NFL Week 9 2022: 3 teams on upset alert this Sunday

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 30: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins catches a pass for a touchdown against AJ Parker #41 of the Detroit Lions during the third quarter at Ford Field on October 30, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Chargers and Miami Dolphins are among the NFL teams that should be on upset alert ahead of their Week 9 matchups.

Week 9 marks the official halfway point of the NFL season and there isn’t a lot of certainty in the league at this point. While most experts can fairly say that the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs are elite the race to make the postseason is fairly wide open as some preseason favorites are struggling while expected doormats are surging.

That formula has led to plenty of upsets, including Las Vegas getting tripped up by the Saints last week in a game that really damages the Raiders’ playoff hopes. Let’s take a look at three more teams that could be on upset alert in Week 9, beginning with the Miami Dolphins.

3. NFL Teams That Should Be On Upset Alert In Week 9 – Miami Dolphins

Things looked dicey on Sunday in Detroit but the Dolphins used an offensive surge to beat the Lions and improve to 5-3. Miami also got another strong offensive effort from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who completed 29-of-36 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-27 victory.

It’s clear that the Dolphins are a much better team with Tagovailoa, who has won all five games he managed to finish this season. That trend is projected to continue this week as Miami makes another NFC North road trip and is favored by five points against the Chicago Bears.

While Chicago may not be very good this season, head coach Matt Eberflus has to be encouraged by the development of quarterback Justin Fields, who has put together two consecutive strong performances against good defenses. The Dolphins’ defense has been shaky of late so this game could be dangerous if Miami doesn’t play a complete game at Soldier Field.