Week 9 Upsets: Eagles, Vikings, and Dolphins Target NFL's Top Teams

The NFL’s Week 9 schedule opens Sunday with a slate of matchups that could shake up the standings. The Baltimore Ravens already suffered a 33-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night, marking the first time in franchise history they have scored 14 or fewer points in four consecutive games. Despite the defeat, running back Derrick Henry moved into seventh on the all-time rushing list, surpassing Jerome Bettis and LaDainian Tomlinson. The loss also exposed a vulnerability in Baltimore’s defense, which gave up two plays of 50 yards or more, ending a 12-game streak of holding opponents to under that mark.

The Ravens traded for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett this week to address their passing issues. The team’s scoring drought highlights a shift in momentum as the league enters the final stretch of the season. With several top teams traveling this weekend, the upcoming slate offers multiple opportunities for underdogs to steal wins.

In Philadelphia, the Eagles (2-6) host the first-place New York Giants (4-2-1) on Sunday. The Giants are favored by 3.5 points on the road, their first time holding that status over the Eagles since 2016. Philadelphia enters the game after losing six straight contests. New starting quarterback Joe Milton III, acquired from the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, replaces Tanner McKee, who lost all three of his starts. Milton completed 67.4% of his passes in the 2026 preseason, throwing for 378 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer has compared Milton’s arm strength to that of Brett Favre.

In Minneapolis, the Minnesota Vikings (5-2) prepare to host the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. The Vikings’ defense, led by coordinator Brian Flores, holds the league’s top ranking in scoring defense, allowing only 13.3 points per game. They also lead in blitz rate at 73.6%, the highest in the 21st century. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen faces a defensive line that has pressured quarterbacks 46% of the time. Allen was sacked a career-high eight times last season in a Thursday night loss to the Houston Texans. The prediction for Monday is that the Vikings will sack Allen more than five times, a feat that has occurred only four times in his nine-season career.

In Indianapolis, the Dallas Cowboys (3-5) aim to end a 15-game streak of allowing at least 20 points. Since trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, Dallas has allowed 29 points per game, the second-highest total in the league. The Colts (2-6) have scored 10 or fewer points in their last two games, including a 42-7 loss to Jacksonville. Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones holds the league’s worst passer rating at 68.7. The Cowboys are expected to hold the Colts under 20 points on Sunday.

In Kansas City, the Jets’ Braelon Allen seeks to extend his hot streak against the Chiefs (5-2). Allen has rushed for 504 yards in the five games since Breece Hall’s injury, the second-highest total in the NFL. He is projected to gain over 100 scrimmage yards, which would make him the first New York Jet to record five consecutive 100-yard games since Thomas Jones in 2008.

In Miami, the Dolphins (1-6) host the Detroit Lions (5-2). The Lions lead the NFL in total offense with 395.4 yards per game. Quarterback Jared Goff is averaging 280.6 passing yards per game with 15 touchdowns and one interception. The Dolphins rely on edge rusher Chop Robinson, who leads the league in quarterback pressure rate at 20.6%. The prediction is that Miami will limit Goff to under 200 passing yards, a milestone achieved only once against him this season by the Vikings.

These five games represent the bulk of the weekend’s attention, with each matchup featuring a team with a distinct defensive or offensive advantage. The outcomes will shape the narrative for the remainder of the 2026 campaign as teams jockey for playoff positioning.