National Football League

NFL Week 9 top plays: Rams, Cowboys and Bills fall, while Jordan Love makes first start

Updated Nov. 8, 2021 12:23 a.m. ET

Week 9 of the NFL season has been filled with surprises.

In the early window Sunday, the Dak Prescott-led Dallas Cowboys crumbled against Denver, the Jaguars absolutely stifled the Bills and Josh Allen, and the Baltimore Ravens went to overtime before edging the Minnesota Vikings.

In the afternoon slate, Jordan Love got a crash course in being the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, struggling in a 13-7 loss to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs (Aaron Rodgers was out due to COVID-19 protocols). The Arizona Cardinals also dominated the 49ers on the road without Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins, winning 31-17.

In Sunday night's finale, the Tennessee Titans went on the road to SoFi Stadium and defeated the Rams 28-16.

Here are the top moments from Sunday's action-packed slate.

Tennessee Titans 28, Los Angeles Rams 16

Stingy Rams

Word of advice to all quarterbacks: Do not throw the ball in the area of Jalen Ramsey.

Returning the favor

The Rams' defense got the game started with an interception, so it was only right that the Titans returned the favor in the second quarter.

That interception led to the touchdown that gave them the lead.

The Titans' defense followed with another interception, this one returned to the house.

All Day

Adrian Peterson's first game with the Titans was a success, as the 36-year-old scored a touchdown to help finish off the Rams and secure a 28-16 victory.

Kansas City Chiefs 13, Green Bay Packers 7

Feel the Love

With Rodgers out, the Packers turned to Love in Kansas City.

The Chiefs didn't exactly roll out the red carpet for Love's family.

It was the Chiefs who struck first when Patrick Mahomes found Travis Kelce.

Spreading the Love

It was a rough first three quarters for the Packers' offense, but Love was able to throw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to make it a 13-7 game.

In the end, that was all the Packers could muster as the Chiefs held on to win.

Los Angeles Chargers 27, Philadelphia Eagles 24

Back-and-forth affair

The Chargers struck first, with Justin Herbert notching an early TD pass.

But the Eagles came right back to tie it with a strong ground game.

Sneaking ahead

The Chargers broke a 10-10 tie with the Eagles, thanks to a Donald Parham touchdown, giving them a 16-10 lead.

Responding

The Eagles made sure the Chargers' lead was short-lived, scoring on their very next drive to take a 17-16 lead. This touchdown came by way of Kenneth Gainwell.

Bolt of lightning

Herbert is known for having one of the strongest arms in the NFL, but he used his legs here to help the Chargers to a 24-17 lead.

Down to the wire

Once again, the Eagles were able to respond to a Chargers score with one of their own to tie the game. This time, rookie Devonta Smith found the end zone.

Chip shot

The Chargers had the ball last, and that meant they were going to have a chance to win. They did just that, securing a 27-24 victor with a game-winning field goal.

Arizona Cardinals 31, San Francisco 49ers 17

All Cardinals

James Conner's ninth touchdown of the season gave the Cardinals an early 7-0 lead.

And that was just the beginning for them, with wide receiver Christian Kirk playing the role of quarterback on a bomb that set up a second Conner rushing touchdown.

Welcome back

George Kittle missed the previous three games for the 49ers, but he made up for lost time with a touchdown to cut into the Cardinals' lead.

Hat trick

It was not one, not two, but three touchdowns on the day for Conner. His last gave the Cardinals a 24-7 lead.

The Cardinals used Conner's dominant performance to propel themselves to a 31-17 victory.

Cleveland Browns 41, Cincinnati Bengals 16

Pick-six!

Denzel Ward went 100 yards to the house for Cleveland.

Mixon match

Joe Mixon remains a dependable rushing threat. He found a path into the end zone to tie it up for Cincy.

Moonshot

Baker Mayfield heard the criticism loud and clear. In the first half, he responded with vigor. This throw to Donovan Peoples-Jones was a dime.

Chuggin' Chubb

Nick Chubb broke off a 70-yard romp for six to put his squad up 31-10.

New York Giants 23, Las Vegas Raiders 16

Go up and get it!

Check out this leaping grab from Evan Engram for the game's first TD.

Right back at ya

Derek Carr found Hunter Renfrow in the flat to even the tally at 7.

X'd out

Xavier McKinney opened the second half with a momentum-swaying pick-six to put New York up 17-13.

Two times for emphasis

McKinney stole his second takeaway of the day late in the fourth.

On Las Vegas' final possession, the Big Blue crew came up with a decisive forced fumble to seal its win.

Baltimore Ravens 34, Minnesota Vikings 31 (overtime)

Dance on 'em

Justin Jefferson was all by himself behind the defense on this one. He hauled in the 50-yard score, and then it was time to bust out the moves.

Zig-zagging

Dalvin Cook is a constant home run threat, too. He went 66 yards on this dart to set up a score, giving Minnesota a 14-3 lead.

Run it back!

Kene Nwangwu phoned home on this 98-yard kick return.

This is Patrick

Patrick Ricard absolutely dominated on this drive, so it's only fitting that he was gifted with the TD pass.

Le'Veon for the lead!

Le'Veon Bell plowed past the pylon to give the Ravens a one-score lead with three minutes to play.

Tie game!

Adam Thielen got in on the scoring to draw even at 31-all.

In overtime, the Ravens knew they just had to get close and Justin Tucker would do the rest. A 36-yarder? He could probably make that with his eyes closed.

Miami Dolphins 17, Houston Texans 9

Direct deposit

The Dolphins came out in a wildcat formation and direct snapped to Myles Gaskin for six.

How'd he do that?

This grab by Mike Gesicki … wow.

Double up

Gesicki did it again!

Navigating the pocket

Jacoby Brissett showed some veteran savvy on this TD play.

Denver Broncos 30, Dallas Cowboys 16

Defense to offense

Denver came up with a pair of fourth-down stops before going 80 yards for pay dirt. The scoring drive was capped by Melvin Gordon, who romped into the end zone on a handoff toward the left tackle.

Precision passing

Teddy Bridgewater had himself a first half.

Dogging the defense

Bridgewater continued his hot tear, finding Kendall Hinton for a big play that set up another Broncos score. Denver led 27-0 after the TD.

Bad to worse

Dallas just couldn't get anything going.

New England Patriots 24, Carolina Panthers 16

Hands to the face

Rhamondre Stevenson warded off this defender with a staunch stiff-arm.

First of many?

Stephon Gilmore knows the Patriots well. He collected his first INT for the Panthers midway through the second quarter.

Mac attack