We are now halfway through the regular season, and half of the NFL’s teams have played nine of their seventeen games. Plus, the playoff picture is really starting to take shape. Here are the POTWs for Week 9.
Diontae Johnson
This week’s Thursday Night Football game marked a triumphant return to the end zone for Diontae Johnson, after having gone all of 2022 without scoring. Johnson reeled in 7 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown, his first since Week 17 of 2021, and the game-winner in the Steelers’ 20-16 triumph over the Tennessee Titans.
The Chiefs’ safeties
Nowadays, the Chiefs are not known for scoring defensive touchdowns. Although, they are known for their creativity and ability to improvise on the field. Take their Frankfurt game, for example, where a forced fumble on ex-Chief Tyreek Hill was recovered by free safety Mike Edwards, who pitched the ball mid-return to strong safety Bryan Cook. Cook then took it home 59 yards for the touchdown, which made all the difference in KC’s 21-14 win over the Dolphins.
Jordan Love
Jordan Love has caught a lot of slander recently for reckless throws that have resulted in turnovers. Against the Rams, however, he was turnover-free and went 20/26 for 228 yards and a touchdown as the Packers skated by their opposition 20-3.
Keaton Mitchell
I had a sixth-round grade on Keaton Mitchell going into last year’s draft, but he proved me wrong right in front of my face. Mitchell played a huge role in the Ravens’ 37-3 pounding of the Seahawks, rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown on 9 carries in his NFL debut. Shoutout to Odell Beckham Jr. for getting his first NFL touchdown in over a year.
Joshua Dobbs
The Vikings were already down a quarterback going into their matchup with Atlanta, but they doubled down on the bad luck when rookie Jaren Hall left the game with a concussion. Josh Dobbs, acquired just five days prior in a trade with Arizona, came in to fill the position and led the Vikings’ comeback. Before he even knew his teammates’ full names, he passed for 158 yards and two touchdowns whilst rushing for 66 yards and a touchdown, making plays left and right as the Vikings edged out the Falcons 31-28 and notched their fourth straight win.
The Browns defense
Yes, they were facing a backup rookie QB (the Cardinals’ Clayton Tune) on his first NFL start, but the Browns’ defense was impressive nonetheless. The unit posted just the third shutout of the NFL season by any team, after the Cowboys in Week 1 and the Saints in Week 5. They recorded 7 sacks, 2.5 thanks to Dalvin Tomlinson, a forced fumble from Shelby Harris, and two interceptions from Sione Takitaki and Denzel Ward. Final score: 27-0.
Jahan Dotson
While the Commanders’ offense did look sluggish at times in their 20-17 win over New England, there were plenty of positive moments. Jahan Dotson created multiple of those moments, with four catches for 69 yards and a crucial touchdown.
Taysom Hill
Taysom Hill really is Mr. Do-it-all. In the Saints’ 24-17 win over the Bears, Hill ran for 52 yards, caught 4 passes for 13 yards and a touchdown, and threw a three-yard touchdown pass that proved to be the difference in the close scoring clash.
CJ Stroud
CJ Stroud’s performance for the Texans in their 39-37 thriller against Tampa Bay was nothing short of historic. Stroud passed for 470 yards, a single-game record for rookie quarterbacks, and five touchdowns, including the game-winner in the final ten seconds.
Kenny Moore II
Kenny Moore has been stellar throughout his career since going undrafted, but his performance this week was unlike anything he has showcased thus far. Moore had two interceptions off of Bryce Young and returned both of them for touchdowns, which made the difference in the Colts leaving the Panthers’ jungle with the 27-13 victory.
Maxx Crosby
If anybody epitomized the dominance of the Raiders in their 30-6 demolition of the depleted Giants, it was Maxx Crosby. Of the team’s eight sacks, Crosby had three, highlighting just how stellar the Raiders’ defense can be.
Reed Blankenship
The Eagles defense has given up a lot of points, sure, but make major plays when they are needed. Reed Blankenship, the free safety, recorded seven tackles, two pass breakups, and recovered a Cowboys fumble as Philly edged out Dallas 28-23 and strengthened their grip on the NFC East crown.
Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow’s hot streak continued on Sunday Night against Buffalo. The LSU alum passed for 348 yards and two touchdowns as he led Cincinnati to 21 first-half points and a 24-18 win, their fourth in a row.
Tuli Tuipulotu
The Chargers’ pass rush had a Monday Night Football field day against the Jets. Whilst their offense/special teams scored 27 points, the defense sacked Zach Wilson eight times and held the Jets to just six points. Two of the sacks came from second-round rookie Tuli Tuipulotu, who also recorded 2 tackles for loss.