Imagine it or not, Week 10 of the NFL common season already is upon us, and a way of urgency has set in throughout the league with simply 9 weeks remaining earlier than the playoffs.
The second head coach of the season obtained his strolling papers final week. The Saints fired Dennis Allen on Monday and changed him with interim Darren Rizzi as they grasp for options on the way to finish their league-worst seven-game dropping streak. The commerce deadline adopted Tuesday, concluding with 25 groups participating in 18 trades in hopes of fortifying their rosters for the homestretch.
Division races are starting to take form or tighten. A vital AFC North showdown occurred Thursday night time, when Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens outdueled Joe Burrow’s Bengals 35-34 regardless of a historic night time by Cincinnati extensive receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
The motion continues Sunday morning, when the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers face off in Munich, Germany. It continues with seven video games at 1 p.m. ET, three extra within the 4 p.m. ET window and a Sunday night time matchup between the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans. Week 10 concludes Monday night time with the Miami Dolphins visiting the Los Angeles Rams.
Right here’s a have a look at 5 compelling storylines across the NFL this week. (Discover the total schedule right here.)
1. Acquainted faces in new locations after commerce deadline
Eight gamers modified addresses Tuesday, the ultimate day for groups to make trades. That introduced the entire participant strikes this season to 19. In latest weeks, we noticed Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins make their debuts with their new groups. Now we’re about to see one other cluster of gamers attempt to bolster their new groups’ possibilities of contending for division titles, playoff berths and Tremendous Bowl runs.
In-season trades hardly ever dramatically change staff fortunes, however there are some exceptions. Hopkins seems to be like a difference-maker in Kansas Metropolis, the place he recorded two landing catches to assist elevate his new staff over Tampa Bay final Monday. Who will make an prompt influence this week? Cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is out for the Washington Commanders and Lions go rusher Za’Darius Smith might not play Sunday, however keep watch over two new Steelers acquisitions, edge rusher Preston Smith and extensive receiver Mike Williams.
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2. Steelers-Commanders: Assembly of unlikely division leaders
The Steelers and Commanders each reset at quarterback this offseason. The Steelers acquired veteran Russell Wilson hoping the nine-time Professional Bowl choice may assist them win their first playoff sport because the 2016 season. The Commanders, in the meantime, drafted Jayden Daniels second general, praying he may rescue them from years of dysfunction and ineptitude.
Wilson’s Steelers tenure received off to a sluggish begin because of a calf pressure that sidelined him for 5 weeks whereas Justin Fields helped Pittsburgh to a 3-2 begin. However now within the beginning position, Wilson has seemed just like the difference-maker Mike Tomlin envisioned this offseason, going 2-0 and directing the offense to 2 of its greatest outings of the 12 months.
Daniels, in the meantime, has shined as a passer and rusher for probably the most prolific offenses within the league and because of this is the favourite to win Rookie of the 12 months honors. Halfway by means of the season, not solely are these groups profitable thanks largely to the sparks their new quarterbacks have offered, however they’re each main their respective divisions. Pittsburgh (6-2) is first within the AFC North and Washington (7-2) leads the NFC East.
Each groups enter Sunday’s contest in Landover, Md., driving three-game win streaks however needing victories to carry off divisional foes (Baltimore for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia for Washington). The sport is a reunion for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and the Commanders’ Dan Quinn. In 1994, Tomlin performed defensive again for William & Mary whereas Quinn served because the Tribe’s defensive position coach. The next season, they each landed jobs on Virginia Navy Institute’s teaching employees. Now they’ll attempt to lead their groups to victory and keep the momentum constructed through the first half of the season. (Steelers at Commanders, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)
3. Broncos’ subsequent robust take a look at: Visiting the Chiefs
Sean Payton’s Broncos launched into a shocking 5-3 begin to the season regardless of taking part in a rookie quarterback and going by means of rising pains in different areas. Final week, nonetheless, they ran right into a buzzsaw in Baltimore and received thumped 41-10. They’re in a good race with the Chargers (5-3) for second within the AFC West and stay hopeful they will finish an eight-year playoff drought.
Their subsequent activity gained’t be simple: Sunday, Denver travels to Kansas Metropolis to tackle the 8-0 Chiefs, who’re the NFL’s solely undefeated staff. Patrick Mahomes boasts a 12-1 document in opposition to the Broncos. His solely loss to them got here in Week 8 final season, when he threw two interceptions and no touchdowns and likewise misplaced a fumble in a 24-9 defeat in Denver.
