2021 NFL Week Ten: Biggest Storylines and Takeaways
2021 NFL Week Ten is in the books and what an unpredictable season it has been. In week 10, we had surprising blowouts, a few upsets, and a number of clutch performances. The AFC playoff race is as wide open as it’s been in years while the top seeds in the NFC seem to be just about set in stone. Check out other storylines from week ten right here!
2021 NFL Week Ten: Patriots Dismantle Browns
This game was the most surprising of the weekend. As a Pats fan, this game had me worried and after the Browns’ dominant opening drive my worries were reassured. But leave it to the greatest football coach of all time to make some adjustments. And what adjustments did they make as Cleveland’s seven points on their first drive would be the only points they scored all day. The final score was 45-7 but if you covered the scoreboard and watched the game, the Patriots felt like they won by 100 points. As for the Pats, they have now won four straight and seem to have their swagger back. I owe an apology to Mac Jones, I said he was going to be a disaster and he has been the complete opposite. He has shown poise, incredible accuracy, and a willingness to get better every day. Watch out for Belichick, Jones, and company to make a playoff run.
On the other side, the Browns have a decision to make when it comes to Baker Mayfield. I don’t know if it is the shoulder injury, the absence of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt but Baker just does not look like the guy we saw last year. The Browns now sit at 5-5 on the outside looking in, if they want to make a playoff push Baker is going to have to play his best football and I don’t know how good that truly is. Things are starting to get weird in Cleveland.
2021 NFL Week Ten: Cam Newton Is Back
After being released by the Patriots, many thought Cam would get the opportunity to start for another team. That opportunity came last week as his former team, the Carolina Panthers, offered Newton a one-year deal. I did not think the Panthers would beat the Cardinals in the fashion that they did, but I had a feeling Cam would provide an instant spark to this team and franchise. You could see on the sideline that guys look up to him, you saw that last year in New England and you are already seeing it in Carolina. Now the reality of this situation is what happens when Cam has to throw the ball 40 times and you’re trailing by two scores. We all saw Cam throw the football last year, let me remind you that it was not a pretty sight.
I like this move from a pure energy and juice perspective but from the football side, we have to ask if Cam’s days as a starter are behind him. Again I am rooting for Cam to revitalize his career but we have to be honest about the player.
2021 NFL Week Ten: Chiefs Get Back On Track
Everyone was panicking about the Chiefs. The defense was at an all-time bad, Patrick Mahomes was missing routine throws and the team just looked off. Well everyone in Kansas City can relax because as of today the Chiefs sit atop of the AFC West after a dominating win over Las Vegas. Not only did the Chiefs win 41-14, but they dominated in all three phases of the game. Mahomes threw for 400 yards and five touchdowns, Travis Kelce looked like the best tight end in football and Tyreek Hill is still a cheat code. As for the defense, Chris Jones has such an impact on the front seven. His presence alone is something that offensive linemen have to worry about. Even special teams got in on the action as punter Tommy Townsend executed a beautiful fake punt.
For everyone who was fretting about the KC Chiefs, they would be the fourth seed in the playoffs right now. Everyone take a deep breath because when you have one of the best quarterbacks, one of the best coaches, and talent all around the roster, you are never really out of it.
2021 NFL Week Ten: Lions and Steelers Tie In Dramatic Fashion
The 2021 Detriot Lions will officially not finish the season with a record of 0-17 however 0-16-1 is still very much on the table. I woke on Sunday not thinking I’d be locked into watching Mason Rudolph and Jared Goff but hey the NFL is a crazy world. I know it is cliche to say something is “so Lions” but the Lions having a kicker who does not have the leg to make a 48-yard field “is as Lions as it gets.” Ryan Santoso had an opportunity to give the Lions their first win of the season and finally give Dan Campbell something to smile about and he came up short on a 48-yard field goal, let me repeat that, 48 yards.
On the other side, the Steelers deserve an L for that performance. I get Mason Rudolph started and TJ Watt left with an injury but let’s not forget this is still the 0-8 Lions. Diontae Johnson had a crucial fumble in OT to give Detriot a chance but Jared Goff continues to prove why the Rams moved off of him. With Sunday’s tie, Goff’s record without Sean McVay now sits at 0-15-1, pathetic.
2021 NFL Week Ten: What To Make Of The Eagles?
I don’t know if it is Jalen Hurts making plays, Nick Sirianni’s unorthodox team-building analogies, or just how everyone wrote them off but the Eagles are one of the more fascinating mediocre teams. Two weeks ago they almost beat Justin Herbert and the Chargers and this past week they dismantled the Denver Broncos. They have a clear identity, win both sides of the ball in trenches, and pound the rock. Against Denver, they had over 200 yards of rushing with three players over 50 yards each.
The Eagles have some winnable games on their remaining schedule. They still have to play both the WFT and Giants twice and they get the Jets in week 14. I could see them winning all five of those games and even if they drop both games to the Cowboys and Saints, they could still finish with nine wins which might get you in the playoffs in the NFC. I am fascinated to watch this team finish the season.
Check out week nine here, come back for week eleven!
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