Analysis
11/13/23
18 min read
Everything You Need to Know from NFL Week 10
After an exciting slate of Sunday action in Week 10, The 33rd Team breaks down key plays, stats and insights from around the NFL.
>>READ: Biggest Winners, Losers From Week 10
Colts 10, Patriots 6
Key Inactives
Colts: CB Julius Brents, LB Cameron McGrone
Patriots: WR DeVante Parker, OT Trent Brown, CB J.C. Jackson, LB Ja’Whaun Bentley
Patriots’ 2-8 Start Is Worst Since 2000
The New England Patriots’ 2-8 start is their worst since the start of this century, and they’re in line for a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. How bad has it been since NFL legend Tom Brady departed in 2020? Brady lost 66 games in his 20 seasons as New England’s starter. The Patriots have lost half as many (33) in the four seasons since.
>>READ: 2024 NFL Draft Order After Week 10
Mac Jones Continues to Struggle, Benched For Final Drive
Mac Jones was 15 of 20 for 170 yards passing to go with his league-leading 10th interception. After a strong rookie season in which he threw 22 touchdown passes and helped the Patriots to a 10-7 record, Jones’ play has cratered. His 21 interceptions during the 2022-23 seasons are the second most in the NFL and the Patriots are 8-16 in that span.
Colts Defense, Pass Rush Dominate For Second Straight Week
The Indianapolis Colts defense had a big day in the team’s Week 9 victory over the Carolina Panthers – recording four sacks and three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns). The Colts kept it going. Dayo Odeyingbo led the charge for the Colts, totaling three sacks in the first half – the first Colts player to achieve that feat since Dwight Freeney in 2005. The Colts had five sacks against the Patriots and intercepted both Jones and Bailey Zappe.
Browns 33, Ravens 31
Key Inactives
Browns: WR Marquise Goodwin, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, WR David Bell, S Ronnie Hickman, DE Isaiah McGuire, DT Siaki Ika, OT Dawand Jones
Ravens: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, WR Tylan Wallace, OG Sala Aumavae-Laulu, OT Morgan Moses, QB Josh Johnson
Ravens Start Strong
The Baltimore Ravens started strong, scoring on the game’s second play when S Kyle Hamilton had a pick-six. Hamilton’s two career interceptions have come against the Cleveland Browns. After the pick-six, Ravens rookie RB Keaton Mitchell showed off for his Super Bowl Champion dad, Anthony Mitchell, who was in attendance, with a 39-yard touchdown run to put the Ravens up 14-0 within the first five minutes. The Ravens’ defense held the Browns to just 55 yards en route to a 17-9 halftime lead.
Browns Hang Around, Come Back
The Ravens (7-3) built their lead to 24-9 before QB Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland defense fueled a comeback. Kareem Hunt’s 3-yard rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion cut the lead to 24-17. A Gus Edwards TD run extended the Ravens’ lead to 31-17 before the Browns went to work. Watson’s TD pass to Elijah Moore again made it a one-score game before CB Greg Newsome II returned a Lamar Jackson interception for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. However, Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point which kept Baltimore up 31-30. Watson guided the Browns on a 12-play, 58-yard drive to set up Hopkins for redemption. He was up to the task, converting a winning, 40-yard field goal as time expired to give Cleveland (6-3) the victory.
Stats Tell the Tale
Watson limped off the field right before halftime, but he shook off the injury to complete all 14 of his passes in the second half. Watson finished 20 of 34 passing for 213 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Although the Browns' defense struggled with penalties, it sacked Jackson three times and intercepted him twice. Jackson completed 13 of 23 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown to Odell Beckham Jr. The Browns gashed the Ravens’ run defense, gaining 179 yards, including 107 from Jerome Ford.
