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Week 9 saw the NFL season reach its halfway point with many teams taking shape and others still looking for answers.
There were overtime thrillers, upset victories and favorites stamping their mark.
Here are the main takeaways from the past week in the National Football League.
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New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson catches a pass for a touchdown as Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter defends at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, October 31. The Jets ended their five-game losing streak with the 21-13 win.
Danny Karnik/AP
Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson, linebacker Eric Kendricks, Atlanta Falcons guard Ryan Neuzil and running back Bijan Robinson dive for a loose ball in Atlanta on Sunday, November 3. The Falcons defeated the Cowboys 27-21.
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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Giants' 27-22 loss to the Washington Commanders in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on November 3.
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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix reacts after throwing an interception against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore on November 3. The Ravens beat the Broncos 41-10.
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels fakes a hand off to running back Austin Ekeler during the game against the New York Giants on November 3.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley hurdles Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones in the second quarter of the Eagles' 28-23 victory in Philadelphia on November 3.
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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers celebrates a touchdown in Baltimore on November 3.
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, left, and wide receiver Tim Patrick celebrate after St. Brown caught a touchdown pass during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on November 3. The Lions won 24-14.
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New York Giants running back Devin Singletary stiff arms Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. during the Steelers' 26-18 win in Pittsburgh on Monday, October 28.
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Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown catches a Hail Mary pass that was tipped with no time left to beat the Chicago Bears 18-15 at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland, on Sunday, October 27.
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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix scores a rushing touchdown in Denver on October 27. The Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 28-14.
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Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown, left, and his identical twin brother, Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown, exchange jerseys after the game between their teams in Cincinnati on October 27. The Eagles won 37-17.
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa attempts a pass in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on October 27. The Dolphins lost 28-27.
Mark J. Terrill/AP
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold reacts after being
sacked for a safety in his own endzone by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young in Inglewood, California, on Thursday, October 24. TV replays showed Young had grabbed Darnold’s face mask. After the game, lead official Tra Blake said the incident went unpenalized because none of his officiating crew had a clear look at it. The Rams won 30-20.
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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert stiff arms Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. during the Chargers' 17-15 loss in Glendale, Arizona, on Monday, October 21.
Jed Jacobsohn/AP
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chris Conley and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie vie for the ball on Sunday, October 20, in Santa Clara, California.
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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is tackled by Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks on October 20 in Indianapolis. The Colts won 16-10.
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Green Bay Packers kicker Brandon McManus celebrates with fans after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Houston Texans in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 20. The Packers won 24-22.
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Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers on October 20 in Landover, Maryland. The Commanders won 40-7.
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Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton runs out of the tunnel prior to the game against the New England Patriots in London on October 20. The Jaguars won 32-16.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss breaks up a pass to Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey in the second half of the Broncos' 23-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Denver on Sunday, October 13.
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Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch, center, celebrates an interception with his teammates during a game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on October 13. The Lions trounced the Cowboys 47-9.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs dives for a touchdown in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 13. The Packers beat the Arizona Cardinals 34-13.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II stands for the national anthem on October 13.
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Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson stops Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku in Philadelphia on October 13. The Eagles won 20-16.
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Carolina Panthers linebacker Claudin Cherelus pressures Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 13. The Panthers lost 38-20.
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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams walks down the tunnel after his team
beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 35-16 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on October 13. Williams completed 23 of his 29 pass attempts and throwing for 226 yards and four touchdowns.
John Froschauer/AP
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel makes a catch during his team's
36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday, October 10. Samuel
became the first wide receiver in NFL history with 20 touchdown receptions and 20 touchdown runs after scoring on a 76-yard touchdown catch.
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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom and safety Ji'Ayir Brown break up a touchdown pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf in Seattle on October 10.
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New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. signs autographs for a young Kansas City Chiefs fan before the start of the game between the teams in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday, October 7. Gay played for the Chiefs for four seasons before signing with the Saints during the offseason.
The Chiefs beat the Saints 26-13.
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Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum celebrates after a play during a game against the New York Jets in London on Sunday, October 6. The Vikings extended their win streak with a 23-17 victory.
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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman scores on a 49-yard touchdown reception during the Bills' 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans in Houston on October 6.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence eats a cupcake to celebrate his birthday after his team beat the Indianapolis Colts 37-34 at home in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6. It was the Jaguars' first win of the season.
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Green Bay Packers punter Daniel Whelan grabs a high snap during a game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California, on October 6. The Packers won 24-19.
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Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6.
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Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn celebrates with teammates after kicking a 59-yard field goal on the last play of his team's victory over the Buffalo Bills in Houston on October 6.
