We’ve reached the halfway mark of the NFL season.

Week 9 has shown us that a standout contender in the NFC is now clear.

The Detroit Lions played an impressive game at a rainy Lambeau Field, defeating the Green Bay Packers and solidifying their slim lead for the number one seed in the conference. Detroit’s offensive play is efficient, their defense is effective on third downs and in the red zone, and the team exhibits a high level of intensity and physicality.

In other league news, the Baltimore Ravens made a comeback, the Los Angeles Rams are gaining momentum, the New Orleans Saints are struggling, and Jim Harbaugh is creating a winning atmosphere with the Los Angeles Chargers, although there are still some questions.

Here’s a look at the winners and losers from Sunday of Week 9.

WINNERS

Lions Confirm Their Status as NFC Leaders

Detroit made it clear they are a team to beat. As the San Francisco 49ers have faced some struggles this season, the Lions’ comprehensive 24-14 victory over the Packers (6-3) has strengthened their position as the top team in the NFC. While the Washington Commanders (7-2) are performing well and several other teams like the Atlanta Falcons (6-3), Philadelphia Eagles (6-2), and Minnesota Vikings (6-2) are competitive, no other team matches the Lions’ overall balance and capability, including the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (7-0).

In the last six games, quarterback Jared Goff has thrown only 22 incompletions, indicating remarkable efficiency (with 106 completions and 13 touchdowns during this period). Detroit’s rushing attack is also performing at a high level. Their defense held the Packers to a mere 3-of-12 (25%) on third downs and just 1-of-4 in the red zone. After their recent appearance in the NFC Championship, Detroit appears ready for a Super Bowl run.

Rams Climb in the Playoff Standings

Just four weeks ago, the Rams were struggling at 1-4, with their star receivers injured and their season on shaky ground. However, with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back, the offense has reignited, leading to three consecutive wins, including a thrilling 26-20 overtime victory against the Seattle Seahawks.

Los Angeles now sits at No. 10 in the NFC playoff race, up from No. 15 after Week 5. In their latest game against Seattle, they outscored the Seahawks 23-7 in the second half and overtime. The defense played a crucial role, forcing three interceptions from Geno Smith and achieving seven sacks, marking a significant turnaround. With quarterback Matthew Stafford, dependable running back Kyren Williams, Nacua (who was ejected on Sunday), Kupp, and a promising young defense, the Rams could be poised for a strong second half of the season.

Ravens Recover and Reestablish Their Style

After a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Browns last week, Baltimore returned to form, showcasing their typical efficiency in the passing game and strength in the rushing attack.

In contrast to last week’s matchup, where quarterback Lamar Jackson dropped back 43 times while the team ran just 21 plays, the Ravens adjusted in their dominating 41-10 win over the Denver Broncos. In this game, Jackson only had 22 dropbacks and the team executed 34 runs. Jackson completed three touchdown passes, matching the number of incompletions, and achieved a perfect passer rating of 158.3. Baltimore’s defense was outstanding, allowing only one red zone conversion by the Broncos. Most encouragingly, the Ravens finished strong, scoring the last 24 points of the game, an area where they’ve had issues in previous outings.

Jim Harbaugh Revitalizes the Chargers

It is surprising to see how seamlessly Jim Harbaugh has reintegrated himself into the NFL after a nine-year hiatus. Following his championship-winning tenure with the Michigan Wolverines, Harbaugh has instilled a renewed sense of physicality and toughness into the Chargers’ squad, especially in the trenches.

Watching running back J.K. Dobbins cap off a 27-10 win over the Browns with clutch carries must have been gratifying for Harbaugh. However, there remain significant concerns about the Chargers (5-3), particularly regarding the quality of their wins; the teams they’ve defeated have a combined record of 13-32 (.289), one of the lowest in the league. Remarkably, four of their five victories have come against teams now sitting at 2-7.

LOSERS

Saints Self-Destruct Amidst Misery

The Saints began their season with high hopes after decisively beating a rebuilding Panthers team and a playoff hopeful Cowboys squad.

However, New Orleans has now fallen into a disastrous streak, losing seven straight games, most recently to the same Panthers who entered Sunday with only one win, ultimately losing 23-22. Quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) returned, yet the Saints (2-7) struggled in crucial moments; they converted just two of four red zone opportunities despite ranking fifth for efficiency in this area. This poor execution contributed to a lost chance for a strong start. Additionally, ten penalties costing 109 yards severely hindered their efforts. Coach Dennis Allen’s record now stands at 18-25 (.419) over three and a half seasons, indicating a stagnation within the team.

Dolphins’ Mistakes Lead to Missed Opportunities

In a tightly contested game with just 54 seconds left, the Miami Dolphins had the Buffalo Bills in a challenging position, facing a third-and-9 from their own 31-yard line. Bills quarterback Josh Allen attempted a low-percentage deep pass along the left sideline, which was well-defended. However, in classic Dolphins fashion, a critical mistake occurred: safety Jordan Poyer committed an unnecessary helmet-to-helmet foul, giving the Bills a fresh set of downs.

Just seven plays later, the Bills executed a game-winning 61-yard field goal, leaving the Dolphins with a disappointing 2-6 record. The team also faced issues with Raheem Mostert’s fumbles, as he lost possession after a third-quarter carry—his sixth fumble in just 16 games.

The Dolphins found themselves down by four points due to a mistake that allowed the Bills to score a touchdown. Their performance has been marked by sloppiness and a lack of discipline. They are missing necessary physicality and toughness on the field. Coach Mike McDaniel’s play calling often lacks creativity, particularly in short-yardage scenarios. This season seems to be a squandered opportunity for their talent.

Jordan Love

Jordan Love remains a young quarterback with significant potential. Although it’s only his second season as Green Bay’s starter, it’s crucial for him to improve his ball protection and decision-making skills.

At 26 years old, Love is currently tied for the most interceptions in the league, with nine, matching both Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield, who are set to play on Monday night. His only interception against the Lions was particularly damaging. With only 41 seconds left in the first half and down by seven, Love attempted a risky checkdown pass while being pressured; it resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown, giving Detroit a significant advantage. The Lions also scored a touchdown on their first drive of the third quarter, putting Green Bay (6-3) in a tough spot down 24-3. While Love can make remarkable plays, he needs to cut out the costly mistakes.

The Colts Have Mismanaged Their Quarterback Situation

When a coach decides to bench a young quarterback after just 10 games, stating that a veteran backup offers the best chance to win, it can undermine trust and confidence, particularly after losses like the one against the Minnesota Vikings. Shane Steichen will need to face scrutiny regarding the Colts’ disappointing offensive performance with Joe Flacco at the helm – even though they were up against a strong Vikings defense.

Flacco struggled with accuracy and often opted for lower-percentage deep throws instead of simple checkdowns. His mobility issues restricted the Colts’ offensive potential, especially compared to what Anthony Richardson could have offered in terms of escaping pressure. At 39, Flacco’s age raises concerns. The reality is that the Colts’ roster isn’t built to compete for a conference title, making the current situation feel like a significant misallocation of time and resources.