback Andrew Luck overcame two interceptions and made big plays late as the Colts upset the Green Bay Packers 31-26 at Lambeau Field.
5. Oakland Raiders: Running back Latavius Murray rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns. The defense had two turnovers as the Raiders defeated the Denver Broncos 30-20. The Raiders are now tied for the best record in the NFL, they’re for real, folks.

Losers:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: Being 4 for 18 on third downs and incompletions stalled drives in their loss to Baltimore.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: Despite having the edge in time of possession, quarterback Carson Wentz had 20 incompletions and threw two interceptions that cost the Eagles in their loss to New York.
3. Denver Broncos: Turnovers, penalties, and having only 33 rushing yards were the Broncos’ undoing in their loss to Oakland.
4. Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings couldn’t deter any big plays in their loss to Detroit. The Vikes started 5-0, but have now lost three in a row. What’s going on in Minnesota?
5. Green Bay Packers: Despite safety Haha Clinton-Dix’s two interceptions, the defense gave up too many big plays late in their loss to Indianapolis.

Storylines Going Into Week Ten:

Can Minnesota get back on track at Washington? Kansas City goes to Carolina. Denver travels to New Orleans. San Diego hosts Miami.

Three intriguing intra-conference games as Dallas battles Pittsburgh, Seattle goes cross-country to face New England and Cincinnati, off a bye plays the New York Giants.