By Matthew DelDonna, PSO Director of Football Development
Nov 16, 2020

A bevy of exciting games encompassed Week 10’s Sunday action, highlighted by an incredible finish that capped off a shootout in the desert between the Cardinals and Bills. Additionally, Alex Smith made his first start in two years but lost at the buzzer, Tua Tagovailoa picked up another win after an impressive showing against Justin Herbert and the Chargers, while Sunday night concluded with the Patriots getting a big win over Baltimore in heavy rains. The Steelers also remained undefeated, Russell Wilson’s turnover issue continued to open up the NFC West, Drew Brees suffered an apparent rib injury that kept him out for the remainder of the Saints’ game, and much more.

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Key Fact: Kyler Murray is the 1st player in NFL history with a PASS TD and a RUSH TD in 5 straight games

Best Highlights:

  • Hail Murray FTW

  • Despite loss, Diggs made clutch TD catch w/ :36 left

  • K1 too slippery on this TD run

  • Buffalo got tricky on this TD

  • Cole Beasley SNAGGED this one

  • Clutch INT came after odd ricochet

  • Another clutch INT later in the game

Most Valuable Intel: Arizona’s acquisition for D-Hop looks like one of the best trades ever

To no one’s surprise, it was ARI’s two best players that made the biggest play of the game. As Murray continues his rise to stardom, there’s no telling how dangerous this offense can be down the road now that he has a true WR1 to throw to. With SEA’s loss today, the Cardinals now hold sole possession of 1st place in the NFC West and will look to pick up a massive win over their division rival for the second time this season on Thursday Night Football. They wouldn’t even have a chance if it wasn’t for DeAndre Hopkins who they landed for just an aging RB and a 2nd Rd pick, making it one of the most lopsided deals in recent history already

Final Results: @ARI (-153) d. BUF (+133) 32-30 [BUF +3.0 | o56]

Key Fact: Alex Smith set career highs vs. DET: CMP (38), ATT (55), & PASS YDS (390)

Best Highlights:

  • Prater’s 59-yd FG sealed the deal for DET

  • Alex Smith mounted another 20-pt comeback 

  • The Marvins were on fire on Sunday

  • D’Andre got swifty on this play

Most Valuable Intel: Matt Patricia’s job is no longer on the hot seat

What seemed inevitable for Matt Patricia at some point this season doesn’t look so clear now as he has been able to do just enough to stay afloat as the Lions’ HC. Now 4-5, DET could very well surprise people and make somewhat of a playoff run over the remaining weeks of the season. It won’t be easy with games against GB, TEN, and TB on the schedule. Patricia has generated disappointing results as the Lions HC so far, scrounging up a 13-27-1 record, and if the Lions’ season goes south for the winter once again, he may very well be on his way out the door. However, while many people didn’t expect Patricia to still be coaching into Week 11, it’s safe to say he’ll finish the season in his current position. 

Bonus Intel: Alex Smith looks as good as ever

Final Results: @DET (-134) d. WAS (+114) 30-27 [DET -2.5 | o45.5]

Key Fact: Justin Herbert is the 1st rookie in NFL history with multiple PASS TD in 6 consecutive GP

Best Highlights:

  • Tua’s rise continued in win No. 3

  • Howard’s clutch INT kept MIA up for good

  • MIA’s ST came away with another takeaway 

Most Valuable Intel: Brian Flores & Tua Tagovailoa made statements to award voters

Brian Flores is giving Mike Tomlin a run for his money when it comes to the 2020 Coach of the Year, as his Miami Dolphins are 6-3 off a 5-game winning streak. His decision to start Tua three weeks ago might be what will win him this honor as the rookie QB has looked fantastic the last two weeks and is now 3-0 as a starter. Whether he and his team continue this hot run is left to be determined but entirely possible as MIA’s next 3 opponents currently have a combined 5 wins. If Tua can keep playing well, he’ll finish with more wins than Burrow or Herbert which could land him the ROY and Flores the COY award as Miami has their eyes set on the division lead with Buffalo only 0.5 games up now. 

