Quick Hits: Week 9

-         What’s the current formula to win games? Build a strong offensive line. To back up this point, look no further than the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders. The two teams have combined for a 14-3 record and are in sole possession of first place in their respective divisions. If the season ended today, they would also receive a first-round bye in the playoffs. They have done this by creating the two best offensive lines in the NFL, which has allowed to teams to have dynamic offenses that seem almost unstoppable. The Oakland Raiders are third and fourth in passing yards and rushing yards respectively while the Cowboys are second in rushing yards, and that has everything to do with their offensive lines. The two teams have also surrendered just 11 sacks each. Overall, these teams could easy represent their respective conferences in Super Bowl LI. That would definitely be my dream Super Bowl… (stats by www.espn.com)

-         While everyone may be surprised by how well the Lions are playing this year, I would like to gloat for a second and mention that I thought this team would surprise everyone. In my article covering the NFC North, I mentioned that this team’s offense would win them a lot of close games, as well as lose close games. The result has been this: All of their games have been decided by one possession. The Lions are also very quietly 5-4 and a half game back in their division. I projected the Lions to finish 7-9, but they could easily be a 9-7 or 10-6 team with the potential to earn a playoff spot. It all rests in the hands of Matthew Stafford, and with how well he has played thus far, the sky is the limit for the Lions.

-         The Ravens have officially taken first place of the AFC North. That would be impressive in any other year, but the team sits at 4-4 on the year thanks to a dominant defense and a below-average offense. Similar to the Lions, all of their games have been decided by a single possession. The team is coming off a very impressive win against the Pittsburgh Steelers high flying offense. The Ravens held the Steelers to just two first downs through the first three quarters and held Le’Veon Bell, arguably the most dynamic running back in the NFL, to just 32 rushing yards on 14 carries. The defense is legit, if the offense can get literally ANYTHING POSITIVE going forward, they can be a legit threat in the AFC.

-         Staying in the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals are a very disappointing 3-4-1 on the year. The team entered the year, once again, with playoff expectations. Some thought the team would start to take steps back and that their window would start to close and that is definitely beginning to become true. I personally think the team still has a chance to rebound, especially with the break-out season A.J. Green is having, but they need to kick it into second-gear fast.

-         It has been recently reported that the Rams will not start Jared Goff until they are out of playoff contention . This makes absolutely no sense to me. Why would they continue to roll with Case Keenum, who is second in the NFL in interceptions with 11? Do they honestly believe that he gives them a better chance to win than the number one overall pick? Goff is this team’s future, for better or for worse. It is past time for them to roll out with Goff and see what he can do for them now.

-         Let’s talk about Monday Night Football. An unbelievably super controversial non-call was made when Seahawks’ Richard Sherman ran straight into Bills’ kicker Dan Carpenter and did not receive a roughing the kicker penalty. This was despite the fact that Sherman collided with Carpenter and sent him straight into the ground. But thank you, NFL, for making sure you called offsides on Sherman. Go, you! The next play, Carpenter had to be removed due to NFL rules. The Bills elected to spike the ball with three seconds left so carpenter could come back out and attempt the field goal. The Bills would then commit a false start penalty and ultimately miss the field goal. That is beyond ridiculous. It’s completely absurd. To make things better, the Bills would lose the game by three points. Three points the Bills should’ve had had the refs called the game properly.

-         On another note, and I say this constantly (unfortunately), how can the NFL preach player safety and then allow Dan Carpenter to get lit up the way he did? It makes zero sense to me, as well as tons and tons of other viewers. The NFL is far more concerned with Tom Brady DEFLATING FOOTBALLS than they are their employees taking cheap shots.

Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on Twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.