Perhaps the NFL knew what it was doing when it flexed the Colts-Vikings game into prime time.
Anthony Richardson’s benching has sparked significant discussion around the league, and Joe Flacco is set to start again, this time against a Vikings team that was once red-hot before dropping two straight. Minnesota bolstered its offensive line by trading for Jaguars OT Cam Robinson, aiming to stabilize things as they head into the second half of the season.
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, so there’s still plenty more for NFL writers Jeff Howe, Mike Sando, and Zak Keefer to cover in this roundtable preview of Sunday’s Week 9 games.
We’ll also see more of recently traded wide receivers like Amari Cooper with the Bills and DeAndre Hopkins with the Chiefs. New Ravens receiver Diontae Johnson is expected to make his debut against the Broncos.
Elsewhere, the NFC North once again has a marquee matchup. Plus, is it time to start assessing which head coaches are on the hot seat?
Another NFC North Showdown: Lions vs. Packers
The Lions and Packers each come in on winning streaks—Green Bay with four straight, Detroit with five. What’s the deciding factor here?
Howe: Right now, the Lions look like the best team in the league, but the Packers are close and can beat anyone if Jordan Love is healthy. I’d highlight Green Bay’s run defense here. It’s been a top-10 unit, and the defense overall has been solid. Detroit’s offense thrives because they control the ground game, keeping Jared Goff on track. Some teams are curious to see if Goff can maintain his level of play if Detroit’s run game is limited, forcing him into more standard drop-back scenarios. If Goff passes that test, the Lions are going to be even more dangerous. If not, it could open up the NFC race for others close behind.
Keefer: I agree with Jeff; the Lions are the team to beat, even more than the Chiefs. Love’s status is crucial—if he plays after last week’s groin injury, he might be limited in his mobility. Key for Green Bay will be Josh Jacobs. The Packers have leaned heavily on him; he has 145 carries in the first eight weeks, the most for any Packers running back in the last 25 years other than Ahman Green. If Jacobs can break a few big runs, it might be Green Bay’s best shot with Love at less than 100%.
Sando: Love’s injury shifts things toward Detroit for me. If he’s limited, Green Bay might not get the efficient play they need from him to keep up with Detroit’s offense.
Teams in Dire Need of a Win: Saints, Jaguars, Cowboys
The Saints (at Panthers), Jaguars (at Eagles), and Cowboys (at Falcons) all face tough road games and are in desperate need of a win. Whose head coach is on the hottest seat?
Howe: All three coaches are in trouble, but it’s a unique situation in Dallas. Everything is amplified with the Cowboys, and Mike McCarthy’s job security has an extra layer of intrigue with Bill Belichick potentially lurking as a replacement. Doug Pederson has been under fire the longest due to Jacksonville’s slow start, and it might take a major turnaround to save his position.
Keefer: The Saints’ sharp drop after a strong start has been surprising, and it’s hard to see the team backing Dennis Allen after two previous disappointing seasons. McCarthy’s future seems almost decided already. Dallas has been inconsistent, and with a roster that’s not as deep as it once was, missing the playoffs would likely end McCarthy’s five-year tenure and potentially open the door for Belichick to step in.
Sando: I expect all three places to change in the offseason. Short term, I think Dallas and New Orleans are least likely to change in-season. Those franchises take longer-range views.
We’ll get a chance to see more of Amari Cooper (Bills vs. Dolphins on Sunday) and DeAndre Hopkins (Chiefs vs. Bucs on Monday). Diontae Johnson’s Ravens debut could come this week against the Broncos. Which of these three wide receiver trades are you most confident in moving forward?
Howe: I want to say Cooper because he’s already been through a midseason trade, and that experience should pay off when it comes to learning a new playbook. But with that said, I can’t overthink it. Hopkins has had the best career of the three, and he’s joining the best offensive situation. Plus, Hopkins may only need to catch three or four passes per game to be effective.
Keefer: Jeff’s right. Something tells me Hopkins is going to make a critical catch late in a playoff win for Kansas City in the next few months. He’s one of the best of his generation at not needing to be even remotely open and still finding a way to catch the ball. But I loved what the Bills did in adding Cooper to their young receiving unit; this team is going to need every bit of firepower against Baltimore or Kansas City in the playoffs. He’ll help Keon Coleman continue to develop as well.
Sando: Hopkins, with Cooper close behind him, and then Johnson. Hopkins seems like a good match for Mahones in the scramble drill. I think he can complement Travis Kelce in those situations and expect that to show in critical moments.
Considering a choppy NFC West race this year, should the Rams (at Seahawks) hang on to Cooper Kupp?
Howe: The only reason to consider trading Cooper Kupp, aside from a substantial return, would be if the Rams believed Matthew Stafford—or even Kupp himself—might retire after this season. Yes, Kupp is getting older and has dealt with recent injuries, but the Rams are still in contention in the NFC. Around the league, executives and coaches continue to hold Sean McVay in high regard, so if the Rams make the playoffs, they could compete with anyone. Are they a top Super Bowl contender? Probably not. But if they believe Kupp still has productive years ahead, there’s no strong reason to trade him.
Keefer: The division is wide open right now, with the Rams just half a game behind. If they beat the Seahawks this Sunday, there’s no chance I’d trade Cooper Kupp. With Kupp healthy and back in the lineup, McVay should get the offense on track—especially if the offensive line holds up. First-year defensive coordinator Chris Shula has the defense playing much better than it did early in the season. Given that Seattle and San Francisco have looked vulnerable and Arizona remains unpredictable, a late-season push led by Kupp could be within reach for the Rams.
Sando: I can see the value in the Rams exploring a trade for Kupp, especially given his durability issues and contract. But those same factors also mean there might not be a long line of teams interested in acquiring him. In the end, I think he stays with the Rams.
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Colts–Vikings is the focus Sunday night. Is Anthony Richardson’s benching justified?
Howe:
Richardson’s performance has certainly dipped this season, but that’s just one part of a much bigger picture. Keeping him on the bench isn’t going to lead to improvement; he needs real game experience. If he doesn’t take another snap this year, he’ll go into 2025 with just 23 total starts between college and the NFL over five years. It’s reminiscent of the Trey Lance situation — if you don’t let a young, raw quarterback gain essential experience, you risk never getting a solid return on your investment.
Keefer: That’s the very debate happening in Indianapolis. The Colts have made it clear they’re not giving up on Richardson; rather, this is a reset. The team wants him to earn his starting position back. His impressive athletic abilities got him to the fourth pick in the draft, despite just 13 college starts and an underwhelming completion rate at Florida, but they won’t be enough to secure his spot long-term. He has a lot of ground to cover in terms of preparation, leadership, and consistent performance. Earlier this season, I mentioned that Richardson needed to be more than just a highlight reel. So far, he hasn’t reached that point. This benching, as tough as it may seem, will ultimately show whether he’s the long-term answer for the Colts.
Sando: Right now, it’s evident Richardson isn’t ready and hasn’t been progressing as expected. His recent actions suggest he doesn’t fully grasp his role on the team. To me, this raises questions about what other ways this lack of understanding may be showing up behind the scenes. Benching him signals that the coaching staff saw the situation as unsustainable.
(Top photo of Anthony Richardson: Cooper Neill / Getty Images)