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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir runs for a touchdown after a blocked field goal during a game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, California, on October 6. The Cardinals came back to narrowly upset the 49ers 24-23.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss celebrates after an interception in Denver on October 6. The Broncos beat the Las Vegas Raiders 34-18.
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels passes in the first half of the team's 42-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, September 29.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith celebrates as a field goal attempt by New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein misses in the fourth quarter in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 29. The Broncos won 10-9.
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Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders fights off the tackle attempt by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 29. The Bengals beat the Panthers 34-24.
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Houston Texans safety Eric Murray celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the Texans' 24-20 victory in Houston on September 29.
Jed Jacobsohn/AP
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle catches a touchdown pass in the end zone in Santa Clara, California, on September 29. The 49ers beat the New England Patriots 30-13.
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New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton bobbles the ball as he runs against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks during the Giants' 20-15 loss to the Cowboys in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 26.
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Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills celebrates an interception during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Orchard Park, New York, on Monday, September 23. This was his first career interception and latest milestone since he suffered from a cardiac arrest on the field in early 2023.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III runs with the ball for a touchdown during the Steelers' 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 22.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold throws the ball to tight end Johnny Mundt in Minneapolis on September 22. The Vikings beat the Houston Texans 34-7.
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Kadeem Telfort of the Green Bay Packers takes a selfie with a fan after the Packers beat the Tennessee Titans 30-14 on the road in Nashville on September 22.
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Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones lands in the end zone for a touchdown in Minneapolis on September 22.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescotts sits on the field after a play during the team's 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington, Texas, on September 22.
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New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard runs past New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin for a touchdown in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 19. The Jets won 24-3.
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney scores a touchdown during the team's 22-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia on Monday, September 16.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill during the Chiefs' 26-25 victory in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday, September 15. The defending Super Bowl champs moved to 2-0 on the season.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. during a game in Minneapolis on September 15. The Vikings would go on to win the game 24-17.
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New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara runs the ball during the Saints' 44-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on September 15. Kamara had four touchdowns in the game.
Jasen Vinlove/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Miami Dolphins players attend to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after
he took a hit to the head in the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Thursday, September 12. Tagovailoa was later ruled out with a concussion.
Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and teammates wait in a tunnel before a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California, on Monday, September 9. This is the first game back for Rodgers since tearing his Achilles tendon last year after his first game of the season.
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Los Angeles Chargers players and Las Vegas Raiders players clash after a play during the second half of their game in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, September 8.
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Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. breaks a tackle from Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt in Tampa, Florida, on September 8. The Buccaneers beat the Commanders 37-20.
Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle celebrate a touchdown during a 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8. Hill was
detained for a short time by police after a traffic incident earlier in the day. Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels said Sunday that an investigation has begun into the incident and one of the officers involved is being placed on administrative duties.
Danny Karnik/AP
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields signals during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on September 8. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 18-10.
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Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, right, and Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson tumble in the end zone in Chicago on September 8. Okonkwo made the catch for a touchdown, but the Titans ultimately fell 24-17 to the Bears.
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Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals defenders in Cincinnati on September 8. The Patriots beat the Bengals 16-10.
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Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, center, celebrates his interception return for a touchdown during the Vikings' 28-6 victory over the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 8.
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Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars players pray together at the end of the game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8.
Matt Slocum/AP
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, top, dives for the end zone for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Justin Jones is unable to make the tackle in Orchard Park, New York, on September 8. The Bills won 34-28.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback
Jordan Love walks off the field after taking a hit in the final seconds of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo early Saturday, September 7. The Eagles won 34-29.
Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Brazilian and American flags are presented on the field at Neo Química Arena – also known as Corinthians Arena – in São Paulo ahead of the game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, September 6.
It was the first NFL game in South America.
Ed Zurga/AP
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as time expires at the end of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5. The Chiefs won 27-20.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles during the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5.
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Fans enter Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, ahead of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.
Chiefs and Lions on Super Bowl collision course?
There have been two obvious best teams in the NFL through nine weeks: the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs remain the only undefeated team in the league following their overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, improving to 8-0.
The Lions, meanwhile, overcame a big test of their mettle, traveling to a wet and windy Lambeau Field – the first time they’ve played outside all season – and dominating their NFC North rivals Green Bay Packers to move to 7-1.
The Chiefs have yet to be convincing on offense this season, but they have seen injuries and the addition of new players – midseason trade acquisition DeAndre Hopkins scored two touchdowns against the Bucs – while maintaining a perfect journey towards their third-straight Super Bowl title.
There was an injury scare on Monday when quarterback Patrick Mahomes appeared in serious pain after rolling his ankle, though he later returned to the game.
