NFL: Tampa Bay Bucs, Green Bay Packers, and Buffalo Bills all take to the field

There were shocks galore in Week 9 of the regular NFL season. Six of the seven teams who started the day in the playoff spots were defeated. This included the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys. In this preview, we will assess three games taking place on Sunday — Washington v Tampa Bay Bucs, Green Bay Packers v Seattle Seahawks, and New York Jets v Bills.

Tampa Bay Bucs press reset button after New Orleans Saints defeat

By the time they face Washington, the Bucs will have had two weeks to prepare and reset after their defeat by the Saints. Once again, the Bucs — who have a 6-2 record for the campaign — will be a serious contender to retain the Super Bowl title in 2022. Tom Brady has been unstoppable at times and recently claimed his 600th career touchdown pass.

But against Washington, there will be others that will be hoping to come to the fore. Shaq Barrett, for example, is the only Bucs player this season on track to get six or more QB takedowns. Indeed, his pressure rate in the fifth and sixth games of the campaign has jumped up significantly, and he has helped the offence operate very effectively.

• Tampa Bay Bucs to beat Washington @1.22 with Casumo
• Total Points Over 51.5 @1.91 with Casumo

Washington hoping to arrest torrid run of form

Sitting fourth in the NFC East, it has been a poor start for Washington. A run of four defeats on the trot has been a real cause for concern, and they won’t get sympathy from the Bucs. However, on a personal note, Landon Collins will look to kick on after clinching the NFL’s ‘Way to Play’ award for some eye-catching play in Week 8.

Green Bay Packers pay the price for Aaron Rodgers absence

Whenever Aaron Rodgers doesn’t play for the Packers, it always has a detrimental impact on the team. Last weekend, the Packers slipped to a 13-7 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs even though, once again, Patrick Mahomes struggled for top form for the Chiefs. Rodgers, meanwhile, missed the clash after testing positive for COVID-19, but it was the Packers’ second defeat of the campaign.

Was Jordan Love worth all the drama for the Packers?

Against the Chiefs, the Packers got a glimpse of what life might be like after Rodgers. Jordan Love made his first start after being drafted in the first round of the 2020 draft, but it was far from a convincing display. And if we are to judge Love by last Sunday’s display, then he is not yet ready for the big time.

Seattle Seahawks provide cryptic response over Odell Beckham Jr trade rumours

Having been released from the Cleveland Browns, speculation has been swirling over which team Odell Beckham Jr. will join next. There have been suggestions that Beckham will clear waivers and be given free choice over which team he will join next. And it seems that the Seahawks could be in the running for him.

Although the Seahawks are supposedly ninth in the waiver order, they have the financial muscle to complete a deal. And when asked whether his side will land Beckham, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said: “You’ll see.” It will be interesting to see what happens next, but Beckham would be a fabulous addition to the Seahawks squad.

• Green Bay Packers to beat Seattle Seahawks @1.51 with Casumo
• Total Points Under 49.5 @1.92 with Casumo

Meanwhile, there is a strong chance that Russell Wilson could be cleared fit to face the Packers. The quarterback only returned to practice on Monday, just a month after undergoing surgery on a finger. And Carroll has described Wilson’s recovery as “remarkable”. Wilson – who had been injury reserve for the first time in his career – has been sorely missed.

New York Jets on the rebound

There has been little to celebrate if you are a Jets fan. After a 45-30 thrashing at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts a couple of weeks ago, the Jets will be hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend against the Bills. As things stand, the Jets have a 2-6 record, and they are third in the AFC East standings.

The Bills, meanwhile, top the AFC East with a 5-3 record, but they weren’t at the races against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This, of course, is a Bills side that had racked up 30 points or more in five of their first six games, but it was a day when Josh Allen struggled. The Bills will need to be more creative to break down the Jets.

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