2020 NFL Week 10 produced some stunning finishes (i.e. DeAndre Hopkins). The top teams managed to win games, even if they were ugly wins. On the reverse side of the coin, the bottom teams showed why they have that label on them. There are too many decent teams to count this season. Without further ado, here is Four Up and Four Down for 2020 NFL Week 10.
Steelers Lead the Way After 2020 NFL Week 10 With Drubbing of Bengals
After escaping with a 24-19 victory against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, the Steelers got a great performance from Ben Roethlisberger and company in a 36-10 drubbing of the Cincinnati Bengals. This performance was after Roethlisberger only was able to get practice reps in a walkthrough on Saturday. He was on the Reserve/COVID-19 List throughout the week. Despite the limited reps, he threw for 333 yards and four touchdowns. He got all his receivers involved also. The Steelers can beat teams with their offense and defense. Their defense is only allowing 19 points a game. Expect the Steelers to get to 10-0, as they play the Jacksonville Jaguars next week.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs had a bye week this past week at 8-1. However, they play the Las Vegas Raiders this week. The Raiders are the only team that has beat the Chiefs the season. Expect the Chiefs to have an extra dose of motivation this week, as apparently the Raiders took a few extra bus rides around Arrowhead Stadium after their Week 5 victory. With the Broncos and Chargers being non-factors in this division, a Chiefs victory will all but assure a 5th consecutive AFC West crown. However, it will be a tight race to the finish line if the Raiders can take the season sweep.
3. New Orleans Saints
Despite the Saints beating the San Francisco 49ers, an all-to-familiar storyline from last season has popped up once again. Drew Brees will be sidelined for an extended period, this time because of cracked ribs and a collapsed lung. I wish a speedy recovery for Drew Brees. The quarterback is in the midst of a season where he may have his last real shot at leading the Saints to the Super Bowl. At least for the next few weeks, the reins will be given to either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill.
Even though Sean Payton is being coy on who he will name as his starter for this week’s game against the Falcons, expect Winston to get the call. The reason Teddy Bridgewater was successful for the Saints last season when Drew Brees was injured last season was that he did not turn the football over. This task proved to be a major challenge for Winston during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and now he will have to overcome it to help the Saints keep pace with the Green Bay Packers for the number-one seed in the conference.
4. Green Bay Packers
The Packers came out flat for the second time in three weeks. However, this time they were able to squeak out a 24-20 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This game saw the Packers’ star quarterback and wide receiver duo of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams give the ball away. However, they connected on the Packers’ go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Spots three and four interchangeable with the Buccaneers, Bills, Colts, Cardinals, or Rams. Any of these teams would probably four or five out of ten times if they played the Saints on a neutral field. However, the Saints and Packers have each showed a better propensity for finding ways to win games. The margin is very miniscule.
Four Down: Texans and Jaguars Once Again Show Inability to Win Games
29. Houston Texans
The Texans were without David Johnson on Sunday, but they still put out a talented offense with Deshaun Watson, Will Fuller V, Brandin Cooks, and Randall Cobb. Yet, they only put up seven points against the Cleveland Browns in a 10-7 loss. JJ Watt is the leader of the defense that held the Browns in check on the scoreboard despite giving up 231 rushing yards. This team is simply too talented to be raking up losses week in and week out. 2020 has been a lost season for the Texans. They need to hit the reset button, because they are not far off from becoming good again with the talent they have.
30. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys were on bye this week. It looks like Andy Dalton will return against the Vikings. Based on Dalton’s past performances, it is hard to encourage Cowboys fans about Dalton being the leader of this team. Garrett Gilbert was respectable in their loss to the Steelers. However, Mike McCarthy is probably using the logic of playing the veteran since they are only one game back in the win column from the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants in the NFC (L)East.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars came close to pulling off what would have been the biggest upset of the NFL Season against the Green Bay Packers. They have talent on their team, but the talent is not consistent enough. For example, wide receiver Keelan Cole got a receiving and a return touchdown against the Packers. However, one does not hear his name every week. There is no denying that he is one of many talented players on the Jaguars, but they simply have never been able to find that consistency.
32. New York Jets
Good news for the Jets this week. They were on bye, so that means they did not lose. It is hard to see this team winning a game though. The Jets have veteran leadership with Joe Flacco starting, and they almost beat a New England Patriots team that upset the Baltimore Ravens in 2020 NFL Week 10. Arguably their best chance to win comes this Sunday as they travel to Los Angeles to play the Chargers.
Do you agree with Four Up and Four Down for 2020 NFL Week 10? Tweet us, @unafraidshow, with your thoughts.
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