Ja’Marr Chase’s historic first half in the Madrid game gave the NFL’s Week 9 slate its defining performance, a 30-minute outburst that stood apart even on a Sunday filled with big receiving days and costly mistakes. The Bengals star caught eight passes for 142 yards and a touchdown before halftime of Cincinnati’s 34-17 win over Atlanta, the franchise’s first victory on international soil.
Chase Delivers a Half for the Record Books
Chase finished with 10 receptions for 155 yards and a score, but the opening half was the story. His 142 first-half yards were the most in any half of his career and the most by a Bengals wide receiver in a first half since 1988.
The performance also moved Chase into rare company: he joined Randy Moss as the only wide receivers in NFL history with at least seven touchdowns in each of their first six seasons. It was his 13th career game with at least 10 catches, 100 yards and a touchdown, trailing only Davante Adams among active players in such games.
Maye's Turnover Problem Returns
Drake Maye’s progress hit a wall in the Patriots’ loss to Green Bay. He threw three interceptions, including one in the opening minute, and his season total climbed to 13 turnovers, tying him with Daniel Jones and Justin Herbert for the most in the league.
The rough outing was a reversal from his recent form. Maye had thrown just one interception in his previous four games before Week 9, but against the Packers he reverted to the mistakes that marked his September struggles.
Packers Find a Dynamic Duo
Green Bay’s 45-27 rout of New England was powered by Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, who combined for 17 catches, 335 yards and two touchdowns. They became the first Packers teammates since 1942 to each post 150 receiving yards and a touchdown in the same game, and the fourth NFL duo since 2020 to reach 160 yards and a score apiece.
Golden did most of his damage early, grabbing six passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter alone. With Jordan Love playing at a high level, Green Bay’s passing game looks capable of matching any opponent.
Commanders Botch Another Late-Game Situation
Washington’s end-of-game management drew fresh scrutiny in a 20-13 loss to the Rams. Trailing by seven with eight seconds left and no timeouts, Jayden Daniels threw a deep pass that fell short of the goal line; a completion would have ended the game.
On the final snap, the Commanders ran a hook-and-ladder instead of a Hail Mary, and the play came up well short of the end zone. It was the second time this season Washington mishandled a last-second scenario, having earlier settled for a tie instead of a potential win.
Rams Finally Pair Garrett and Donald
Los Angeles got its first look at Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald together, and the result was immediate. Garrett, back from injured reserve after in-season knee surgery, recorded three sacks and a forced fumble in the 20-13 win over Washington. It was his eighth career three-sack game.
Garrett had said before the game that opposing offensive lines would have to pick their poison against two future Hall of Famers, and he exploited his one-on-one chances.
Other Winners and Losers
- Shedeur Sanders: In a 23-22 overtime loss to New Orleans, the Browns quarterback threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns and delivered several clutch plays, including a 64-yard go-ahead score to KC Concepcion and a 39-yard touchdown to Harold Fannin Jr. at the end of overtime that would have won the game if Cleveland had converted the two-point try.
- Kirk Cousins: His trade value took a hit with three interceptions in a 38-17 loss to San Francisco. He is now tied with Tua Tagovailoa for the most three-interception games in the NFL since 2020.
- C.J. Stroud: The Texans quarterback threw for 384 yards and five touchdowns in a 44-22 win over the Chargers, his second career game with at least 350 yards and five scores — the only Houston player to do so twice.
- Broncos: Denver’s 26-21 win at Carolina extended its streak of one-score regular-season victories to 16, the longest in NFL history. A strip sack by Nik Bonnitto ended the Panthers’ final drive.
- Harrison Butker: The Chiefs kicker missed two field goals in a win over the Jets — the second after an offsides penalty negated the first — and has now missed seven attempts this season, more than in any previous full year of his career.
- Punters: Detroit’s Jack Fox and Miami’s Bradley Pinion each completed a fake-punt pass, making their game the first in NFL history in which both teams’ punters completed a pass. Braden Mann also booted an 86-yard punt for Philadelphia, the longest in the league since 2001.
Chase’s Madrid masterpiece was the day’s signature moment, but the Week 9 ledger was just as notable for the mistakes that cost teams and the unlikely heroes who salvaged wins.
