We're 10 weeks into the 2024 season. Playoff races across the league are taking shape. But as is always the case across the NFL, for every one thing that goes according to script, there are three things that don't.

Week 10 was no exception in that regard.

In Kansas City, the Chiefs appeared headed for their first loss of the season only for a last-second special teams play to save the day. In Arizona, the Cardinals looked the part of a legitimate contender while putting one more nail in the proverbial coffin of the New York Jets.

In Washington, the Pittsburgh Steelers sent a message that they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders by squeaking past the Commanders. The Detroit Lions remained the NFC's hottest team, peeling off 19 unanswered second-half points to down the sliding Texans. And in Munich, the Carolina Panthers did the seemingly impossible—won back-to-back games.

That was just some of what happened in wild Week 10 that shook the NFL from top to bottom. And is the case every week at Bleacher Report, NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kristopher Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have gathered to sort through the week that was and slot the NFL's teams from No. 32 to No. 1.

The latter remains the same thanks to a fortuitous leap. But there's a new team in the spot no one wants—and a coach who may want to touch up his resume.

You know, just in case.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8)

Last Week: 26

Week 10 Result: Lost vs. Minnesota 12-7

In a season filled with low points for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday's loss to the Vikings was a new nadir.

This was a game where the Jaguars held the Vikings out of the end zone. Where Jacksonville's defense picked off Sam Darnold three times. But the Jaguars couldn't take advantage of Minnesota's errors—because the team had just 143 yards of total offense.

That is not a misprint.

Yes, Mac Jones was playing for the injured Trevor Lawrence under center. But this still marked the fifth-fewest yards the Jaguars ever gained in a game and the fewest of Doug Pedersen's tenure as head coach.

The embattled coach told the media after the loss that he's at, well, a loss.

"I never expected to be here, obviously," Pederson said. "We have five or six one-score games. It's hard. As a team, as coaches, we're making it hard. We're making it too hard. The guys are frustrated, and they should be. They're angry, and they should be. We all are."

Analyst's Take

Jacksonville's season is essentially over after failing to capitalize on Minnesota's Week 10 miscues. The Jags got a rare good (definitely not great) performance out of their defense but mustered just a single touchdown. Seven points aren't enough to beat many teams in the NFL.

The Jaguars now have offensive issues because of Trevor Lawrence's AC joint injury. Mac Jones isn't saving Jacksonville's season, and if Lawrence's injury proves to be season-ending, the Jags could be playing for the top pick in the 2025 draft.

Lawrence will, of course, be Jacksonville's quarterback next season. The question is whether Doug Pederson will be the head coach. -- Knox

31. Cleveland Browns (2-7)

Last Week: 30

Week 10 Result: Bye Week

Not much has gone right for the Cleveland Browns in 2024. The quarterback play has been mostly atrocious, whether it has been Deshaun Watson (who is out for the season with a torn Achilles) or Jameis Winston. The offensive line has been blasted by injuries. The defense has crumbled under the weight of no help from the other side of the ball.

While speaking to reporters, head coach Kevin Stefanski admitted that it has been a frustrating year—but he also said the Browns didn't plan to make any major changes over the bye week.

"Two and seven's stressful for everybody," Stefanski said. "Everybody's frustrated. I know I'm frustrated. Our players are frustrated. I'm sure our fans are frustrated right there with us when you have the record we have. We're focused on getting better. We're focused on using this week to find a way to get better and then go on the road and get a win next week. That's really where our focus is."

Analyst's Take

It doesn't matter what changes the Browns make this season. The 2024 campaign is cooked. The question now is what the team does in 2025.

And drafting a quarterback is just about the only move that makes any sense.

To be clear, the Browns salary cap is going to be a mess for the next two seasons. There's only so much the team can do with Watson's contract hanging around the franchise's neck like an anchor. The Browns owe Watson $72 million in 2025 and 2026—and another $26.9 million in 2027 after Watson's deal has expired.

The Watson deal has been a nightmare from the jump. And it could be years before the team wakes up from it. -- Davenport

30. New England Patriots (3-7)

Last Week: 32

Week 10 Result: Won vs. Chicago 19-3

For most of the 2024 season, the Patriots have been seeing how the other half lives. Long gone are the days of dominating the AFC East. The Pats entered Sunday's matchup with the Bears having lost seven of eight.

But for one week at least, the Pats turned back the clock...sort of.

The New England defense was the star of Sunday's lopsided win over the reeling Bears, peeling off nine sacks of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, allowing just 142 yards of offense and one third-down conversion in 14 tries.

