NFL Under Duress List - Week 9

Before we delve into the duress list for Week 9, let's pause for a moment to evaluate the performance of individuals who were featured on last week's list.

Brock Purdy and the 49ers lost again meaning they’re now on a 3 game-losing streak after losing to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The pressure has slightly gone down on Brandon Staley as the Chargers picked up a much-needed 30-13 win over the Chicago Bears.

Finally, Derek Carr had a much cleaner game as the New Orleans Saints got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 38-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

With these reflections in mind, let's now redirect our attention to the 'duress list' for Week 9…

Mark Davis and the Las Vegas Raiders

Mark Davis, the owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, has faced a tumultuous season for his team, resulting in significant changes. Just this week, he took the decisive step of relieving head coach Josh McDaniels, general manager Dave Ziegler, and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi of their duties.

The need for these changes was undeniable, primarily due to the team's offensive struggles. In terms of total yards per game, they currently rank 31st, and their total points per game average is a disappointing 30th, with just 15.8 points per game. Only the New England Patriots and New York Giants have scored fewer points. This is particularly disheartening given the presence of an exceptional wide receiver like Davante Adams, who was widely regarded as the best in the game before joining the Raiders from the Packers in 2022. Unfortunately, Adams has not been able to shine under Jimmy Garoppolo and in their most recent loss to the Detroit LionsAdams only caught only one pass for 11 yards, expressing his frustration by tossing his helmet.

Adding to the troubles, Davis oversaw the departure of QB Derek Carr, with whom Adams was supposed to form a formidable partnership, in favour of Jimmy G, who currently leads the league in interceptions with 9 picks and only 7 touchdowns. There are strong rumours that he may be benched in favour of rookie Aidan O'Connell.

Another costly decision by Davis was awarding a 10-year, $100 million contract to former head coach John Gruden, who still has 4 years left on his deal to be paid. Now, he's facing a similar financial commitment with Josh McDaniels, who has 3 years and $30 million remaining on his contract.

Hoping for a turnaround, Davis has turned to interim head coach Antonio Pierce, hoping for the same impact as their previous interim coach, Rich Bisaccia, who led the Raiders to a 10-7 finish and a playoff appearance in 2021. This week's matchup against the New York Giants, who are without Daniel Jones, presents an opportunity for the Raiders to ease tensions and regain some confidence.

Next Game: New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium

Dallas Cowboys

The upcoming clash between the Cowboys and the Eagles is undeniably one of the most anticipated matchups on the NFL calendar. This divisional grudge match carries immense significance for both teams, but the pressure to secure a win appears to weigh heavier on Dallas.

Dallas, throughout this season, has yet to claim victory against a top-tier opponent. While they've notched impressive wins against both Los Angeles teams, the Rams and Chargers, their face-off with a formidable contender like the San Francisco 49ers ended in a lopsided 42-10 loss. The Cowboys find themselves on a mission to silence the doubters who question their ability to win when it truly matters, especially with both teams competing for the number one seed in their division and the conference. A victory in Philadelphia's backyard would be a resounding statement that the Cowboys are legitimate contenders.

Nonetheless, the odds are slightly against the Cowboys, with the Eagles holding a 3-point favourite status. It's worth noting that Dak Prescott has a less-than-stellar record when playing as an underdog, boasting a 1-7 record in such situations and a 2-6 record in covering the spread, indicating that he doesn't tend to outperform expectations. However, Dak Prescott's dominance within the NFC East is worth noting, as he ranks fifth all-time with an 80% win rate in divisional games, having played at least 25 such games.

For the Eagles, this game marks the beginning of a daunting stretch in their schedule, featuring matchups against the Cowboys, Chiefs, Bills, 49ers, Cowboys again, and the Seahawks so they’ll be looking to start that run positively with a win over their rivals.

Dak Prescott is entering this game with confidence, particularly after putting up over 40 points against the Rams. However, the Cowboys will need to find a solution for AJ Brown, who has amassed 125+ receiving yards in the last six games. Despite this, they must also contend with the talents of Devonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. The stage is set for what promises to be a thrilling and highly competitive game!

Next Game: Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field

Miami Dolphins

The upcoming clash in Germany between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs is indeed a significant game in the AFC proceedings.

Both teams enter the game with a 6-2 record, but the Dolphins are riding the momentum of a convincing win over the Patriots, while the Chiefs are looking to bounce back after a 24-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in which they failed to score a touchdown.

The anticipation for this game has been heightened even further by Tyreek Hill's first encounter with his former team, the Chiefs. Tyreek's return to face the Chiefs has undoubtedly added an extra layer of excitement to the matchup, as he is likely eager to demonstrate his skills and make a statement. His warning in a pre-match conference, stating that "The Chiefs are gonna get this work," only adds to the intrigue surrounding this game. Emotions and competitive spirits are running high, making this showdown even more compelling for fans and players alike.

Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins' quarterback, is currently leading the league in passing yards and shares the top spot for passing touchdowns with Kirk Cousins, who is unfortunately sidelined for the season due to an achilles injury. It's worth noting that the Dolphins' six wins this season have all come against teams with losing records, and those teams’ combined records are 13-33.

When facing tougher competition, as seen in losses to the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles, Tua's performance has been less impressive with just 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and 7 sacks. Defensively, they've been poor too, allowing nine touchdowns in 12 red zone trips.

The Dolphins will need to rise to the occasion against formidable opponents, as success against lower-tier teams won't necessarily translate to playoff success. Tua, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert, Jalen Ramsey and the rest of the crew must demonstrate their ability to contend for a Championship and beating the reigning Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs is the way to go.

Next Game: Kansas City Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park