Time flies when you spend every Sunday watching seven hours of commercial free football. The weather is beautiful, the leaves are at that beautiful color change, and with just 10 days away from Thanksgiving we still waste away in front of a TV yelling at zebras making game altering calls and our favorite teams blowing that “Can’t Lose” parlay. Days are made or ruined in the span of hours that will effect you longer than you’d like to say out loud, but this is the price you pay for being born into a fandom. Some fandoms have been luckier than others, while some are finally seeing light at the end of their tunnel. As always we’ll over all the action that was week 10 of the NFL season.
Thursday:
- Panthers vs Bears: A battle of bottom feeders as we thank the football gods for putting Thursday Night Football off television and behind the paywall that is Amazon Prime. With that said, The Bears not only won the game, but also won the long game as they own the Panthers first round pick. So not only are the Bears still in the hunt for Caleb Williams, but they gave the fans a win. Good Thursday in Chicago.
Sunday In Germany:
- Colts vs Patriots: My thoughts for anyone who honestly woke up to watch the Colts play the Patriots. I’m sorry you had to sit through that. Going from Bears vs Panthers to then go to this atrocity to viewers eyes is a crime. The Colts are a solid team but wow this was painful. And for Patriots fans, I’ll just leave this here for Mac Jones.
Sunday Stateside:
- 49ers vs Jaguars: A one sided man handling happened in Jacksonville as the 49ers skinned and pelted the Jaguars. The second the opening whistle started the game felt out of reach for the Jags. The 49ers new and improved defensive line dominated all four quarters and took Trevor Lawerence’s lunch money. Brock Purdy made some excellent throws, played a clean game, and helped remind everyone that the 49ers are still a big dog in the NFL. With all that said it was a sad Sunday as we say goodbye to an incredible streak: Christian McCaffery any time scorer: Dec 04, 2022 – Nov 12, 2023.
- Saints vs Vikings: As a Packers fan, I can’t stand the Vikings and any success they could have. With that being said, Josh Dobbs might just be the best story in the NFL. After going to five different teams in the span of a year, to then be told by the Cardinals he wasn’t getting traded, just to then get traded, put in a game where he didn’t even know his teammates names yet, to then put on some of the best performances of past two weeks is nothing short of incredible. Now Dobbs has the Vikings not just back in the playoff race, but they could give the Lions a scare for the NFC North if they aren’t careful. To Josh Dobbs, the People’s Champ.
- Packers vs Steelers: The game I spent way too much time on and WAAAAAYYY too much time tweeting, the Packers went into Pittsburg to take on the Steelers. The Steelers actually looked like an offense to start the game as both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren ran all over the Packers pathetic run defense. Though the Packers defense stiffened up throughout the game, the damage was done early as Kenny Pickett continues to win games despite his performance. The Steelers defense is still elite as they intercepted Jordan Love twice, the last one to ice the game. Packer fans, I know I have been harsh on this team, which, rightfully so. However, this was the one of the first games I felt the Packers, primarily the offense, looked rather acceptable. Jordan Love was slinging the rock, making tough passes, and had great awareness in the pocket. Now are drops still an issue? Yes. Does Jordan Love have a ton of interceptions? Yes. Do most of them come when he’s targeting Christian Watson? Yes. Does the offense still make dumb mistakes? YES I GET IT ALRIGHT. But, with all that being said, this was the first time when I felt genuine hope in the offense in since the Saints game in week 3. If not for a blocked extra point, Jordan Love ties that game up on the final drive and this game goes to overtime. Not only that, but a controversial “forward pass” that would have led to a scope and score has to make fans feel optimistic. At least, more so than most losses.
- Titans vs Buccaneers: I won’t lie, I didn’t see much of this game outside of a handful of sick Mike Evans catches. Baker Mayfield feels like a perfect fit for this team and with a balanced offense of running with big play ability from the receiver, Tampa could be very much in the running for the abysmal NFC South. I mean someone has to win it. For the Titans, you didn’t win the game, and it wasn’t a very pretty or fun game to watch, and Will Levis hasn’t looked like the QB he was against Atlanta…. alright sorry I’m running out of ideas here. The future looks bright maybe?
- Browns vs Ravens: This game had no business ending the way it did. A monumental win for the Browns as they completed a two score comeback to steal a game against a division rival. Desean Watson played arguably his best half of football as a Cleveland Brown in the second half and although the defense gave up 31, they shut Baltimore down completely in the fourth quarter. Before this game was played, many NFL analysts had the Ravens as the team to beat in the NFL. After dominating the Seahawks the week before, the Ravens stock was at an all time high. But then it reappeared. The Ravens ugly weakness. The Ravens have a problem of once rattled, remaining poised when the heat is up. A costly pick 6 left the Ravens scrambling and looking for answers. The Ravens take on the Bengals in another divisional game that could have huge implications for both seeding or for the division crown, though it isn’t looking good for Cincinnati.
