What We Learned in Week 9: NFL Rookies, Veteran Struggles, and Surging Teams

The NFL season’s midpoint is a time for answers and new questions. Week 9 brought eye-opening performances from rookies surpassing expectations, established teams facing surprising struggles, and playoff hopefuls making their move. This week, from Drake Maye’s promise in New England to the Eagles finding their form, offered insight into who’s rising and who’s falling in the league. Here’s a breakdown of critical storylines from Week 9, plus what we’ll be watching as we head into Week 10 and beyond.

Can Drake Maye Spark New England’s Future?

Drake Maye gave New England fans hope with a poised and fearless performance in Week 9. His last-second touchdown against Tennessee to force overtime showed a calm under pressure, something that Patriots fans haven’t seen since Tom Brady. Though he struggled later with a risky pass that cost them in overtime, Maye’s ability to extend plays and keep his excellent points to a promising future. While New England’s season record isn’t where they’d hoped, Maye’s development gives fans reason to be optimistic about his potential as a reliable starter. His current stats may not stand out, but the confidence and awareness he displayed on Sunday are building blocks the Patriots can rely on to rebuild their team.

Dallas Cowboys Playoff Hopes Are Fading

It’s been another disappointing season for Dallas, with the team falling to 3-5 after a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Once again, the Cowboys are showing signs of being unprepared and outmatched, even with the league’s most expensive roster. In a game that should have been competitive, Dallas turned the ball over on downs four times, underscoring issues with motivation, preparation, and coaching. Head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff face mounting pressure as the Cowboys head into a tough stretch, with games against Philadelphia, Houston, and Washington. By Thanksgiving, they could find themselves well outside the playoff conversation, extending their Super Bowl drought yet another year. It’s a frustrating cycle for fans with high hopes for a team that continues to fall short in crucial games.

Can the Bengals Find Consistency?

The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the NFL’s most unpredictable teams this season. After being dominated by Philadelphia one week and handily defeating Las Vegas the next, their season has been a roller coaster. Joe Burrow has continued to deliver strong performances, but inconsistent support from his receivers and backs has led to mixed results. While the Bengals have won three of their last four games, their upcoming matchups against Baltimore, the Chargers, and Pittsburgh will test their resilience. With a 4-5 record, Cincinnati still has a shot at the playoffs, but they’ll need to prove they can maintain form against top-tier teams. This next stretch will determine whether they’re legitimate contenders or just another inconsistent squad.

Did the Bears Break After Washington’s Hail Mary?

After losing to Washington on a last-second Hail Mary in Week 8, the Chicago Bears seem unable to shake off the defeat. In Week 9, they struggled again against the Arizona Cardinals. A 53-yard touchdown run from Arizona’s Emeri Demercado before halftime put the Bears down 21-9, and they never recovered. Despite a promising roster, Chicago’s coaching decisions and execution have been inconsistent, and fans question whether the team is moving in the right direction. With upcoming games against New England, Green Bay, Minnesota, and Detroit, the Bears must regroup quickly if they want to salvage their season. A strong divisional run could turn things around, but Chicago must find a way to shake off these tough losses.