NFL Midseason: Bills and Vikings lead Week 9 slate

The 2026 National Football League regular season reaches its midpoint after the conclusion of Week 9 games. The slate consists of 15 contests, including eight interconference matchups that typically occur only once every four years. Only two divisional games are on the schedule.

The week opens with a clash between two American Football Conference teams moving in opposite directions. The Jacksonville Jaguars, who hold a 6-2 record, will visit the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, currently 4-4, lost starting quarterback Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley to injuries in Week 8. That loss marked the third straight game for Baltimore.

Sunday action begins early in Madrid, Spain, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals, 5-2, will face the Atlanta Falcons, 3-5. Joe Burrow, who threw six touchdowns in the previous game, will lead the Bengals against Michael Penix Jr. The rest of Sunday's schedule includes seven games in the early window and four in the late afternoon.

Several teams with pressing needs are featured in the 1 p.m. ET window. The Denver Broncos, 6-2, will play the Carolina Panthers, 3-4. The Los Angeles Rams, 4-4, will face the Washington Commanders, 2-4-1. The New York Giants, 4-2-1, will visit the Philadelphia Eagles, 2-6.

Prime time features two teams seeking postseason berths. The Chicago Bears, 6-2, will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3-5. This marks the third consecutive prime time game for the Bears. The Buccaneers have won their last two games since Baker Mayfield returned to the starting lineup.

The week concludes with a matchup between two of the top teams in the league. The Buffalo Bills, 6-1, will visit the Minnesota Vikings, also 6-1. The Bills, led by Josh Allen, will face a defense coached by Brian Flores that has been dominant all season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, 6-2, and the Tennessee Titans, 1-7, are the two teams on a bye this week.