Week 9’s Start & Sit guide highlights three starters and three benchings. Quarterback Malik Willis (Dolphins) earns a start against the Lions thanks to a +5.3 matchup edge and his rushing upside, while Tyler Shough (Saints) is a sit facing Cleveland’s stout defense. Running back Jonah Coleman (Broncos) gets the green light against a soft Panthers run defense, but Giants backup Cam Skattebo is a sit due to injury and limited role. Wide receiver DeMario Douglas (Patriots) is a start if A.J. Brown and Hunter Henry remain sidelined. The article breaks down projections, snap shares, and defensive rankings to help fantasy managers fine‑tune their flex decisions.
New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski gave Drake Maye his flowers for overcoming his early-season struggles and flipping the script again.
The Patriots head into Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers with a 5‑3 record, and analysts break down the keys to a win. Coach Mike Vrabel stresses shutting down the Packers' outside zone runs and slowing QB Jordan Love, while rookie QB Drake Maye must prove he can handle a top defense. Injuries loom – A.J. Brown and several starters missed practice, and the return of Mack Hollins could revive a struggling receiver corps. Trade‑deadline chatter focuses on needs at defensive tackle, offensive line and cornerback, with whispers that New England should be buying, not selling. The consensus pick is a close Packers win, 19‑16, making this a pivotal ‘measuring‑stick’ game for New England’s AFC East title hopes.
Leanna Lenee, wife of Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter, reveals the discomfort of her game‑day outfit for the Nov. 1 Jaguars‑Colts matchup. In a TikTok "outfit‑check" she says the custom off‑the‑shoulder jersey, leather‑style jeans, black heels and belly chain "hurt like heck," though she doesn’t specify which piece. She also shows her son’s last‑minute coordinated look. The Jaguars dominated Indianapolis 42‑7, with Trevor Lawrence throwing three TDs and Bhayshul Tuten rushing for 104 yards. Hunter logged a five‑yard rush and four tackles. Leanna’s fashion flair continues to draw attention after a previous Jaguar‑themed dress at a Patriots game.
Rob Gronkowski is set to be inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame during halftime of the Week 9 Patriots‑Packers game on Nov. 5, 2026. The celebration comes just after fans voted him in April, marking his first year of eligibility. Gronk, who now works on Fox’s pre‑game show, will be honored despite missing the upcoming Munich matchup against the Lions. Patriots owner Robert Kraft, 85, undergoes back surgery and is “on injured reserve,” saying he regrets missing the ceremony. Gronk’s career includes 521 receptions, 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns in 115 regular‑season games.
On his SiriusXM show, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo warns that the NFL’s expanding primetime slate is turning into a string of “dead” games. He cites 13 upcoming matchups—including New England at the winless Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati at Washington, Jacksonville‑Baltimore, and a Christmas‑Eve showdown between the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles—as likely ratings duds. Russo argues the league’s push for more Thursday, Black‑Friday and holiday games is stretching talent thin, leaving viewers with uncompetitive broadcasts despite the NFL’s ratings dominance.
Robert Kraft had back surgery and will miss a big franchise event.
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown was the centerpiece of a blockbuster deal that gave Drake Maye the weapon […]
Christian Watson returns to limited practice after a rib injury forced a hospital visit during Thursday’s game, giving the Green Bay Packers hope he’ll suit up against the New England Patriots. His brief participation Wednesday signals progress, though the team will keep evaluating his status through the week. Watson’s presence would bolster an offense that also leans on emerging receiver Matthew Golden and help counter Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
The Patriots, sitting 5-3 and battling injuries to key receivers AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs, should trade for Colts slot receiver Josh Downs before the 2026 trade deadline. Downs, a former North Carolina teammate of quarterback Drake Mayi, has 26 catches for 307 yards this season and leads Indianapolis in receptions, offering a reliable short‑ and intermediate‑range target that could bolster New England’s struggling passing game. A mid‑round 2027 pick could secure the deal, giving the Patriots a familiar weapon without overpaying for a rental and helping them stay competitive in the AFC playoff race.
NFL reporter Dianna Russini is set to return next week as a digital‑platform insider after resigning from The Athletic in April over a conflict‑of‑interest scandal involving New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. NBC Sports and Page Six report she will headline her own interview show, featuring players and coaches, with strong backing from league insiders. While she faces lingering criticism and online trolls, Russini aims to resume her career and focus on the stories she loves.
The NFL rookie rankings through Week 8 of the 2026 season feature the 15 highest-graded first-year players who meet PFF's minimum snap requirement. Carolina Panthers safety Zakee Wheatley leads the list with an 89.8 overall PFF grade, followed by Cleveland Browns safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and New England Patriots edge defender Gabe Jacas. Defensive standouts occupy the top five spots, while the Browns place four rookies in the rankings.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will miss former tight end and franchise legend Rob Gronkowski's induction into the team's Hall of Fame on Saturday as he recovers from back surgery, he told ESPN's Mike Reiss.