Veteran edge-rusher Deatrich Wise had two of those sacks, and he told reporters it felt good to put forth a complete team effort for once.

"Really, it's a testament to us playing together," Wise said. "We couldn't have had any of those plays without our DBs shutting down two really good receivers and tight ends. It was a complete defensive effort and then really, overall, a big team effort, just playing our ball."

The Patriots still have a long way to go to be a contender again. But in Week 10, we saw something that hasn't been apparent all that often in Beantown this year.

Progress.

Analyst's Take

The Patriots could have something special with rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who's provided a spark for an otherwise unwatchable offense. New England needs a receiver to emerge as a playmaker, though. Until then, Maye will have to move the ball efficiently because the Patriots don't have an explosive pass-catcher. Someone should ask Colorado star receiver-cornerback Travis Hunter if he likes the scenery in New England. -- Moton

29. New York Giants (2-8)

Last Week: 25

Week 10 Result: Lost vs. Carolina Panthers 20-17 (OT) (Munich)

We probably just watched the end of the Daniel Jones era in New York. After another atrocious performance that included two red-zone turnovers, Giants head coach Brian Daboll told reporters that he's going to "evaluate" the quarterback position over the bye week.

"I'd say we got a lot of work to do here in the next few days, in the next week, and we'll evaluate where we're at and what we need to do," Daboll said.

Jones said he plans to take a long hard look in the mirror after the team's fifth straight loss.

"I think just evaluate what we haven't done well enough, what's holding us back, see where I need to be better and where I can help the team," Jones said. "Yeah, I think that's the mindset we all need to take going into this second half of the season."

However, the Giants are on the hook to Jones for $23 million in 2025 if he gets hurt and isn't ready for next season. So, five gets you 10 that when New York faces Tampa on November 24, it will be with Drew Lock under center.

And come 2025, the Giants will have a new head coach.

Analyst's Take

After a loss to the Panthers in Munich, Germany, Giants head coach Brian Daboll said the team will "evaluate" the quarterback position going forward. He's a few weeks too late with this epiphany that Daniel Jones may not be a starting-caliber signal-caller. At least Drew Lock may be able to get the ball to rookie sensation Malik Nabers, entertaining Giants fans amid another lost season. -- Moton

28. Tennessee Titans (2-7)

Last Week: 29

Week 10 Result: Lost vs. Los Angeles Chargers 27-17

It's getting awfully hard to find bright spots in a growingly dark season for the Titans. And outside a brief early lead, Tennessee was handled by the Los Angeles Chargers.

But in his first start in a month after injuring his shoulder, Titans quarterback Will Levis had arguably his best game of the season. It was hardly a flawless performance—but Levis had just five incompletions, threw a pair of touchdown passes and posted a passer rating over 125.

After the loss, Levis told reporters he knows there's still plenty of room to improve, despite some success early against the Chargers.

"It was a nice start. It was cool to get the ball downfield and get that shot dialed up, something we've been waiting on," Levis said. "Second half, I think for me personally, a couple situations where I could have just got the ball out of my hands earlier, help the line with pressure."

Levis should be all about trying to get better the rest of the way—how he plays the next eight games will go a long way toward determining whether the Titans spend their first pick on a quarterback in 2025.

Analyst's Take

Will Levis was back in the Titans' lineup following a three-game absence because of a shoulder injury. While Tennessee didn't play particularly well in Week 10, Levis had his best game of the season. That's a small positive in what has been a disappointing season, but it should give Tennessee fans a reason to watch over the next two months. For the first time this season, Levis had a performance on which he can build.

And the Titans will use the rest of the 2024 season to evaluate their 25-year-old quarterback. At 2-7 and facing a difficult remaining schedule, it's about the only impactful goal they can still accomplish. -- Knox

27. New Orleans Saints (3-7)

Last Week: 27

Week 10 Result: Won vs. Atlanta 20-17

The New Orleans Saints entered Week 10 with a new head coach and trying to prevent their first eight-game losing streak in over 40 years.

It wasn't an especially pretty win—the Saints' best offensive performance Sunday came from a player in wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling who only recently joined the team. But the Saints were able to rally and down the first-place team in the NFC South, and interim head coach Dennis Rizzi lauded his team's performance while speaking to reporters after the game.

"What an unbelievable week," said Rizzi. "Today doesn't happen without complete buy-in. This city is starving for some wins, and we were hungry to give them one — and that was awesome."

Running back Alvin Kamara, who became the Saints' all-time leading rusher Sunday, returned the compliment to the team's new (at least for now) head coach.

