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Who’s the Biggest NFC Threat? 32 Lessons Learned from NFL Week 10

  1. Despite remaining the only undefeated team in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs’ average margin of victory this season is only 6.4 points.
  2. The Chiefs survived a tense 16-14 win against the Denver Broncos, preserving their perfect record. They’re 9-0 for the third time in franchise history, with only two of their wins coming by more than seven points. They are the first team to win nine consecutive games, including playoffs, after trailing at halftime.
  3. The question of whether the Chiefs can finish the regular season undefeated or even achieve an unprecedented 20-0 record with a Super Bowl three-peat may be premature. For now, they’re cruising to the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
  4. The real intrigue could lie in identifying the biggest NFC threat to the Detroit Lions, who recently visited the Houston Texans.
  5. The Philadelphia Eagles, with their five-game winning streak, have emerged as a strong contender, moving back into first place in the NFC East after an impressive 34-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys, who were missing quarterback Dak Prescott.
  6. The Washington Commanders are just half a game behind the Eagles in the NFC East, despite their 28-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been a dynamic force, and several key players will return soon.
  7. Could the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals, winners of four straight after dominating the New York Jets 31-6, be a contender? With a versatile offense and improving defense, they’re becoming a serious threat.
  8. The San Francisco 49ers have proven to be a postseason staple, missing only one NFC title game since 2019. With All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey back from injury, the 49ers are well-positioned for a strong finish to the 2024 season.
  9. The Green Bay Packers are another team to watch, especially if quarterback Jordan Love recaptures the form he showed late last season when the team made a deep playoff run.
  10. Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry has scored a touchdown in every game this season, becoming just the fifth player in Super Bowl history to start a season with a streak this long.
  11. MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson leads the league in passer rating at 123.2, surpassing Aaron Rodgers’ previous single-season record of 122.5 set in 2011.
  12. Despite Jackson’s stellar performance, the Ravens needed a forced fumble from cornerback Marlon Humphrey to seal their 35-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Humphrey’s forced fumble made him the only player since 2020 with both double-digit interceptions and fumbles forced.
  13. Christian McCaffrey made a strong return to the 49ers lineup after recovering from Achilles issues, rushing for 107 yards in a 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
  14. Commanders rookie receiver Luke McCaffrey, Christian’s younger brother, recorded 134 yards in his first 10 games.
  15. Niners rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. scored his first professional touchdown in a dramatic 46-yard reception from quarterback Brock Purdy, just months after surviving a shooting.
  16. The Pittsburgh Steelers quickly reaped the benefits of their trade deadline acquisitions, as wide receiver Mike Williams caught a game-winning touchdown and linebacker Preston Smith recorded his first sack with the team in their victory over Washington.
  17. Kyler Murray set a new franchise record for consecutive completions in the Arizona Cardinals’ win over the Jets.
  18. The NFC South remains unpredictable, as the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost, while the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints both secured victories to improve to 3-7.
  19. Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi secured his first win after replacing Dennis Allen. His performance may warrant a closer look if the Jets need a temporary head coach in the future.
  20. Saints running back Alvin Kamara surpassed Mark Ingram as New Orleans’ all-time leading rusher, adding to his legacy as one of the NFL’s best dual-threat backs.
  21. Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed a career-high three field goals in the team’s 20-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
  22. 49ers kicker Jake Moody also missed three field goals in a narrow win, but redeemed himself with a game-winning 44-yard field goal after a sideline altercation with teammate Deebo Samuel.
  23. In a sloppy game between the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts, quarterbacks Josh Allen and Joe Flacco combined for six turnovers.
  24. Similarly, in the Vikings-Jaguars game, quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Mac Jones also combined for six turnovers.
  25. The Chicago Bears have now lost three straight games since their bye week, putting rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in a tough position. Williams passed for only 120 yards and was sacked nine times in a 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots.
  26. The Bears’ 142 total yards were their fewest in more than three years, marking the second time this season they’ve been held under 150 yards. The pressure on head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron continues to mount.
  27. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones committed two interceptions in a 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers, extending New York’s five-game losing streak.
  28. Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy’s overtime fumble sealed the Giants’ fate in their loss to the Panthers, as their struggle continues in the league’s longest active losing streak.
  29. Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell delivered a standout performance, recording six tackles, two pass breakups, an interception, and recovering Tracy’s fumble in the Panthers’ back-to-back wins.
  30. The game between the Giants and Panthers was also notable for referee Shawn Hochuli delivering a false start penalty in German, referencing his famous father.
  31. The Dallas Cowboys honored Veterans Day with their red stripe helmets as part of the NFL’s “Salute to Service” campaign.
  32. The Houston Texans introduced their striking red helmets for the first time this season, adding a bold touch to their game against the Lions.

Final Thoughts: As the 2024 NFL season unfolds, teams like the Chiefs, Eagles, Lions, and Ravens continue to make noise, while others like the Bears and Giants struggle. The league’s ever-changing dynamics promise more surprises in the weeks ahead.

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Alton Walker
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