NFL Week 9 aftershocks: Can defense carry Chiefs to Super Bowl?

Week 9 featured games between NFL juggernauts (Dolphins-Chiefs, Cowboys-Eagles, Bills-Bengals) that could be featured attractions in the postseason. Here's a look at four aftershocks:

The Giants must tank for a quarterback

In what has already been a rough season, the Giants officially hit rock-bottom after being dismantled by the lowly Raiders, 30-6. To make matters worse, quarterback Daniel Jones exited the game with a torn ACL, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The Giants are 2-7, light-years from the 9-7 team and playoff berth they achieved under head coach Brian Daboll last season. Jones was pivotal to New York's success in 2022, throwing for 15 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions. He then signed a four-year, $160M contract extension during the offseason.

Despite shelling out a lot of cash for their perceived QB of the future, the Giants must admit they made a mistake and draft a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. Per Tankathon, New York currently owns the fourth overall pick and will likely only climb higher if it continues with undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito or journeyman Matt Barkley as its starting QB.

Southern Cal's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye — both considered top-notch quarterback prospects — could be available when the Giants are on the clock.

Kansas City's defense can carry it to the Super Bowl

For the first time in a long time, Patrick Mahomes is not carrying the Chiefs to the Super Bowl.

Kansas City's defense is one of the best in the NFL, stifling Miami's fearsome offense in a 21-14 win in Week 9. The Chiefs limited Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to season lows in passing yards (193), completion percentage (61.8) and passer rating (87) and held Miami to its lowest point total of the season.

The defense's emergence could not have come at a better time because the offense is uncharacteristically struggling. The Chiefs rank 12th in the NFL in points per game (23.1) — the lowest they've been since Mahomes became the starting quarterback in 2018. Kansas City's defense, however, is second in the league in points allowed per game (15.9), its highest ranking during the star quarterback's tenure.

The AFC East is up for grabs

Considered by many to be the deepest division heading into the season, the AFC East is suddenly up for grabs.

The Dolphins continued to struggle against the NFL's best, losing to the Chiefs in Frankfurt and falling to 6-3. Miami is 6-0 against teams below .500 but 0-3 against teams above .500, per StatMuse. The Bills once again failed to find continuity on offense, stalling several times against the Bengals and dropping to 5-4. The Patriots lost to the Commanders, their seventh defeat in what has already been one of the worst seasons under HC Bill Belichick.

With a win over the Chargers on "Monday Night Football," the Jets will improve 5-3 and just a half-game behind first-place Miami in the AFC East. After losing quarterback Aaron Rodgers minutes into the season, Gang Green has a lot to smile about.   

Joe Burrow is a dark-horse MVP candidate 

Burrow is back to full health and now back in the MVP race. The 26-year-old turned in a masterful performance in the Bengals' 24-18 win over the Bills, completing 31-of-44 passes for 348 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. 

Following a lackluster 1-3 start, the Bengals have won four straight, including wins over playoff contenders Seattle, San Francisco and Buffalo. With the lingering effects of a right calf injury far behind him, Burrow has returned to elite quarterback status, tossing 10 touchdowns compared to two interceptions during Cincinnati's win streak.