NFL 2025: Week 9 - Highlights

Miami Dolphins 6 Baltimore Ravens 28

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, October 31, 2025

On a humid Halloween night in South Florida, the Baltimore Ravens spoiled the Miami Dolphins’ home crowd with a dominant 28–6 victory that showcased defensive ferocity and offensive precision. Lamar Jackson orchestrated a clinical performance, throwing for 254 yards and two touchdowns while adding 62 rushing yards, as Baltimore methodically dismantled a Dolphins team that looked disjointed on both sides of the ball. The Ravens, now riding a midseason surge, improved to 6–2, while Miami dropped to 3–5, facing serious questions about their offensive identity and protection schemes.

The game began with Miami’s offense sputtering immediately. Tua Tagovailoa faced relentless pressure from Baltimore’s front seven, particularly linebacker Roquan Smith, who was everywhere—blitzing, covering, and blowing up screen plays before they could develop. After a quick three-and-out on the opening drive, Baltimore went to work. Jackson connected early and often with tight end Isaiah Likely, whose 18-yard catch on third down set up a nine-play, 72-yard drive capped by a short touchdown pass to rookie receiver Zay Flowers. That early score set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Miami tried to respond, leaning on Raheem Mostert to generate momentum, but the Ravens’ defensive front stuffed every attempt, holding the Dolphins to just 46 rushing yards for the night. Tagovailoa completed short passes to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, yet every drive stalled once they approached midfield. Baltimore’s disguised coverages forced checkdowns, and Miami managed only a 41-yard field goal midway through the second quarter to make it 7–3. Any hint of life was immediately extinguished on the next series: Jackson led a flawless 10-play drive ending with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman, pushing the lead to 14–3.

By halftime, Baltimore had outgained Miami 228–89 and led 14–3, with Jackson’s efficiency (12-of-15 passing) contrasting sharply with Tagovailoa’s struggles under duress. The Ravens defense tallied four first-half sacks and consistently won at the line of scrimmage. In the third quarter, Miami opened with another promising drive that fizzled at the Ravens’ 22-yard line, resulting in another field goal—their last points of the game. From there, it was all Baltimore.

The Ravens leaned on their ground game, with Gus Edwards and rookie Keaton Mitchell combining for over 120 yards rushing. Edwards’ bruising 8-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter made it 21–6, essentially sealing Miami’s fate. The Dolphins’ offensive line continued to crumble, surrendering two more sacks and a critical fourth-quarter fumble recovered by Ravens safety Marcus Williams. Baltimore capitalized quickly, with Jackson faking a read-option handoff and hitting tight end Likely in the flat for a 12-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 28–6.

Miami’s frustrations boiled over late. Hill was visibly upset on the sideline after a miscommunication on a deep route that resulted in an interception by Marlon Humphrey. Head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense, once explosive and creative, appeared stripped of confidence. Baltimore’s clock management in the fourth quarter was surgical, as they drained nearly nine minutes with a 13-play drive to close the game.

In every measurable way, this was a statement win for Baltimore. Their defense allowed just 184 total yards, recorded six sacks, and forced two turnovers. Offensively, Jackson’s poise and balance kept Miami off-balance all night. The Ravens also dominated time of possession, holding the ball for nearly 38 minutes.

Miami, meanwhile, looked lost. Tagovailoa’s stat line—19 of 31 for 168 yards and one interception—told the story of an offense unable to generate explosive plays. Hill and Waddle were limited to a combined 10 catches for 91 yards, and the Dolphins’ run game was non-existent. With the loss, Miami fell further behind in the AFC East, and questions now loom about whether they can protect their quarterback or compete with elite defenses.

Key statlines: Lamar Jackson 254 passing yards, 2 TDs, 62 rushing yards; Gus Edwards 78 rush yards, 1 TD; Isaiah Likely 6 receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD; Ravens defense 6 sacks, 2 takeaways. For Miami: Tua Tagovailoa 19–31, 168 yards, 1 INT; Raheem Mostert 14 carries, 41 yards; Tyreek Hill 6 receptions, 54 yards; Dolphins offense limited to 184 total yards, 0 TDs, 3 turnovers, and 18:47 time of possession.

Cincinnati Bengals 42 Chicago Bears 47

Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, November 2, 2025

In one of the wildest shootouts of the NFL season, the Chicago Bears stunned the Cincinnati Bengals 47–42 at Paycor Stadium in a game that was pure chaos from start to finish. Both teams combined for nearly 1,000 yards of offense, trading blows all afternoon until a late touchdown drive led by Justin Fields sealed an improbable road win for Chicago. The loss dropped Cincinnati to 4–4, a gut punch for a Bengals team that had clawed back to .500 and appeared poised for a run. For the Bears, it was a validation of their evolving offensive identity — and Fields’ most commanding performance of the year.

