Bye weeks officially wrap up in Week 11, but hit their peak in Week 9 when six teams are resting. That leaves just 11 games to juggle on Sunday, including two contests between teams at the top of their respective divisions.
NFL scores 2015: Follow all the Week 9 action from Sunday
Coverage of Week 9 begins with a high-profile NFC matchup between the unbeaten Panthers and the 6-1 Packers.
The headline matchup was between two of the top teams in the NFC: the Green Bay Packers and undefeated Carolina Panthers. No team entered Week 8 with better Super Bowl odds than the Packers, according to Football Outsiders, but after a big loss at the hands of the Denver Broncos, Green Bay was looking to avoid back-to-back losses.
Despite the Panthers being in control for most of the game, the Packers stormed back and made it a game late. Aaron Rodgers shook off a rough first half and led the Packers to within one score. When Damarious Randall picked off Cam Newton with a few minutes remaining, the Packers had a chance to tie it, but Rodgers was picked off near the goal line.
The Panthers remain perfect at 8-0 and their win over the Packers is their most impressive of the season. It keeps Carolina in the driver’s seat for the NFC South crown along with a potential first-round bye in the playoffs.
In a game with playoff implications, the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Oakland Raiders in a wild one. Only five teams in the AFC have winning records, and there's a three-team race for the two wild card spots with the New York Jets battling with the Steelers and Raiders. The Steelers were able to overcome a late Raiders comeback attempt, plus an injury to Ben Roethlisberger, to win on a field goal as time expired. Antonio Brown's historic day was a huge factor in the win -- he caught 17 passes for 284 yards, both franchise records.
The second slate of games the 49ers pulled off the upset over the Falcons ... with Blaine Gabbert. They held Atlanta’s rushing attack to just 17 yards. Gabbert himself had 32 rushing yards in the game. The Giants beat the Buccaneers, with a little help from Mike Evans and his six dropped passes. But the biggest surprise of the day came from Indianapolis where the Colts, having since been left for dead, found a way to beat the Broncos.
Below, we’ve got all of the Week 9 games, with scores updated throughout the day.
Final scores so far for Sunday:
New England Patriots 27, Washington 10
Buffalo Bills 33, Miami Dolphins 17
Carolina Panthers 37, Green Bay Packers 29
Minnesota Vikings 21, St. Louis Rams 18 (OT)
Tennessee Titans 34, New Orleans Saints 28 (OT)
New York Jets 28, Jacksonville Jaguars 23
Pittsburgh Steelers 38, Oakland Raiders 35
49ers 17, Falcons 16
Giants 32, Buccaneers 18
Colts 27, Broncos 24
Eagles 33, Cowboys 27
Biggest Moments
Ryan Tannehill’s now-weekly botched snap turned into a safety.
Tom Brady’s form leaves a lot to be desired, but at least he made the tackle after a rare interception.
Delanie Walker turned a failed Saints pick into a wacky Titans touchdown.
Cam Newton likes to give the football to kids after he scores a touchdown, but Julius Peppers was NOT having it.
Todd Gurley was out of bounds by a hair -- literally.
Ndamukong Suh should have been credited for a sack, so he told the refs that next time he’d “slam the f*** out” of the quarterback.
One play earned the Titans THREE personal foul penalties.
Aaron Rodgers made an incredible throw, and then later threw a pick on a potential game-tying drive and took his frustrations out on a Microsoft Surface.
The Packers started fighting themselves.
The Vikings’ respect for the wind helped them get the win in OT.
Jason Pierre-Paul is back and he’s wearing an oven mitt.
Major injuries
Patriots running back Dion Lewis left the game against Washington with a left knee injury and did not return.
Teddy Bridgewater took a huge hit to his head against the Rams and left the game to get evaluated for a concussion.
LeSean McCoy exited late against the Dolphins with a shoulder injury.
Ben Roethlisberger was carted to the locker room with a left foot injury against the Raiders.
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