NFL’s 10 Most Important People in Week 9

Each week, Yardbarker highlights the key people leading into the week’s NFL games.

From players to coaches and beyond, here are the 10 most important people to watch in Week 9.

QB Jayden Daniels | Washington commanders

In an 18-15 Week 8 win over the Chicago Bears, Jayden Daniels threw a game-winning 52-yard Hail Mary to wide receiver Noah Brown. Will the rookie deliver more late-game heroics in Sunday’s road game against the New York Giants?

Although the Giants (2-6) have lost three straight games, they could be a tough matchup for Daniels. New York leads the league in sacks (35) and ranks eighth passing yards allowed (189.4).

Daniels – who has the fifth-best QBR in the league (72.7 in eight games) – could still lead the Commanders (6-2) to a third straight win and further his MVP case. Starting Wednesday, FanDuel will give him the fifth best odds (+900) to win the prize.

QB Joe Flacco | Indianapolis foals

On Wednesday, Colts HC Shane Steichen confirmed that Joe Flacco will replace QB Anthony Richardson in a Week 9 road game against the Minnesota Vikings (5-2), via JJ Stankevitz from the team website. “This isn’t just a one-week change,” the coach said.

Indianapolis may be making the right decision. Through six games, Richardson has completed a league-high 44.4 percent of his passes for a league-high four TDs and thrown seven interceptions. Flacco, meanwhile, has completed 65.7 percent of his passes for seven TDs and one pick in four games.

Last season, Flacco went 4-1 in five starts while filling in for injured Browns QB Deshaun Watson, leading Cleveland to the postseason. Perhaps the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year will help Indianapolis (4-4) compete for a playoff spot.

WR DeAndre Hopkins | Kansas City Chiefs

DeAndre Hopkins – who the Chiefs (7-0) recently acquired in a trade with the Tennessee Titans – had two receptions for 29 yards in a 27-20 Week 8 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. KC head coach Andy Reid indicated he should play a bigger role in Monday’s home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4).

“He was chewing on the play on the sideline that wanted to play,” Reid said told the media earlier this week. “And at the same time knowing that he didn’t have everything down, so there was patience. But he was in the game and I think you’ll see more in the next game.”

Five-time Pro Bowler Hopkins should expect a dominant performance against Tampa Bay’s 29th-ranked pass defense (255.4 YPG).

QB Bo Nix | Denver Broncos

Over the past four games, Nix has looked like the guy for Denver. During this stretch, the rookie has a 3-1 starting record and completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 870 yards. seven TDs and one interception.

Can Nix continue with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday? As of Wednesday ESPN Analysis gives the Ravens (5-3) a 74.4 percent chance of winning their home game.

Whether the Broncos (5-3) pull off the upset or not, don’t be surprised if Nix puts in another impressive performance. Baltimore’s passing defense ranks last in yards allowed (291.4).

RB Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers

Packers QB Jordan Love suffered a groin injury during a 30-27 Week 8 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It is still unclear whether he or backup QB Malik Willis will start in Sunday’s home game against the Detroit Lions (6-1).

Expect the Packers (6-2) to rely on Josh Jacobs even if Love plays. Through eight games, Jacobs has the fourth-most rushing yards in the league (667 on 145 carries).

Ever since star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson suffered a broken tibia and fibula in Week 6 against the Cowboys, Detroit has struggled to stop the run. The Lions allowed it in the past two games 297 rushing yards.

HC Mike McCarthy | Dallas Cowboys

Mike McCarthy is in the final year of a five-year contract and his future looks even more uncertain after a 3-4 start.

“Unless there is an abrupt and dramatic turnaround in performance and results, we could be approaching McCarthy’s final 10 games as head coach of the Cowboys,” wrote one longtime NFL reporter. Ed Werder from WFAA-TV in Dallas on Wednesday. “This is the furthest the Cowboys have been below .500 in a season since McCarthy’s first in Dallas.”

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said this recently KRLD-FM in Dallas he would not fire McCarthy during the season. Regardless, Sunday’s road game against the Atlanta Falcons (5-3) looks like a must-win for McCarthy.

QB Jalen hurts | Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts has seemingly erased his turnover problem. About his last three gameshe has nine TDs (four passing and five rushing) and no turnovers. In his first four games, Hurts had five turnovers (four interceptions and one lost fumble).

NBC Sports Philadelphia reports this Ruben Frankthis is the first time Hurts has gone three straight games without a turnover since Weeks 5-7 in 2022.

The Eagles (5-2) need Hurts to continue playing flawlessly in Sunday’s home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6).

QB Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow remains confident in Cincinnati’s playoff chances despite a 3-5 start.

“I think you usually get in with ten wins,” Burrow said after a 37–17 Week 8 loss to the Eagles. “So we have to win seven out of nine. That’s doable, so we’ll go from there.”

According to Tankathon it is the Bengals have the league’s 18th toughest remaining schedule. Perhaps Burrow and the Bengals will catch fire in Sunday’s home game against the Raiders (2-6), whose pass defense is the seventh-best in the NFL (189.1).

W.R. Ladd McConkey | Los Angeles Chargers

Ladd McConkey’s nine yard TD catch in a 26-8 Week 8 win over the New Orleans Saints, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh recalled former Carolina Panthers star Steve Smith Sr. (the former QB played with Smith in 2001.)

“It’s like they both had this ability and this skill to almost look one way and then catch it a few feet the other way,” Harbaugh said recently, via ESPN’s Kris Rhim. “It’s very subtle, it’s really good.”

If McConkey continues to live up to the lofty comparison in Sunday’s road game against the Browns (2-6), that would be excellent for the Chargers (4-3). Smith made five Pro Bowls in 16 seasons with the Panthers and Ravens.

HC Mike Macdonald | Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks (4-4) have lost four of their past five games, forcing Mike Macdonald to abandon some of his plans. He recently told KIRO-AM in Seattle, the Seahawks will focus on areas where they thrive rather than on “sunk costs.”

The coach said Seattle plans to double down on its up-tempo offense, meaning the Seahawks will likely run more no-huddles to catch opponents off guard.

Monitor whether rookie HC’s strategy works in Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Rams (3-4).