What a waste of time for the Houston Texans, who use up seven minutes and 36 seconds and 14 plays but gain just 32 yards and have to settle for a long field goal.

But Ka'imi Fairbairn is wide right from 51 yards so after all that the score stays 0-0.

Jonathan Taylor is leading the charge of the surprising Indianapolis Colts. Taylor has scored three touchdowns four separate times this season and leads the NFL with 850 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground - he also has two scoring receptions.

He rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, including an 80-yard scoring run, in last week's 38-14 win over the Tennessee Titans. He also had a receiving score as the Colts won their fourthstraight game to set the pace with a 7-1 record.

Indianapolis has topped 30 points in each of the past four games and on six occasions overall, and now they face a Pittsburgh team (4-3) looking to rebound after back-to-back defeats to Cincinnati and Green Bay.

Despite having a defence featuring stars such as TJ Watt and Cam Heyward, the Steelers have allowed more than 30 points in the past two weeks and four times overall.

Image source, Getty Images

Jordan Love celebrates his 27th birthday today, and it could be a hugely significant landmark if you believe in omens.

That's because Green Bay's three quarterback legends Bart Starr, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers all won their first Super Bowls aged 27.

Can Love make it four?

Phoebe Schecter
BBC Sport NFL columnist

Daniel Jones is doing a good job, but it is really running back Jonathan Taylor who is allowing this team to be successful. He leads the NFL in rushing yards, scrimmage yards and touchdowns. After eight games he has 14 touchdowns and has scored three or more in four games.

His ability to go untouched is phenomenal. He had an 80-yard touchdown last weekend (which you can watch below), and the way he stayed in bounds along the sideline, it looked like he was a ballerina. His running, his feet, his balance - it is insane.

Last year we talked so much about Saquon Barkley winning MVP, so you have to say Taylor is an MVP candidate. He is playing lights out.

Image source, Getty Images

Thoughts on these Green Bay Packers throwback uniforms today?

Phoebe Schecter
BBC Sport NFL columnist

The Colts' only loss was at the Los Angeles Rams [in week four] and, if it was not for the drop by Adonai Mitchell as he ran into the end zone, this could be an 8-0 team.

I really think they can keep it going. They are at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, then face the Atlanta Falcons in Germany, followed by their bye week - although it is not like they have anyone who is not healthy.

Based on their trajectory, their schedule and everyone staying healthy, I don't know how anyone can stop them right now.

Much like the Patriots, the Broncos have won five on the spin and they also have a second year quarterback playing at an elite level in the shape of Bo Nix.

Sean Payton knows what it takes to win a Super Bowl and this Broncos side are emerging from dark horses to true contenders as they look to end the long reign of the Chiefs in the AFC West.

A trip to Houston won't be easy, but if Denver are for real they'll have to go there and win.

The 5-2 Detroit Lions have scored 30-plus points in the last four meetings with Minnesota, with Jared Goff throwing for 1,020 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.

JJ McCarthy returns at quarterback for the 3-4 Vikings, but will face former Michigan team-mate Aidan Hutchinson who will be hunting him down all night.

It's a tough one on the road for the Vikings, but as the only team in the league with multiple sacks in every game so far, they'll look to put the heat on Goff from the start.

Five wins in a row for the New England Patriots ahead of hosting the Atlanta Falcons - who are pretty good against opposing quarterbacks.

Drake Maye will be one of their toughest tests to date though as he's in spectacular form and developing much quicker than expected in just his second year.

At 6-2 the Pats are leading the AFC East ahead of Buffalo, so a win here and defeat for the Bills later on would give them a nice little cushion.

Phoebe Schecter
BBC Sport NFL columnist

Jonathan Taylor has barely been touched this season and Daniel Jones is spreading the ball around. Plus they have been so far ahead in games that they can play their back-ups.

The Colts could maybe lose two more games, so they could rest guys towards the end of the season and go into the play-offs as the healthiest team.

So they could go all the way, which is crazy to think about. That is what makes this team so exciting.

What do you think? Hit thumbs up if you reckon they'll make a deep play-off run, or thumbs down if you see them running out of gas.

After three straight wins, the Green Bay Packers (5-1-1) are looking to cement their status as Super Bowl contenders.

The Packers are coming off a 35-25 win at the Pittsburgh Steelers which kept them just ahead of the Detroit Lions at the top of the NFC North.

Aaron Rodgers was overshadowed last week by his former back-up as Jordan Love passed for 360 yards and three touchdowns, completing 29 of 37 passes, including a franchise record-tying 20 straight completions.

The Packers defence is also first in the NFL for yards allowed per passing play (5.38) and first in yards after catch (3.85), while Rashan Gary has 7.5 sacks and Micah Parsons has 6.5 sacks.

Carolina Panthers (4-4) had their three-game winning streak snapped in a 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills but quarterback Bryce Young, who missed the game with an ankle injury, is back for the Panthers.

After struggling in his first two seasons, the former number one draft pick has thrown for 184 yards per game this season, with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.

• Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals
• Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
• Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers
• Los Angeles Chargers @ Tennessee Titans
• Atlanta Falcons @ New England Patriots
• San Francisco 49ers @ New York Giants
• Indianapolis Colts @ Pittsburgh Steelers
• Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans
• Jacksonville Jaguars @ Las Vegas Raiders (21:05)
• New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Rams (21:05)
• Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills (21:25)
• Seattle Seahawks @ Washington Commanders (01:25)

Lamar Jackson returned for the Baltimore Ravens with a bang on Thursday night as they crushed the lowly Dolphins.

Just their second win of the season but remarkably they're still in touch in the AFC North, which is well below par this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Are we halfway through the season already? Week nine is here and we've a huge clash between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes as the undoubted highlight.

There's plenty more to keep us going though, with the league-leading Indianapolis Colts facing Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers are also in action in the early slate of games, where there's a big NFC North clash in Detroit as the Lions host the Minnesota Vikings.

Can the Patriots keep their winning run going? Can the 49ers make the long trip to New York and beat the Giants? And who will get the win when regular play-off rivals Buffalo and Kansas City meet again?

This should be another fun Sunday.