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The 2021 NFL season just wrapped up Week 9 in what was a surprising slate of games all around the league. One thing that stood out was several supposed contenders falling into the "pretender" status.
NFL teams seemingly on track for a Super Bowl berth took major steps back. These five, in particular, stood out as the most notable.
#5 - Cincinnati Bengals
Just two weeks ago, the Cincinnati Bengals were 5-2 and looked legitimate contenders after blowing out the Baltimore Ravens. That was a signature win for Joe Burrow and the Bengals over a top Super Bowl contender.
The win seemed to get to their heads as two losses followed. The first was against Mike White and the New York Jets, while the second was an embarrassing display against the Cleveland Browns in Week 9.
The same Bengals team that beat the Ravens by a final scoreline of 41-17 fell to the Browns by a scoreline of 41-16. At this point, they have a lot of work to do just to get into the NFL postseason.
#4 - Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs won in Week 9. So why do they end up on this list? That's because they were barely able to take down a Green Bay Packers squad that featured Jordan Love at quarterback.
The Chiefs won by a final scoreline of 13-7 as the offense continued to struggle. Just a week prior, Patrick Mahomes and company managed 20 points in a tight win over the New York Giants. These are not the Chiefs fans are used to seeing, nor the team everyone expected to see this year.
It is tough to consider Kansas City an NFL contender because they have lost against so many true contenders this year. Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are not playing up to their usual level that gets them past any competition.
Sunday's game against Green Bay was a perfect example. Hill is usually known for improvising and finding holes within any secondary. He was unable to do that and finished with only four catches for 37 yards on 11 targets. If teams have finally figured out the Chiefs offense, changes must be made just to reach the postseason this year.
#3 - Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders, initially one of the surprises of the NFL season, have some legitimate excuses for their recent loss to the Giants. They had to deal with Henry Ruggs' car-crash situation and the continuing turmoil after the release of Damon Arnette.
The Raiders clinched two wins following the resignation of Jon Gruden. That got the team to 5-2 and it seemed like they were on a roll with an easy NFL schedule ahead. But a loss to the lowly Giants reins in expectations a bit in a stacked AFC West division. A showdown against Kansas City in Week 10 will prove if the Raiders can get back into the NFL contender category.
#2 - Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys had one of the more shocking results of the week in an ugly loss to the Denver Broncos. Dallas trailed 30-0 late in the game. Only a few late scores made the loss a bit more honorable.
Dak Prescott made his return, and it looks like he is still recovering from his injury issues. However, Ezekiel Elliott only ran for 51 yards on 10 carries and the Cowboys had previously taken down the Minnesota Vikings with Cooper Rush at quarterback. Bad weeks in the NFL are to be expected, but this took that to an extreme.
#1 - Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills fans have to be incredibly confused right now. The team scored a total of six points in what ended up being a 9-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That was not supposed to happen under any circumstances.
This was supposed to be an easy stretch of the NFL schedule for Buffalo. They took down Miami in Week 8, only to lose to Jacksonville a week later. A win over the New York Jets in Week 10 is no longer a given.
The loss dropped the Bills to 5-3, and the New England Patriots are right there in the division race at 5-4. If Buffalo struggle against the lowly Jaguars, it will get hard to call them a top NFL contender at this point in the season. They may end up looking back at this loss later this year with major regret if there are serious playoff ramifications.
