Week Nine sees a host of NFL heavyweights in action, live on ESPN, headlined by the high flying Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams as part of a six game schedule.
ESPN’s Week Nine NFL begins on Friday November 4 at 11.15am AEDT on ESPN2, when the Houston Texans meet the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles continued their winning run in emphatic fashion, comfortably accounting for the Steelers last round 35-13.
It is not good news for the Texans, who come into the clash anchored to the bottom of the AFC South, with just one victory so far this season.
Houston will be looking to respond from a 17-10 Week Eight defeat to Tennessee, as Philadelphia continue to set the pace across the NFL.
Monday again sees four games back to back, across ESPN and ESPN2.
At 5am AEDT on ESPN, the New York Jets face off with conference rivals Buffalo Bills.
A clash between the two top teams in the conference, with the Bills sitting atop at 6-1.
There was much optimism around the Jets fortunes this season, after an extended period of misfortune.
But New York dropped a close one in Week Eight to the New England Patriots 22-17 – a team currently anchoring the AFC East.
A real litmus test for the Jets, as the Bills ride a four game winning streak into this one.
Also at 5am AEDT on ESPN2, the Washington Commanders tackle the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings are proving to be one of the stories of the NFL this season, as they ride a five game winning run, with some big scalps along the way.
Minnesota sit firmly in control of the NFC North, and will be heavily favoured to add to the win column against Washington.
The Commanders need to find some consistency, as they sit 4-4 after Week Eight. Although bottom of the NFC East, a climb up the standings is not impossible.
A win over the Vikings, could just be the spark they need – but they will start big underdogs.
At 8.25am AEDT on ESPN2, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers collide with the Los Angeles Rams.
Two teams that entered the season with high expectations, and two sides that are failing to meet them at this point of the campaign.
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers have just not got rolling and there is major dysfunction currently in Tampa Bay. At 3-5, the Buccs are not out of the playoff race, but are giving themselves a lot of work to do in the second half of the season.
Similarly in Los Angeles, the defending Super Bowl champions are still in the race, but at 3-4, they currently lie third in the NFC West, behind both the Seattle Seahawks and San Fransisco 49ers.
Both are coming off defeats, and badly need victory in this one.
The final game in Monday’s schedule is at 12.15pm AEDT when the Kansas City Chiefs meet the Tennessee Titans, also on ESPN2.
A showdown between two of the contenders in the AFC this season.
Tennessee continue their strong form, with a win over the Texans in Week Eight keeping them atop the conference. But, it will be a more difficult assignment in Week Nine in Kansas City.
The Chiefs hold an identical 5-2 record and also sit in top spot of the AFC West.
Kansas City will be fresh coming off a bye in Week Eight, and their 44-23 victory against San Francisco has them riding high coming into this important clash.
Week Nine NFL on ESPN concludes on Tuesday November 8, as the New Orleans Saints battle the Baltimore Ravens.
The Saints claimed a crucial win in Week Eight to close the gap in the NFC South. The shutout 24-0 win over Las Vegas showcased their potential, but doing it consistently has been the problem so far this season.
A sterner test awaits in the Ravens however, as Baltimore sit pretty atop the highly competitive AFC North.
The Ravens held their nerve to see off Tampa Bay 27-22, taking their record to 5-3, to have them sitting second in the division.
Week Nine NFL on ESPN
Friday November 4
11.15am AEDT, Houston Texans vs Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN2
Monday November 7
5am AEDT, New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills, ESPN
5am AEDT, Washington Commanders vs Minnesota Vikings, ESPN2
5am AEDT, NFL RedZone, ESPN App*
8.25am AEDT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Rams, ESPN2
12.15pm AEDT, Kansas City Chiefs vs Tennessee Titans, ESPN2
Tuesday November 8
12.15pm AEDT, New Orleans Saints vs Baltimore Ravens, ESPN
**Streaming functionality on the ESPN App and ESPN.com.au is available to ESPN channel subscribers via Foxtel, Fetch TV and SKY NZ who enter their platform credentials. (Note: Kayo subscribers cannot stream via the ESPN App or ESPN.com.au). Download the ESPN App from the Apple and Android app stores.
**Please note due to Major League Baseball World Series programming movements, the schedule is subject to change.
ESPN and ESPN2 are available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, Sky NZ.
Media Release – ESPN