The Patriots host the Packers in Week 9 amid a celebratory weekend that includes Rob Gronkowski’s Hall of Fame induction and the 10‑year anniversary of the 2016 Super Bowl win. Oddsmakers favor New England, but analysts highlight several match‑up concerns. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has been strong, yet his passing attack may struggle against Green Bay’s disruptive front seven, while New England’s pass defense shines in man coverage but falters in zone against Jordan Love’s limited rushing threat. Both run games look lackluster, giving the edge to the Packers’ defense, but New England’s more reliable kicker, Andy Borregales (88.2% FG/XP), could tip the scales in a tight contest. Both teams sit at 5‑3 despite injury woes.
Mike Vrabel's Patriots have cracked the code against mobile quarterbacks, using zone coverage to neutralize Josh Allen and other dangerous scramblers.
The Phinsider’s Week 9 SB Nation Reacts poll asks Dolphins fans how they feel after Miami’s 13‑3 halftime lead evaporated in a 27‑24 loss to the New England Patriots, dropping the team to 1‑6. The survey gauges confidence in the franchise’s direction despite a steep learning curve for the NFL’s youngest squad. Fans are invited to vote and comment on whether the Dolphins are on the right track or if they have concerns about the future.
The Patriots’ defense hinges on All‑Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who has turned New England into a man‑coverage powerhouse. This season the Patriots have called 37 max‑pressure, man‑coverage looks—the most in the league—yielding just five sacks, a 45% completion rate and one interception. When Gonzalez is on the field, the Patriots run man coverage on 39% of snaps, far higher than the 29% when he’s out. Opposing quarterbacks, including Packers’ Jordan Love, struggle against blitzes when Gonzalez shadows a receiver, a feat no other defender has matched this year. The upcoming Packers‑Patriots clash will test whether Gonzalez can lock down Green Bay’s deep threats.
The Patriots host the 5-3 Packers in Week 9, both fighting for the seventh playoff seed. New England boasts a +22 scoring differential and a 23.0 points‑per‑game offense, while Green Bay leans on a top‑10 passing attack but ranks last in rushing EPA. The Packers excel at forcing turnovers (16.7% of drives), contrasting with the Patriots’ league‑worst giveaway rate (17.9%). Key players to watch include Packers QB Jordan Love, WR Christian Watson and Patriots RB Josh Jacobs. Both squads have navigated injuries across the line and linebacker corps, setting up a pivotal AFC‑NFC showdown at Gillette Stadium.
The Miami Dolphins face the Detroit Lions in Week 9 after a 1‑6 loss to the New England Patriots that left them reevaluating every unit. SI’s Tyler Carmona grades the wide receivers, defensive line and linebackers with a B, highlighting Josh Uche’s solid play and Chop Robinson’s two sacks despite missed tackles. The article also recaps post‑Patriots analysis, quarterback Malik Willis’s groin issue, and defensive lapses that led to a critical missed sack. Ahead of Sunday’s game, experts outline five key matchups, predictions, and the impact of rookie performances, while trade‑rumor pieces argue against major moves or a Lamar Jackson pursuit.
Patriot quarterback Drake Maye downplays former teammate Tom Brady’s appearance in the Fox booth for the Patriots’ Week 9 clash with the Packers. Maye says Brady’s presence “doesn’t affect me much” and notes he can’t even talk to him on the broadcast because Brady now works with the Raiders. New England, now 5-3 after a 24-19 win at Miami, still chases the Bills for AFC East supremacy as they face Jordan Love’s Green Bay squad. The article also recaps Brady’s legacy in New England and the Patriots’ recent form.
The Ravens' bad luck in 2026 could force them to make some unexpected decisions before the trade deadline next week.
Top recruit Javon Baker left Alabama after a 2022 clash between his father and Nick Saban over playing time, especially a game against Georgia. Despite early praise from Saban, Baker logged just nine receptions, 116 yards and one touchdown across 2020‑21. He entered the transfer portal, moved to UCF, and was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. His pro career has stalled on practice squads with New England, Philadelphia and San Francisco, prompting his dad to blame media hype for the downfall. The story details the family’s fallout with Saban and Baker’s turbulent path from elite prospect to NFL journeyman.
It was a slow start to the season, but New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has played at an MVP level once again.
The New England Patriots host the Green Bay Packers Sunday with both teams sitting at 5-3, turning the game into a de‑facto measuring‑stick for New England. Captain Kevin Byard and QB Drake Maye stress the matchup’s playoff‑implications and the chance to finally beat an NFC opponent. Green Bay, led by Jordan Love, ranks near the bottom in points per game but tops the league in 20‑plus‑yard pass plays, while its defense forces the second‑most negative plays and a 17% turnover rate. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and linebacker Dre’Mont Jones emphasize the need to add another win to stay in the AFC race.
Former NFL star Richard Sherman picks T.J. Watt as his early favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, citing his impact on Pittsburgh's 6‑2 start. Meanwhile, Antonio Brown returns as the "Terrible Tailgate Guest" for the Black Friday Steelers‑Broncos game. Ex‑Patriots wideout Julian Edelman praises running back Jaylen Warren, calling him the team's "Himmy" after a 143‑yard, one‑touchdown performance. Coach Mike McCarthy also lauds the offensive line on Mark Madden’s show, while Mike Tomlin receives a shout‑out on social media. The roundup includes links to additional Steelers news, trade rumors, and other Pittsburgh sports updates.