Five NFL story lines for Week 9

November 1, 2014 at 1:35AM
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) applauds between plays during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) ORG XMIT: MIN2014103112151336
Ben Roethlisberger (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

FOCUS ON FIVE STORY LINES

1 Tell the grandkids you saw it Denver at New England

Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are getting old, right? Except they have combined for more than 4,000 passing yards, 40 touchdowns and only five interceptions season.

2 Mike Vick is still around? N.Y. Jets at Kansas City

Michael Vick is starting for the Jets, who are on a seven-game losing streak and trying to work Percy Harvin into the mix. Can Rex Ryan survive much longer?

3 Calling Dr. Jones, Dr. Jerry Jones Arizona at Dallas

After playing Dallas team owner (which he is), coach and doctor (he is neither) on Monday night, Jerry Jones has determined that Tony Romo's back injury may or may not keep him out of this game.

4 Ryan Tannehill time is now San Diego at Miami

The Dolphins can improve to 5-3 and be the surprise team of the first half if they can beat the surprise team of the first half, the Chargers. Miami QB Ryan Tannehill has been sharp the past five games (eight TD passes).

5 Iron and Steel Baltimore at Pittsburgh

The Steelers got six TD passes from Ben Roethlisberger (right) in dispatching the Colts. Baltimore had a close loss to Cincinnati. Winner of this one improves to 6-3 and great playoff position.

about the writer

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

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