Week 9 of the 2017 NFL season began with the Jets getting revenge on the Bills. So here are five bits of info that will help you enjoy your football viewing the next two days.
Suddenly, the home team is on a roll when it comes to Thursday nights. Make it three straight wins for the hosts, thanks to the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens and, now, the New York Jets
But between Sunday and Monday night, we still have 13 more games to talk about. So here are five little NFL factoids that will generate a little discussion in regards to the games.
5. Two Teams, Zero Starting Quarterbacks
The loss of Houston Texans’ rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson to a torn ACL earlier this week was a blow felt around the league. But Bill O’Brien’s team still has a game to play as they host the Indianapolis Colts. Like the Texans, the Colts are without their starting QB, with Andrew Luck on injured reserve. This is a series that has had a complete reversal of fortunes. The Texans have prevailed in the last three meetings between the clubs. Prior to those wins, Houston owned a 4-23 record against the Colts.
4. The Ravens Taketh
So which version of the Baltimore Ravens shows up on Sunday at Nashville against the Tennessee Titans? In their four wins, John Harbaugh’s club has outscored the opposition by a combined 114-27 count. In their four setbacks, the Ravens have been outscored 121-56. It’s also worth noting that in their last four contests, Baltimore has totaled 11 touchdowns; five via the offense and six on returns (2 interceptions, 1 defensive fumble return, 1 offensive fumble recovery, 1 kickoff return and 1 punt return).
3. There’s Nowhere To Go But Down
Back in 2015, the Carolina Panthers got off to a 14-0 start and would eventually find their way to Super Bowl 50. But since that undefeated stretch—including the postseason—Ron Rivera’s club is actually one game (14-15) under .500. Keep that in mind when the Panthers host Atlanta on Sunday. The Falcons have handed Carolina three of those 15 setbacks.
2. Hail To The Chief(s)
In 2014, Andy Reid’s second season as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, the team finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs. That year, the club forced only 14 turnovers in 16 contests. Since then, Reid’s club has gotten the hang of the opportunistic thing. The Chiefs have been winning the turnover battle with an impressive 75 takeaways in their last 40 regular-season outings dating back to the start of 2015 and a 29-11 record over that span. Cornerback Marcus Peters has played in 39 of those contests and has 21 of those 75 opponent turnovers (17 interceptions, four fumble recoveries).
1. Who Dat? Who Dat? Who Dat Say Dey Gonna Beat Dem Saints?
Wondering how the New Orleans Saints have managed to turn things around after another 0-2 start? The defense has settled in big time. In their first two contests, losses to the Vikings and Patriots, Sean Payton’s team allowed a combined 65 points and seven offensive touchdowns. In their last five games, all wins, this same defensive unit has surrendered a total of seven offensive touchdowns.
