The Sunday afternoon slate for Week 9 is headlined by two big AFC matchups with playoff implications. In the early afternoon window, it's two first-place teams facing off when the Indianapolis Colts (7-1) head to Pittsburgh (4-3) for a showdown with the Steelers.

Welcome back to Scoop City! James Palmer and The Athletic ’s senior NFL insider Dianna Russini are breaking down the midseason stretch of the NFL heading into Week 9 — including which teams are surging, who’s slipping, and what’s still to come at the trade deadline.

The Houston Texans return to NRG Stadium for a chance to secure a 4-4 start to the season with a win over the Denver Broncos. This would give general manager Nick Caserio motivation to make moves, thus turning the team back into a contender with trades at the deadline come Tuesday afternoon.

Click here to bet Saints vs. Rams at BetMGM Sportsbook, where new users get either $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins or u: The Saints entered the year with two proven passers and after Spencer Rattler's struggles,