From the opening possession, it was clear this would not be a defensive afternoon. Joe Burrow and the Bengals came out firing, with Ja’Marr Chase torching the Bears secondary for 53 yards on the first drive alone, capped by a 9-yard touchdown strike. Chicago immediately countered, relying on a balanced attack that mixed D’Andre Swift’s power runs with Fields’ mobility. On a key third-and-eight near midfield, Fields rolled right and launched a 37-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore to tie the game 7–7.

The tone was set. Cincinnati’s second possession was even faster — Burrow connected on consecutive deep outs to Tee Higgins and Chase, finishing with a 4-yard touchdown toss to tight end Tanner Hudson. But every Bengals highlight was matched by Chicago’s response. Fields engineered an 11-play, 78-yard drive, converting twice on third down and finding rookie wideout Rome Odunze for a 16-yard touchdown to level things again at 14–14.

Midway through the second quarter, both defenses briefly found footing, forcing punts before the game erupted again. With 3:20 left in the half, Fields exploited a busted coverage to hit Moore for a 59-yard bomb, giving the Bears their first lead at 21–17. The Bengals answered in under two minutes, as Burrow led a lightning-fast 75-yard drive capped by Joe Mixon’s 2-yard scoring run. Chicago, unfazed, sprinted into field goal range before halftime, and Cairo Santos drilled a 44-yarder to make it 24–24 at the break.

The second half became a blur of offense. Cincinnati opened with a 12-play touchdown march, Burrow hitting Chase on a back-shoulder fade for a 12-yard score — Chase’s third touchdown of the game — putting the Bengals ahead 31–24. But Chicago refused to fold. Fields continued to shred Cincinnati’s zone coverage, using play-action to open throwing lanes and wearing down the Bengals’ front. Swift’s 24-yard touchdown run tied the game once again.

The turning point came early in the fourth quarter when Bengals safety Dax Hill was ejected for a late hit on Fields, sparking a scuffle and energizing the Chicago sideline. Moments later, Fields ran in a 9-yard touchdown on a designed keeper to make it 38–31 Bears. Yet Burrow wasn’t done — he answered with a 64-yard touchdown drive culminating in a 3-yard pass to Higgins, tying things once more.

With four minutes left, Chicago executed its best drive of the year. Facing third-and-12 from their own 38, Fields evaded pressure, scrambled left, and found Odunze for a miraculous 27-yard gain. Swift then ripped off consecutive 11-yard runs before Fields delivered the dagger — a 22-yard touchdown strike to DJ Moore with just 48 seconds remaining. Cincinnati’s final drive ended in heartbreak when Burrow’s desperation heave was intercepted by linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.

The final numbers were staggering. Fields finished with 342 passing yards, four touchdowns, and 63 rushing yards, while Moore caught eight passes for 153 yards and two scores. Burrow threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns, but Cincinnati’s defense couldn’t stop the bleeding, allowing 526 total yards.

Key statlines: Justin Fields 342 passing yards, 4 TDs, 63 rushing yards; DJ Moore 8 receptions, 153 yards, 2 TDs; D’Andre Swift 94 rushing yards, 1 TD; Rome Odunze 6 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD; Bears offense 526 total yards. For Cincinnati: Joe Burrow 371 passing yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT; Ja’Marr Chase 9 receptions, 167 yards, 3 TDs; Tee Higgins 7 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD; Bengals defense allowed 7 plays of 20+ yards and 47 total points.

Detroit Lions 24 Minnesota Vikings 27

Ford Field, Detroit, November 2, 2025

The Minnesota Vikings eked out a dramatic 27–24 victory over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, snapping a two-game skid and reigniting their playoff hopes. In a hard-fought NFC North clash, rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy — returning from a brief injury absence — outdueled Jared Goff with composure beyond his years, leading a game-winning drive in the final two minutes capped by a 33-yard Greg Joseph field goal.

Detroit entered the game with confidence, having won four of its previous five, but injuries along the offensive line and untimely turnovers proved costly. The Lions began well: Goff orchestrated a crisp 10-play, 75-yard opening drive capped by a 6-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Minnesota responded immediately with McCarthy connecting on deep outs to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, finishing with a 12-yard strike to tight end T.J. Hockenson to tie it 7–7.

The first half was a chess match of adjustments. Minnesota’s defensive coordinator Brian Flores deployed constant pressure, forcing Goff into hurried throws. After Detroit added a field goal to go ahead 10–7, McCarthy found Jefferson on a perfectly placed 44-yard bomb to reclaim the lead 14–10. The Lions tried to reassert themselves with David Montgomery pounding between the tackles, but a key fumble in Vikings territory shifted momentum. Minnesota capitalized just before halftime, with Joseph converting a 41-yard field goal to make it 17–10.

