2019 NFL Week 9 Recap

By Rob Woodfork
November 4, 2019 | 1:03 AM

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) scrambles against the New England Patriots during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Baltimore. — <b><i>Patriots 20</i></b> <b><i>Ravens 37</i></b> How unlikely was this result? New England won 16 straight regular season games, facing a starting QB for the first time and 20 straight against a QB age 24 or younger. As <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/28/bill-belichick-on-lamar-jackson-hes-definitely-a-problem/">Bill Belichick predicted</a>, the 22-year-old Lamar Jackson changed that by lighting up the Patriots defense — which previously allowed only seven points per game this season — by air and ground to simultaneously get himself in the MVP conversation and Baltimore in the discussion for AFC title contenders. It feels like we'll see this match up again in the playoffs.

CARSON, CA — NOVEMBER 03: Mike Badgley #4 of the Los Angeles Chargers kicks a field goal against the Green Bay Packers in the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park on Nov. 3, 2019 in Carson, California. Chargers won 26-11. — <b><i>Packers 11</i></b> <b><i>Chargers 26</i></b> Give it up for Michael Badgley, y'all. He called his shot with his <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/11/03/michael-badgley-trademarks-money-badger-nickname/">self-imposed (and well-timed) nickname</a> to help the Chargers snap a 3-game home losing streak and stuff some <a href="https://twitter.com/LilySZhao/status/1191155126708428800">humble pie</a> in Green Bay's face. If L.A. can pull off back-to-back division wins in prime time, the AFC West will get really interesting.

DENVER, CO — NOVEMBER 3: Brandon Allen #2 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass while being hit by Devaroe Lawrence #99 of the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on Nov. 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. — <b><i>Browns 19</i></b> <b><i>Broncos 24</i></b> Denver entered this week as the only NFL team to have <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/1189166445831176193?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zero QBs on the roster who have taken an NFL snap.</a> However, Brandon Allen outplayed Baker Mayfield to deal Cleveland their fifth straight loss to a QB making his first career start. If you thought <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/30/baker-mayfield-storms-away-from-media-after-dumbest-question-you-could-ask/">Baker was cranky before</a>, he'll be in a <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/11/03/jermaine-whitehead-threatens-critics-on-twitter-prompting-team-response/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jermaine Whitehead-like rage</a> this week — and considering the Browns are actually <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1191162489242865664?s=20">worse than they were last year</a>, should probably change more than just <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/11/03/browns-wrs-ordered-to-change-shoes-at-halftime-as-broncos-lead-17-12/">their shoes</a>.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles away from Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during overtime of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Seattle. — <b><i>Buccaneers 34</i></b> <b><i>Seahawks 40 (OT)</i></b> Jameis Winston had a pretty good game but could only sit and watch Russell Wilson complete a thrilling comeback to cement his MVP status, while Jameis is only famous for completing <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/27/jameis-winston-makes-the-latest-non-guarantee-guarantee/">the failed non-guaranteed guarantee trifecta</a>. Monday Night Football finally gets a gem when the Seahawks play the undefeated 49ers next week.

Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs for a touchdown past Detroit Lions defensive back Miles Killebrew during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. — <b><i>Lions 24</i></b> <b><i>Raiders 31</i></b> Josh Jacobs continues to <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1191120187157815296?s=20">put his name among the greats</a> while carrying the Raiders to a better-than-expected final season in Oakland. Maybe trading Khalil Mack wasn't so bad after all.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — NOVEMBER 03: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins is stopped by Trent Murphy #93 of the Buffalo Bills short of a first down on a third down quarterback keeper attempt during the second quarter at New Era Field on Nov. 3, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. — <b><i>Redskins 9 </i></b> <b><i>Bills 24</i></b> Vegas was right to <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/30/buffalo-washington-has-this-seasons-lowest-over-under-at-36-5/">keep the over/under low</a>. The Redskins have gone 13 straight quarters without scoring a touchdown and Buffalo has only beaten teams with losing records. Even still, Dwayne Haskins proved what we already know; he's the best QB on the roster by default and should be the starter.

Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz, right, is tackled by Chicago Bears' Leonard Floyd during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Philadelphia. — <b><i>Bears 14</i></b> <b><i>Eagles 22</i></b> Chicago may have been <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/31/matt-nagy-wants-bears-to-learn-from-nationals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/31/matt-nagy-wants-bears-to-learn-from-nationals/&source=gmail&ust=1572912255566000&usg=AFQjCNFm8r1dVokmBpH-ZwsVA5JMYNjBzg">inspired by the Nationals</a> — and had a Nats-like rebound from <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1191076939794137090?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1191076939794137090?s%3D20&source=gmail&ust=1572912255566000&usg=AFQjCNFtloyV1EYEw4VoLuqsvdY_9ZJx0g">a historically inept first half</a> to make it a game again — but they forgot the key ingredient: Finish the fight!

KANSAS CITY, MO — NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Matt Moore #8 of the Kansas City Chiefs rolls to the outside during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. — <b><i>Vikings 23</i></b> <b><i>Chiefs 26</i></b> Sure things in life: Death, taxes and Andy Reid getting the most out of a mediocre QB. Matt Moore posted a 103.9 QB rating to lead Kansas City to scoring drives in four of their final five possessions and knocked off a red hot Vikings team looking to make a statement. The Chiefs' statement is they're a consistent defense away from being a real title contender.

MIAMI, FLORIDA — NOVEMBER 03: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets is sacked during the game against the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Miami, Florida. — <b><i>Jets 18</i></b> <b><i>Dolphins 26</i></b> The Jets spent the week <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27976942/was-angry">pissing off their best offensive player</a>, <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/30/jamal-adams-patriots-dont-take-calls-on-tom-brady-so-jets-shouldnt-on-me/">alienating their best defensive player</a> and nearly got <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/30/if-patriots-win-jets-dolphins-loser-is-mathematically-eliminated-in-afc-east/">mathematically eliminated from division contention</a> at the season's midway point by losing to a winless team actively trying not to win. It's as if they watched the dysfunctional Redskins and said, "hold my beer." FedEx Field might actually collapse from the ineptitude when these teams "play" in two weeks.

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey runs for a touchdown while Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson tackles during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. — <em><strong>Titans 20</strong></em> <em><strong>Panthers 30</strong></em> <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128078" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carolina thinks Christian McCaffrey is the MVP</a> … and I don't think they're wrong.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA — OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL football game at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. — <b><i>49ers 28</i></b> <b><i>Cardinals 25</i></b> San Fran's defense showed some cracks and the vaunted run game found few holes, but it happened on a night when Jimmy G had the best game of his career (though not so much <a href="https://twitter.com/QueenChyXII/status/1190278953833041920?s=20">after the game</a>) to keep the 49ers undefeated halfway through their season. But now <a href="https://wtop.com/gallery/nfl/2019-nfl-week-8-recap/">the schedule gets tougher</a> and <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27983186/source-49ers-lb-kwon-alexander-season-torn-pectoral">Kwon Alexander is out for the season</a> so it's about to get real in the Bay Area.

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Bad attitudes, offensive ineptitude and Natitude inspires a team outside Washington. The NFL Week 9 Recap truly has it all.

Quarterback Alex Smith’s grueling road to recovery chronicled in ESPN program

By CNN
April 28, 2020 | 10:34 PM

NFL quarterback Alex Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury that put his career in jeopardy and had him fighting for his life, and his long and grueling road to recovery is chronicled in an upcoming one-hour program from ESPN called "Project 11." The leg injury occurred Nov. 18, 2018, in the third quarter of a game between the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans. After being sacked by the Texans' J.J. Watt and Kareem Jackson, Smith suffered a spiral and compound fracture of the right tibia and fibula.

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