5 Super Bowl pretenders after Week 9 of 2021 NFL season

Las Vegas Raiders v New York Giants

#3 - Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders, initially one of the surprises of the NFL season, have some legitimate excuses for their recent loss to the Giants. They had to deal with Henry Ruggs' car-crash situation and the continuing turmoil after the release of Damon Arnette.

The Raiders clinched two wins following the resignation of Jon Gruden. That got the team to 5-2 and it seemed like they were on a roll with an easy NFL schedule ahead. But a loss to the lowly Giants reins in expectations a bit in a stacked AFC West division. A showdown against Kansas City in Week 10 will prove if the Raiders can get back into the NFL contender category.

#2 - Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys had one of the more shocking results of the week in an ugly loss to the Denver Broncos. Dallas trailed 30-0 late in the game. Only a few late scores made the loss a bit more honorable.

Dak Prescott made his return, and it looks like he is still recovering from his injury issues. However, Ezekiel Elliott only ran for 51 yards on 10 carries and the Cowboys had previously taken down the Minnesota Vikings with Cooper Rush at quarterback. Bad weeks in the NFL are to be expected, but this took that to an extreme.

#1 - Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills fans have to be incredibly confused right now. The team scored a total of six points in what ended up being a 9-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That was not supposed to happen under any circumstances.

This was supposed to be an easy stretch of the NFL schedule for Buffalo. They took down Miami in Week 8, only to lose to Jacksonville a week later. A win over the New York Jets in Week 10 is no longer a given.

The loss dropped the Bills to 5-3, and the New England Patriots are right there in the division race at 5-4. If Buffalo struggle against the lowly Jaguars, it will get hard to call them a top NFL contender at this point in the season. They may end up looking back at this loss later this year with major regret if there are serious playoff ramifications.