Week 9 marks the conclusion of the first half of the 2024 NFL season, characterized by excitement, disappointment, and several surprises. The New York Jets entered this week looking to break a five-game losing streak against a banged-up Houston Texans team, which stood at 6-2 after winning four of their last five games. The Jets succeeded in ending their skid with a strong second half that raises questions regarding how many injuries the Texans can sustain.

In another matchup, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels aimed to build on last week's thrilling Hail Mary finish as the Commanders headed to New York to face the struggling Giants. In Green Bay, despite being without quarterback Jordan Love, the Packers held a chance to take the top spot in the NFC North by defeating the division's hottest team, the Detroit Lions. Additionally, the Dallas Cowboys looked to regain momentum against the leading Atlanta Falcons, while the Miami Dolphins sought to overcome recent struggles against their rivals, the Buffalo Bills. The Kansas City Chiefs aimed to maintain their status as the league's only undefeated team against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team riddled with injuries. Analysts from Moneyline were prepared to dissect these matchups with a game-by-game breakdown of the key takeaways from Week 9.

In a game that exhibited a drastic change in momentum, the Jets claimed a 21-13 victory over the Texans at MetLife Stadium. The first half saw a struggling Jets offense, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers completing just 7 of 14 passes for 32 yards. The Jets managed fewer than 70 yards of total offense, recorded less than 10 minutes of possession time, and only achieved five first downs. Their best offensive drive ended with a fumble that resulted in a touchback, exemplifying the team's struggles this season. However, the second half featured a remarkable transformation, with Rodgers throwing three touchdown passes, two to Garrett Wilson and one to Davante Adams. The Jets' star wide receivers combined for 16 receptions and 181 yards, showcasing their potential when performing at their best. Running back Breece Hall also contributed with over 80 total yards, while the defense allowed only two field goals after halftime. The stark contrast in performance from half to half highlighted the Jets' potential, but also their inconsistency; expecting them to sustain such performance through the second half of the season may border on unrealistic optimism.

The Texans have faced significant injury challenges, with wide receiver Nico Collins placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury and Stefon Diggs sidelined for the season after suffering a torn ACL last week. Additionally, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has missed multiple games due to a knee injury. These setbacks have intensified the burden on second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. During the game against the Jets, Stroud's performance was not as expected, completing only 11 of 30 passes for 191 yards, with 126 of those yards going to Tank Dell, the remaining healthy wide receiver. Stroud looked overwhelmed at times, displaying hesitance and errant throws, and the Texans' offensive line allowed a concerning eight sacks throughout the game. With the challenges they face in the wide receiver department, the Texans may need to adjust their offensive strategy, relying more heavily on running back Joe Mixon, who managed another 100-yard game with a touchdown. Until the Texans can address their injury concerns and find offensive balance, they may struggle in upcoming matches, notably with a game against the surging Detroit Lions on the horizon.