NFL Week 10 takeaways, stat leaders: Bucs rebound, Lions finally win at home and Giants get by Eagles
Week 10 in the NFL gave the Lions their first home win of the season, while the Giants won an NFC East matchup over the division-leading Eagles. In other early games, the Browns rushed their way to a win in rainy conditions, and Tom Brady led the Buccaneers to a 46-point offensive outburst — a big rebound from Week 9’s Sunday night flop.
In the afternoon slate, Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins won the battle of rookie quarterbacks against Justin Herbert’s Chargers, and the Rams pulled off a convincing NFC West win against the Seahawks. The Steelers moved to 9-0, and the Saints took care of business against the 49ers. But the game that stood out was the Cardinals’ win against the Bills. DeAndre Hopkins pulled down a Hail Mary to give Arizona the victory.
All that and more in Week 10’s biggest takeaways from NFL Nation.
Standout performer: Buccaneers RB Ronald Jones, 192 rushing yards, 1 TD
Nothing was going to get in the way of the Bucs rebounding from a 38-3 loss to the Saints. Tampa Bay played without Ali Marpet — arguably its best offensive lineman — for a second consecutive week because of a concussion. The Buccaneers also had to alter their practice schedule Thursday because of a tropical storm that swept through the area. And finally, there was a 7½-hour plane delay that had the Bucs getting to their hotel just before midnight Saturday. None of those issues prevented them from scoring five touchdowns. “I just can’t say enough about our guys’ focus,” Bucs coach Bruce Arians said of his team, now 7-3 for the first time since 2010. — Jenna Laine
Next game: vs. Rams (8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 23)
Not only did the Panthers (3-7) suffer their worst loss under coach Matt Rhule, getting outscored 29-6 in the second half, they also lost starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The knee injury that forced Bridgewater out occurred with 5 minutes, 24 seconds to play in a second half that Rhule called “completely unacceptable.” With five consecutive losses and the possibility of losing Bridgewater, this season seems to be unraveling. Even if Bridgewater returns next week against Detroit, the Panthers are playing themselves into a potential top-five draft pick that may force them to consider a quarterback. — David Newton
Next game: vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Standout performer: Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, 149 receiving yards, 1 TD
Talk about an ugly win. But at least it wasn’t like the Packers’ most recent game against a one-win team, when they lost to the Vikings two weeks ago. In a similarly lackluster showing, the Packers’ defense came up with one final stop to seal a four-point victory when they came in as a two-touchdown favorite. Uncharacteristic mistakes — including a Davante Adams fumble and an Aaron Rodgers interception — combined with a lack of energy in an empty stadium made it worth wondering whether, in the pandemic with no fans, Lambeau Field really offers much of a home-field advantage. — Rob Demovsky
Next game: at Colts (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
The NFL’s second-youngest team showed some progress but still ended up with its eighth consecutive loss. The improved play of the defense (two forced turnovers, 80 yards rushing allowed), Keelan Cole‘s punt return TD, James Robinson’s second 100-yard rushing game in the past three weeks, and the play of rookie quarterback Jake Luton in his second career start are some positive signs the Jags appear to be moving in the right direction. It’s likely not enough to keep the franchise from losing double-digit games again, but it’s the most encouraging performance since Week 2. — Mike DiRocco
Next game: vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Standout performer: Browns RB Nick Chubb, 126 rushing yards, 1 TD
The Cleveland running game cratered while Chubb was out. With Chubb back, it appears to be rolling again. After a four-game absence because of a knee injury, he returned to power the Browns. Chubb had a 9-yard TD run in the fourth quarter, then followed that up with a game-clinching 59-yard dash down the sideline. Kareem Hunt, back in his role as Chubb’s sidekick, had 104 rushing yards himself, including several tough runs. When the Browns had those two together before Chubb’s injury, they boasted the top statistical rushing attack in the league, as the duo kept each other fresh. Cleveland appears to have that notable advantage for its playoff push. — Jake Trotter
Next game: vs. Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
In a rainy and windy game in Cleveland, the Texans had to cater their game plan to the weather, depending on their running game instead of quarterback Deshaun Watson. With Duke Johnson Jr. starting for an injured David Johnson, the Texans looked like a team that needs to start over at running back this offseason. Duke Johnson ran for 54 yards on 14 carries. — Sarah Barshop
