3 NFL Storylines to Watch in Week 9

Carolina's Key to Week 9 Is Christian McCaffrey​

It's a very important week for all four teams the make up the NFC South -- each squad will be facing off against one of their divisional cohorts. The 5-2 New Orleans Saints will host the 2-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers while the 4-3 Atlanta Falcons travel to the 5-3 Carolina Panthers. Clearly, both the state of the division and the eventual wild card race will be shaped, in part, by what takes place here in Week 9.

Among the several surprising moves that came during the NFL trade deadline was the aforementioned Panthers sending their top wide receiver and 2014 first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills for a third- and seventh-round pick in the upcoming 2018 draft.

Devin Funchess was selected a year after Benjamin, and while his development has been much slower than Benjamin's, they were rather similar when looking at their tall frames, slower straight line speed, and overall style of play. So, after a number of solid performances by Funchess this season, the cap-conscientious Panthers opted to ship Benjamin off now with one year remaining on his deal.

This offense has also changed dramatically. Rookie Christian McCaffrey has offered Cam Newton a target in the short receiving game that he's never had in the past. Among all players, McCaffrey ranks eighth in targets and is currently the only running back with a target share that exceeds 20 percent.

The move also lets Carolina get a better evaluation on Curtis Samuel. He provides intrigue having played both wide receiver and running back at various times during his college days at Ohio State.

While the spotlight will shine brightest on Funchess, McCaffrey is where the Panthers ought to go in order to exploit the Falcons' defense. When it comes to defending backs in the receiving game, Atlanta is tied for allowing the fourth-most targets, second-most receptions, and sixth-most receiving yards allowed to the position.

This comes despite having already had a bye week while the surrounding teams in these categories have not.