As the 2026 NFL trade deadline approaches on Tuesday, Week 9 offered a final chance to evaluate team needs before front offices decide whether to buy, sell, or hold. Analysts provided snap impressions for all 32 teams, highlighting potential moves such as the Buffalo Bills targeting defensive help, the Pittsburgh Steelers pursuing a receiver like Josh Downs, and the Arizona Cardinals looking to move veterans Josh Sweat and Budda Baker. Several struggling teams, including the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders, were advised to listen to offers on most of their roster.
Game Balls
Six standout players earned game balls for their Week 9 performances: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (10 receptions, 155 yards, 1 TD), Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (10 receptions, 195 yards, 1 TD), Los Angeles Rams linebacker Myles Garrett (3 sacks, 1 forced fumble), Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (three total touchdowns), Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (5 passing TDs), and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (4 total TDs).
Notable Gaffes
Week 9 featured several memorable blunders: CeeDee Lamb fumbled after a long gain when he realized he was untouched; Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn opted for a short pass instead of a Hail Mary with seconds left; Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker missed back-to-back field goal attempts after a penalty; Colts running back Jonathan Taylor lost a shoe at the goal line, allowing Seth McGowan to score his first NFL touchdown; Saints rookie Jordyn Tyson fumbled at the goal line on his first career catch; and a corgi named Lennox ran loose on the field during halftime in Charlotte.
Two-Minute Drill Notes
Quick takeaways include the Chicago Bears winning with a -3 turnover margin for the first time since 2006, the Bengals having the fewest rushing yards per game for a 6-2 team since 2014, Joe Burrow tying for fifth-most total touchdowns through eight games in NFL history, the Cowboys allowing 20+ points in 16 straight games, the Colts falling from 8-2 last year to 2-14 since, Jayden Daniels' 3-9-1 record as a starter over two seasons, Arvell Reese becoming the youngest player with three-plus sacks in a game since 1982, Carson Schwesinger recording 15+ tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble, the Patriots allowing 45 points at home for the first time since 1970, and Christian McCaffrey passing Marshall Faulk for most receiving TDs by a running back. The Chargers remain winless at 0-8, while Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay are on bye in Week 10.