49ers 34, Jaguars 3
Key Inactives
49ers: Edge Drake Jackson, OG Aaron Banks
Jaguars: WR Zay Jones, DE Angelo Blackson, LB Yasir Abdullah
49ers Defense Dominates
The Jacksonville Jaguars mustered only three points on a 37-yard Brandon McManus field goal in the second quarter. Otherwise, the San Francisco 49ers stifled the Jaguars' offense, which had averaged a league-leading 28.25 points per game since Week 5. On Sunday, the Jaguars suffered five sacks, two interceptions and two lost fumbles. Outside the 80-yard field-goal drive, the Jaguars gained 141 yards. The 49ers also prevented the Jaguars from scoring on either of their red zone trips. 49ers DLs Nick Bosa, Clelin Ferrell, Chase Young, Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead registered at least half a sack. Talanoa Hufunga and Fred Warner intercepted Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars had just two plays longer than 20 yards, while the 49ers had eight.
49ers Offense Rolls
The 49ers had their way on offense, scoring four touchdowns, three on plays of 20-plus yards. The most impressive was a 66-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to TE George Kittle. Christian McCaffrey and Kittle exceeded 100 yards from scrimmage, and Purdy passed for 296 yards and three touchdowns. Even FB Kyle Juszczyk got into the action, scoring a 22-yard touchdown. The loss was the Jaguars’ worst since Jan. 2, 2022, when they lost by 40 points to the Patriots.
McCaffrey Failed to Break Record
McCaffrey entered the game with a 17-game scoring streak, having registered a rushing or receiving touchdown in each game. However, even after the 49ers forced the ball to him late, McCaffrey could not find a way into the end zone. McCaffrey is tied for the longest streak with Colts Hall of Famer Lenny Moore.
Buccaneers 20, Titans 6
Key Inactives
Titans: WR Treylon Burks, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, QB Ryan Tannehill
Buccaneers: CB Carlton Davis, OG Matt Feiler
Rushing Struggles Doom Titans
The Tennessee Titans averaged 114.5 rushing yards per game and 4.4 yards a rush through Week 9. However, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers held Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears to just 42 rushing yards, averaging 2.6 yards per attempt, and no touchdowns. The Titans’ only three wins this season came when they rushed for more than 140 yards.
Rachaad White Continues To Roll
Rachaad White gained 98 yards from scrimmage (51 rushing, 47 receiving) to help the Buccaneers get their first win in more than a month. White had an explosive 43-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter, his fourth touchdown this season and first receiving. This was White's fourth consecutive game with 90 or more yards and his second week in a row with at least one touchdown.
Buccaneers Defense Dominates
After allowing a season-high 39 points to the Texans last week, Tampa Bay’s defense bounced back. The Buccaneers held an opponent to a season low in points and no touchdowns. The defense has been the key to the Buccaneers' success — they are 4-1 when holding their opponent to fewer than 17 points, but 0-4 when allowing more than 17 points. Defensive back Antoine Winfield sealed the game in the fourth quarter with his first interception of the year.
Texans 30, Bengals 27
Key Inactives
Texans: WR Nico Collins, S Jimmie Ward, RB Dameon Pierce, TE Brevin Jordan, FB Andrew Beck
Bengals: WR Tee Higgins, DE Sam Hubbard, DT Josh Tupou
Stroud Continues to Impress with Another Winning Drive
QB C.J. Stroud led the Houston Texans’ offense to a stellar performance against the Cincinnati Bengals. While his stat line wasn’t as impressive as last week’s performance, Stroud finished 23 for 39 passing with 356 yards, a touchdown, an interception and two fumbles lost. However, Stroud orchestrated a second consecutive winning drive for Houston. After Cincinnati came back from 13 down to tie it at 27, Stroud coolly led the Texans offense to the Bengals’ 20-yard line to put practice squad call-up kicker Matt Ammendola in position to kick the winning field goal on the final play. Stroud was 3 for 4 for 51 yards as the Texans drove 55 yards in 1:33 to set up the kick.
Texans' Offensive Explosion Enough to Hold Off Bengals
Stroud wasn’t without help as Houston outgained Cincinnati, 544 to 380. Multiple players shone for Houston's offense in a game where the Texans could have had a larger winning margin. WR Noah Brown picked up right where he left off last week, catching seven passes for 172 yards. He has 13 catches for 325 yards over the previous two weeks.
