We are now officially in the second half of the NFL season; week 10 to be specific. This week was a week of great games and some stunning surprises, as well as teams positioning themselves for a playoff push. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest takeaways from week 10.
Week 10 in the NFL – Surprises and Forward Moves
The Future Star of the Baltimore Ravens
After a long tenure on the Baltimore Ravens, Joe Flacco is gone. His replacement, Lamar Jackson, is giving his shot at starting quarterback his all. He has been pushing on all fronts and week 10 against the still winless Cincinnati Bengals was no exception. So far, the Ravens at 7-2 are playing like an undefeated team. They’re winding their way through hapless opponents week after week, positioning themselves for an almost certain playoff berth. If Jackson stays healthy, he and the Ravens will be a force in the playoffs.
A Battle out West
One of the bigger battles in week 10 was the Seattle Seahawks taking on the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. It can be considered a prelude to the playoffs. It was a back and forth scoring game that ended by a Seahawks field goal in overtime. The 49ers were shown to have a chink in the armor and the Seahawks proved they would not be intimidated by anyone in the league. This will be a rivalry to continue to watch as the season grows.
Don’t Count them out Just Yet
The Pittsburgh Steelers continued to push forward in week 10 even though they have had many hurdles this season. They’ve suffered dramatic losses of not one but two productive players. Their star quarterback is out for the season. Not to mention the heartbreaking loss of their wide receiver coach. Just one of these events can make a team have no chance for the year, but with every week of grit and sweat, they are now a game over .500 and looking at a wild card spot in the playoffs. Sure, it is very early and many things can change in the next seven weeks. However, even being in this spot now is more than most gave them the opportunity for.
Week 10 provided another close game and win against the Los Angeles Rams. What can be taken away is the need to minimize errors, especially in the first quarter which is where they seem to give up at least one unearned touchdown. Next, and most importantly, they need to get more points on the board so they have a bit of a cushion going into the last minutes of the game.
No One is Safe
If we have learned one thing for certain as we head into week 10, there are absolutely no guarantees when it comes to who will win any particular game. No matter the stats, the win/loss record, or the injury report, the strongest teams will find a way to lose. No matter how much the odds are against them, and how many people think it is impossible, some of the worst teams in the league will find a way to win.
Two cases in point in week 10 were the Cleveland Browns beating the surging Buffalo Bills and the hapless Atlanta Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints. Were these the result of a weaker team finally pushing for a win? Or could it have been a strong team playing down to a team that they should have easily beat? Either way, it is a strong reminder that in week 11, anything goes, especially as the playoffs are clearly in sight for many teams.
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