Next game: vs. Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Standout performer: Giants QB Daniel Jones, 244 passing yards, 64 rushing yards with 1 TD
Everything you need this week:
• Full schedule » | Standings »
• Depth charts for every team »
• Transactions » | Injuries »
• Football Power Index rankings »
More NFL coverage »
There is one team trending in the right direction right now in the NFC East, and it’s the Giants. And whether coach Joe Judge wants to hear it or not, his Giants are in the middle of the division race. They enter the bye week on a high, winners of two straight after beating the rival Eagles for the first time in nine tries. That puts the improving Giants (3-7) one game out of first place and perhaps makes them the new sexy pick to emerge from the struggling NFC East. Judge said afterward the standings were “irrelevant” and his team was “not going to look at those.” Well, everyone else is. Jones didn’t commit a turnover for the second straight game, the Giants’ running game continues to get better and the defense again found ways to make plays at the end of the game. The effort simultaneously gives the Giants realistic hopes for both the future and the playoffs this season. — Jordan Raanan
Next game: at Bengals (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 29)
The Eagles feel broken, no matter their first-place standing in the horrendous NFC East. They had a bye week to recalibrate and entered Sunday’s game as healthy as they had been since the beginning of the season — but the same old warts surfaced. The Eagles (3-5-1) remain in first place and still have a 70% chance of winning the division. But this season should be setting off alarm bells, regardless of whether it ends with an NFC East title by default. — Tim McManus
Next game: at Browns (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Standout performer: Lions K Matt Prater, 3-for-3 field goals (game-winning 59-yard FG)
The Lions won their first game at home in more than a year, but they didn’t make it easy on themselves. As they have in so many games under coach Matt Patricia, the Lions blew a 21-point second-half lead to make it a tie game late in the fourth quarter. At this point, the Lions will take wins however they can get them. Matt Prater‘s 59-yard game winner marked his seventh career game with multiple 50-yard field goals made, the most in NFL history. “It’s just another field goal,” Prater said. — Michael Rothstein
Next game: at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Quarterback Alex Smith can still play. He might not move as well as he did in the past, but he can still operate an offense. For the first time in his career, he threw for 300-plus yards in consecutive games (390 against Detroit). He was decisive and mostly accurate, and he moved enough to avoid pressure. Washington will look hard for a quarterback in the offseason, focusing for now on the draft. But if Smith continues to play well, he at least provides another talking point for 2021. It would be hard to imagine him as the quarterback of the future, but he could perhaps stick around in a mentoring role for a rookie as a backup. Now if only Washington’s touted defense could cooperate with a better performance. — John Keim
Next game: vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Standout performer: Colts RB Nyheim Hines, 70 rushing yards, 1 TD (and 45 receiving yards, 1 TD)
The Colts moved into a first-place tie in the AFC South after scoring 21 consecutive points against the Titans to turn a 17-13 deficit into a 34-17 victory on Thursday night. The win was huge for the Colts not only because they’re back in first place in the division but also because it gives them the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Titans. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Colts, who play at Green Bay in Week 11 before hosting the Titans again in Indianapolis. — Mike Wells
Next game: vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
The Titans’ offense is reeling after scoring only 17 points for the second consecutive game. Yes, Tennessee put up 24 points against the Bears last week, but one of the touchdowns came on Desmond King’s 63-yard fumble return. The special teams failed in a major way on Thursday night, and the Titans have a real problem at kicker. Stephen Gostkowski‘s inconsistency reared its ugly head again when he missed a 44-yard field goal. Now at 6-3, the Titans need to find answers quickly before things further unravel in their next two road games (Ravens, then a trip to Indianapolis). — Turron Davenport
Next game: at Ravens (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Standout performer: Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins, 127 receiving yards, 1 TD
• Tua vs. Herbert: Next great QB rivalry?
