The Broncos and Jaguars celebrate surprising victories, the Cardinals easily put away the loss of Kyler Murray, just like the Titans the injury to Derrick Henry. Week 9 of the NFL was full of unexpected results, and we took a look at the biggest surprises.

Munich – Those who placed a betting slip before the weekend and combined wins for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants can now probably enjoy a tidy profit.

However, hardly anyone will have done so, because the chances of success of such a bet were actually quite small. But in fact there were more unexpected results in Week 9 of the NFL than there have been for a long time. We have summarised the five biggest surprises.

The Denver Broncos shave the Dallas Cowboys

When the Broncos let superstar Von Miller go to the Los Angeles Rams less than a week ago, the season seemed over. There was much to suggest that the Colorado franchise would switch into rebuild mode. That the Broncos could now show their best performance of the season without the linebacker was not to be expected. But the 30-16 win was a real statement, and with a record of 5-4, the Broncos are now a force to be reckoned with again.

The defence in particular turned up the heat without Miller. The Cowboys didn’t even score until the Broncos took it easy. The secondary shut down the passing game of the NFL’s best offence up to that point, with rookie linebacker Jonathon Cooper sacking Dak Prescott twice. On offense, Teddy Bridgewater played a strong game, the running game with Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon was unstoppable. The win against the Cowboys doesn’t make Broncos fans’ pain over Von Miller’s departure go away. But it hurts a little less.

The Jacksonville Jaguars defeat the Buffalo Bills

“I played my last shit today,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen said after the game. That he was given hell by another Josh Allen, linebacker for the Jaguars, of all people, with a sack and an interception is one of the most curious stories of game day. The Bills, who are considered a hot Super Bowl contender, are obviously hurting badly to suffer a 6-9 loss at the hands of the previous series losers in Jacksonville, of all places.

It was mainly the Jaguars’ defence that secured the surprise victory. Only two field goals were made by the Bills, while three field goals by the Jaguars ensured the victory. “That was one of the best defensive performances I’ve ever seen,” praised Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Josh Allen – the Jaguars’ – went hunting for his namesake jersey after the game. “I’ll get that,” Allen was sure. Presumably, the Bills’ Allen would have gladly handed over the jersey. Just to finally have his peace of mind.

Tennessee Titans win even without Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry is most dominant running back in NFL. The 27-year-old literally ran down opposing teams in the first weeks of the season, 937 yards and ten touchdowns were Henry’s proud exploits. But after undergoing surgery on his foot, the running back will now miss a few weeks for the Tennessee Titans.

The fact that the Tennessee Titans were able to defeat one of the NFL’s top teams, the Los Angeles Rams, on Sunday without Henry is therefore a surprise. It was above all the defence that put the Rams offence around Matthew Stafford on a short leash. The fact that the re-signed Henry replacement Adrian Peterson directly contributed a touchdown to the 28:16 victory makes things even more pleasing from the Titans’ point of view.

Colt McCoy makes sure Kyler Murray won’t be missed

The Arizona Cardinals are also dealing with injury woes, in addition to J.J. Watt, receivers DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green and quarterback Kyler Murray had to miss Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. That backup veteran Colt McCoy could even begin to replace MVP candidate Murray under those circumstances seemed pretty unlikely.

But McCoy put in a strong performance, the 35-year-old throwing for 249 yards and a touchdown in a 31-17 win over the 49ers, picking up first downs himself on several occasions. “If I thought I couldn’t play anymore, I wouldn’t have played,” McCoy said, “But I know my role. There’s no bigger fan of Kyler Murray than me. He’s very special. I’ve learned a lot from him in a short amount of time.”

That team spirit is exactly what sets the Cardinals apart right now. Arizona is now at a record of 8-1, even the failures of its biggest stars can’t stop the franchise.

Giants defence surprises Raiders

The fact that the New York Giants were able to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders 23:16 was also a big surprise. After all, the Giants entered the game with just two wins previously and without star running back Saquon Barkley, who tested positive for Covid-19.

But it was the Giants’ defence, and Xavier McKinney in particular, who handed the Raiders a defeat after a nightmare week that included receiver Henry Ruggs III’s momentous accident. Safety McKinney intercepted two passes from Derek Carr and carried one for a touchdown as a pick six. Quarterback Daniel Jones is also getting into better and better shape, showing marked improvement this season. For the first time since November 2018, the Giants have won two home games in a row. In the Big Apple, dreams of better times can be cautiously dreamed of again.