USFFL Season 24 – Week 9

AFC East

The AFC East saw the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins tied at the top with 6-3 records. The Patriots are on a strong four-game winning streak, demonstrating consistency both at home and on the road. Their latest win was a commanding 31-13 victory over the Washington Commanders, led by Mac Jones, who threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliott added 84 rushing yards, helping New England control the clock with nearly 35 minutes of possession. Miami, with a one-game winning streak, emerged victorious in a tight 23-20 battle against the Kansas City Chiefs. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 267 yards, with Raheem Mostert adding 81 rushing yards. Miami’s defense held Kansas City to just 79 rushing yards, which was pivotal in securing the win.

In contrast, the Buffalo Bills, currently at 5-4, are finding their rhythm with a two-game win streak after an exciting 42-39 win over Cincinnati. Josh Allen had a standout performance with 338 passing yards and three touchdowns. The New York Jets, struggling with a 1-7 record, lost another close one to the Los Angeles Chargers, 22-16, as they grapple with injuries and challenges on both sides of the ball.


AFC North

The AFC North division is led by the Cleveland Browns, who are 5-3 with a recent 37-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Joe Flacco connected well with Amari Cooper, who had a massive game with 182 yards and three touchdowns. Cleveland has shown resilience and balance with a strong defensive performance, which limited Arizona to just six points in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals, currently 4-4, are on a three-game losing streak following a close loss to the Buffalo Bills. Despite Joe Burrow’s efforts, Cincinnati’s defense struggled to contain Buffalo’s explosive offense.

The Baltimore Ravens sit at 4-5, with a recent loss to the undefeated Seattle Seahawks. Despite Lamar Jackson’s two touchdowns, Baltimore’s defense faltered late, allowing Geno Smith to orchestrate a comeback that handed Baltimore a 28-27 defeat. The Pittsburgh Steelers, with a 2-6 record, are struggling to find their footing, falling 30-20 to the Tennessee Titans. They have now lost two games in a row and continue to face challenges, especially in their defensive unit.


AFC South

The Jacksonville Jaguars hold a strong lead in the AFC South at 7-1, winning their latest game to maintain a one-game win streak. Jacksonville’s defense has been outstanding, allowing the fewest points in the division, and they remain undefeated within the conference. The Houston Texans, at 6-2, are on a two-game winning streak following a solid 21-13 win over Tampa Bay. C.J. Stroud passed for 324 yards and two touchdowns, with significant help from Devin Singletary’s 88 rushing yards. Houston’s defense also stepped up, restricting Tampa Bay to only 13 points.

The Tennessee Titans improved to 4-4 with a four-game winning streak after a 30-20 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Derrick Henry was dominant, rushing for 117 yards and scoring twice. The Indianapolis Colts are at the bottom of the division with a 1-8 record, losing to Carolina in a close 31-25 matchup. Despite Gardner Minshew’s 297 passing yards and two touchdowns, the Colts couldn’t keep up defensively.


AFC West

The Los Angeles Chargers lead the AFC West with a 6-2 record and have won their last two games. Their recent 22-16 victory over the New York Jets showcased Justin Herbert’s efficiency with 310 passing yards and a game-winning touchdown in overtime. The Denver Broncos are 5-3, but on a one-game losing streak after falling 23-20 to Miami. Denver’s offensive struggles continued as they were held to 186 total yards, falling short in the final quarter.

The Kansas City Chiefs dropped to 5-4 after their close loss to Miami. Isaiah Pacheco led the ground game, but Kansas City’s inability to stop Miami’s offense proved costly. The Las Vegas Raiders, at 2-7, endured another heartbreaking defeat, this time at the hands of the New York Giants. The Raiders led going into the final quarter but couldn’t hold on as the Giants scored with no time left to win 28-27.


NFC East

The Dallas Cowboys continued their dominance in the NFC East with a 7-1 record after beating the Philadelphia Eagles 41-24. Dak Prescott threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns, with Tony Pollard adding 67 rushing yards. The Cowboys were efficient, converting seven of twelve third downs, which allowed them to control the tempo and secure the victory. Philadelphia, now 3-6, is on a three-game losing streak and struggling to find consistency, especially on the defensive end.

The New York Giants, currently 2-7, scored an exciting 28-27 comeback win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Tyrod Taylor’s last-minute touchdown scramble secured the victory. The Washington Commanders are also 2-7 after a tough 31-13 loss to New England, marking their first game without a win since Week 3.


NFC North

The Green Bay Packers lead the NFC North with a 5-3 record, winning two consecutive games. Their latest victory was a 37-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams, where Jordan Love threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns. Green Bay’s balanced attack, with both A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones contributing in the run game, has been instrumental in their recent success. The Detroit Lions share a 5-3 record and are on a four-game win streak after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Minnesota Vikings, at 4-5, pulled off a 33-17 win over Atlanta, with Kirk Cousins throwing for 253 yards and three touchdowns. The Chicago Bears remain at the bottom of the division with a 1-8 record, losing 34-28 to New Orleans. Despite a solid game from Justin Fields, the Bears’ defense couldn’t stop Chris Olave, who had four touchdowns.


NFC South

The New Orleans Saints lead the NFC South with a 7-2 record, coming off a win against Chicago. Derek Carr threw for 317 yards, connecting four times with Chris Olave, who had 124 receiving yards and all four touchdowns. Atlanta, now 4-5, fell to Minnesota 33-17 as the Falcons struggled in the second half.

Both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers have 3-5 records. Carolina narrowly beat Indianapolis 31-25, thanks to two defensive touchdowns from interceptions. Tampa Bay, however, fell to Houston 21-13 as their offense struggled to keep up with C.J. Stroud’s passing.


NFC West

The Seattle Seahawks continue to dominate the NFC West, maintaining their undefeated record at 8-0 after a 28-27 win against Baltimore. Geno Smith threw for 263 yards and four touchdowns, with D.K. Metcalf catching three of those touchdowns. The San Francisco 49ers are right behind at 7-1, having defeated Arizona 37-18. Amari Cooper stood out with 182 receiving yards and three touchdowns in that game, further cementing San Francisco’s lead.

The Los Angeles Rams, at 4-5, lost 37-23 to Green Bay, despite Kyren Williams’ impressive 137 rushing yards. The Arizona Cardinals remain at the bottom of the division with a 2-7 record, losing their seventh consecutive game.


Top Performers

Quarterbacks:

  • Josh Allen (BUF): 338 yards, 3 TDs
  • Dak Prescott (DAL): 313 yards, 2 TDs
  • Jordan Love (GB): 316 yards, 2 TDs
  • Geno Smith (SEA): 263 yards, 4 TDs

Running Backs:

  • Derrick Henry (TEN): 117 yards, 2 TDs
  • Kyren Williams (LAR): 137 yards, 1 TD
  • James Cook (BUF): 74 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Wide Receivers:

  • Amari Cooper (CLE): 182 yards, 3 TDs
  • Chris Olave (NO): 124 yards, 4 TDs
  • D.K. Metcalf (SEA): 3 TDs

Defensive Standouts:

  • Ahkello Witherspoon (LAR): 2 INTs
  • Rudy Ford (GB): 2 INTs
  • Pick-six touchdowns came from D.J. Jones (CAR) and A. Jackson (NYG), both of whom capitalized on defensive turnovers to score crucial touchdowns.

This week highlighted both emerging talent and veteran leadership across the league. Teams with dominant records, particularly in close matchups, relied on key performances to continue their push toward the playoffs.