NFL Week 9 takeaways: Chiefs and Lions on Super Bowl collision course? Improvement from Bryce Young? Chargers showing promise?

As the NFL season hits the halfway point, Week 9 provided plenty of drama, including overtime thrillers, upset victories, and dominant performances. Some teams are starting to show their true colors, while others continue to search for answers.

Chiefs and Lions: Super Bowl Contenders?

After nine weeks, two teams have clearly separated themselves as the NFL’s elite: the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions.

The Chiefs, still the league’s only undefeated team, improved to 8-0 with an overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite some offensive struggles and injuries, Kansas City continues to march toward a potential third consecutive Super Bowl appearance. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, although briefly shaken by an ankle injury in Monday’s game, remains one of the most resilient players in the league. Midseason trade acquisition DeAndre Hopkins made an immediate impact, scoring two touchdowns against the Bucs, proving that the Chiefs’ offense still has plenty of firepower.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions have been steamrolling their competition. Their 7-1 record includes a statement win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, a game that marked their first outdoor contest of the season. The Lions’ combination of a strong defense and an offense led by quarterback Jared Goff and their dynamic backfield duo, “Sonic and Knuckles,” has been nearly unstoppable.

Both teams lead their respective conferences—Kansas City in the AFC and Detroit in the NFC—setting up a potentially thrilling Super Bowl matchup. The Chiefs, under head coach Andy Reid, have been the standard for success in the NFL in recent years, while the Lions, once known for their heartbreak, are now a formidable force under head coach Dan Campbell. A Chiefs-Lions Super Bowl would showcase the clash between the established dynasty and a team on the rise.

Bryce Young Shows Signs of Improvement

It’s been a rough start to Bryce Young’s NFL career. The former No. 1 overall pick from Alabama had a disastrous rookie season with the Carolina Panthers, leading them to a 2-15 record. His sophomore season didn’t get off to a much better start, as he was benched after two poor performances to begin 2024.

However, after a thumb injury sidelined veteran Andy Dalton, Young was back under center for Week 8. While his performance in a loss to the Denver Broncos was far from perfect—he threw two interceptions—there were signs of growth. His composure in the face of adversity and flashes of the talent that made him a top pick were encouraging.

In Week 9, Young had his best performance yet, leading the Panthers to a narrow 23-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints. It was Carolina’s first win with Young at quarterback since Week 15 of the previous season. Panthers head coach Dave Canales praised his quarterback for stepping up in critical moments, and the victory gives the Panthers a glimmer of hope for the future.

“I’m really happy for Bryce,” said guard Robert Hunt. “He’s been a winner for a long time, and today he showed that.” While Young’s development is still a work in progress, this performance marks a positive step forward.

Chargers Starting to Find Their Groove

The Los Angeles Chargers were one of the offseason’s most talked-about teams after hiring Jim Harbaugh as head coach, hoping to turn a talented roster into a playoff contender. After a 3-3 start to the season, the Chargers appeared to be in danger of another underachieving year. But after back-to-back wins, they’re starting to build momentum.

In Week 9, the Chargers routed the Cleveland Browns 27-10, following a 35-point victory over the New Orleans Saints the previous week. Quarterback Justin Herbert has returned to form, throwing four touchdowns with no interceptions over the two-game stretch. The Chargers’ offense is clicking, with second-year wide receiver Quentin Johnston and rookie Ladd McConkey emerging as key contributors. Johnston posted a career-high 118 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Browns, while McConkey has totaled 175 yards and two scores in the last two games.

On defense, the Chargers have been more aggressive, sacking Browns quarterback Jameis Winston six times and forcing three second-half interceptions. Harbaugh described the win as the team’s best of the season, praising the balanced effort from all three phases of the game.

With three consecutive home games ahead—two of them in primetime against playoff hopefuls like the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens—the Chargers will soon face a stretch that could define their season. If they continue playing at this level, they could be a serious threat in the AFC.

Full Week 9 Scores

• Thursday: Houston Texans 13-21 New York Jets
• Sunday:
  • Dallas Cowboys 21-27 Atlanta Falcons
  • Denver Broncos 10-41 Baltimore Ravens
  • Miami Dolphins 27-30 Buffalo Bills
  • New Orleans Saints 22-23 Carolina Panthers
  • Las Vegas Raiders 24-41 Cincinnati Bengals
  • Los Angeles Chargers 27-10 Cleveland Browns
  • Washington Commanders 27-22 New York Giants
  • New England Patriots 17-20 OT Tennessee Titans
  • Chicago Bears 9-29 Arizona Cardinals
  • Jacksonville Jaguars 23-28 Philadelphia Eagles
  • Detroit Lions 24-14 Green Bay Packers
  • Los Angeles Rams 26-20 OT Seattle Seahawks
  • Indianapolis Colts 13-21 Minnesota Vikings
• Monday: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-30 OT Kansas City Chiefs

As the season progresses, the key storylines surrounding teams like the Chiefs, Lions, Panthers, and Chargers will be fascinating to follow. The potential for surprises and shifting power dynamics in the NFL makes Week 9 a crucial turning point in what’s shaping up to be an exciting season.