Running back Devin Singletary also stepped up while starting RB Dameon Pierce missed the last two games. The former Buffalo Bill rushed 30 times for 150 yards and a touchdown. He also added a catch for 11 yards. TE Dalton Schultz and WR Tank Dell also had solid performances, catching four passes for 71 yards and six passes for 56 yards and a touchdown, respectively. This is the first time Houston has reached five wins since 2019.
Bengals' Second-Half Comeback Thwarted
QB Joe Burrow flipped a switch after the Bengals were outgained, 399-92, and fell behind, 20-7, midway through the third quarter. From that point on, Burrow led the Bengals to points on four of their next six drives to tie the score at 27 with 1:33 left, finishing 27 of 40 passing for 347 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Texans defense stepped up in critical moments during the comeback, however, intercepting Burrow twice, once in the end zone. DT Sheldon Rankins also sacked him on the Bengals’ first-and-goal play as they tried to take the lead with less than 2 minutes left. The sack was an exclamation point on Rankins’ excellent three-sack performance and forced Cincinnati to settle for a tying field goal. The Texans kicked the winning field goal as time expired on the ensuing drive.
Steelers 23, Packers 19
Key Inactives
Steelers: CB Darius Rush, S Minkah Fitzpatrick, DT Montravius Adams
Packers: LB Quay Walker, CB Jaire Alexander,
Steelers’ Rushing Attack Leads Them To Victory
The Pittsburgh Steelers rushed for 205 yards, more than double their average of only 103.2 YPG. Jaylen Warren finished with 101 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Najee Harris also had 82 yards off 16 carries and a score. Both backs averaged more than 5 yards per carry. The Steelers ran the ball 36 times, about 11 more rushes than their average of 25.5 rushing attempts per game.
High-Scoring First Half for Both Teams
The Steelers started the game with a tone-setting, nine-play, 75-yard drive that lasted 4:59, ending in a Harris touchdown rush. The Steelers scored 17 of their 23 points in the first half. This is impressive because they averaged only 6.9 points in the first half thus far into the 2023 season.
However, the Green Bay Packers were nearly kept pace, scoring 13 in the first half. The Packers' opening drive consisted of 10 plays for 69 yards and lasted 5:19. Romeo Doubs' touchdown capped it. The Packers are last in first-half points, scoring an average of 4.5. The scoring pace leveled out in the second half, with both teams managing to kick two field goals each.
Jordan Love Throws Two Costly INTs
With 3:20 left in the fourth quarter, the Packers were down, 23-19. Green Bay was on Pittsburgh's 14-yard line when Jordan Love targeted Christian Watson in the end zone. This pass was tipped and intercepted by Keanu Neal. This seemed like the end of the game, but the Packers got the ball back with 59 seconds left. Green Bay moved the ball 65 yards in six plays to set up one last chance. On the final play, with the ball on Pittsburgh's 16-yard line, Love threw another red zone INT when his pass intended for Watson was intercepted by Damontae Kazee to seal the Steelers' victory.
Steelers at 6-3 Despite Being Outgained in Every Game
The Steelers were outgained, 399-324, something that has happened in all nine of their games. Despite this alarming statistic, Pittsburgh has a winning record (6-3) and is very much in contention for the AFC North. The Steelers masked their lack of offense thanks to timely takeaways and a strong defense. For example, despite being outgained by 75 yards, the Steelers had slightly more time of possession (30:33 to 29:27) and had four more first downs (21-17).
Cardinals 25, Falcons 23
Key Inactives:
Cardinals: S Qwuantrezz Knight, RB Emari Demercado, LB Ezekiel Turner, OL Trystan Colon, OL Doug Kramer Jr, OL D.J. Humphries, TE Blake Whiteheart
Falcons: QB Logan Woodside, WR Mack Hollins, CB Dee Alford, OL Jovaughn Gwyn, DL Travis Bell, DL Joe Gaziano, DL David Onyemata
Let's Talk Quarterbacks
Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray played his first game since tearing an ACL 11 months ago. The Cardinals have had multiple fill-in quarterbacks, including Colt McCoy, Trace McSorley, David Blough, Joshua Dobbs and Clayton Tune. Murray completed 19 of 32 passes, throwing for 249 yards and had one rushing TD. After not playing for 335 days, Murray scored his first touchdown of the season with 10 seconds left in the first half by faking a handoff and running 6 yards into the end zone.