"Rizzi came in and he had a clear message," Kamara said. "Unity was one of the words of the week. When you're united, you all believe and you're all together, man, there's so much you can do."

Analyst's Take

I don't think that firing Dennis Allen is going to save New Orleans' season. However, the switch to Darren Rizzi did give the Saints a spark for at least a week.

The Saints are good enough to play spoiler over the final eight weeks, and they may pick up wins over teams like the Browns and Giants. However, a rebuild and a very unfavorable cap situation are still waiting for New Orleans in the offseason. -- Knox

26. Carolina Panthers (3-7)

Last Week: 31

Week 10 Result: Won vs. New York Giants 20-17 (OT) (Munich)

Break up the Carolina Panthers!

For the first time since 2022, the Panthers have won consecutive games after sneaking past the New York Giants in Munich. By no means was it a great performance, or even an especially good one. But young quarterback Bryce Young and the Panthers made enough plays to win, and while head coach Dave Canales wouldn't commit to Young as the team's starter the rest of the season, he applauded Young's recent improvement while speaking to reporters.

"I thought he had a great day. I thought it could have been a fantastic day. I thought a few balls got away from us," Canales said. "We'll take all the information, but Bryce certainly is making a statement to all of us. I just can't tell you how proud I am of just weekly progress."

At this point, there's no reason to go back to Andy Dalton at quarterback. Let Young start the rest of the season, and then decide on whether or not to replace him in 2025.

Analyst's Take

The Panthers won consecutive games for the first time since 2022, and quarterback Bryce Young is taking baby steps in the right direction. Carolina has no reason to reinsert Andy Dalton (sprained thumb) into the starting lineup. Even though the Panthers benched Young early in the season, he may have a future in Carolina. -- Moton

25. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7)

Last Week: 28

Week 10 Result: Bye Week

The Raiders are struggling through yet another difficult season. The quarterback play has been spotty at best. The ground game has been the NFL's worst, averaging just 76.9 yards per game. The Maxx Crosby-led defense has allowed the fourth-most points per game in the NFL entering Week 10.

The struggles led to a bye-week meeting between players and coaches—a meeting that reportedly did not go especially well for embattled head coach Antonio Pierce.

"Sources tell CBS Sports that several Raiders players, including team captain Maxx Crosby, spoke openly in a players-and-staff meeting Monday addressing what they viewed as inefficiencies and deficiencies within the organization on a week-to-week basis," Jonathan Jones wrote. "After Monday's coaches meeting, the team met with the staff and the floor was open for anyone to speak their mind. According to sources present, a few themes emerged. Players had issues with the schedule not being efficient. There was a lack of organization and 'wasting time,' and there was a 'lack of discipline and accountability.'"

Analyst's Take

Pierce's coaching is hardly the only problem facing the Raiders this year—or even the biggest one. The team is going to have to do something about a number of roster deficiencies, including arguably the worst quarterback situation in the NFL. But with each passing week, it becomes more and more obvious that Pierce isn't the guy to lead this franchise long-term.

That players are voicing reservations is that much more damning. And if the losses keep stacking up, it's entirely possible that Pierce won't even make it to Black Monday. -- Davenport

24. Dallas Cowboys (3-6)

Last Week: 22

Week 10 Result: Lost vs. Philadelphia 34-6

Things have officially gone from bad to worse for the Dallas Cowboys.

Bad was losing quarterback Dak Prescott to a hamstring injury that will end his season. Worse was the Cooper Rush-led Dallas offense Sunday against the Eagles—146 yards, six points and five turnovers. It was the Cowboys' fewest yards ever in AT&T Stadium.

At 3-6, the Cowboys appear headed for a disastrous (by their standards) season. But after the blowout, team owner Jerry Jones told reporters that head coach Mike McCarthy's job is safe—for now.

"Yes, I believe that," Jones said. "I don't believe we'll make a coaching change during the season."

After the season will likely be another story.

Analyst's Take

Stick a fork in the Cowboys, because they're done. At 3-6 and with Dak Prescott dealing with a season-ending hamstring injury, the team simply doesn't have enough to compete on a weekly basis. Quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Trey Lance combined for 66 passing yards against the Philadelphia Eagles defense. Dallas' run game isn't good enough to become the offensive focal point. Even with all-everything defender Micah Parsons returning to the lineup, the Cowboys defense can't win games by itself. Instead, Dallas' season is all but done, with another attempt at actually improving the roster coming next offseason, including what could turn out to be a top-10 draft pick. -- Sobleski

23. New York Jets (3-7)

Last Week: 24

Week 10 Result: Lost at Arizona 31-6

If there was any doubt, it's official now.

