NFL Nation reporters react to all the action, answering the biggest questions coming out of each game. Here’s what we learned from Week 10.
Week 10 of the NFL season kicked off Thursday with the Baltimore Ravens defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 35-34. Then in Munich, the Carolina Panthers prevailed over the New York Giants 20-17 for an early start to Sunday football.
Later, the Denver Broncos’ upset bid fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs, who moved to 9-0. San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey made his season debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the New Orleans Saints got back on track with a win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for every team. Let’s get to it.
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BAL-CIN | NYG-CAR | MIN-JAX
DEN-KC | ATL-NO | BUF-IND
SF-TB | NE-CHI | PIT-WSH
Was the offensive production in quarterback Russell Wilson’s first two starts an aberration? After consecutive 400-yard games, the Steelers offense slowed significantly in the comeback win against the Commanders. At halftime, the Steelers had 97 yards of offense, though they finished with 312. Wilson (14-of-28 for 195 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) was inconsistent in his third outing. And the deep ball that was so effective in Wilson’s first two starts wasn’t as accurate. Wilson was 2-of-7 for 40 yards with a touchdown and an interception on passes with 15-plus air yards until picking up 40 air yards on the fourth-quarter touchdown to receiver Mike Williams, according to ESPN Research.
Describe the game in two words: Near self-destruction. It started early with a failed fake punt from their own 16 in the first quarter, setting up the Commanders’ first touchdown three plays later. Washington’s offense continued to capitalize on Steelers’ mistakes, including three costly penalties against cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Then, trailing by six and in spitting distance from the goal line in the fourth quarter, the Commanders recovered a fumble by running back Jaylen Warren.
Most surprising performance: Williams. On his ninth snap as a Steeler after being acquired less than a week ago, Wilson scored the go-ahead touchdown. He caught a deep corner shot from Wilson with 2:27 to go in the fourth quarter. With the offense faltering, he showed in one play why the Steelers made the deadline move to pluck him from the Jets. — Brooke Pryor
Next game: vs. Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Did quarterback Jayden Daniels have his first subpar game? Daniels, who entered the game as an MVP candidate, did not have his best game, completing 16 of 33 passes for 194 yards. Pittsburgh did a good job keeping him in the pocket by blitzing more than it usually does. The result: Daniels was not as accurate. He missed on two crucial throws in the second half — one that would have gained 20 to 30 yards and another that might have resulted in a 96-yard touchdown. But he was wide on one pass and needed to put more air under the second one. Those throws made a big difference in the outcome.
Describe the game in two words: Gut punch. Washington proved quite a bit about itself Sunday, matching Pittsburgh all day. But it had too many wasted chances and blew a 10-point lead, turning what could have been a terrific win into a tough loss. The Commanders needed newly acquired cornerback Marshon Lattimore, but he’s dealing with a hamstring injury.
Most surprising performance: Right tackle Trent Scott. The former Steeler, starting for injured Andrew Wylie (shoulder), was not a problem despite facing linebacker T.J. Watt most of the game. Washington provided Scott a lot of help — sometimes tight end John Bates was responsible for blocking him. But he did better than anticipated. — John Keim
Next game: at Eagles (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)
How can quarterback Drake Maye build off his first complete-game win? When Maye threw a second-quarter interception, he immediately put his hands on his helmet in disbelief of his mistake. He was struggling at that point, seemingly not sure what he was seeing coverage-wise. So to respond to that adversity with a 10-play, 71-yard touchdown drive later in the quarter — and then a turnover-free second half — was impressive. Maye reportedly addressed the Patriots as a team this week because he felt practice wasn’t as sharp as it needed to be, which shows he’s evolving into more of a leadership role.
Describe the game in two words: Containing Caleb. The Patriots totaled nine sacks against first overall pick Caleb Williams and a mix-and-match offensive line. For a much-maligned defense, it was the best performance of the season. It was the most Williams was sacked since Week 2 against the Texans.
Most surprising performance: Run defense. The Bears were without some key players along the offensive line, but that hasn’t stopped opponents in recent weeks from running all over the Patriots. So for the Patriots to allow just 3.6 yards per rush and hold their ground was a job well done. It allowed defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington to scheme up some aggressive blitz calls in many passing situations. — Mike Reiss
Next game: vs. Rams (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
The Patriots defense gets to Caleb Williams nine times in the Bears’ loss.
How do the Bears stop quarterback Caleb Williams’ regression? Chicago’s offense is broken and Williams has looked worse in each of the Bears’ three straight losses. His accuracy issues were already a problem as he entered Week 10 with the second-highest off-target percentage in the NFL. And the issues caused by him holding onto the ball too long were evident in at least two of the sacks he took versus New England. This offensive approach is not tenable if the Bears want to develop a franchise quarterback. Chicago has gone 23 straight drives without scoring an offensive touchdown and averaged 2.6 yards per play.
Describe the game in two words: Depleted, defeated. The Bears were down four offensive linemen — including both starting tackles — before kickoff and lost left guard Teven Jenkins to an in-game ankle injury. They failed to hold the pocket, which played a role in Williams taking nine sacks. (He’s been sacked 18 times in three games.) Defensively, the loss of nose tackle Andrew Billings (pectoral injury), was clear by the Bears’ lack of pressure on Maye.
Biggest hole in the game plan: For as often as the Bears practice end-of-half situations, they’ve become one of the worst teams at the end of halves. The Patriots gained nearly 40 yards to kick a field goal in under 30 seconds before halftime. Chicago has allowed 300 yards in the final 30 seconds of a half this season, which is more than double any other team. (The Colts rank second with 160.) — Courtney Cronin
Next game: vs. Packers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Even with running back Christian McCaffrey back, are the 49ers capable of a second-half surge? Whatever hopes the 49ers had that McCaffrey’s return would jolt them back to juggernaut status sure didn’t show up Sunday. He posted 107 scrimmage yards and should get better as the season progresses, but it’s fair to believe this team lacks the extra gear that it’s had in recent years. At 5-4, the 49ers remain in the mix in the middling NFC West, but the next three games — against Seattle, Green Bay and Buffalo — will likely determine if there’s any hope for one final playoff push for this core. Either way, it doesn’t figure to be easy.
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Describe the game in two words: Continued malaise. The bye week was supposed to bring the 49ers renewed health and fresh legs, especially against a team coming off an overtime loss from the previous Monday. Instead, they looked like the weary team, getting pushed around by Tampa Bay in the second half. They continued to come up short and make mistakes in the red zone.
Biggest hole in the game plan: There’s at least one significant special teams miscue every week, and it continues to lessen San Francisco’s margin for error. Kicker Jake Moody returned from an ankle injury, but he missed 44-, 49- and 50-yard field goals before making the game-winner. And the unit also muffed a punt that led to Tampa Bay’s first touchdown. — Nick Wagoner
Next game: vs. Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Can the Bucs salvage their season after four straight losses? The Bucs have lacked a downfield passing threat the past three weeks, which is where receiver Mike Evans will come in when he returns from a hamstring injury.