Atlanta Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke was ruled out during the fourth quarter after suffering a hamstring injury on an 8-yard scramble. Former starting QB Desmond Ridder replaced Heinicke. Heinicke was 8 of 15 for 55 yards, a touchdown, and had four carries for 34 yards. Falcons coach Arthur Smith has been juggling the two quarterbacks. Ridder completed 4 of 6 passes for 39 yards, along with 11 yards on three carries. He also led an eight-play, 42-yard drive to give the Falcons the lead in the fourth quarter before Murray led his team on a winning drive.
Offensive Spotlight
Cardinals TE Trey McBride and Falcons RB Bijan Robinson had impressive performances. McBride had eight receptions for 131 yards, including a critical 33-yard catch that set up the short field goal to win the game for the Cardinals. This was McBride's first career NFL game with 100-plus receiving yards. Robinson also had a stellar game with 95 rushing yards, one touchdown, and one reception for 11 yards. Robinson remains a pivotal player for the success of the Falcons’ offense, especially due to their unpredictable QB situation.
Viking 27, Saints 19
Key Inactives:
Saints: QB Jake Haener, RB Kendre Miller, DE Isaiah Foskey, OL Nick Saldiveri, TE Jimmy Graham
Vikings: S Lewis Cine, QB Jaren Hall, WR K.J. Osborn, LB Brian Asamoah II, TE Nick Muse, Hakeem Adeniji, DL Dean Lowry
Dobbs Lifts Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings’ deadline trade for QB Joshua Dobbs is keeping them in the NFC wild-card race. Despite the absences of WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring), WR K.J. Osborn (concussion) and QB Kirk Cousins (Achilles, out for the season), the Vikings (6-4) have won five in a row. Dobbs is a big reason why. He shredded the New Orleans Saints defense for 268 yards passing and 44 yards rushing and accounted for two touchdowns. He completed 23 of 34 passes. TE T.J. Hockenson had a massive day, catching 11 passes for 134 yards and a score.
Winston-led Rally Comes Up Short
Things looked bleak for the Saints (5-5) when QB Derek Carr had to leave the game in the third quarter due to a concussion and the Vikings leading by 24 points. New Orleans mounted a comeback with backup Jameis Winston, but he threw two interceptions in the final five minutes. Winston finished 12 of 25 for 122 yards and touchdown passes to Chris Olave and A.T. Perry. RB Alvin Kamara rushed nine times for 42 yards and added seven catches for 33 yards.
Lions 41, Chargers 38
Key Inactives:
Chargers: LB Kenneth Murray, LB Chris Rumph II, S AJ Finley, RB Isaiah Spiller, RB Elijah Dotson
Lions: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, OG Halapoulivaati Vaitai, DL Levi Onwuzurike
Lions Continue Historic Start
After a roller coaster of a game, Dan Campbell and his Detroit Lions walked away victorious, improving to 7-2 for the first time since 2014. The game went back and forth as the Lions showed off their impressive offense. A late touchdown throw from Justin Herbert tied the score, but Jared Goff responded with a nine-play, 53-yard drive — including a key fourth-down conversion to Sam LaPorta — ending in a winning field goal.
Second in total yards per game and fifth in points per game, the Lions' offense played an explosive game. Goff was 22 of 33 for 333 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in his first game in Los Angeles since being traded from the Los Angeles Rams. David Montgomery had 116 yards on 12 carries, including a 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Jahmyr Gibbs added 77 yards and two touchdowns. Montgomery’s long run was the longest Lions’ touchdown run since Jahvid Best ran 88 yards for a score in 2011. Montgomery is also the first Lion to have two 40-plus-yard rushing touchdowns in a season since Barry Sanders in 1998.
Amon-Ra St. Brown has already cemented himself as one of the game’s best wideouts and proved it again, going for a career-high 156 yards on eight catches. He is the first Lion since Calvin Johnson to have six 100-yard games in a seven-game span.
