What a wild Monday in the NFL, as the injury updates on Derrick Henry and Jameis Winston change the landscape of both the AFC and NFC.
As for Week 9, let's dive into the latest Power Rankings to see what else stands out:
Green Bay Packers (1)
Immediately something jumps out to me with the new Power Rankings that I can't necessarily get on board with. Let me be clear that Aaron Rodgers is my GOAT ... but that doesn't make the Packers the No. 1 team in the NFL, despite seven straight wins, seven straight covers and Thursday's victory over previously undefeated Arizona. The Packers are legit, don't get me wrong, but they're not the No. 1 team in the NFL -- eight teams have a higher point differential than Green Bay's +25. That said, Week 9 offers them a great spot as +2.5 point road underdogs against the wildly disappointing Kansas City Chiefs. I would take the Packers and the points and sprinkle a little on the ML. But they're still not my top team.
Dallas Cowboys (5)
The team that does belong in the No. 1 spot is the Cowboys. They're 6-1 this season with an impeccable 7-0 ATS record, including Sunday night's victory in Minnesota over the Vikings with Cooper Rush at quarterback. Good teams win. Great teams cover. The greatest team I've seen through eight weeks of the season is the only unblemished one ATS. In Week 9, the Cowboys host the Broncos laying 8.5. I would like to know who is at quarterback for Dallas before wagering in that game, though the Cowboys even covered when Dak Prescott was sidelined, so what do I know?
Los Angeles Rams (3) and Tennessee Titans (8)
What an interesting Sunday night matchup we get at SoFi Stadium with the 7-1 Rams hosting the 6-2 Tennessee Titans. On Monday, the Rams sent shockwaves through the league by acquiring Hall of Famer-to-be Von Miller from the Denver Broncos to pair in the defense with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey -- two more men who will one day don gold jackets. On the other side, the Titans have the best record in the AFC, but their Monday was a bit more gloomy with the news that Derrick Henry might be out for the rest of the season with a Jones fracture in his foot.
Upon the news of Henry's fate, the line moved 3.5 points in the Rams' favor. I'll just say that 3.5 points for a running back in the modern NFL is absurd, but that speaks to the value of a unique talent like Henry. The Titans signed (another Hall of Famer) RB Adrian Peterson to help fill the void. I actually think there is value on the Titans at +7.5 because no running back should move the line that much -- even Henry. My favorite play in this game, however, is the under 54.0. The Rams have morphed into an over team this season (5-2-1), while the Titans continue to cash over tickets for bettors (5-3) just like they have ever since Ryan Tannehill took over as the starting quarterback. But without Henry, this offense becomes far easier to plan against, especially when you have Donald, Miller, Ramsey (to check A.J. Brown) and Leonard Floyd.