8. How will Carson Wentz cope against one of the league’s best defenses?
Having already surpassed 2,000 yards and on the verge of his 20th touchdown, Wentz is clearly a leading candidate for NFL MVP. He’ll face a real stern test on Sunday. For all the problems they’ve had in 2017, the Denver Broncos still have one of the league’s best defenses and will offer a stern test of Wentz’s credentials. Denver is allowing the fewest yards in the league per game (261), though they’re 13th in points allowed per game (21).
A high-level performance against Denver would do a lot to silence whatever doubters Wentz has left. It could end up being a signature performance on the way to his first MVP award.
9. Can the Jaguars or Titans seize the initiative in the AFC South?
The AFC South was already muddled before Deshaun Watson’s injury, and now it’s totally and completely up for grabs. The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans both have big matchups in Week 9, with the Titans hosting a Baltimore Ravens team that is also in the playoff picture.
The Jaguars face the Cincinnati Bengals at home, and they’re still trying to prove that they’re a legitimate contender. Behind Leonard Fournette, they should be a formidable foe, and if one team wins and the other team doesn’t, it’s safe to say they become the division favorite. That may be Jacksonville, who have the somewhat easier matchup.
10. Can the tumultuous Giants put up a fight?
The 1-6 Giants host a Los Angeles Rams team that has yet to lose away from home this season. Before the year, you’d have looked at this one as a certain Giants win, but injuries and tumult have swallowed up the team.
With another key player sidelined due to a rules violation, the Giants simply look bereft of discipline and severely lacking in talent. They’ve lost close games, though, and they could be poised to give the Rams a surprise if a few things fall their way. A win would do little to relieve the pressure on coach Ben McAdoo and company, but it would provide a small boost.
11. Will Miami’s struggling offense respond to a trade deadline shake-up?
It’s safe to say that coach Adam Gase was extremely angry over his team’s recent performances, and it’s probably no coincidence that running back Jay Ajayi, who looked like a future star as recently as last season, was quickly shipped out ahead of the trade deadline.
Jay Cutler is expected to play through pain against the struggling Oakland Raiders, and the team will be looking for something better on offense after a 40-0 loss in Week 8. Gase is pretty much at his wit’s end and has said and done everything he can to get the unit going. With a long week thanks to last Thursday’s game, we’ll see if the work put in pays off.
12. Which Adrian Peterson will the Cardinals get?
Peterson’s Cardinals debut was like a throwback to his best days with the Minnesota Vikings — 26 carries, 134 yards, and two touchdowns. A week later, he managed just 21 carries on 11 yards. Which one is the real Peterson? The answer is probably somewhere in between.
Working in his favor is the fact that the San Francisco 49ers are one of the NFL’s two worst teams. On the other hand, Drew Stanton hasn’t posed much of a threat as a quarterback, meaning the defense could sell out to stop the run and take their chances with Stanton beating them through the air. A big performance from Peterson could get the Cardinals back into the win column, though, even with Carson Palmer out.
13. Will Ezekiel Elliott play well amid suspension questions?
Elliott came on very strong in October, and while he’s set to play against the Chiefs with his suspension stayed for another week, he must know that there is a real chance that this could be his last game for a while. On top of that, this is a very big game for the Cowboys, who could really lift their season with a victory.
After a slow start, Elliott has responded to the questions about his status by posting three consecutive 100-yard games, including four touchdowns in his last two weeks. The Chiefs will prove a difficult test, but bank on Elliott having a big game again — he seems to be hitting his stride, off-field questions or not.
14. Can Kirk Cousins make something out of nothing in Seattle?
Washington’s injury report reads like a novel at this point. The offensive line has been particularly hard-hit, with all four of the team’s regular starters missing practice during the week. Two tight ends, including Jordan Reed, were also absent. The offense has been devastated by injury, and quarterback Kirk Cousins will have to find a way to make something happen.
Cousins will be facing Seattle’s defense, making things worse, and it would be unfair to expect him to throw the entire team on his back and win, especially considering the state of his offensive line. Still, this is going to be a huge test for him — he’s more or less going to have to make something out of nothing.
15. Can Jameis Winston salvage his underwhelming third season?
Winston has been one of the NFL’s biggest disappointments of 2017, with only ten touchdown passes in seven games with six interceptions. It’s not too late for him to salvage his 2017 and show some progress, though, starting with Sunday’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
While it’s almost certainly too late for the Buccaneers to make themselves a factor in the playoff race, the Saints’ defense presents a nice challenge for Winston. They’ve played well, but on paper are still beatable. At this point, the Buccaneers should be focused on trying to help Winston cut out the silly mistakes and play with confidence. They may not be a playoff team in 2017, but they can at least manage that. The question is how much Winston’s shoulder injury continues to bother him.
