There were definitely some unexpected performances from week nine of the 2021 National Football League season. Let’s take a look at the top five storylines from the week that was.
5) Broncos upset the Cowboys.
The Denver Broncos not just upset the NFC East Division leading Dallas Cowboys, they won convincingly 30-16. In fact, in one point of the game, Denver was leading Dallas 30-0. According to ESPN, the Broncos became the first team in over two decades to lead a game by 30 points when being a 10-point underdog. The last time this happened was on September 30, 2001 as the New England Patriots upset the Indianapolis Colts 44-13. The Patriots once had a 37-7 lead. The game is also known as the first game ever Tom Brady played.
4) James Conner making the most of his opportunities.
The Cardinals were supposed to be in tough against the San Francisco 49ers without quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Instead, the Cardinals were still firing on all cylinders. The Cardinals star player Sunday was James Conner, who had a full load of carries with Chase Edmonds having to leave early with a high ankle sprain. Conner had 173 yards, and three touchdowns. Conner now has 11 rushing/receiving touchdowns in 2021, which leads the NFL.
3) Lamar Jackson continues to roll.
The Baltimore Ravens are in first place in the AFC North with a record of six wins and two losses. On Sunday, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson became the first player in NFL history to have 2000 yards passing and 600 yards rushing over a team’s first eight games of the season according to ESPN. Jackson currently has 2209 yards passing and exactly 600 yards rushing. On Sunday, Jackson had 266 yards passing and 120 yards rushing in a 34-31 Ravens overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings.
2) Titans upset the Rams in SoCal.
Without Derrick Henry, not many people gave the Tennessee Titans a chance on Sunday night. Well, guess what folks? The Titans defense came up huge in a 28-16 victory. The star defender for the Titans was defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, who had three sacks, and six combined tackles. With the win, the Titans have the best record in the AFC at seven wins and two losses.
1) Josh Allen shines in the Bills/Jaguars game.
Everyone expected Josh Allen to have a huge game in the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Those who made that prediction were correct. However, it wasn’t the Bills quarterback Josh Allen who was amazing but the unknown Jaguars defensive end Josh Allen of Cumberland County, Virginia who shined. The Jaguars’ Allen had a game for the ages, as he had eight tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery in a shocking 9-6 Jaguars win over the AFC East leading Buffalo Bills. The Bills were 15.5 point favourites, but found a way to lose by a field goal. According to ESPN, this was the fourth largest spread by a road team, which ended up losing, since 1966.
