Week 9 of the NFL season is done and dusted. We were treated to some amazing games this week. There were upsets and close finishes throughout the weekend, which was a breath of fresh air after a very boring Week 8.

After every single week, we at EssentiallySports count down the top 10 performers of the week. As always, there were some tough cuts, but I did my best to trim the list down to 10.

1. Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

It’s not often the loser of a game leads this list, but here we are. Joe Flacco did absolutely everything he could to win this game. He was throwing the ball all over the yard, and yes, he had a couple of picks, but when it mattered the most, he delivered. Unfortunately, you can’t say the same for his defense, but he still deserves the top spot on this list after throwing for the most yards in a single game this year.

Stat Line: 31-for-47, 470 yards, 4 TDs 

2. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Welcome back, Brock Bowers! After missing most of the year with an injury, Bowers finally returned and made a massive impact, catching 12 passes for 127 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. He made the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense look competent, and that alone should land him on this list.

Stat Line: 12 receptions, 127 yards, 3 TD

3. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Another pass catcher who had a massive game on Sunday was Drake London. The Atlanta Falcons’ WR1 matched Bowers’ three touchdown total while adding 118 receiving yards on nine catches. He helped the Falcons keep pace with New England, but he, like the other two above him, fell short of the win.

Stat Line: 9 receptions, 118 yards, 3 TD

4. Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Sam Darnold had one of the best first halves I’ve ever seen from a quarterback. He completed all 16 of his attempts for 284 yards and four touchdowns in the first 30 minutes. The Seahawks let off the gas a bit in the second half, but he still finished with 330 yards and four scores. Another incredible night for the Seahawks’ QB1.

Stat Line: 21-for-24, 330 yards, 4 TD

5. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams

Our first winner on this list is Matthew Stafford, who led an offensive assault on the New Orleans Saints this weekend. He threw for 281 yards and four touchdowns in the 34-10 victory, bringing his touchdown total to nine in his last two games. MVP alert? 

Stat Line: 24-for-32, 281 yards, 4 TD

6. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Pittsburgh Steelers

A lot of the focus will be paid to the Pittsburgh Steelers stopping Jonathan Taylor, but how good was Joey Porter Jr.? When Daniel Jones dropped back to pass, Porter was locked down, breaking up four passes and picking off another. On top of that, Porter even got in the backfield and sacked Jones. It was arguably his best performance of the season, and it came when the Steelers needed it most.

Stat Line: 8 tackles, 4 PD, INT, sack

7. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Christian McCaffrey has one of the heaviest workloads of anyone in the NFL, but he just keeps continuing to produce week after week. After a down week last time out, McCaffrey was all over the field today, rushing for 106 yards, catching five passes for 67 yards and scoring a pair of touchdowns. He’s been virtually unstoppable this season.

Stat Line: 106 rushing yards, 67 receiving yards, 2 TD

8. Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears

With Cole Kmet suffering a concussion, Colston Loveland’s role was increased in this game, and he made the most of his opportunity, catching six passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns, including a 58-yard game-winner with under 30 seconds on the clock. The Bears’ rookie has been disappointing this season, but this could be a turning point.

Stat Line: 6 receptions, 118 yards, 2 TD

9. Jihad Ward, DE, Tennessee Titans

There weren’t too many great pass-rushing performances this week, but Jihad Ward had himself a day for the Titans, racking up four QB hits, 2.5 sacks, and two tackles for loss in Tennessee’s loss to the Chargers. I believe this is the first Titan to land on this list all year, so props to Ward for his performance.

Stat Line: 4 tackles, 4 QB hits, 2.5 sacks, 2 TFL

10. Cole Bishop, S, Buffalo Bills

Cole Bishop rounds out our list after a stellar performance against the Chiefs on Sunday afternoon. Bishop recorded seven tackles, but was also great in coverage, breaking up four passes. He also recorded a tackle for loss in the run game, just to put the cherry on top. It was a great performance, and one that helped the Bills take down the Chiefs.

Stat Line: 7 tackles, 4 PBUs, TFL