In the third quarter, Detroit began to regain control. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs provided a spark, breaking off a 32-yard run that set up Montgomery’s short touchdown to tie the game 17–17. Defensively, Detroit stiffened, forcing consecutive punts and intercepting McCarthy midway through the fourth quarter — a turnover that appeared to swing the game. The Lions turned that pick into points, as Goff hit Jameson Williams for a 14-yard touchdown to take a 24–17 lead with under six minutes to play.

But McCarthy responded like a veteran. On the ensuing drive, he went 7-for-8 passing, using quick reads to avoid Detroit’s pass rush. Addison hauled in a critical 18-yard third-down catch, and running back Ty Chandler finished the march with a 5-yard touchdown run to tie it 24–24. After Detroit went three-and-out, Minnesota got the ball back at its own 38 with 1:42 left. McCarthy again showed poise, finding Jefferson twice and scrambling for 11 yards to move into field goal range. With four seconds left, Joseph’s 33-yard kick sailed through the uprights.

It was a gut-wrenching loss for Detroit, which outgained Minnesota 402–361 but committed two turnovers to none by the Vikings. McCarthy finished with 262 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Jefferson posted his best game since returning from injury. Goff was efficient but under pressure throughout, sacked four times and hit eight more.

Key statlines: J.J. McCarthy 262 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; Justin Jefferson 9 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD; Ty Chandler 68 rushing yards, 1 TD; Vikings defense 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles. For Detroit: Jared Goff 287 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; Amon-Ra St. Brown 10 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD; Jahmyr Gibbs 94 total yards; Lions defense 1 INT, but 0 sacks and allowed 10 points in final six minutes.

Green Bay Packers 13 Carolina Panthers 16

Lambeau Field, Green Bay, November 2, 2025

On a frigid afternoon at Lambeau Field, the Carolina Panthers outlasted the Green Bay Packers 16–13 in a defensive slugfest that featured six field goals and just one touchdown. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young managed the game efficiently, while Carolina’s defense held Jordan Love and the Packers to under 250 total yards. The victory was the Panthers’ third in their last four, marking steady improvement after a rocky start to the season.

The first quarter set the tone — field position and discipline mattered more than fireworks. Green Bay opened with promise as Love connected with Jayden Reed for a pair of early third-down conversions, but the drive stalled at the Carolina 26, resulting in a 44-yard Anders Carlson field goal. Carolina responded with similar patience: Young leaned on running back Chuba Hubbard and short routes to Adam Thielen, setting up a 47-yard Eddy Piñeiro field goal to tie it 3–3.

Both defenses dominated the second quarter. Green Bay’s Rashan Gary recorded back-to-back sacks, while Carolina’s Derrick Brown disrupted the interior line, stifling the Packers’ run game. The Panthers managed a breakthrough just before halftime when Young found rookie receiver Xavier Legette on a slant that turned into a 35-yard gain, setting up another Piñeiro field goal. Carolina led 6–3 at the break despite having only 112 yards of offense.

The second half brought more of the same grind. Love continued to struggle against Carolina’s disguised coverages, throwing an interception to cornerback Jaycee Horn early in the third quarter. The Panthers capitalized with a 10-play drive capped by their lone touchdown — a 9-yard pass from Young to Thielen that extended the lead to 13–3. Green Bay finally showed life in the fourth quarter: Love connected with Romeo Doubs for 27 yards and Christian Watson for 18, leading to AJ Dillon’s 2-yard touchdown run that cut the deficit to 13–10.

With 5:17 left, the Packers got the ball again, but their hopes faded after Love was sacked on consecutive plays by Brian Burns. Carolina added one more Piñeiro field goal to make it 16–10. Green Bay’s final possession ended in a 51-yard Carlson field goal with 28 seconds left, but an onside kick attempt failed.

It wasn’t pretty, but Carolina’s formula — conservative offense, tough defense, ball control — proved effective. Young completed 21 of 30 passes for 198 yards, one touchdown, and no turnovers. The Panthers’ defense limited the Packers to 3-of-12 on third down and just 84 rushing yards.

Key statlines: Bryce Young 198 passing yards, 1 TD; Chuba Hubbard 76 rushing yards; Adam Thielen 7 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD; Panthers defense 4 sacks, 1 INT. For Green Bay: Jordan Love 213 passing yards, 0 TD, 1 INT; AJ Dillon 42 rushing yards, 1 TD; Jayden Reed 6 receptions, 74 yards; Packers offense 243 total yards, 5 sacks allowed.