NFL Week 10 Review – Scores and Key Takeaways

After another eventful week in the NFL, we recap the key takeaways from each game.

Pittsburgh Steelers 52 def. Carolina Panthers 21

I hyped this game up in our GOTW and expected a lot more from the Panthers. But the reason this game was granted GOTW status was for what we could learn about two playoff-calibre teams. We learnt a lot.

The Steelers offense was terrific as Big Ben threw 5 TDs for a perfect passer rating of 158.3. From the Steelers first offensive play (a 75-yard TD throw) till the end of the game, the Panthers looked lost defensively. It feels like this is the first year in a while that nobody is holding their breath for the Steelers to deliver and make the Suberbowl. But maybe we should expect more. The offense is as explosive as ever and the defence is firing at all three levels.

Just as people (including myself) were getting high on the Panthers, they get thrashed. It’ll take a lot for them to catch the Saints in the NFC South, meaning they are playing for a wildcard spot in a deep NFC. They should still make it but consider this: if they lose to the Saints twice, that’s five losses – entirely possible. If they lose to the Falcons in Week 16, they could be out of playoff contention. A bounce-back game against the Lions next week is crucial.

Buffalo Bills 41 def. New York Jets 10

This Jets offense is tough to watch. They gained 1 yard in the first quarter. Rookie QB Sam Darnold missed the game injured. Josh McCown got the start – the veteran has built a reputation for himself as a guy who can get you wins and hold down the fort for a team while they develop younger talent at the same position. On this day he wasn’t that Josh McCown, and to Darnold’s credit (I guess), the offense looked worse without him.

The Bills fed LeSean McCoy and it worked. Marcus Murphy got in on the action too. McCoy has been inconsistent this year, so it was great to see the old Shady taking the game into his hands. The Bills also got some solid QB play from Matt Barkley – the fourth player to start at the position this year for the team. The Bills have been in some games and won some unexpected games too. They actually aren’t that bad when they get decent QB play.

New Orleans Saints 51 def. Cincinnati Bengals 14

This looked so easy for the Saints, and the Bengals are no pushover. Everything was working for Brees and that offense. The future Hall-of-Fame QB is inching closer to Patty Mahomes in the MVP race every week. On a side note: can we get some publicity on Michael Thomas surpassing Odell Beckham Jr. for the most receptions in a player’s first 40 career games? Seems like Odell got plenty of credit for that record, but Thomas isn’t getting the same love.

The Bengals are trending down folks. To be fair they’ve faced tough competition but proven they can’t tie the shoes of the Chiefs and Saints of the world. Nothing to be ashamed of, just a fact. Cincinnati have two big divisional games over the next two weeks. It’s crucial they win both if they want a realistic shot at making the playoffs, where they would have the privilege of being unable to tie those aforementioned shoes.

Cleveland Browns 28 def. Atlanta Falcons 16

A tough loss for Atlanta, who played well in defeat. Matt Ryan was great once again. He’s probably the MVP of teams that have a losing record. The rest of the Falcons went with him as well. The Browns were just too good in every area of the game. It’s a real uphill battle for Atlanta now. The playoffs probably aren’t meant to be this year.

The Browns’ future is bright. Baker Mayfield is accurate and efficient beyond his years. He threw for 3 TDs and 0 INT, the first time a Browns rookie has done that since Tim Couch in 1999. That sounds promising if I’m a Browns fan. Nick Chubb is also making waves since his promotion to RB1. The Baker-Chubb offense will lead the Browns to the playoffs next year, especially if Baker can keep the INT’s down.

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Tennessee Titans 34 def. New England Patriots 10

By far the most impressive win of the week. Once again, the Patriots show cracks in their game. When teams can slow down that offense – which we’ve seen is difficult but not impossible – the Patriots are beatable.

Any time you beat the Patriots, it’s a big win. But going into this game 4-4, the Titans knew that a win kickstarts their season, and a loss ends it. Marcus Mariota’s play the last two weeks has been terrific. All they need is for Mariota to continue moving the chains by any means possible – passing or running (or receiving). That Titans pass rush will accrue plenty of sacks which will give Mariota plenty of opportunities to score.

Indianapolis Colts 29 def. Jacksonville Jaguars 26

In one of the few close games this week, the Colts come away with their third straight win and the Jags continue their five-game losing streak. For the first time in a long, long time, the Colts defence looks capable of winning games. That’s what they did against the Jags, as Malik Hooker came up with a forced fumble to end the game.

The Jags, who looked like a contender in the AFC and a certainty to win the AFC South, have some soul searching to do. They look destined to finish last in the division, a massive disappointment after making the AFC Championship game last year. The passing game is the major flaw, but then again, Blake Bortles has only been directly responsible for maybe two losses this year. The problem is how few wins he’s been directly responsible for.

The Colts are now quietly hopeful for a playoff spot. It all comes down to next week against the in-form Titans. Whoever wins that game has a chance at the final wildcard spot in the AFC, a race that’s wide-open right now.

