Dallas Cowboys (5-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-1)

This week around the NFL there is only one division game. Luckily for us it might just be the game of the week. This year the NFC had lackluster hopes in comparison to the AFC, although two of the top teams in the NFC go head-to-head in a division rivalry game, and as fans we couldn’t be more excited. This will be the first meeting between these two teams of the year and the stakes could not be higher.

The Eagles got off to the hottest start of the season collecting just one loss. However, heading into week 9 with just a game and a half ahead of the Cowboys, they don’t have time to breath just yet. With it being a fairly close race so far, the Eagles are looking to gain another division win against their closest competition. The Eagles have swept the Commanders this year and are sitting at 2-0 in their division. Star wide receivers AJ Brown and Jalen Hurts had a perfect connection last week going 8-for-8 with 130 yards and two touchdowns. Brown has secured over 100 yards in six straight games and is set to break 1000 yards on the season vs The Cowboys. Hurts has regressed to the average from a turnover perspective, but is still leading the Eagles to win after win. Hurts had a season high 319 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in his game vs the Commanders in a 38-31 win. This offense seems to be hitting their stride; this will be needed against a high scoring Cowboys defense.

The Cowboys have scored four touchdowns on defense this season and generated 15 turnovers. The defense has been the bright spot of this team even with last week’s huge performance vs the Rams. Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb both achieved season highs in this contest. Perhaps the Cowboys offense has figured some things out and will continue to build on a budding elite connection between the quarterback and wide receiver. Micah Parsons has recorded a sack in the last two games after cooling off against the Patriots and 49ers. Parsons is the X-factor for the Cowboys defense and he can change the game in the matter of moments. The Eagles have a stout offensive line with some of the highest PFF graded linemen. Knowing this, Parsons and the highly PFF graded front seven will have their hands full against this squad. Limiting Hurts on the ground will be difficult but necessary to find a win.

The implications of this game are massive. I think we see the best version of the Cowboys on Sunday with their division hopes still alive. The Eagles have been lackluster from a defensive passing standpoint so I’m looking to see how the Cowboys take advantage of that facet of the game. The Eagles are a favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. With that being said, every team that plays them will rise up and make every game miserably difficult. I’m looking forward to see which quarterback-wide receiver combo can continue their hot streak. We’ll also monitor if the Eagles decide to deal with the scary pass rush of the Cowboys.

Miami Dolphins (6-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)

This matchup may not be a division beatdown on the level of the Cowboys vs Eagles. However, the implications could be just as strong, considering the current four-way tie for first place in the AFC. Every division leader is sitting at 6-2, so that gap may be defined by the games between these division leaders. The Dolphins have hit a few bumps in the road since their 70-point performance against the Broncos, but so have the Chiefs with last week’s game against the Broncos.

The Chiefs’ defense has been one of the higher rated defenses this season. They allow 23.4 points per game, compared to the Dolphins offense who score a whopping 33.9 points per game. However, the points per game stat is inflated by their 70 point performance, and missing Achane has its obvious negative impact. It may be much to ask for to expect 34 points against the Chiefs. Tua has had plenty of time to sit in the pocket and wait for his speedy WR to get open, while the Chiefs have three players racking up sacks this season. So I’d guess that McDaniels will be dialing up plays that allow Tua to get the ball out early and often to make the Chiefs D-line a non-factor. This is much easier said than done, considering the speed by the linebackers on KC.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have not lost back-to-back games since 2019, while Mahomes has only lost seven back-to-back games in his career. Knowing that, Tyreek Hill has motivation to hand them a loss in his return to Chiefs kingdom. Since Hill played for Andy Reid for years, I’m sure their focus will be containing him. We may see a career game from Waddle if they focus on him too much. This may not be possible as Hill has already racked up over 1,000 receiving yards.

This game seems to be more important for the Dolphins to win because many assume the Dolphins can’t beat good teams. We should expect a great battle between two strong head coaches and two of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Seattle Seahawks (5-2) at Baltimore Ravens (6-2)

Featuring two of the top defenses in the league we are in for a smash mouth performance. The Ravens are one of the most polarizing teams in the league being lead by Lamar Jackson. Stopping Lamar is no easy feat and Pete Carroll’s bend but don’t break defense isn’t geared to shut someone down but to prevent big plays to exaggerate the small mistakes. the Seahawks adding Williams going into this game may play a crucial roll to slow down the run game of the Ravens and enable Seattle to rely on their defensive backs to make plays on the ball.

We’ll see how fast Williams is introduced into the defense. Conversely, the Ravens defense has allowed the least amount of yards per game since week four of this season and Seattle has had some obvious issues during games achieving gettable first downs.

Though, this game is between an AFC team and a NFC team so playoff implications are not terribly high. This one is for the fans of these teams and folks who enjoy electric play makers and punishing defenses.

The Seahawks have been utilizing a dime package putting two DB’s in the box and having success against the run. Using this defense against the Ravens can prove successful. Protecting Lamar has yet to be seen as an effective measure against an elite thrower and runner at the QB position.

It pains me to say this, but the Ravens have the advantage going into this game with home field advantage and an illusive QB. To get the job done, the Ravens can’t let the emerging dual threat of Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet get going. Last week, Charbonnet ripped off three 10+ yard runs, two of which that went for 20+ yards. Geno Smith has been proven to fall apart when pass rush gets to him on his throwing side. If the Ravens pass-rush can pressure and infiltrate his throwing, it’ll force Smith to keep his eyes downfield while alluding defenders.

Buffalo Bills (5-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)

The Buffalo Bills have had some early season heartbreaker games and lackluster play, hence their status of fifth in the race for the AFC playoffs. Josh Allen has been reckless with some deep passing plays resulting in unnecessary turnovers. This has transpired even though Allen generates touchdowns at an extremely high rate. However, the Bills have been able to involve the whole offense maintaining a well-rounded team. Leo in mind when things break down Stefan Diggs is often still able available to make big plays.

The Bengals are in the middle of digging out of a 1-3 start to their season. At 4-3 the Bengals are proving who they really are. Mind you all four wins have come against the NFC west, including a win vs the Seahawks and the 49ers. Joe Burrow is looking healthier and stronger every week. The Bengals’ Cam Taylor-Britt jumped off the tape in the game defending against DK Metcalf and bullied the bully at different points during the game. I foresee him being plastered to Gabe Davis. Trey Hendrickson has been elite this season ranking in at 8th best edge defender of the season, per PFF. Josh Allen is very allusive but Trey has shown his ability to chase down fast and mobile QBs.

This game has high implications in the grand scheme of the playoffs because as of now the Bengals would miss the playoffs and the Bills would be the 5th seed. If the Bills want to win the division they are going to have to win these tough matchups. The Bengals need to separate themselves from the meat of the pack and their division.

Luckily for all of you, these games are all on different time slots.

Dolphins at Chiefs in Germany 9:30 am EST.

Seahawks at Ravens 1:00 pm EST.

Cowboys at Eagles 4:25 pm EST.

Bills at Bengals 8:20 pm EST.

The perfect Sunday.

Getty Images. Pictured: Joe Burrow (left), Josh Allen (right).

Written by Hunter Lee