- Texans vs Bengals: Back to back weeks of being the most entertaining team in football, the Houston Texans have officially put the AFC and more importantly the Jaguars on notice. No one before the Texans having a positive record let alone be in the playoff race with a rookie QB, new head coach, and a young team. Yet here we are in week 10 wondering if CJ Stroud is officially in the MVP race? The answer is an emphatic YES. CJ Stroud has been lighting it up and looks like he’s a veteran. Poised, athletic, and most importantly clutch. The Texans have their franchise QB and I have my featured photo. Now the Bengals are officially on thin ice after losing this game. With the toughest remaining schedule left in the NFL Joe Burrow has his work cut out for him as the Bengals basically need to be perfect from here on out if they want to not just win the division, but just make the playoffs.
- Falcons vs Cardinals: Man the Cardinals look a lot better with Kyler Murray starting again. Coming off an ACL tear and a week of Modern Warfare 3 already being released, Kyler looked great. His illusiveness is still in tact and he commanded this offense and this team toward a win. Atlanta only knows middle of the pack disappointment. Although they are luckily in the NFC South so no one can really run away with the division, the Falcons feel like they’re always close to a win, just to find a way to blow it. Positive note though is that Bijan Robinson got 20 plus carries and scored a touchdown, small victories.
- Giants vs Cowboys: Congrats Cowboys, you beat a highschool football team with a practice squad QB who still lives with his parents. Now a win is a win and you most certainly won BIG like you were suppose to, but it’s the Giants with Tommy Devito at QB. Giants fans, just look toward the draft. Tommy Devito is a funny story, and the Soprano memes that come with it are hilarious, but do yourself a favor and tune this team out.
Italians watching Tommy DeVito come into the game for the Giants pic.twitter.com/MJOeBbgdQF
— Jerry (@Paranormal_Bass) October 29, 2023
- Lions vs Chargers: Ok these next two games were awesome. A heavyweight bout of offenses met in LA this weekend as the Lions showed their fangs this weekend against the Chargers. The Lions offense is not just explosive, but is incredibly creative. a dynamic 1-2 punch from their running attack and with an all pro wide receiver in Amon Ra St. Brown, Jared Goff runs this offense to perfection. The work Dan Campbell has done for this franchise is some of the best coaching we’ve seen in recent years. Sadly for the Chargers, coaching seems to be their biggest issue. After spending a fortune on elite pass rushers, they still manage to get absolutely dominated in every aspect of the defense. The Lions had their way on offense, and it was once again up to Justin Herbert to try and save the day. Justin Herbert and the offense aren’t the Chargers issue, coaching and a lack luster defense have plagued this franchise.
- Commanders vs Seahawks: This game was good ol’ fashioned beat em up football. The Commanders and Seahawks went back and forth all game with great stops by both defenses. Going into the last drives of the game, Sam Howell drove the Commanders down the field and showed why he is worth the investment in D.C. After tying the game late in the 4th quarter, it was up to Geno Smith and the Seahawks to try and drive the field for a late game score. And that is exactly what the Seahawks did, a sad loss for the Commanders and a massive win for Seattle to keep the pressure on the 49ers.
Sunday Night:
- Jets vs Raiders: A duel of legs and sadness as Jets fans had to go through their weekly torture as they are forced to watch poor offense. Another week without a touchdown for the Jets offense as Zach Wilson would show promise with a crazy throw, just to throw a crazy interception. This game was blue collar football as both defenses held their ground for the majority of the game. The Raiders took advantage of good field position and managed to score the games only touchdown, being the difference. Raider fans great news: you’re 2-0 after firing Josh McDaniels and the team energy is the most alive it’s felt in years. Jets fans, possibly great news: Aaron Rodgers has hinted in returning in about a month after tearing his Achilles, if he does it would honestly be a medical miracle. So at least both teams have something to look forward too.
Monday Night:
- Broncos vs Bills: So originally my title for this was “Looking Pretty Good There CJ Stroud,” after an incredible week by the 49ers and the Texans. Then I watched this drunk ass game. I knew I had to make a change in the program. What was easily the most chaotic, despicable, and down right head shakingly bad game of football I’ve ever watched, and the Jets were on just last night. (I’m writing this on Monday). The Broncos played an almost clean game, didn’t do anything too crazy and frankly should have won this game in a landslide, but credit to the only dependable side of Buffalo the defense played excellent. The offense may have looked the worst it has ever looked in the Josh Allen era. Horrible and I mean HORRIBLE turnovers set the tempo for the game early as Josh Allen leads the NFL in interceptions. The Bills had great success running the ball, then wouldn’t run the ball for more 3 drives. The fact that they were able to take the lead at one point is nothing short of a miracle. Only for Russell Wilson to set up a perfectly under thrown ball to draw a defensive pass interference call. The Broncos go to kick a game winning field goal only to miss it wide right. But two good things can’t happen to Buffalo as they got penalized AGAIN for 12 men on the field. Broncos get another shot and chip an easy field goal to win the game. Broncos steal a win, Bills are in disarray and seemingly broken.
Week 10 left a gross taste in a lot of football fans mouths, especially Buffalo fans. Now in the make or break point of the season, these next few weeks are where we see teams falling off, and others rising to the top. See you next Tuesday for week 11!
Blog Counter: 26/52: Halfway There…