Final Results: @MIA (-121) d. LAC (+101) 29-21 [MIA -1.5 | o49]

Key Fact: Cam Newton is the 1st QB with 9 RUSH TDs over his 1st 8 games of a season (SB era)

Best Highlights:

  • Jakobi Meyers was a QB back in the day  

  • Lamar pulled out the jukes in the rain

  • Jackson made it 5 straight games with an INT

Most Valuable Intel: Never count out Belichick and the Patriots

Even though 2020 hasn’t been the most prosperous year in New England, there’s no reason to believe Belichick will just give up when the goings get tough. He’s proven time and time again that when faced with any sort of adversity, there’s a way to overcome it and get back on course. NE faces a daunting task ahead though as they can only lose a game or two to have their best shot at a playoff spot in the historically hyper-competitive AFC. Though if there’s anyone that can get the job done when faced with such a big task, it’s Bill Belichick who got his most impressive win this week since defeating the Rams in the 2018 Super Bowl.

Final Results: @NE (+275) d. BAL (-330) 23-17 [NE +7.0 | u44]

Key Fact: Keelan Cole now has the longest PR-TD in Jaguars franchise history (91 YDS)

Best Highlights:

  • Rodgers dropped a massive bomb for a 78-yd PASS TD

  • Cole broke a franchise record with this PR-TD

  • Luton put the Jags in a position to win

Most Valuable Intel: Green Bay needs to get healthy fast

The Packers were without their top two CBs Kevin King and Jaire Alexander, which clearly affected them against JAX’s passing game but a lack of an offensive attack was what even have the Jags a chance. Allen Lazard was out another week and Davante Adams was playing like he was still hurt as he dropped two big passes and fumbled on what would’ve been a big pickup for a 1st down that instead led to JAX points. GB has a big game against the Colts next week, so Lazard’s return and at least one of their two top corners coming back will be key to stopping a hot Indy team.

Final Results: @GB (-1050) d. JAX (+675) 24-20 [JAX +13.5 | u47.5]

Key Fact: Chubb & Hunt are the 1st Browns teammates w/ 100+ RSH YDS & 5+ YPC since 1966

Best Highlights:

  • Chubb scored CLE’s only TD & could’ve had 2

Most Valuable Intel: CLE’s key to winning is running the ball, running it again, & running it some more

Nick Chubb made an immediate impact in his return to the Browns lineup as he scored their only TD of the day and iced the game with a huge run to put HOU’s hopes of a comeback to rest. CLE was very up and down because of Baker’s inconsistent play, but luckily Kareem Hunt was able to carry the load in Chubb’s absence and keep the Browns treading above water. Now with the return of one of the best RB duos in the NFL, the Browns have a shot at one of the final playoff spots as long as they keep leaning on the run game down the stretch and don’t force Mayfield to do too much. 

Final Results: @CLE (-220) d. HOU (+190) 10-7 [HOU +4.5 | u46.5]

Key Fact: Eagles have the least wins (3-5-1) by an outright division leader through Wk10 since 1970 Merger

Best Highlights:

  • Jones didn’t trip on this long RUSH TD vs. Philly

  • Darius Slayton right over Darius Slay

  • Boston Scott stays playing well vs. NYG

  • Excellent throw-and-catch here

Most Valuable Intel: Giants are right back in the playoff conversation…somehow

With a win today, New York now has as many wins as the NFC East-leading Eagles with just 3. The Giants have looked a lot better than their record shows the last seven weeks after adjusting to life without Saquon Barkley. They’ve picked up all three of their wins this season and all four of their losses came in one-possession games, one of which was against Tom Brady’s Bucs. If Joe Judge can lead this team to just a few more wins and be able to close out one-possession games, this team has a legitimate shot at winning the division and somehow hosting a playoff game in January, which would make this an extremely successful season no matter how many wins they end up with. 

