Five Things to Watch this Weekend (Week 9)
October 30, 2025
We’ve hit that point in the season where every game feels like a playoff. Here are five matchups guaranteed to shake things up this weekend:
1 . Vikings vs. Lions
The Vikings have officially put Carson Wentz on IR with the intent to bring back JJ McCarthy this weekend against Detroit. JJ has only played in 2/25 games to start his career and he’s looking to make it game number three. It’s been a disastrous season so far for Minnesota but at 3-4, they aren’t out of it yet. JJ will look to win this matchup over former Michigan teammate (and newly paid) Aidan Hutchinson and a motivated Lions team. McCarthy better be fully healthy because this Lions front will be coming for him, meaning he won’t be able to sit pretty in the pocket. A lot of movement will be needed to evade their d line pressures. If he can get their offense rolling close to what they showed earlier in the year against Chicago, we may be in for a better game than expected.
2. Chiefs vs. Bills
The Chiefs have been demolishing everyone in their way the last few weeks after an embarrassing loss to the Jaguars. It’s safe to say they took that personally and have out scored their next three opponents 89-24. Mahomes has this offense playing on another level and the return of Rashee Rice has brought them up another notch.
Then we have the Bills who had dropped two in a row before getting right last Sunday in Carolina. The Panthers are hardly a playoff contender but the Bills won in dominating fashion which fans needed to see. This matchup typically grants the winner the one seed in the AFC. However, competition is fierce this season with a few surprises at top – Neither can afford another loss if they want the AFC playoffs to run through their city.
3. 49ers vs. Giants
San Francisco found themselves taking a surprise loss to Houston and will now head to New York to take on what could be a dangerous Giants team. The Giants, of course, lost the heartbeat of their team in Cam Skattebo last weekend. All reports from those close to the situation seem to confirm that Skat’s surgeries were successful and he’ll be good to by training camp. But now, Jaxson Dart needs to figure out how to get through the rest of the schedule without his running mate and I’m not sure they have enough talent to keep up with anyone moving forward..
49er country will more than likely be without Brock Purdy as he continues to practice in a limited capacity. Mac Jones struggled a little bit against Houston but so did CMC. Despite thee Giant’s talented group, New York is ranked 29th in rush defense and 24th against the pass. There should be plenty of opportunity for a bounce back here, and San Fran will need to score, because Jaxson Dart will almost certainly find a way to keep up.
4. Steelers vs. Colts
Aaron Rodgers dropped one on Sunday night against his former team and now we’ll get to see how the Steelers respond. The Pittsburgh defense had absolutely no answer for the Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft, and another talented one is coming to town named Tyler Warren. If you put too much focus on stopping the pass game and Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor might just score three more touchdowns on you and make it not matter much anyway. The Steelers are 4-3 and are in control of their division, but Lamar Jackson is back this week, and you don’t want to leave the door open for the Ravens to storm back in the North.
Indy keeps doing what they’re doing behind their MVP candidates Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor. This one will be played in Pittsburgh so it may cater more towards the Steelers. However, I don’t put too much stock in that on the professional level. The Colts have been unstoppable this season and I’d expect them to be in a closer battle here, but pull out the victory.
5. Commanders vs. Seahawks
Jayden Daniels will apparently try to give it a go after sitting out last week against the Chiefs. Though he’ll still be without Terry McLaurin as he reinjured his thigh during his return. Philly seems to be in control of the NFC East but every week there seem to be more and more issues leaking out of their locker room. They appear more beatable these days to a good team but they’ll still steam roll the bad ones which may give the Commanders some hope should they get healthy again. Seattle is weakest through the air but one of the best defenses in the league on the ground. The loss of Terry will hurt them but they’ll need to find another way to spread the ball around if they’re going to be successful.
Seattle is bringing in their own high powered offense behind Sam Darnold and league leading receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Not to mention their own two headed rushing attack in Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. They’re a handful just like Kansas City just was for the Commanders defense. As high powered as they seem, their offense is ranked 27th in third down conversion rates. If Washington can get them in those situations, they may be able to create more stops and give their own offense a shot.
Keith, Author
Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.
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