NFL Week 9: Most Impressive Stories

This NFL season gets better week after week.

From improbable wins to improbable stars, the NFL does not fail to impress its fans each week. There is no such thing as an easy schedule in this league because as we have seen this week, even the teams at the bottom of the barrel can put on a show. Even the players who "are on a short leash" can play like veterans.

Here's the breakdown of the most impressive parts of Week 9.

Honorable Mention: Aaron Rodgers Continuing His Dominance

Even though Aaron Rodgers had another sick day with 247 yards and four TDs with zero interceptions, he is only an honorable mention, because at this point, it's almost assumed Rodgers is going to have this well of a game. 

He does continue to solidify his campaign for MVP, and perhaps, the best season by a quarterback yet. He is the leader of the best team in football and is making us all a little upset that we were all deprived of his talent when he was sitting on the bench to Brett Favre.

Brandon Jacobs Answering the Call

With Ahmad Bradshaw out with an injury, the weight of the Giants running game was put on Brandon Jacobs. When asked what he thought about the pressure, Jacobs said, "I will punish the Patriots."

He did just that.

He had just 72 yards, but he made the crucial plays when he had to. In a game when scoring was at a premium, Jacobs pushed his way into the end zone and did exactly what he had to do to help his team get an improbable win.

Willis McGahee Backing His Teammate

McGahee had a great statistical day, and he helped out Tim Tebow in the process.

Had the Broncos not won this game, Tebow's job could have been in jeopardy, but with the help from McGahee, Tebow will remain the starter.

McGahee did not just have 147 yards and two touchdowns, he had a career-saving day.

Matt Moore Not Sucking for Luck

Matt Moore showed everyone today that the Dolphins do not need to suck for Luck.

The Dolphins are better than what their record indicates. They have been close in a variety of games, and today, they lit up a streaky Chiefs team. 

Moore threw three TDs and zero interceptions, by far, his best day as a Dolphins starter.

Jets Defense Coming to Play

After a rough season so far, the Jets defense regrouped today and showed that they can play.

Holding, Ryan Fitzpatrick to under 200 yards and one "too little to late" touchdown. They also held Fred Jackson, a top-two running back, to under 90yards. And perhaps most importantly, they had three takeaways.

In a collegiate atmosphere in Buffalo, the Jets came in and played an excellent game.

Tim Tebow Proving He Can Play

In an absolutley terrible game versus the Lions last week, a lot of people began to count Tebow out, but Tebow showed that he CAN play, that he CAN win in the NFL.

Tebow had 124 yards two TDs, 117 rushing yards, showing how valuable he can be as a dual-threat quarterback.

In a day, when Palmer looked to finally take control of the Raiders offense, Tebow looked even sharper.

Patrick Peterson Being a Highlight Reel

The new and improved Devin Hester? Perhaps.

Setting a franchise record this week with three punt returns for touchdowns in a season, the rookie corner back returned a punt 99 yards for the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

It's that kind of a spark that a team needs after a struggle on the field. With a skill like this on the defensive side on the ball and the special teams side, Peterson can be a true hero for this Cardinals team in years to come.

Cincinatti Bengals Continuing to Win

Andy Dalton is underrated.

Even now, he is leading a team that had only for wins last year, to the top of their conference.

The Bengals are 6-2!!!!

They beat a team in their own conference on the road in a key matchup. Dalton had a veteran-like game, throwing well over 200 yards and three TDs.

The Bengals defense continues to impress as they are having an unbelievable season, they have the ninth-best pass D and the second-best run D.

Giants Defense Taming Brady

The Giants shut out the Patriots in the first half—a feat that hasn't been completed since the Dolphins did that in 2006. They picked off Brady twice and contained him, aside from two drives that were inevitable with the game on the line. 

They did what they needed to to give Eli and the Giants offense a shot to beat the Pats.

Eli Manning Marching Down the Field

Tonight, Eli showed why he can be considered an elite quarterback. 

Despite the offensive struggles in the first half, Eli led the Giants to two lead-changing touchdown drives in the fourth quarter on the road against New England,

After the first drive, it was safe to say that there was way too much time on the clock for Tom Brady; he marched down the field and scored, but this time, Brady left too much time for Eli.

Eli led the Giants with great decisions and precise passes, to take the lead with 15 seconds left in the game, shade of 2008.

He continued his campaign for MVP runner-up, and he showed that the Giants are playoff contenders even with this tough schedule.