Big questions from Sunday's NFL games: How did Bo Nix come back this time? Will the Rams trade for a WR?

NFL Nation Nov 8, 2026, 04:45 PM ET

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The Sunday slate for Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season kicked off in Madrid with the Bengals' offense erupting in a win over the Falcons. Cincinnati wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase finished with a season-high 155 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions.

Back in the United States, the Lions defeated the Dolphins despite not scoring a touchdown in the first half. Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett returned from injury, finishing with three sacks in a win over the Commanders. And quarterback Bo Nix led the Broncos to their fifth fourth-quarter comeback of the season -- tied for the most in NFL history, per Elias Sports Bureau.

Our NFL Nation reporters react to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know. Fantasy football analysts Matt Bowen and Tristan Cockcroft also have fantasy takeaways from each matchup.

Let's get to it with the biggest lessons from Sunday.

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Catch up on Thursday's game:

JAX-BAL

Kansas City 35, N.Y. Jets 12

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Chiefs

Should the Chiefs prioritize receiver or offensive line at the trade deadline? In a perfect scenario, the Chiefs would upgrade both positions. The more likely outcome is they acquire a receiver, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes hasn't completed a pass of 20-plus air yards since Week 4, when deep threat Tyquan Thornton suffered a dislocated ankle. Plus, it might be even more of a priority after Xavier Worthy 's left hamstring injury in the fourth quarter Sunday. But Chiefs general manager Brett Veach should also be calling about an OT. Second-year left tackle Josh Simmons hasn't played this season because of a lower back injury. Right tackle Jaylon Moore also left Sunday's game with a right ankle injury.

Most surprising performance: Before this week, the Chiefs had only nine sacks, tied for the fewest in the league. But the Chiefs recorded more than half their previous season total on Sunday, sacking Jets quarterback Geno Smith five times. The last sack was significant one for defensive tackle Chris Jones , who now has the second most in sacks in franchise history (90.5). -- Nate Taylor

Next game: at Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Jets

Should the Jets bench QB Geno Smith now and start positioning themselves for 2027? At some point, the Jets need to take a look at rookie Cade Klubnik , but this doesn't feel like the right time. Smith didn't play well Sunday, but he had been performing above expectations before then. Coach Aaron Glenn is on the hot seat and desperately needs wins to save his job, which is why he probably will stick with Smith until mathematical elimination. But make no mistake, this was ugly. Smith was sacked five times, squandered chances in scoring territory, and only 89 passing yards through three quarters. He was so frustrated that he spiked his helmet on the bench.

Key stat to know: After two sacks Sunday, rookie edge rusher David Bailey now has 7.5, the most by a first-round pick in his first eight games since Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers had nine in 2002. Bailey, drafted No. 2 overall, is New York's top foundational piece on defense. -- Rich Cimini

Next game: vs. Bills (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Fantasy football takeaway: Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker III scored a season-high 36.3 points, which was his third game of 30-plus points this season. Walker, who had 143 total yards and three touchdowns on 22 touches, had two subpar games this season (SEA, DEN), but he remains the most consistent piece of the Chiefs' offense in fantasy scoring. -- Bowen

Denver 26, Carolina 21

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Broncos

Will injuries in the Broncos' secondary finally catch up to them? Backup safety Devon Key 's game-changing interception was just inches off the ground when he secured the ball. And that might be the margin for error for the Broncos this season. On a day when the team's starting safeties were gameday inactives, cornerback Riley Moss left Sunday's game in the second quarter with a concussion. The Broncos have already played three games this season without Pat Surtain II and four games without Talanoa Hufanga . Panthers QB Bryce Young threw three touchdowns, consistently targeting backups. The Broncos hope to have both starting safeties back after the bye, but an extended absence from Moss could hurt their nickel and dime packages.

What to make of the QB performance: Bo Nix continues to use the fourth quarter as his own personal football affirmation. After his red-zone interception midway through the second quarter gave the Panthers enough momentum to turn a 10-0 Broncos lead into Carolina's 14-13 lead in the third quarter, Nix again did fourth-quarter things. His 26-yard touchdown pass to Pat Bryant II came four minutes after he had closed out a 14-play, 81-yard touchdown drive. -- Jeff Legwold

Next game: vs. Raiders (Nov. 22, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Bo Nix finds a wide open Pat Bryant for a 26-yard Broncos TD

Panthers

How much patience do Panthers deserve after DC switch? The unit, inherited by interim defensive coordinator Todd Wash this week, got off to a rough start Sunday. While a red-zone Corey Thornton interception and a Chau Smith-Wade pass breakup in the end zone mitigated some of the damage, the unit allowed a pair of big TD drives in the fourth quarter. Wash's debut saw Carolina surrender 312 net yards and three touchdowns (five scoring drives). The Panthers' makeshift starting cornerbacks, Thornton and Marco Wilson -- a pair of practice squad call-ups -- had five pass interference penalties (four accepted) that prolonged scoring drives.

