The NFL’s Week 9 slate comes to an end tonight as the Chiefs host the Buccaneers. It should be an interesting game as the Chiefs try to remain the NFL’s lone unbeaten team. I’ll have a full preview of the game below. But first, let’s consider who is a Contender, who is In the Hunt, and who is On to 2025 after nine weeks.

AFC Contenders: Chiefs, Bills
NFC Contenders: Lions, Eagles, Commanders

About: Look, I get that it might be bold to throw the Commanders in there, but we see a team go from worst to first all the time in the NFL. This year, it might well be the Commanders, who are sitting on seven wins. The Lions, meanwhile, look like beasts and the Eagles look stout, too. In the AFC, the Chiefs are a no-brainer selection. The Bills, meanwhile, are 7-2 and look like they’re on a mission to get things done this year.

AFC In the Hunt: Ravens, Texans, Steelers, Chargers, Broncos, Colts, Bengals, Jets
NFC In the Hunt: Packers, Falcons, Vikings, Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks, 49ers, Bears, Buccaneers

About: The race to get to seven in the AFC and NFC is going to be interesting. In the AFC, it’s probably controversial to drop the Ravens here. I get it, at times they look like the best in the league. At other times, they have lost two embarrassing games to the Raiders and Browns. That combined with their checkered playoff history has me putting them in a slightly lower tier. Meanwhile, I barely include the Jets here. The win Thursday gave them life, but it’s a long road to get to the playoffs. The NFC, meanwhile, feels wide open. All four teams in the NFC North and NFC West are still in the race. The next three or four weeks should clarify things a bit, but this is going to be a tight race to the end.

AFC See You in 2025: Dolphins, Patriots, Jaguars, Titans, Browns, Raiders
NFC See You in 2025: Cowboys, Giants, Saints, Panthers

About: I get it, you might think the Cowboys have a chance still. But the team is 3-5, a distant third in the NFC East and now facing a stretch of games without Dak Prescott. The wheels have fallen off the bus, and the Cowboys need to look toward the future. In the AFC, I was surprised to see the Browns and Dolphins implode, but with each sitting on just two wins after nine weeks, it’s time to get realistic. Both will have to ask some hard questions this off-season, as will the Jaguars, Giants, and Saints.

And now, on to Monday night’s game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)

This is a tale of two teams. The Buccaneers started hot but after losing their top receivers, they’ve been swept by the division-leading Falcons. That puts extra pressure on them to get back into the division and playoff race, and they have to do it short-handed. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have dealt with their own rash of injuries. They’ve lost their receivers, their top running back, and just kept going. The offense hasn’t been great, but the defense has been strong, and the Chiefs just keep winning.

For the Buccaneers, Mayfield is a QB2. I also like Cade Otton this week. He’s a TE1 for me and should be a big part of the passing game. I like Rachaad White as a low-end RB2 and Bucky Irving as an RB3/flex option. Among receivers, Jalen McMillian is a flex option for me.

For the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes is just a QB2. He hasn’t been incredible this season, despite his team’s record. Kareem Hunt is a low-end RB2 in the backfield, while Travis Kelce is a low-end TE1 for me. Among receivers, DeAndre Hopkins is in the WR4 range, as is Xavier Worthy. One of them could have a big game, but it’s hard to be confident in either right now.

I’m taking the Chiefs in this one.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.