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Can the Broncos make it two in a row? Cornerback Pat Surtain II mentioned this week, “It’s a superb alternative for us to showcase what we’ve received,” and if anybody’s as much as the problem of stopping Mahomes, it’s Surtain, who’s considered the highest cornerback within the NFL.
Denver’s best concern, nonetheless, is perhaps its personal offense versus Kansas Metropolis’s protection. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has delivered vivid spots this season, however this week he should face the unit led by mastermind Steve Spagnuolo. Spags makes life tough for many quarterbacks, however his defenses are inclined to feast on rookie quarterbacks particularly. Since 2019, Spagnuolo owns an 11-1 document in opposition to rookie quarterbacks, and his Chiefs have gone 5-0 at residence in opposition to Denver throughout the identical span. Spagnuolo will ship all types of pressures, disguise coverages and plant seeds of doubt in Nix’s thoughts. How will Payton equip his rookie to take care of the problem? (Broncos at Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)
Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. has helped flip the Cardinals’ tide. (Matt Kartozian / Imagn Pictures)
4. Arizona Cardinals’ rise
Is it time to begin viewing the Cardinals in a distinct mild? Thought of non-factors within the NFC West after a 1-3 begin to the season, the Cardinals have since gained 4 of their final 5, together with three straight, to enhance to 5-4. Arizona is now atop the division standings because it hosts the New York Jets on Sunday.
An authoritative 41-10 victory over the Rams in Week 2 was the one early-season spotlight for Arizona. However after a 42-14 loss to the Commanders, Jonathan Gannon’s staff rebounded with a 24-23 win at San Francisco in Week 5. They misplaced to the Packers in Week 6, however back-to-back comeback victories over the Chargers and Dolphins preceded a convincing win over the Bears final week, and now the Cardinals discover themselves as the one NFC West staff with a profitable document.
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There’s so much to love about this staff. Quarterback Kyler Murray is doing a superb job of caring for the soccer whereas distributing it to a various forged of weapons that embrace tight finish Trey McBride and extensive receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. Harrison, a rookie, has proven flashes of dominance (his six-catch, 111-yard efficiency in Week 8 carried Arizona to victory over Miami). Working again James Conner ranks sixth within the NFL in dashing. Defensively, the Cardinals have displayed enchancment and hope to obtain a lift with their commerce for Baron Browning.
Whereas Arizona seems to be trending in the best route, the Jets have endured a difficult season and misplaced 5 straight earlier than final week’s win over Houston. Aaron Rodgers, Garrett Wilson and Adams lead the Jets offensively, however the unit has but to stay as much as expectations. New York’s protection has surrendered 330-plus yards in three of its final 4 video games underneath interim head coach/defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who changed the fired Robert Saleh. The Jets’ largest weak spot is stopping the run, so a heavy dose of Conner and fellow backs Trey Benson and Emari Demercado with Murray sprinkled in may assist pave the Cardinals’ option to success. (Jets at Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.)
5. Detroit Lions: Ripe for an upset?
On one hand, the Lions — with a 7-1 document and driving a six-game win streak — are one of many hottest groups within the league. A lot of the time, they appear like the very best staff in the whole NFL. However may Dan Campbell’s imposing group be upset Sunday night time at Houston?
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Jared Goff is main the NFL with a completion share of 74.9 and in latest weeks has accomplished 100, 72, 88, 80 and 81.8 p.c of his throws for 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Lions can win fairly. They will win ugly. Detroit’s protection is among the many greatest within the purple zone, permitting touchdowns solely 43.48 p.c of the time (fourth greatest) and solely 37.5 p.c within the final three video games mixed.
The Texans are coming off a bye, nonetheless, and though Las Vegas has them as 3 1/2-point residence underdogs, DeMeco Ryans’ boys are 3-0 when boasting a relaxation benefit from a bye or mini-bye. Offensive manufacturing has dipped lately for the Lions (225 yards in opposition to Tennessee in Week 8 and 261 in opposition to Inexperienced Bay in Week 9). In the meantime, Detroit’s protection has allowed at the very least 130 dashing yards in 4 of its final 5 contests. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud will command loads of consideration, and never having his high two receivers will hamper his efforts. Working again Joe Mixon has 5 100-yard performances in six outings this season, nonetheless, and will exploit Detroit’s weak spot on this division and place his staff for a robust outing. (Lions at Texans, 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday.)
(Prime picture: Joe Sargent / Getty Pictures)
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