Week 9 in the NFL was nothing short of exhilarating, showcasing thrilling comebacks and decisive victories. Just when you thought you knew what to expect, the drama unfolded in unexpected ways, leaving fans on the edge of their seats—who wouldn’t want to know who gets the nod for the prestigious ‘Himmy’ Award this week?
The excitement kicked off on Thursday with Lamar Jackson returning from injury, guiding the Baltimore Ravens to an impressive 28-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Jackson dazzled fans with four touchdown passes, signaling his return to form.
As we rolled into Sunday, the intensity ramped up remarkably. Out of the 12 games played, nine were decided by a mere single possession, illustrating the league's competitive landscape.
One jaw-dropping moment of the day came from the Chicago Bears when they secured a stunning 47-42 victory with a 58-yard touchdown in the final 17 seconds. Not to be outdone, the Pittsburgh Steelers emerged victorious over the Indianapolis Colts by a narrow margin of seven points, despite generating an astonishing six turnovers against their opponents. The Jacksonville Jaguars also provided nail-biting entertainment, winning by just one point in an overtime thriller against the Las Vegas Raiders.
It’s safe to say this week delivered a wealth of action packed with standout performances across the board. But in the end, there can only be one player who shines the brightest—one player who can claim the title of 'Himmy'.
With the backdrop of the upcoming Monday Night Football clash between the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys, it’s the perfect moment to examine this week's contenders for the coveted ‘Himmy’ Award:
- Rico Dowdle, Running Back for the Carolina Panthers
- Sam Darnold, Quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks
- Josh Allen, Quarterback for the Buffalo Bills
- Brock Bowers, Tight End for the Las Vegas Raiders
Have you made your choice? Feel free to cast your vote below! If you need a little brush-up on who made the biggest impact this week, keep reading. We’ve laid out a case for each candidate to help you make that decision.
Starting with Rico Dowdle from the Carolina Panthers, he played a critical role in clinching a narrow 16-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers. His performance not only helped boost the Panthers above .500 but also ended the Packers' three-game winning streak. Dowdle’s remarkable contributions included two touchdowns, the second of which gave Carolina a pivotal lead in the third quarter. In a moment that brought a smile to many, he celebrated with a cheeky dance that drew a penalty but also caught the attention of Key & Peele co-creator Keegan-Michael Key. Pathway to victory solidified by a crucial 19-yard run in the game's final moments, Dowdle has been on a tear since becoming a starter, amassing an impressive 633 rushing yards in just five games.
Next up is Sam Darnold, who turned in an almost flawless performance for the Seattle Seahawks against the Washington Commanders. His completion rate was a staggering 87.5%, finishing the game with 330 passing yards and four touchdowns. Darnold reached quarterbacking feats seldom seen—he opened the game with a perfect 16-for-16 completion rate and boasts a sky-high QBR of 97.8, the best of his career. Remarkably, Darnold has also secured three of the four highest single-game QBRs this season, an impressive feat that positions him among elite company.
Moving on to Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, he delivered a remarkable performance marked by precision and efficiency. He completed 88.5% of his passes for 273 yards and added two rushing touchdowns, further extending his record for the most games with both a passing and a rushing touchdown. Allen’s connection with his tight ends was especially notable, racking up 149 yards targeting them, and he stands only a few rushing touchdowns away from becoming the all-time leader for quarterbacks.
Finally, we must discuss Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders, who continues to etch his name in the history books. With 127 receiving yards and three touchdowns in one game, Bowers not only set the record for the most consecutive games with two catches to start a career, but he also became the first tight end to reach 125 yards with three touchdowns since the legendary Rob Gronkowski did so in 2014. Bowers has been phenomenal, reaching 1,546 receiving yards in just 22 games, a pace unmatched by any tight end since the NFL's merger.
As you reflect on these incredible performances, who do you think deserves this week's ‘Himmy’ Award? Let us know in the comments below! Will it be Dowdle, Darnold, Allen, or Bowers? And in the spirit of friendly debate, which performance do you think has been the most impactful this season? The floor is yours!