• Diggs, Hopkins trades really paid off
• Rookies make impact for Steelers, Bengals
• Seahawks OL preps for nemesis Donald
• 2020 midseason reports for all 32 teams
Wow, wow, wow! Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins saved the day for the Cardinals and, in some way, saved their season. By connecting on a 43-yard Hail Mary with two seconds left, Murray and Hopkins led the Cardinals into a three-way tie atop the NFC West. Up next is their biggest game of the season Thursday night at the Seahawks. Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury said it best of Murray: “He’s making us right on a lot of plays.” — Josh Weinfuss
Next game: at Seahawks (8:20 p.m. ET, Thursday)
It might be the most optimistic way to look at a last-second loss on a Hail Mary, but the Bills’ defense really looks like it’s ready to start shouldering more of the load. Neither side of the ball has put together a full four-quarter effort this season, but outside of the third quarter Sunday (and maybe the final Arizona offensive play), Buffalo did a commendable job keeping Arizona’s offense in check. Buffalo forced a turnover and two three-and-outs on the Cardinals’ first three possessions of the final quarter before ultimately losing in dramatic fashion. With a bye week to heal up before hosting the Chargers in Week 12, the Bills appear ready for what projects to be a tight race with the Dolphins for the AFC East title. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Next game: vs. Chargers (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 29)
Standout performer: Raiders S Jeff Heath, 2 INTs
After sleepwalking through much of the first half, safety Jeff Heath kick-started the Raiders’ hearts. His goal-line interception of Drew Lock preserved not only a slim halftime lead, but it also helped the Raiders improve to 6-3 with their third consecutive win and 3-0 in the division for the first time since 2010. Up next, the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, whose lone loss in the last calendar year came against these same Raiders in Week 5. Confidence is high in Las Vegas. — Paul Gutierrez
Next game: vs. Chiefs (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday)
The Broncos (3-6) are a turnover factory on offense — five more on Sunday give them a league-leading 21 for the season — and undisciplined on defense (especially on run defense), a recipe for the kind of confidence-crushing stretch that could rock a young team. Their next three games are against teams that are a combined 21-6: the Dolphins, Saints and Chiefs. The Broncos talked of grinding, working and sticking together as they left Las Vegas, but every ounce of that will be tested and revealed over the next three Sundays. — Jeff Legwold
Next game: vs. Dolphins (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Standout performer: Dolphins CB Xavien Howard, 1 INT, 2 pass breakups
There’s something special brewing in South Florida. As the Dolphins notched their fifth consecutive win, it’s hard not to think playoffs or even making a run at winning the AFC East in 2020. This is a young team with an exciting rookie quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa, a playmaking defense and opportunistic special teams, and a coach in Brian Flores who has his club consistently playing complementary football for the first time in a long time. — Cameron Wolfe
Next game: at Broncos (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)
It was the same ending for the Chargers — another loss, their seventh in eight games. But there was no “wait ’til the last play of the game” drama, as was the case with the two previous losses to Las Vegas and Denver, as the Chargers were behind the Dolphins throughout in falling to 2-7. It wasn’t quarterback Justin Herbert’s best game. In fact, he had just 187 yards on 20-of-32 passing — 77 yards fewer than his previous lowest output, a 264-yard performance against the Saints in Week 5. He also had a costly fourth-quarter interception, which the Dolphins turned into a touchdown to put the game out of reach. So much for the rookie quarterback battle. — Shelley Smith
Next game: vs. Jets (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Standout performer: Rams CB Darious Williams, 2 INTs, 3 pass deflections
Relive the NFL’s greatest games, original series and more. Watch on ESPN+
Coming off a Week 9 bye, the Rams jump-started the second half of their season Sunday with a win, as the defense effectively shut down Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, sacking him six times. Now the Rams, who improved to 6-3 in the NFC West, must continue the effort with a remaining schedule that ranks as the fourth-most difficult in the NFL, according to ESPN analytics. The next stop is at Tampa Bay, where Aaron Donald will meet Tom Brady for the first time since Super Bowl LIII, when the Patriots defeated the Rams 13-3. The Rams return home in Week 12 to play the 49ers (4-6), then travel to Arizona to face the surging Cardinals (6-3) and quarterback Kyler Murray. — Lindsey Thiry