Final Results: @NYG (+188) d. PHI (-218) 27-17 [NYG +5.0 | u46.5]

Key Fact: Alvin Kamara leads the NFL in YScm (1,134) and is on pace for 2,000+ YDS this season

Best Highlights:

  • Reed made a ridiculous one-handed snag falling down

  • 1 of 3 Kamara TDs came on a bobbled snap

  • INT in the end zone sealed the deal

Most Valuable Intel: Saints won, but Drew Brees’ injury could be a bigger loss

The story of NO’s win over the Niners wasn’t Kamara’s big day or winning their sixth straight game, but Drew Brees suffering a rib injury and having to come out of the game. It’s unclear what the severity of it is and it will be one of the week’s main topics heading into next Sunday as NO is now faced with a big decision on who will start vs. their division rival Atlanta. Luckily for the Saints, they won’t play a notably difficult opponent until Week 15 against the Chiefs, so even if Brees has to miss multiple weeks, NO won’t be in danger of missing the playoffs (currently 7-2) and could still hang on to the NFC South lead. Kamara is also healthy and still balling out, so fortunately that provides some comfort in the situation, especially with their other playmaker Michael Thomas healthy as well.

Final Results: @NO (-400) d. SF (+320) 27-13 [NO -9.5 | u50]

Key Fact: Pittsburgh Steelers are the 1st 9-0 team since the Patriots & Panthers (2015)

Best Highlights:

  • Higgins’ catch was ripped out by Cam Sutton

  • Big Ben dropped in a dime to Johnson 

Most Valuable Intel: 16-0 is a real possibility for Pittsburgh

While it may seem facetious to say a team could go 16-0 with almost half a season left to play, the numbers say that’s entirely possible for the Steelers this year. They are favored in each of their remaining matchups and only BAL, BUF, and IND present real challenges, but these teams all have at least one glaring flaw that PIT can expose if planned for correctly. The Black and Gold have looked like the least flawed team in the league this year, which is most likely why they’re undefeated and may very well stay that way for several weeks. It’s still unlikely 16-0 actually happens given its extreme rarity and difficulty of achieving over a four-month span, but it’s still in the realm of possibility until another team steps in and handles the Steelers unlike any other team has been able to this year. Pittsburgh can win close games and blow other teams out. They’ve been able to overcome every situation thrown at them so far and it’ll take a team to exceed expectations to bring them down.

Final Results: @PIT (-305) d. CIN (+255) 36-10 [PIT -6.5 | p46]

Key Fact: Russell Wilson has the most TOs through the 1st 10 games of a season in his career (13)

Best Highlights:

  • Williams’ 2 INT sealed Seattle’s fate

  • Myers set a franchise record w/ this huge 60+yd FG

  • Jamal Adams making an impact once again 

Most Valuable Intel: Russell Wilson is turning the MVP over

These last few weeks, Russell Wilson has not looked like the MVP candidate everyone saw him as at the beginning of the season. Just in the last four games, Wilson has turned the ball over an embarrassing 10 times, something an MVP simply does not do (and why Patrick Mahomes is now in the lead thanks to a 25-1 TD-INT ratio). Losing three of those four games has now cost his team the lead in the NFC West, and with a massive game against ARZ on Thursday night, SEA desperately needs to get back on track if they want any shot at winning their division, and it starts with Russell Wilson keeping the ball in his hands and his teammate’s hands only. 

Final Results: @LAR (-147) d. SEA (+127) 16-23 [TM -3.0 | u55]

Key Fact: Ronald Jones’ 98yd RUSH TD is the longest offensive TD in Tampa Bay franchise history

Best Highlights:

  • Jones burst through and went coast-to-coast

  • What a lead block on the perfectly executed screen 

  • Evans is a red zone target for a reason

  • Vintage Gronk made an appearance

  • Cannon’s big return set up a CAR 4th Qtr TD

Most Valuable Intel: TB proved 1 bad week won’t be their downfall

Following a narrow escape against the Giants on MNF and an embarrassing blowout loss to the Saints on SNF, Tampa’s legitimacy was being questioned. The Bucs made a statement here though as they curb stomped the Panthers to get back on track in the NFC South race and put doubters in their place. The Bucs’ rushing attack was a major key to their dominant performance today and will be critical to succeeding down the stretch. In order to leapfrog NO, TB will have to make offensive performances like these more common and last week’s dismal efforts something that can only be seen in the rearview mirror.