On the other hand, the Lions have stormed through their opening games, with their physical style of play proving too much for opponents.
The multitude of options Detroit has to attack teams – whether it be QB Jared Goff’s connection to a plethora of receivers or the double-headed running back tandem nicknamed “Sonic and Knuckles” – means they are almost unstoppable at times.
Both teams lead their respective conferences after Week 9 – Kansas City in the AFC and Detroit in the NFC – putting them in prime position at the halfway mark of the season to make Super Bowl runs.
What makes a Chiefs vs. Lions clash at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans such a tantalizing possibility is the two respective histories.
Under head coach Andy Reid, the Chiefs been the gold-standard for success in recent years, winning three championship titles and cementing themselves as the team to beat.
The Lions have been the opposite, as they have suffered heartbreak after heartbreak until head coach Dan Campbell transformed them into an NFL juggernaut.
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Campbell has transformed the Detroit Lions into one of the best teams in the NFL.
A game between the two teams in February at the Superdome would offer a glimpse into what the changing face of the NFL could do against the established superpower.
Through one and a half seasons in the NFL, there’s not been much to shout about for Bryce Young.
The 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick led the Carolina Panthers to a league-worst 2-15 record in his rookie season, before being benched after two heavy losses to open the 2024 campaign.
However, Young returned to the Panthers’ starting line-up in Week 8 following a thumb sprain sustained by Andy Dalton in a car accident, and that time on the sidelines seems to have served the 23-year-old well.
Although he threw two interceptions in the Week 8 loss to the Denver Broncos, Young remained composed – something he failed to do in his rookie season – and he produced some plays which showed why he was such a high draft pick out of Alabama.
And in Week 9, Young had his best showing in the NFL so far, leading Carolina to a 23-22 win over the New Orleans Saints – the team’s first win with Young as the quarterback since Week 15 last year.
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Young has looked much improved following his benching earlier in the season.
It’s still not perfect from Young, but he has shown definite improvements to give the Panthers some signs of hope going forward. After the victory, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said the QB’s performance was solid.
“He came up big in some critical moments, you know,” Canales said, “and gave us an opportunity a couple of times.
“So, again, just proud of the step that he took, just taking all the things we’re asking him to do, getting us to the right place at the right time. So, a great step.”
The Panthers invested a lot in trading up to acquire Young in last year’s draft and so far, it has been a failed endeavor. But this recent performance showed some reason for optimism.
“I’m really happy for Bryce, and I told him that before we went out there to win, that winning drive: ‘Hey, you’ve been a winner for a long time. So let’s win, let’s do it,’” guard Robert Hunt said after Sunday’s game. “And he said: ‘Yeah, I’ve got your back,’ and we had his … I’m really happy for the kid.
Brian Westerholt/AP
Young (No. 9) and Robert Hunt (No. 50) embrace after the win against the Saints.
The Los Angeles Chargers were one of the stories of the offseason following their appointment of Jim Harbaugh as head coach.
After years of disappointment under previous coach Brandon Staley, Harbaugh was seen as the key cog in bringing success to a talent-filled roster in Los Angeles, fresh from winning a national championship title with Michigan.
However, after a 3-3 start and some injuries to key players, their season hung in the balance. Would this be a lost first season for the Chargers under Harbaugh or could they get things back on track?
Since that point, they have won back-to-back games, both in convincing fashion and both showing why they could be a playoff contender.
The Chargers beat the Saints and Browns by a combined margin of 35 points. The team’s defense is playing some of the best in the NFL at the moment and quarterback Justin Herbert also looks back on top form.
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After struggling with injuries earlier in the season, Herbert looks back to his best.
The 26-year-old has thrown four touchdown passes and no interceptions during this two-game span and seems to be building connections with second-year receiver Quentin Johnston and rookie Ladd McConkey.
Johnston – who had a disappointing rookie season – had a career-high 118 receiving yards and a touchdown in the win over the Browns, while McConkey has had 175 yards and two scores over the two weeks.
Paired with this, the Chargers defense has also been playing better of late, sacking Browns QB Jameis Winston six times on Sunday and forcing three second-half interceptions.
Harbaugh described the game against Cleveland as the Chargers’ best win of the season.
“It was just a great team win,” he told reporters. “That’s the way it feels to me. Really good. So many good things. Winning football in special teams, winning football on offense and winning football on defense.”
Kirk Irwin/AP
The Chargers are 5-3 in Harbaugh's debut season with the team.
The Chargers have three-straight home games coming up next – two of which are in primetime against other AFC playoff hopefuls the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens.
And after this stretch, we’ll know more about where Los Angeles’ season lies.
Away @ home (winners in bold)
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