Joe's Final Drive: Week 9

The drama didn't stop in week nine in the NFL. One coach lost his job on Sunday, while another may have earned another week on the job. Here's the best and worst of week nine!

(6-2) Atlanta Falcons 27
(5-3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21

It's odd to say, but this loss puts the Buccaneers on the map for the 2010 NFL season. Losing to the Falcons at home is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when you have a chance to win the game late. One of the best teams in the NFC, the Falcons are quietly asserting themselves in the NFC South.

(3-5) Cleveland Browns 34
(6-2) New England Patriots 14

Oh if only I could have watched this game. I would have thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the beatdown Mangini's Browns handed the Pats, who were clearly looking past this game to the Steelers, who they've got next week. Colt McCoy didn't have to do much more than hand off to Peyton Hillis, who is running like every team he faces is coached by Josh McDaniels, the man who traded him. McCoy hasn't been named the starter officially yet, but can you really go back to Jake Delhomme or Seneca Wallace? Please Mangini.

Getty Images/ Belichick's a dick.

(6-2) New York Jets 23
(2-6) Detroit Lions 20

As sad as this loss was, what hurts the Lions even more is the loss of Matthew Stafford... for the second time this season. As tough as Stafford seems, he just gets hurt far too often. He's in no way a bust, but he's one more shoulder problem away from being injury prone. For the Jets, Mark Sanchez is steadily improving each week, even without help from the running game. They've been lucky to get wins the past two games, but they need to improve their pass defense if they're going to keep up in the AFC.

(3-5) Minnesota Vikings 27
(3-5) Arizona Cardinals 24

FREAKING BRETT FAVRE! Seriously. Dude straight up RUINED my hopes for a Brad Childress firing with a career-high 446 yards through the air. Make no mistake about it though, the Cardinals didn't play well enough to win. Minnesota shot themselves in the foot with three turnovers that helped the hapless Cardinals get to 24 points despite only racking up 225 yards of offense. The real Vikings eventually showed up to play, saving Brad Childress' job for the week.

(4-5) San Diego Chargers 29
(4-4) Houston Texans 23

Have the Chargers started their annual rise from the proverbial ashes? Perhaps. Does it really matter? Methinks not. Without several weapons on the field, Philip Rivers still made the Houston defense look pathetic by tossing four touchdowns. And where's the "dark horse" Texans we're supposed to be seeing this season? Until they do it, I don't believe in this team. They're a mediocre version of the Colts. And without Peyton Manning, you can't be the Colts.

(6-2) New York Giants 41
(4-4) Seattle Seahawks 7

This was a whupping. No other way to describe it. The Giants came into Qwest field and blew the doors off the Seahawks, which is not an easy thing to do in Seattle. When they're on their game, the Giants look unbeatable. Their pass rush is beyond intimidating, putting a licking on first-time start Charlie Whitehurst. Now they can run over the rest of the NFC east?

Getty Images

(5-4) Oakland Raiders 23
(5-3) Kansas City Chiefs 20

So... the Raiders might be for real. Might. Beating Kansas City gives them a a claim to the throne of the AFC West, which can't be called the worst division in football anymore. (NFC West, looking at you.) Jason Campbell's deep ball to Jacoby Ford to set up the game-winning field goal is a prime example of how the Raiders like to play. Partnered with a bruising running game and a sack-happy defense, they have a great shot to win the division.

(5-3) Philadelphia Eagles 26
(5-3) Indianapolis Colts 24

Michael Vick is back and better than ever and Andy Reid proved invincible after a bye week, holding onto a win over Manning and the Colts. Vick's passes look crisp out of the pocket and he's grown more intelligent as a quarterback under Reid. The Eagles are dangerous with their glut of young talent at the skill positions. Speaking of dangerous, is there a more hazardous job than Colts wide receiver right now?

(6-3) Green Bay Packers 45
(1-7) Dallas Cowboys 7

What a travishamockery. The Cowboy players deserve a hefty share of the blame, but poor Wade Philips got the bulk of it today when Jerry Jones fired him. I'd blame the offensive line that misses too many blocks and the defense that's been giving up points in bulk before I'd blame Philips. But it was going to happen eventually anyway, so what's the point in waiting? For Green Bay, gaining sole possession of first place in their division is huge going down the stretch.

Getty Images/ Wah-wah.

Alright y'all. Until next Sunday!