Chargers Offense Explodes
While Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers have shown some of their firepower in 2023, it hasn't translated to wins. Herbert, who had the worst game of his career last week, completed 27 of 40 for 323 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. He found Keenan Allen 11 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Austin Ekeler rushed for one touchdown, while Quentin Johnston scored his first career touchdown. Los Angeles (4-5) will look to build off of their season-high in points next week when they visit Green Bay.
Cowboys 49, Giants 17
Key Inactives
Giants: QB Daniel Jones, QB Tyrod Taylor, CB Adoree Jackson, OT Evan Neal
Cowboys: WR Kavontae Turpin, CB Noah Igbinoghene
Nightmare Performance for Tommy DeVito in Dream Debut
Undrafted rookie QB Tommy DeVito received his first NFL start for his local NFL franchise in what can only be described as a dream opportunity. Hailing from Livingston, N.J., DeVito lives with his parents in his childhood home, only 9 miles from the New York Giants’ team facility.
Unfortunately, his performance was anything but a dream. He went 14 for 27 passing for 86 yards, a couple of touchdowns, and an interception. New York failed to attack downfield against the Dallas Cowboys, ending in a huge loss for DeVito and the Giants (2-8).
Cowboys Dominate Giants in All Facets
The Cowboys came into the game as the biggest favorites of any team so far this season (-17.5), and they showed exactly why. They dominated a Giants team down its top two quarterbacks. Dallas (6-3) held New York to 172 total yards and 0-for-12 on third-down conversions and tallied five sacks, too.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ offense steamrolled a flat Giants’ defense to the tune of 640 total yards and 32 first downs. QB Dak Prescott completed 26 of 35 passes for four touchdowns and one interception. WR CeeDee Lamb had another huge outing, catching 11 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown and becoming the first player in the Super Bowl era to have three consecutive games of 10 or more receptions and 150 or more receiving yards. Lamb’s huge day wasn’t enough to outpace his counterpart, WR Brandin Cooks, who went off for nine catches, 173 yards, and a touchdown in the win.
Seahawks 29, Commanders 26
Key Inactives
Seahawks: OL Anthony Bradford
Commanders: N/A
Seahawks Outlast Commanders on Last-Second Field Goal
The Washington Commanders (4-6) fell to the Seattle Seahawks (6-3) in a back-and-forth battle that ultimately came down to the last possession. Both quarterbacks had impressive performances. Geno Smith made just a couple more plays than Sam Howell as the Seahawks stole the game with a last-second field goal.
Washington scored a touchdown on its opening drive but did not keep the lead long. The score was 9-9 at halftime. The Commanders started the second half with a field goal, and the Seahawks responded with a 64-yard TD pass from Smith to RB Kenneth Walker III. With eight minutes left in the game, Howell connected with Antonio Gibson on a 19-yard TD to tie the score at 19. Both offenses exchanged one more touchdown to tie the score again at 26. With 52 seconds left, Smith led the Seahawks on a seven-play, 50-yard drive to set up Jason Myers' 43-yard winning field goal.
Seattle edge rusher Boye Mafe recorded a sack in his seventh consecutive game, setting a franchise record. Mafe was tied with Michael Sinclair with sacks in six straight games, but Sinclair accomplished his mark across two seasons. Mafe got the sack early in the second half on a third-and-10 for Washington.
A noteworthy Seahawks stat: since 2012, they're 44-19 coming off an in-season loss. That .698 winning percentage is the best in the NFL in that span. Also, Pete Carroll needs one win to tie Mike Shanahan and Jeff Fisher for 13th-most among coaches in NFL history, including playoffs.
Do Commanders Miss Their Edge Rushers?
Smith was only pressured on a season-low 21 percent of his dropbacks. Smith entered the game taking pressure at the third-highest rate in the NFL (39 percent).
Smith was pressured on only 14 percent of his dropbacks in the first half, his lowest since joining the Seahawks. He completed 59 percent of his passes for 5.6 YPA. He went 2 of 7 on throws of 10-plus air yards in the half.
He also did an exceptional job of getting the ball out quickly, with an average time to throw less than 2.3 seconds.
