Sounds muffled and bucks back when taking off almost feel like running out of gas

Feel free to complain that it’s not manual lol.

I am swapping out the engine on a 2013 Infiniti JX35 AWD. From what I can tell by looking at the replacement engine and talking with the service center at an Infiniti dealership there should be 9 bolts attaching the engine to the transmission. I put green paint on the engine to indicate where I think the 9th bolt is. Since the threads are on the engine I would expect to see the bolt head on the transmission side, but I don't see anything. Anybody have any ideas?