Honestly, the mid-season grind of the NFL is where the pretenders usually start looking for the exit. By the time the NFL schedule Nov 3 rolled around for the 2024 season, the "honeymoon phase" of September was a distant memory. Bodies were sore. Depth charts were thin. And if you weren't careful, a "winable" game turned into a season-altering disaster.
Everyone looks at the marquee matchups, but Week 9 was a masterclass in why you can't just bet on the logo on the helmet. The Detroit Lions went into a rainy Lambeau Field and basically punched the Packers in the mouth, winning 24-14. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement that the NFC North ran through Detroit. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys headed to Atlanta and found out that the Falcons were very much for real, dropping a 27-21 game that felt like the beginning of the end for Mike McCarthy's squad that year.
The NFL Schedule Nov 3 Reality Check
If you were tracking the NFL schedule Nov 3, you saw a slate that looked lopsided on paper but played out like a chaotic drama.
Look at the Buffalo Bills. They were hosting the Miami Dolphins, a team they’ve historically bullied. But this wasn't a cakewalk. It took a franchise-record 61-yard field goal from Tyler Bass just to escape with a 30-27 win. If that kick drifts three inches to the left, the entire narrative of the AFC East changes that week. That’s the thing about this league—the margin between a "dominant" season and a "collapse" is often just the flight of a pigskin.
Week 9 Results and Defensive Dominance
The early window on Sunday was a bloodbath for some home teams. Here is how the scoring broke down for those early kickoffs:
🔗 Read more: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
- Commanders 27, Giants 22 (Washington swept the G-Men for the first time since 2021)
- Ravens 41, Broncos 10 (Lamar Jackson posted a perfect passer rating)
- Bengals 41, Raiders 24 (Joe Burrow tossed five touchdowns)
- Bills 30, Dolphins 27 (The Tyler Bass revenge game)
- Falcons 27, Cowboys 21 (Kirk Cousins outplayed a hobbled Dak Prescott)
The afternoon games were just as wild. The Arizona Cardinals, a team many people had written off in the preseason, absolutely dismantled the Chicago Bears 29-9. They didn't even allow a touchdown. It was one of those games where you realize a coaching staff has finally found its rhythm.
Why the Sunday Night Slump is a Myth
People love to talk about how the Sunday Night Football game is always a "defensive struggle" or "boring" once the calendar hits November. Tell that to the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts.
Minnesota was coming off two straight losses and needed a spark. They got it with a 21-13 win, but it was ugly. Sam Darnold threw some picks that had Vikings fans pulling their hair out, but the defense—Brian Flores’ masterpiece—suffocated Joe Flacco. The Colts looked lost. It was a prime example of how the NFL schedule Nov 3 can expose a team that isn't ready for the physical toll of a 17-game season.
The Injury Bug Bit Hard
You can't talk about this specific date without mentioning the carnage on the injury report. This was the day the Cowboys effectively lost Dak Prescott to a nasty hamstring injury. He tried to grit it out, but you could see it in his face—he was done. That one injury effectively sent the Cowboys' season into a tailspin they never recovered from.
💡 You might also like: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
Over in Baltimore, the Ravens were flying high, but they were doing it while shuffling the offensive line due to constant nagging hits. Even the "winners" on November 3 left the stadium limping. It’s a brutal sport, man.
Misconceptions About the Mid-Season "Soft" Schedule
A lot of fans look at the NFL schedule Nov 3 and think, "Oh, the Eagles have the Jaguars at home, that's an easy win."
Is it?
The Eagles won 28-23, but they had to stop a late Jacksonville surge to do it. Saquon Barkley had to pull off a literal reverse-hurdle—one of the most insane athletic feats I've ever seen—just to keep the chains moving. There are no "soft" spots in November. Every team is professional, and by Week 9, every coordinator has enough film on you to know exactly how to make your life miserable.
📖 Related: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Key Takeaways from the Week 9 Slate
- Lamar Jackson is a Cheat Code: His 41-10 dismantling of the Broncos defense proved he was the MVP frontrunner.
- NFC North is the Best Division: With the Lions and Vikings both winning, the race for the top seed became a three-way war including the Packers.
- The Giants are in Trouble: Losing twice to a divisional rival like Washington in one season is usually the precursor to a front-office cleaning.
- Coaching Matters: Jonathan Gannon had the Cardinals playing harder than teams with twice their talent level.
Actionable Insights for Future Schedules
If you're looking at future November NFL slates, keep these rules in mind. First, look for the "Weather Factor." By November 3, the wind in Orchard Park or the rain in Green Bay becomes a 12th man. Dome teams traveling to cold-weather outdoor stadiums are almost always a risky bet, regardless of the spread.
Second, check the "Travel Fatigue." Teams playing their second or third straight road game in November usually hit a wall in the fourth quarter.
Lastly, watch the trade deadline fallout. Since the deadline usually looms right around this part of the NFL schedule Nov 3, you often see teams playing with a "last stand" mentality. Players know they might be shipped out by Tuesday, so they either play out of their minds or they've already checked out mentally.
Basically, November isn't about who is the most talented. It’s about who is the most resilient. The 2024 season proved that in spades. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, stop looking at the stats from September. They don't matter anymore. Look at who is healthy, who can run the ball in the cold, and who has a kicker they can actually trust.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Audit your team's depth: Check the second-string offensive line performance; that's who will be playing by November.
- Watch the injury reports on Fridays: A "limited participant" on Wednesday often means a "decoy" on Sunday.
- Ignore the "Power Rankings": They are lagging indicators. Watch the tape of the fourth quarter from the previous week to see who actually has gas left in the tank.