NFL Week 9 Grades: Cowboys Scrape By, Colts Sink to 2-7
The Cowboys beat the Colts in NFL Week 9 despite two turnovers and a missed field goal, while Indianapolis fell to 2-7. Our NFL week 9 grades cover the Bears, Buccaneers and Packers, plus trade deadline questions for the Colts, Eagles and Jets.
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season, sending Indianapolis to 2-7 as the trade deadline approaches. Our NFL week 9 grades show a Cowboys team that did just enough and a Colts offense that barely moved.
Three losing teams now face real questions. The Colts, the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets all sit at 2-7.
Cowboys survive, Colts stall
Dallas held an opponent under 300 yards for the first time this season. Quinnen Williams was unblockable, finishing with three tackles for a loss.
The Cowboys piled up more than 500 yards of offense, and Dak Prescott threw for 150 yards in the fourth quarter alone. They nearly gave it away with two turnovers and a missed field goal by Brandon Aubrey. After blowing a game against the Cardinals last week, they could not afford another loss.
Indianapolis went three-and-out on five of its first seven possessions. No drive covered more than 30 yards until two minutes remained in the third quarter. Quarterback Daniel Jones then threw an interception in the final minute to end any comeback.
The struggle came against one of the league's worst defenses. There has been speculation that the Colts could trade Jones or running back Jonathan Taylor, and they have already been among the busiest teams in the trade market.
Bears win despite five giveaways
Tampa Bay forced five turnovers on Sunday Night Football and still lost to Chicago. The Buccaneers turned those takeaways into only 10 points.
Caleb Williams started hot, shredding the defense on Chicago's first two drives. Tampa Bay intercepted him four times, and Luther Burden III fumbled late. Chicago still overcame a minus-3 turnover margin to win.
Love and the Packers shine
Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love threw for 372 yards and three touchdowns. The Packers also rediscovered their running game under coach Matt LaFleur.
Receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden each topped 150 receiving yards. It was the first time two Packers receivers have done so in the same game.
Deadline pressure
The Eagles lost to the New York Giants, who lead the NFC East. Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman likes to make deals, and the 2-7 record could send him to the phones.
The Jets also fell to 2-7 after losing to the Chiefs, and a fire sale would make sense for them too. The Patriots were among two teams to receive a failing grade this week.
Jacksonville opened the week with an easy Thursday night win over the Baltimore Ravens.
