Week 9 Takeaways

The ninth week of NFL action wasn't short on entertainment. By the way, did anyone else know the Cleveland Browns are 5-3? Anyway, here are some takeaways from Week 9 of the NFL season.

The Patriots sit atop the AFC... for now: The New England Patriots dismantled the Denver Broncos in what could end up being the difference in who gets home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Whoa, whoa, there's still seven weeks left in the regular season and the Patriots -- who are now on their bye week -- have a tough seven remaining games on their schedule (at IND, DET, at GB, at SD, MIA, at NYJ, BUF). Meanwhile, Denver's remaining schedule looks like this (at OAK, at STL, MIA, at KC, BUF, at SD, at CIN, OAK). Now, who do you think has the better chance of winning more games from this point on? If these two teams meet in the playoffs, which looks destined to happen, it could very well come down to who's the host and who's the visitor. The Patriots are the best in the AFC, but it may not be that way for very long.

Ben Roethlisberger: When I look at Big Ben's performances in each of the past two games all I can say is wow. Against the Colts in Week 8 his stat line was: 40-49, 82 percent completions, 522 yards, 6 TDs. Last night against the Ravens: 25-37, 68 percent completions, 340 yards, 6 TDs. Most importantly, they came in winning efforts. It's not a coincidence that rookie wide receiver Martavis Bryant has emerged over the past two games, as he's played a large role in his quarterback's gaudy numbers. Still, Roethlisberger, in his 11th season, isn't mentioned by the media or sportscasters when they discuss the elite quarterbacks, but he certainly belongs in the conversation.

The AFC North: If someone had told me, prior to the season, that after the first nine games of the season the that all four teams in the AFC North  would be over .500 I would have scoffed at such a prediction. Yet, that's where the division stands. The Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Steelers all sport winning records -- no other division can say that. Of course, the Browns are the big surprise, as many (including myself) didn't expect very much from them this season. Cleveland will receive a huge boost come Week 12 when star receiver Josh Gordon returns from his suspension.

Injuries: The Eagles placed two starters, linebacker DeMeco Ryans and guard Todd Herremans, on season-ending injured reserve, while starting quarterback Nick Foles is expected to miss 4-8 weeks after suffering a broken collarbone against the Texans. Other notable names who left Sunday's action due to injury: Arian Foster (HOU), Troy Polamalu (PIT), Rolando McClain (DAL), Andre Smith (CIN), Lamar Miller (MIA), Nate Irving (DEN), Kareem Jackson (HOU), and Tyrone Crawford (DAL).

*Team schedules and standings courtesy of CBS Sports 
**Player statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference
***Injury news courtesy of Rotoworld