The 2023 NFL season has boasted no shortage of excitement in these past few months. As the campaign rages, some teams are looking to solidify their dominance over their respective divisions. At the same time, others are looking to bounce back after difficult losses.
From high-stakes matchups to bounce-back games, here are a few things to watch out for in Week 10 of the NFL season.
NFL Week 10: What to Watch For
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns: AFC North on the Line?
The Baltimore Ravens have plenty to be happy about: they’ve won four games in a row, they now hold a two-game lead over the rest of the AFC North, and Lamar Jackson is making significant progress as a passer, boasting a career-high 71.5% pass completion percentage this season. Not to mention he could break a personal best for passing yards in a season before the end of the current season.
But the Cleveland Browns they face this Sunday are not the same Cleveland Browns they beat 28-3 in Week 4.
Cleveland has made tremendous improvements on both sides of the ball since their first match with the Ravens. Statically, the Browns can match Baltimore step-for-step in overall defense and rushing offense. Winning three of their last four games (now 5-3), the Browns are looking to close the gap between them and Baltimore. Baltimore may have home-field advantage this time. But do not expect the Browns to go quietly.
Houston Texans vs Cincinnati Bengals: Which QB Can Stay Hot?
Speaking of the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals have had one of the biggest turnarounds of any team this season. After starting 1-3, Cincinnati has gone on to beat their next four opponents, including the likes of Seattle, Buffalo, and San Francisco. In that stretch, quarterback Joe Burrow has thrown 10 of his 12 touchdowns this season and only two interceptions. As Burrow and company look to maintain this hot streak, they will host a Houston Texans team with a formidable playcaller of their own.
Texans quarterback, C.J. Stroud, has put the league on notice with a near-flawless performance in Week 9. Not only did he complete over 70% of his passes with 5 TDs and 0 INTs, but he also set a new NFL record for passing yards thrown by a rookie in a single game (470). Now, Stroud and the rest of the Texans crew fly to a hostile Cincinnati environment in a battle of field generals.
NFC West Teams Bouncing Back?
San Francisco 49ers
Not so long ago, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the NFC West division with a spotless record. Quarterback Brock Purdy was hitting All-Star strides in almost every possession and everybody on that 53-man roster was having a blast. But after a heartbreaking loss to Cleveland in week six, the 49ers looked out of sync and lost their next 2 games.
Coming off of a bye week, head coach Kyle Shanahan will have to find a way to break San Fran out of this three-game skid. Much easier said than done, however, as the 49ers will be facing a Jacksonville Jaguars team that is boasting a five-game winning streak. A signature win on the road should help Purdy and company get their groove back.
Seattle Seahawks
As the 49ers were slipping, the Seattle Seahawks were gaining traction. The ‘Hawks came into the new outing looking to pick up where they left off in 2022. Household name and All-Pro linebacker, Bobby Wagner, leads a young, hungry defensive squad, while quarterback Geno Smith commands a potent offense that houses D.K Metcalf. and Kenneth Walker III. The Seahawks looked like they could have overtaken the 49ers in the NFC West.
But the Ravens gave Seattle the rudest wake-up call of the season.
In a 37-3 rout, it seemed that the Ravens were ready for every single punch Seattle tried to throw at them. Lamar Jackson tore up the Seattle secondary, while the Ravens’ defense kept the Seahawks’ offense grounded. Now Seattle looks to bounce back in Week 10 as they face the Washington Commanders. But Seattle best not underestimate Washington, especially with the NFC West title well within reach.