Kansas City Chiefs 26 def. Arizona Cardinals 14

The Chiefs continue to roll, led by their dynamic young QB, Patty Mahomes. He has the most passing TDs in a single-season (31) in Chiefs franchise history after only 10 games. This week it was Tyreek Hill’s turn to get his, again. The speedy WR grabbed two TDs, and over 100 yards receiving.

The Cards hung in there for longer than anyone expected. The defence made things tougher than usual for the Chiefs offense – that’s something. Rookie QB Josh Rosen had some good moments, and some not-so-good ones. He’s getting better. Hopefully he can fight through these tough times and become a franchise player.

Chicago Bears 34 def. Detroit Lions 22

How difficult are the Bears going to make things for the Vikings and Packers? It’s a bit insulting to keep waiting for a decline considering how well they’ve played. We’re now at the point where if the Bears beat the Vikings next week, the division is theirs. Another great win, another step closer to the playoffs.

The Lions were never in this game. Unfortunately, they’re a mediocre team in one of the best divisions in the league. That’s going to translate into losses.

Washington Redskins 16 def. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3

An important win for Washington to create some more distance in the NFC East. Washington will be feeling good about their playoff chances after the Cowboys upset the Eagles. That defence is underrated. The Buccaneers were held to three points, only the second time they scored 10 or less this season. The Washington offense just needs to prove to themselves that they can win games from behind when needed. They are the first team since 1954 to have zero lead changes through nine games.

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Los Angeles Chargers 20 def. Oakland Raiders 6

This Chargers defence is coming along nicely. The offense wasn’t quite on, and the defence dominated. Important to remember is that they’re playing without their best defender, Joey Bosa. The Chargers are the kind of team that nobody wants to play during the playoffs. I could see them slaying the Patriots, Chiefs, or Steelers when it matters most. In other news, the Raiders continue to be the worst team in the NFL.

Green Bay Packers 31 def. Miami Dolphins 12

Green Bay took care of business in a must-win game against Miami. There are still major questions about this Packer team when they face tougher competition, especially in regard to the coaching game plan and clock-management. Thankfully, the Packers brain trust finally committed to the run. Just about everyone who watches football is aware that statistically the Packers are really good at running the football, but for some reason refuse to do it this year. Aaron Jones averages the most yards per carry in the league. As the Seattle Seahawks prove every year, just because you have an elite quarterback doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try for a balanced offense.

The Dolphins will welcome back Ryan Tannehill once he recovers. Stand-in QB Brock Osweiler overthrew his receivers too many times for an NFL starter. It probably won’t matter though, because the Dolphins’ remaining schedule includes the Patriots and Vikings. If they lose both those games (they will), they won’t be playing in January.

Los Angeles Rams 36 def. Seattle Seahawks 31

In hindsight, this should’ve been the GOTW, and it nearly was. The only reason it wasn’t, was because I was sure the Rams would find a way to bounce back after last week. They did, but it was a tremendous see-saw battle in LA.

The balance to Seatle’s offense is relentless, and it makes them difficult to beat. They still stand a fair chance of making the wildcard game with a lot of teams (Eagles, Vikings, Packers, Falcons) boasting mediocre records.

The Rams needed this win to build some momentum for a blockbuster matchup with the Chiefs next week. After facing the Saints last week, Seattle this week and the Chiefs next, the Rams couldn’t afford to finish that tough stretch 0-3 going into the bye – for their confidence and playoff seeding.

Important to mention: The Rams went through a lot this week during the California fires. That they could rally, and play like that, against a playoff-calibre opponent, screams Championship Team. Almost every Superbowl winning team has to struggle through some emotional adversity to bind the unit together, because there are always moments in a season where you need more than just football talent – you need to be tough and together.

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Dallas Cowboys 27 def. Philadelphia Eagles 20

The defending-champion Eagles now have an uphill battle to make the playoffs. Dallas will be happy they brought their divisional rivals down to their level (literally, both sitting at 4-5).

The answer to how Dallas upset Philly is simple: Ezekiel Elliot. He ran for 151 yards and a TD on 19 carries. When Elliot plays like that it opens everything up for Dak Prescott. And for all the criticism Dak has received lately, when he’s comfortable in the pocket, he has the arm to make plays. This game reminded people why the rookie season Dak and Zeke had two seasons ago excited so many.

New York Giants 27 def. San Francisco 49ers 23

This was a better game than most expected. The Giants came away with the win, after Eli Manning led a game-winning fourth quarter drive. Eli being vintage Eli was refreshing to see. That was his best performance for a long time. Speaking of getting back on track, Odell Beckham Jr. snagged two receiving TDs for the first time since Week 3, 2017.

Matt Breita was great for the 49ers, who will be hoping he can carry his current form through to 2019, when injured QB Jimmy Garoppolo gets back on the field. Jimmy’s replacement, Nick Mullens, had a better game than his stats show. One of his two picks were not his fault, and he was patient in the pocket, progressing through reads, until receivers got open.

Overall, a few positives for two teams whose seasons are over.