NFL’s 10 most important people in Week 9

Each week, Yardbarker highlights the most important people leading into the week’s NFL games. 

From players to coaches and beyond, here are the 10 most important people to keep an eye on in Week 9. 

QB Jayden Daniels | Washington Commanders 

In an 18-15 Week 8 win over the Chicago Bears, Jayden Daniels threw a winning 52-yard Hail Mary to wide receiver Noah Brown. Will the rookie deliver more late-game heroics in Sunday’s road game against the New York Giants?

Although the Giants (2-6) have lost three straight games, they could present a tricky matchup for Daniels. New York leads the league in sacks (35) and ranks eighth in passing yards allowed (189.4). 

Daniels — who has the league’s fifth-best QBR (72.7 in eight games) — could still lead the Commanders (6-2) to a third consecutive win and further his MVP case. As of Wednesday, FanDuel gives him the fifth-best odds (+900) to win the award.  

QB Joe Flacco | Indianapolis Colts 

On Wednesday, Colts HC Shane Steichen confirmed Joe Flacco will replace QB Anthony Richardson in a Week 9 road game against the Minnesota Vikings (5-2), via JJ Stankevitz of the team website.”This is not just a one-week change,” the coach said.

Indianapolis may be making the right decision. Through six games, Richardson has completed a league-low 44.4 percent of his passes for four TDs and tossed seven interceptions. Flacco, meanwhile, has completed 65.7 percent of his passes for seven TDs and one pick in four games. 

Last season, Flacco went 4-1 in five starts while filling in for injured Browns QB Deshaun Watson, leading Cleveland to the postseason. Perhaps the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year will help Indianapolis (4-4) vie for a playoff spot.

WR DeAndre Hopkins | Kansas City Chiefs 

DeAndre Hopkins — whom the Chiefs (7-0) recently acquired in a trade with the Tennessee Titans — had two receptions for 29 yards in a 27-20 Week 8 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. K.C. head coach Andy Reid indicated he should have a larger role in Monday’s home game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4).

“He was chomping at the bit on the sideline wanting to play,” Reid told the media earlier this week. “And at the same time knowing that he didn’t have it all down so there was a patience there. But he was into the game, and I think you’ll be able to see more in the next game.” 

Five-time Pro Bowler Hopkins could be in store for a dominant performance against Tampa Bay’s 29th-ranked pass defense (255.4 YPG).  

QB Bo Nix | Denver Broncos 

Over his past four games, Nix has looked like the guy for Denver. During this stretch, the rookie has a 3-1 starting record and completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 870 yards, seven TDs and one interception.

Can Nix keep rolling on Sunday at the Baltimore Ravens? As of Wednesday, ESPN Analytics gives the Ravens (5-3) a 74.4 percent chance to win their home game.   

Whether the Broncos (5-3) pull off an upset or not, don’t be surprised if Nix has another impressive performance. Baltimore’s passing defense ranks last in yards allowed (291.4).  

RB Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers 

Packers QB Jordan Love suffered a groin injury in a 30-27 Week 8 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s still unclear whether he or backup QB Malik Willis will start in Sunday’s home game against the Detroit Lions (6-1). 

Expect the Packers (6-2) to rely on Josh Jacobs, even if Love plays. Through eight games, Jacobs has the league’s fourth-most rushing yards (667 on 145 carries). 

Since star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in Week 6 against the Cowboys, Detroit has struggled to stop the run. Over their past two games, the Lions allowed 297 rushing yards.

HC Mike McCarthy | Dallas Cowboys 

Mike McCarthy is in the final year of a five-year contract, and his future seems even more uncertain after a 3-4 start.

“Unless there is an abrupt and dramatic reversal in performance and results, we could be approaching McCarthy’s final 10 games as head coach of the Cowboys,” wrote longtime NFL reporter Ed Werder of WFAA-TV in Dallas on Wednesday. “This is the furthest into a season that the Cowboys are below .500 since McCarthy’s first in Dallas.” 

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently told KRLD-FM in Dallas he would not fire McCarthy during the season. Regardless, Sunday’s road game against the Atlanta Falcons (5-3) seems like a must-win for McCarthy.

QB Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts has seemingly erased his turnover problem. Over his past three games, he has nine TDs (four passing and five rushing) and no turnovers. In his first four games, Hurts had five turnovers (four interceptions and one lost fumble). 

According to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank, this is the first time Hurts has had three straight games without a turnover since Weeks 5-7 in 2022. 

The Eagles (5-2) need Hurts to keep playing mistake-free in Sunday’s home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6).

QB Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow remains confident about Cincinnati’s playoff chances despite a 3-5 start. 

“I think 10 wins usually get you in,” Burrow said following a 37-17 Week 8 loss to the Eagles. “So, we’ve got to win seven out of nine. That’s doable, so we’ll go from there.”

According to Tankathon, the Bengals have the league’s 18th-toughest remaining schedule. Perhaps Burrow and the Bengals will catch fire in Sunday’s home game against the Raiders (2-6), whose pass defense is seventh-best in the NFL (189.1). 

WR Ladd McConkey | Los Angeles Chargers

Ladd McConkey’s nine-yard TD catch in a 26-8 Week 8 win over the New Orleans Saints reminded Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh of former Carolina Panthers star Steve Smith Sr. (The former QB played with Smith in 2001.)

“It’s like they both had this ability and this skill almost to look one way and then catch it a few feet the other way,” Harbaugh recently said, via ESPN’s Kris Rhim. “It’s really subtle, it’s really good.” 

If McConkey keeps living up to the lofty comparison in Sunday’s road game against the Browns (2-6), that would be excellent for the Chargers (4-3). Smith made five Pro Bowls in 16 seasons with the Panthers and Ravens. 

HC Mike Macdonald | Seattle Seahawks 

The Seahawks (4-4) have lost four of their past five games, forcing Mike Macdonald to ditch some of his plans. He recently told KIRO-AM in Seattle the Seahawks will focus on areas where they thrive instead of “sunk costs.” 

The coach said Seattle plans to “double down” on its up-tempo offense, meaning the Seahawks will likely run more no-huddle to catch opponents off guard.  

Monitor whether the rookie HC’s strategy works in Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Rams (3-4).