Here are the top 15 NFL storylines for Week 9, which include the Carolina Panthers — the same team the Redskins played twice in Week 1 — facing the Cleveland Browns. The AFC North is still hot, while the NFC East has three of the top teams in the conference.
Washington Redskins (4-2)
• Top tight end Vernon Davis will miss his third consecutive game and top backup Nick Boyle will return only 10 days after having his appendix removed.
• The Redskins are coming off their bye week and travel to play the Atlanta Falcons, who have the league’s only winless team and have yielded more passing yards than any other team in the league. So the Bucs are getting dominated right now. The Rams’ victory Monday night could be a sign of things to come for the NFC West leaders.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
• Cincinnati is 8-1 when it scores fewer than 20 points.
• Safety George Iloka, acquired from the Raiders in 2014, was suspended without pay Wednesday for one game for “violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.”
• That makes the Bengals healthy again, although coaches are now hesitant to say any player is anything more than a week or two away from returning. Ailsa Gradkowski was listed as questionable, but his knee appears to be much better.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (3-4)
• A brutal stretch of opponents awaits the Panthers, which begins with a home game against the Cleveland Browns, a team they have beat the last two seasons. Then the Panthers return home to play the Houston Texans and the Philadelphia Eagles. If they can somehow pull off a victory in the AFC South, Carolina is in the playoff picture.
Related Articles Ron Rivera and Cam Newton have familiarity in mind as Panthers look to rebound
Kaepernick, Eric Reid settle collusion grievances with NFL
Jonathan Stewart on Seahawks’ offensive line: ‘Never ending battle’
NFL playoff projections: who could make the playoffs?
Patriots’ Tom Brady (more) likely will play against Broncos Ricky Stanzi, Indianapolis Colts (3-4)
• The Colts signed Stanzi as a free agent to back up Andrew Luck. He’s only been on the team for one week, but Stanzi has shown the potential to establish himself as Luck’s successor. That’s something to keep an eye on heading into next season.
Houston Texans (3-4)
• There was talk of a possible move for J.J. Watt in the offseason. Now Watt is dealing with an Achilles injury that requires surgery in the offseason.
• Watt’s injury is the latest in a long line of players the Texans have tried to replace, including Brooks Reed, Wade Phillips, Tim Jamison, Zac Dysert, Davone Bess and possibly J.J. Watt.
Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams (5-2)
• The Rams are hanging in despite the losses of Donald and Aaron Donald, perhaps part of the reason is they’ve reeled off four straight victories, including a hard-fought one against the San Francisco 49ers last week.
• They visit the Falcons, who have come under fire because of their performance and injuries. The Falcons are floundering in a season in which they spent a lot of money and did little to result in success.
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)
• Jags coach Gus Bradley said he doesn’t expect Blake Bortles to be benched for throwing five interceptions in two weeks. Bradley said there’s no doubt in his mind Bortles is ready to be starter.
• The Jaguars are at the Tennessee Titans, who have been a mess all season and seem to always be losing. The Jaguars are the only team to beat Tennessee this season.
