Fansided

5 NFL teams on upset alert in Week 9

By Cody Williams

Nov 1, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) prepares to pass the football in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) prepares to pass the football in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 25, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) celebrates with wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) and wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Vikings win 28-19. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) celebrates with wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) and wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Vikings win 28-19. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Minnesota Vikings

One of the biggest shocks entering Week 9 is just how good the Minnesota Vikings have been, at least in terms of their record. After escaping Soldier Field with a win last week, the Vikings improved to 5-2 on the season and only trail the Packers by a single game in the NFC North. However, that 5-2 record is getting a bit more respect than it probably deserves, especially as the Vikings welcome the St. Louis Rams into town this week.

The first problem that the Rams potentially present for the Vikings is the fact that they have an absolutely lethal pass-rush. St. Louis enters Week 9 tied for second in the NFL in terms of total sacks on the year with 26 to their credit. That’s no surprise with players like Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald helping to anchor their front seven, but that type of pass-rushing ability doesn’t bode well for a Vikings offensive line that has struggled at times this season protecting Teddy Bridgewater who hasn’t been great himself to this point, either.

However, the biggest factor in this game is the biggest factor in every game that the Rams will play for the rest of the season: rookie running back Todd Gurley. Gurley has been downright incredible over the past four weeks as he’s amassed 125 yards or more on the ground in each of his last four games and has scored three times over his last two games. Against a middle-of-the-pack Vikings run defense, I think Gurley and the Rams can control the action in this one. If their defense causes the problems their capable of stirring up as well, the cards could definitely come up St. Louis on Sunday.

Next: No. 3 New York Jets

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