If there is one word to describe the 2020 NFL season, then look no further than “chaotic.” Week 10 of the NFL season provided some crazy takeaways that included rain of biblical proportions, a set of cracked ribs, and a prayer answered in the desert.
Below is a look at the NFL Week 10 takeaways from the week that was.
NFL Week 10 Takeaways
Minnesota Finally Wins on Monday Night
The Minnesota Vikings under Kirk Cousins notched their first win on Monday Night Football in 10 tries by defeating the Chicago Bears. After starting the season 1-5, Minnesota has won three-straight games to improve to 4-5 after Week 10. The dominant running of Dalvin Cook has propelled them in the right direction and a season that once looked lost now has meaning.
It wasn’t pretty on Monday night in Chicago but a gutsy win where points were hard to come by proved that Minnesota can still make some noise this season. With a slew of winnable games coming their way against the Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers, and Jacksonville Jaguars the Vikings might actually make the playoffs this season.
A Lack of Energy in Green Bay
The Green Bay Packers have emerged as an interesting team this season. They currently hold the number one seed in the NFC at 7-2, but they seem to lack a spark at times. They let a one-win team in the Jacksonville Jaguars flirt with the lead on Sunday. And they looked lifeless after an Aaron Rodgers pick-six in Week 6.
The offensive talent in Green Bay is as good as any with Aaron Jones and Davante Adams, in addition to Rodgers. The defense can be a liability but has only collapsed a handful of times this season. Green Bay can be a Super Bowl contender this season if they can sustain motivation for 60 minutes. The less head coach Matt LaFleur calls his team “disturbing” on effort, the better.
An Epic Showdown in the Rain
The Baltimore Ravens played the New England Patriots in an epic rain showdown on Sunday Night Football and there was a role reversal. Normally, Lamar Jackson is the one running for chunk yards against teams. Instead, Cam Newton helped secure an upset win for New England with a strong run game throughout the night.
However, the main story was the rain. New England is no stranger to severe weather elements and the rain chugged on and on and got stronger throughout the night. With the players’ visibility hindered and their ability to grip the ball seeming to fail, Baltimore found themselves trailing the Patriots after dominating them just last season. And then, when Baltimore failed to convert a fourth-down, the rain cleared up as if Bill Belichick had controlled the weather all along.
Miracle in the Desert
The catch heard around the world happened in Arizona. No, not the fantastic touchdown pass Josh Allen delivered to Stefon Diggs with less than a minute to go. Rather the play of the week (and possibly season) was the ball heaved by Kyler Murray into the end zone which was caught by DeAndre Hopkins with three Buffalo Bills defenders surrounding him.
The game between Buffalo and the Arizona Cardinals is easily a game of the year contender this season. Murray’s growth into a full-fledged quarterback continues to show the Cardinals were correct to move from Josh Rosen after just one season. Sometimes when someone asks for a prayer to be answered, the football gods deliver.
The NFC East Is up for Grabs
With the Philadelphia Eagles getting healthier on both sides of the ball, they appeared to finally be ready to take absolute control of the dismal NFC East. However, the New York Giants had other plans. In an ugly game played by both teams, New York emerged victorious with a legitimate shot to win the division. At 3-7 on the season, New York has jumped up to second place and trail only the Eagles who themselves only have a record of 3-5-1.
It is anyone’s guess on who is going to win the NFC East this season. The division winner could emerge with a winning record but it is looking like the division champions will not have a winning record.. No team is exactly running away with it and all four teams remain contenders in the NFC East.
New Orleans in Trouble?
Just as the New Orleans Saints got Michael Thomas back, they will now be without Drew Brees for some time. San Francisco 49ers defender Kentavius Street sacked Brees and in the process, Brees suffered cracked ribs and a punctured lung. Brees will optimistically miss two to three weeks, per reports. But many think he will be out closer to six weeks. However, the Saints have not yet placed Brees on IR, meaning he can return at any time. Until Brees is back in action New Orleans will employ either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill unde center moving forward.
After sweeping the season series with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans will look to keep their season on track knowing they have winnable games coming up. Last season, with Teddy Bridgewater filling in for an injured Brees, New Orleans won all of their games that Brees missed. If Winston is named the starter, then Sean Payton must help keep the turnover-prone Winston in check.
With Week 10 of the NFL season providing some improbable takeaways it has never been clearer that football remains chaotic and entertaining as ever. Bring on Week 11.
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