NFL Week 9 Takeaways

Josh Allen throwing a pass against the Miami Dolphins.

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

Week 9 of the NFL saw Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in his second game back against a red-hot Buffalo Bills team, the team he suffered the concussion against in Week 2. Under the leadership of Tagovailoa, the Dolphins are striving to make a comeback and secure a spot in the postseason. Meanwhile, Bryce Young seems to find his stride for the Carolina Panthers, and Saquon Barkley makes the play of the year. Let’s delve into my three NFL Week 9 Takeaways.

Should Josh Allen Be The MVP Favorite?

Mesmerizing, otherworldly, and captivating are some adjectives you’d use to describe Bills star quarterback Josh Allen. Coming into this season, many were lower on the Bills compared to years past due to losing many key players on both ends of the such as All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs (Texans) and defensive stalwarts like Leonard Floyd (49ers), Jordan Poyer (Dolphins), and Tre’Davious White (Rams) among others.

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Despite those key losses, the Bills have remained competitive due to Allen's exceptional performance. The former All-Pro quarterback has been sensational this season, with 1,766 passing yards (11th), 14 touchdowns (T-6th), a fourth-place QBR (73.4), and the highest passer rating of his career (107.6). His improved decision-making in the pocket, a significant area of growth this season, is evident in his reduced interceptions, with just one thrown through eight weeks.

Allen's transformation into a more composed and strategic player is evident in his reduced interceptions this season. His leadership and composure in the pocket have been instrumental in the Bills' current four-game winning streak, instilling confidence in his ability to guide the team. The Bills' season is even more remarkable because Allen does this without an elite receiver who strikes fear in the defense.

This is particularly noteworthy because the Bills rank just 28th in pass-play percentage and pass-thrown per game, indicating that they rely more on their running game. Despite this, Allen's performance has been exceptional. Allen will be able to strengthen his MVP case as the Bills' schedule begins to get more challenging. They face the Chiefs, 49ers, and Detroit Lions in three of their next five games, teams with a legitimate shot to win it all.

With Allen's play, leading the Bills to a 30-27 victory with 235 yards and three touchdowns over the Dolphins to extend their winning streak to four, anything is up for grabs for the star quarterback.

Has Bryce Young Found His Confidence?

Bryce Young calling the offensive play against the Saints.

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Coming into the NFL as the No.1 pick, you're expected to be a franchise's savior. In 2023, the Carolina Panthers thought former Heisman winner Bryce Young could be that for them, famously selecting him over a taller quarterback, C.J. Stroud, out of Ohio State, who now stars on the Texans. There were questions regarding Young’s size and frame coming into the NFL, at 5’10, 204 lbs, if he’d be able to handle the rigors of the NFL.

It also didn’t help that he has a porous offensive line and no elite receivers, which makes his job more demanding, especially when adjusting to the NFL out of the gate from Alabama. In his sophomore season, Young’s struggles in the pocket while scrambling seemingly for his life caused him to lose confidence in his game. It also doesn’t help that he was benched and had media members calling him the worst No.1 pick ever.

However, Young seemed to show some flashes of brilliance in his last two games against the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints. Despite the Panthers' 28-14 loss, Young showed quicker decisiveness in the pocket, completing 24-of-37 passes for two touchdowns. He also had two interceptions, as he had one throw where he overthrew his receiver. He needs to continue working on his ball placement and examining the defensive strategy, as he can sometimes under or overthrow.

You can find his full action against the Broncos in Week 8 here.

Young helped propel the Panthers to a 23-22 victory over the Saints the following week to snap their five-game losing streak in a gritty, hard-fought win. Young completed 16 of 26 passes for 171 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Chuba Hubbard scored two of the Panthers' touchdowns, but Young led the game-winning drive down the stretch late in the fourth to uplift the Panthers.

“In the moment of it, you don’t think about, but looking back on it, it’s a good thing,” Young said with a smile. Hubbard also had high praise for the young quarterback throughout the adversity he’s had to deal with.

“All of the adversity he has had to deal with, he has handled it great. He has stayed a leader and been a great teammate and kept working. For him to get this and play as well as he did, he deserves it.”

The Panthers hope Young can continue building off this momentum as they prepare for their Week 10 home matchup against the New York Giants.

Saquon Barkley Gives Us Play Of The Year

Saquon Barkley theatrically reverse hurdles Jaguars defensive back Jarrian Jones to avoid a tackle.

Elsa / Getty Images

After Washington Commanders Jayden Daniel's epic hail mary in Week 9 to defeat the Chicago Bears in what may be the play of the year, Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley also had something up his sleeve. The Eagles running back has been exceptional this season, rushing for 925 yards on 5.9 yards per carry and 115.6 yards per game, which is second behind Derrick Henry of the Ravens with 116.9.

His 925 yards are the fifth-most for any player in NFL history for a player through their first eight games. His incredible season only seems to be getting better with a theatrical reverse hurdle jump over Jaguar's defensive back Jarrian Jones, who was diving in for the tackle until Barkley leapfrogged him.

This is nothing new for Barkley, as he’s always been confident in his abilities:

"You gotta give credit to God. I ain't gonna lie," Barkley said. "Not in a cocky way. I do believe God blessed me. He blessed all of us, but I feel God gave me ability to play this position. He gave me some instincts. Sometimes you just gotta let go and let your God-given instincts take over." 

With Barkley as the backbone of the Eagles' offense, that makes them go. His teammates even have were appalled:

"I don't know what [he] ate today," said Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. "I don't think no one has seen that before. That was one of a kind."

"God has blessed Saquon with some special things," said Jalen Hurts. "I really genuinely pray that he continues to use those things in the fullness of him. That's special stuff that he's capable of doing. We just need him to continue to be that kind of player."

The Eagles now improve to 6-2 and are second in the NFC East behind the Commanders in what will be a tight race for the Division crown.