NFL Week 10 breakdown: Chiefs recapture swagger. Cowboys are big winners in more than one way.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs appear back, seemingly recapturing their swagger in a rout of the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders in front of a national television audience Sunday night.
Not only did the Dallas Cowboys rout the overmatched Atlanta Falcons, but they also got some help in the race for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals lost.
Cam Newton made his Carolina Panthers return and made an immediate impact in an upset of the Cardinals.
Aaron Rodgers (COVID-19) and Russell Wilson (injured finger) returned for their respective teams, with the Packers prevailing in an offensively challenged game at snowy Lambeau Field.
Biggest moments of NFL Week 10
- Cam Newton scored two touchdowns on his first two plays in his Carolina Panthers return.
- Aaron Rodgers got a warm welcome from the fans at Lambeau Field, and was relieved when his Packers emerged victorious.
- Steelers rookie RB Najee Harris did not know NFL games could end in a tie.
- Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater made what could be called "a business decision" on Darius Slay's fumble return for a touchdown.
- Browns star Myles Garrett called out his team for a lack of adjustments in Sunday's humbling loss to the Patriots.
- It was a painful loss for the Browns. QB Baker Mayfield left the game with a knee injury, and CB Troy Hill was taken to a hospital after suffering a neck injury.
- Chargers RB Larry Rountree III had a hilarious celebration after scoring his first NFL touchdown.
NFL Week 10 analysis
- Winners and losers: The Cowboys were a big winner in more than one way Sunday. Tom Brady's MVP hopes took a hit in the Buccaneers' loss.
- 32 things we learned: Cam Newton made a near-instant impact in his Panthers return. The returns of Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson weren't quite as spectacular.
- Cowboys show off Super Bowl contender credentials: The Cowboys faced major questions after being drummed by the Broncos last week, but Dallas answered in a major way with an authoritative win Sunday, Mike Jones writes.
- Aaron Rodgers was never right about COVID-19 – he was just lucky: Rodgers is back after a bout with COVID-19 and the Packers won Sunday. But none of that legitimizes the QB's stance on vaccinations, Nancy Armour writes.
- Vikings playmakers deliver: The Vikings made full use of Justin Jefferson, and the strategy paid off in a crucial win over the Chargers.
- Titans are winning without Derrick Henry. How? Sunday's win against the Saints was the Titans' sixth in a row. With Henry sidelined, they have reinvented themselves.
- Jets defense hits new, historic lows: If you're trying to figure out how many points the Jets have allowed and how many yards they've given up, you're going to need a calculator.
NFL Week 10 rundown
- Chiefs 41, Raiders 14: Patrick Mahomes looked a whole lot like the MVP dynamo who took his team to back-to-back Super Bowls.
- Eagles 30, Broncos 13: Rookie WR DeVonta Smith celebrated his 23rd birthday with two touchdowns to help jump start the Eagles.
- Packers 17, Seahawks 0: The Packers prevailed in Aaron Rodgers' return, but the team also lost some key players to injuries.
- Vikings 27, Chargers 20: While the Vikings ended a two-game skid, the Chargers have now lost three of their last four games.
- Panthers 34, Cardinals 10: Cam Newton provided a flashback to his Superman days in his Panthers return.
- Cowboys 43, Falcons 3: The Cowboys had the highest-scoring quarter in franchise history (a 29-point second quarter) in this rout of the Falcons.
- Patriots 45, Browns 7: While the red-hot Patriots won a fourth straight game, Baker Mayfield was knocked from the game with a knee injury.
- Football Team 29, Buccaneers 19: Tom Brady threw two interceptions in this rematch of last season's wild-card playoff game.
- Colts 23, Jaguars 17: The Colts won't earn any style points for this victory, but it did keep the team in the AFC playoff picture.
- Lions 16, Steelers 16 (OT): At least the Lions won't go 0-17 this season.
- Bills 45, Jets 17: The Bills rebounded in a big way from last week's debacle in Jacksonville.
- Titans 23, Saints 21: The Titans now have won five straight games over playoff teams from last season.
- Dolphins 22, Ravens 10 (Thursday): The Dolphins pulled off a shocker in a game most remembered for a touchdown that didn't count.
Eyes on the (fantasy) prize
Every week, the NFL offers up some surprising individual performances. The key for fantasy managers is figuring out which of those individuals could do it again.
At the top of this week’s early list of waiver-wire targets is Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson. Starter Damien Harris missed Sunday’s game with a concussion and the rookie from Oklahoma flourished. Stevenson rushed for two touchdowns and an even 100 yards, while also catching four passes for 14 yards. He’s earned a larger share of the workload, even when Harris returns.
Ravens rookie WR Rashod Bateman had eight targets for a second consecutive week and led the team on Thursday with 80 receiving yards on six receptions. After missing the first five games of the season, Bateman finally seems in sync with QB Lamar Jackson.
Matt Breida of the Bills was only on the field for eight offensive snaps, but he made the most of them. Breida had three carries for 28 yards and a TD, and also caught three passes for 22 yards and another score ... however, he’s still the team’s No. 3 running back.
Ray-Ray McCloud of the Steelers caught nine passes for 75 yards. Granted, it was with backup Mason Rudolph at quarterback and starter Chase Claypool should be back next week. However, McCloud and James Washington could still be worth a speculative pickup.
Finally ... be sure to check if Odell Beckham Jr. was dropped last week after the Browns released him. The veteran receiver latched on with the Rams, who lost wideout Robert Woods for the rest of season when he tore his ACL in practice on Friday. He and Van Jefferson will be in line for more targets.
Meanwhile, these players’ successes may not be repeatable. Jamaal Williams’ absence in Detroit allowed backup RBs Jermar Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike opportunities to run for touchdowns But they played seven snaps total, while starter D’Andre Swift was on the field for 66. Don’t waste a waiver pick on either.
And speaking of the unexpected, QB Cam Newton returned to Carolina and accounted for both a rushing and a passing touchdown. However, they came on four passing attempts and two carries. He’s not ready to make any kind of regular impact just yet.
Coming this week
Monday: Week 10 wraps up when the San Francisco 49ers host the Los Angeles Rams (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN). Both teams will be looking to rebound from rough Week 9 losses.
Tuesday: Paste BN Sports offers its power rankings for all 32 NFL teams after Week 10.
Thursday: Week 11 kicks off with the Atlanta Falcons hosting the New England Patriots (8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network). Before the game, make sure to check out our expert picks for every Week 11 game.
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