Trend to watch: The Panthers haven't exceeded 21 points since their Week 6 win over the Eagles. Unsurprisingly, that's also the last time they won a game. The Panthers averaged 29.2 points per game in their first five games, starting 3-2. Since that early run, they've averaged 17.7 points per game and are now 3-5. -- Mike Kaye

Next game: at Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Fantasy football takeaway: WR Pat Bryant II's return from IR was a fruitful one: five targets for 15.6 fantasy points, including a 26-yard score. Bryant's upside and modest usage in this game could prove useful in deeper fantasy leagues and dynasties. He's available in 98.8% of ESPN leagues, and could be a worthy streamer for "byemaggedon" Week 11. -- Cockcroft

L.A. Rams 20, Washington 13

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Rams

Will the Rams add a receiver before Tuesday's trade deadline? Not likely. Coach Sean McVay has said he doesn't expect to make a big move at the deadline, and the Rams don't have a lot of draft capital to work with. But until Davante Adams is back from his hamstring injury, the Rams are extremely thin at WR outside of Puka Nacua . On Sunday, Nacua had 14 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown on 19 targets. The other wide receivers combined for four catches for 36 yards. The Rams are above .500, but they've struggled to move the ball consistently this season. They were 3-for-14 on third-down against Washington.

Key stat to know: In his first game back from a knee injury, Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett had three sacks, his first three since being traded to Los Angeles in June. It was his first multisack game since Week 12 of last season, when he had three against the Raiders. -- Sarah Barshop

Next game: at Cardinals (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Myles Garrett gets his 3rd sack of the game

Commanders

How does this loss impact Washington's trade deadline strategy? Washington might be mathematically alive for the NFC East title at 2-5-1, but the season clearly continues to head in the wrong direction. So it's fair to wonder how Sunday's loss impacts whether or not they make deals. Among those players who could be attractive to other teams: pass-rushing linebackers K'Lavon Chaisson and Dorance Armstrong , who are both on expiring deals. However, Washington might want to re-sign one or both for 2027. Also, the Commanders could still add a player -- like a high-ceiling receiver with more years on his contract.

What to make of the QB performance: Jayden Daniels completed 24 of 35 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown, but Washington's lone scoring drive after the first two series was set up by an interception deep in Rams' territory. The game highlighted the need for Washington to find him more help -- from the line to the run game. Daniels' big mistake was running loose with the ball, which led to a fumble and a Rams' field goal drive. -- John Keim

Next game: at Giants (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Fantasy football takeaway: Rams RB Blake Corum's recent surge in usage has created a true backfield rotation in Los Angeles. Corum scored 11.8 points Sunday, rushing for 58 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. He has now had 11 carries and a rushing score in three straight games, including double-digit points in five straight. Corum will move up into our RB2 rankings ahead of Week 10. -- Bowen

Detroit 19, Miami 9

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Lions

Has the Lions defense gone from a weakness to a strength? Sure, the past two offenses they've faced -- Minnesota and Miami -- were the 26th and 31st scoring offenses entering Week 9, respectively, but the unit has now stacked four solid performances in a row. Through the first four weeks, Detroit's defense was second-to-last in points allowed (31.8). Since then -- in wins against the Cardinals, Packers, Vikings and Dolphins -- they've allowed just 17.0 per game. Given the Lions' normally high-scoring offense had struggled to score in each of the past two contests, the defensive turnaround couldn't have come at a better time.

Trend to watch: Sunday marked the second straight game in which the Lions failed to score a touchdown in the first half -- their first time doing so in consecutive games since October 2022. Part of the reason for that was quarterback Jared Goff being pressured on 40% of his dropbacks in the opening two quarters. -- ESPN staff

Next game: vs. Patriots (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET in Munich)

Jahmyr Gibbs goes untouched for a Lions TD

Dolphins

What does this performance say about the Dolphins' defense? The Lions entered Sunday's matchup leading the NFL in yards per game with 395.4, but they were held to just 120 at halftime. Miami's pass rush, which had just nine sacks in its previous seven games, sacked Goff three times and forced him to throw his second interception of the season. Ultimately, the Dolphins' defense kept them in this game while their offense floundered and has grown immensely over the course of the season -- specifically their young players. All five of Miami's interceptions in 2026 are by first- and second-year players.

Trend to watch: For the second straight week, the Dolphins averaged fewer than 4.0 yards per carry, as Detroit's ninth-ranked run defense lived up to its ranking. After five straight games of rushing for more than 100 yards, the Dolphins have now been held under 80 yards in consecutive games. Quarterback Malik Willis has also recorded single-digit rushing yards in back-to-back weeks. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Next game: at Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Fantasy football takeaway: Dolphins QB Malik Willis -- a popular streaming pick (season-high 15.1% start rate) -- scored an entirely forgettable 3.82 fantasy points. The groin issue that was brought to light during the game severely limited his mobility. Willis needs that facet of his game for him or his receivers to have any hope of streaming utility in future favorable matchups (Bills in Weeks 11 and 17; Bears in Week 14). -- Cockcroft

Cincinnati 34, Atlanta 17

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Bengals