Final Results: TB (-265) d. @CAR (+225) 46-23 [TB -6.0 | o49.5]

Key Fact: Only Dalvin Cook (4) has more GP with multiple RUSH TD in 2020 than Josh Jacobs (3)

Best Highlights:

  • Jacobs led his team w/ 2 TD

  • Kwiatkoski snagged 1-handed INT for good measure

Most Valuable Intel: Everything is starting to click for the Vegas Raiders

Winners of four of their last five games, the Raiders continue to barrel ahead as the race for who plays in January begins. Vegas is in prime position to grab a Wild Card spot as its biggest test will come next Sunday night against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The Silver and Black have already shown they can handle Mahomes though and are expected to hit the ground running, coming off a three-game winning streak. Even if they don’t come away with a victory on SNF, making Mahomes and the reigning champs sweat out a hard-fought battle in primetime will help them earn the respect Jon Gruden’s gang is starting to deserve. 

Final Results: @LV (-174) d. DEN (+154) 37-12 [LV -3.5 | u50]

Key Fact: Philip Rivers passed Dan Marino for the 5th most career PASS YDS of all-time

Best Highlights:

  • Indy turned the game around on this blocked punt TD

  • Hines’ 2 TD carried the Colts’ offense to a W

  • Rivers was hitting his stride on a record-breaking night

Most Valuable Intel: A consistent running game is the key to Indy’s success

The spark Nyheim Hines’ provided for Indy’s offense on his 24th birthday was a jolt of life that tremendously helped the Colts control this game and pull off a major AFC South victory. The Colts running game has been wildly inconsistent this season. Hines either puts up elite performances or is borderline nonexistent (with no in-between) while rookie Johnathan Taylor has failed to live up to expectations thus far after Marlon Mack’s season-ending injury. 

Despite these inconsistencies, Hines is only led by Vikings RB Dalvin Cook in multi-RUSH TD games (3). Even though Indianapolis is now sitting atop their division at the moment, there is little margin for error with teams like the Packers, Titans (again) and Steelers further down the road. If Indy wants to make a statement and prove to the rest of the NFL that they are a legitimate title contender, at least two of those matchups will have to be Ws, fueled by an effective rushing attack.

Final Results: IND (-119) d. @TEN (-101) 34-17 [IND -1.0 | o49]

Key Fact: Cordarrelle Patterson tied Leon Washington and Josh Cribbs for the most KR-TD in NFL history (8)

Best Highlights:

  • Thielen’s unreal 1-handed TD snag

  • Patterson tied the all-time KR-TD record

  • Jefferson’s hot rookie campaign continued

  • Foles put it exactly where he needed to

  • Like taking candy from a baby

  • Early turnovers set the tone on MNF

Most Valuable Intel: The Bears’ 5-1 start was fool’s gold

The Chicago Bears raised a lot of eyebrows after starting 5-1, and with that came collective criticism from several people claiming this start was mostly a result of an easy early schedule. These claims have come to fruition over the last few weeks as Da Bears dropped their fourth straight game tonight in a rather ugly fashion, and are now 5-5 in 2020.

Just when things seemed like they couldn’t get any worse, Nick Foles went down with an injury and was carted off with less than a minute to play in the game on a drive that most likely would’ve come up well short of the game-winning touchdown CHI needed either way. It was the encapsulation of Chi-town’s offense this season, the summation of their struggles in a season that is quickly diminishing. As Foles’ injuries are evaluated this week, Mitch Trubisky will likely regain CHI’s starting QB job (if he’s healthy after a shoulder injury of his own) and look to somehow get this declining team back on track.

Final Results: MIN (-175) d. @CHI (+155) 19-13 [MIN -3.5 | u44]

Full game highlights of every NFL Week 10 game will be posted here once they conclude.

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