As Week 10 of the NFL season has drawn to its official close, it’s time for 10 takeaways from this week’s slate of games.
1. I’ve never seen that before.
During the Baltimore Ravens defiling of the Cincinnati Bengals, there was an option play that featured three Heisman Trophy winners in the same backfield: Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram, and… Robert Griffin III –– the play resulted in a 12-yard gain for the Ravens.
2. The Ice-Man has returned.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, while looking like a shelf of his former self for much of the season, he turned back the clock in Atlanta’s 26-9 victory over the Saints –– throwing a pair of touchdown passes.
3. A Quarterback sighting for Da’ Bears.
To put it nicely, Mitch Trubisky has struggled mightily this season. However, he threw three touchdown passes against the division rival Detroit Lions in a winning effort.
4. Rumble, Big Man. Rumble.
Titans running back Derrick Henry, who had an amazing second half of the season last year, absolutely lit up the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Rushing for 188 yards on 23 carries, including a 68-yard touchdown run in a big win for the Titans. He has been quite literally carrying the load, so he definitely could benefit from the bye week.
5. So they both can score?
In the MetLife showdown between the Giants and Jets, the only thing to play for was draft position. The Jets came out victorious at the expense of their first-round pick.
6. FitzMagic, the legend, does it again.
For the second week in a row, Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins pulled out an upset. This time, over the Indianapolis Colts –– who were forced to start Brian Hoyer over the ailing Jacoby Brissett. The recently winless team now has the longest winning streak in the AFC East at two games. Could they be going from a complete tank to a spoiler team?
7. Making his case for MVP consideration.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has played seven games since being traded to the Steelers. Since then, he’s been nothing short of dominant –– and that was on full display Sunday, as he had a scoop-and-score as well as the game-sealing interception. He has six takeaways (five interceptions) since becoming a Steeler.
8. Marquee matchup didn’t disappoint.
The Panthers went to Lambeau Field on Sunday to take on the Packers. The game was played through an ongoing snow shower and ended with Christian McCaffrey being stopped on the goal line as time expired, which would’ve set up a potential two-point conversion to send the game into overtime.
9. The final season in Oakland isn’t lacking excitement.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden has his team playing his hard-nosed brand of football. Their win against the Chargers, combined with a Chiefs loss, has them just a half-game out of first place in the AFC West.
10. Game. Of. The. Year.
The Seahawks and 49ers matched up on Monday Night Football and was nothing short of miraculous. Missed field goals galore. Both teams had fumbles returned for touchdowns. A game-winning field goal as time expired in overtime. I can’t wait for their rematch in Week 17.