Next game: at Buccaneers (8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 23)
Put the Russell Wilson-for-MVP talk on hold. He was the unquestioned front-runner during the Seahawks’ 5-0 start but after turning in three lackluster performances over the past four weeks — all coming in Seattle losses. Wilson threw two more interceptions Sunday, officially giving him 10 turnovers in that four-week span (though one was the result of a low snap against Los Angeles). He was held without a touchdown pass for only the second time since the start of last season and didn’t come anywhere close to his MVP form from earlier in the year. One of his interceptions was the result of a great defensive play, while the other was an awful decision on Wilson’s part — he forced a ball into the end zone instead of running with lots of green grass in front of him. It’s a good thing Wilson is as good as any quarterback at flushing forgettable performances. He’ll need to do that in a hurry with Seattle (6-3) hosting Arizona (6-3) on Thursday night in what feels like a game the Seahawks have to win to stay in the division race. — Brady Henderson
Next game: vs. Cardinals (8:20 p.m. ET, Thursday)
Standout performer: Saints LB Demario Davis, 12 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits
The Saints didn’t exactly carry over their momentum from last week’s statement win at Tampa Bay. However, they did show their resilience once again in a clunky win against San Francisco, rallying from an early 10-0 deficit despite the fact that QB Drew Brees left at halftime with a rib injury. And they proved their defense and special teams can carry them when needed. Although last week’s defensive performance might have been even more dominant, this one might have been the most important yet. — Mike Triplett
Next game: vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
In their injury-depleted state, the 49ers don’t have to be perfect to win, but they have to be much closer to it than they were Sunday. The Niners had a handful of glaring, self-inflicted mistakes that cost them a chance at an upset against the Saints. The full-strength Niners are capable of overcoming such miscues, but this version is not. “If you don’t get the turnovers fixed, it doesn’t matter what our situation is,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I know we’re missing some people, but I think if we took care of the ball better today, we’d have had a very good chance to be in that game. But we didn’t and blew an opportunity there.” That’s a lesson that will likely apply to the rest of the season for the 4-6 Niners as they head into a much-needed bye. — Nick Wagoner
Next game: at Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 29)
Standout performer: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, 333 passing yards, 4 TDs
No practice, no problem. Ben Roethlisberger went into Sunday’s game having thrown only about “50 balls” on Friday while he finished his week of isolation as a part of the COVID-19 protocol for high-risk close contacts. For at least the second time in his career, the veteran quarterback showed he thrives without practice en route to the Steelers’ most decisive win of the year. The Steelers maintained a clean 9-0 record behind Roethlisberger, who overcame a slow start. Now that he has shown again he can perform at a high level on game day without practicing, Roethlisberger has an idea for his practice schedule ahead of next week’s game in Jacksonville. “I’m trying to talk coach into seeing if I can take next week off, too,” he said, laughing. — Brooke Pryor
Next game: at Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Being a rookie starting quarterback in the NFL isn’t easy, even if Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow makes it look that way sometimes. But Burrow had a very rookie-like performance on Sunday. The former LSU standout struggled to find a rhythm, going 21-of-40 passing for 213 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. And for the second time this season, Burrow struggled against an elite defense. The rookie said he was “terrible” in the second half, when he was 5-of-15 passing for 24 yards. Burrow didn’t mince words when evaluating his performance. “You’re not going to be able to win football games against a team like the Steelers, as good as they are, when your quarterback plays like I did in the second half,” he said. — Ben Baby
Next game: at Washington (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)