The New York Jets have imploded.

The preseason talk of deep playoff runs and an AFC East title with Aaron Rodgers under center seems laughable now. After getting waxed by the Cardinals in Week 10, the Jets are 3-7—a game worse than the team was a season ago at this point.

Rodgers was atrocious Sunday—151 passing yards and 4.3 yards per attempt. After the loss, Rodgers bemoaned a lack of energy on the team's part after last week's win over the Houston Texans.

"I thought after a big win Thursday night, a nice long week, we were going to come out with a lot of energy and win the game, and we didn't come out with great energy on either side of the ball," Rodgers told reporters.

The 40-year-old was also cryptic about where he and the Jets go from here.

"There's been a lot of emotions this year, for sure," he said. "A lot of different emotions. That's a loaded answer, but it's not the time or the place to get into that right now. But at some point, I'll give you a better answer."

Guess we'll have to wait for this week's spot on The Pat McAfee Show to see what he meant.

Analyst's Take

The Jets should stop talking about the playoffs. Playoffs? Playoffs? The Jets have a collection of talented players, but they're not a formidable team and lack identity on both sides of the ball. Gang Green needs a new coaching staff to put everything in order, and that's not going to happen until 2025. The Jets should preach one game at a time before even thinking about the playoffs. -- Moton

22. Indianapolis Colts (4-6)

Last Week: 21

Week 10 Result: Lost vs. Buffalo 30-20

When the Indianapolis Colts benched young quarterback Anthony Richardson in favor of Joe Flacco, it was ostensibly because the veteran gave Indy a better chance to win now.

Two weeks in, that decision looks pretty, um, ungood.

Flacco has been a turnover machine since taking over, including three more interceptions and a lost fumble against the Bills. But despite that poor performance and unhappy fans, Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that for now at least, he's sticking with Flacco at quarterback.

"Until I say otherwise, Joe's our guy right now. [He's] a guy that's a veteran guy. We've had two games that we'd like to have back," Steichen said. "Right now, Joe's the guy. I think you gotta keep believing. It's never about one guy. It's the ultimate team game. You're gonna go through adversity in football season. We gotta go get better."

That lasted all the way until Wednesday, when Steichen said otherwise--Richardson will start for the team in Week 11.

Analyst's Take

The Colts can't be as stubborn as they're coming off publicly. The organization can see how poorly its decision to start Joe Flacco has gone. The Colts aren't positioned any better to win with the 39-year-old quarterback behind center. Head coach Shane Steichen may have reiterated that Flacco is still the starter. But no one will blame him for changing course and going back to Anthony Richardson.

To take that previous statement a step further, Steichen should immediately reinsert Richardson as the starter. Bare minimum, Richardson provides athleticism and playmaking ability as a scrambler and runner. He won't be in a position where he can't convert a 4th-and-1 late in a game because he's incapable of taking off for the first down. Also, Indianapolis needs something to get this franchise rejuvenated. Flacco isn't doing it. -- Sobleski

21. Miami Dolphins (3-6)

Last Week: 23

Week 10 Result: Won at Los Angeles 23-15

The Miami Dolphins came into the 2024 season with playoff aspirations. They entered Week 10 with two wins and the slimmest of hopes of actually realizing those aspirations.

However, despite a frustrating start to the season, Miami head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters ahead of Monday night's tilt with the Rams that he still believes that the Dolphins can put together a run and get back in the postseason conversation.

"My hope is real because the football that I'm watching and detailing is improving, and I think the team is focused on trying to have a game where they feel like their brand is mastered," McDaniel said. I think the football team knows that when that occurs, things will take care of themselves in the win column."

It wasn't Tua Tagovailoa (whose ill-advised tackle attempt after an interception may well be the biggest talking point about this game come Tuesday morning) and the offense that helped Miami end their three-game skid. But Miami's defense stepped up, and with a manageable schedule over the next month or so McDaniel's optimism may not be completely misplaced.

Analyst's Take

The Miami offense still isn't firing at the level one would expect given all their firepower, but the defense played its best game of the season against the Rams, keeping Los Angeles out of the end zone. The Dolphins have to take things one game at a time right now. Every contest is a one-week season. In Week 10, things went OK. Now they need to avoid a letdown at home Sunday against a bad Raiders team. -- Davenport

20. Chicago Bears (4-5)

Last Week: 20

Week 10 Result: Lost at New England 19-3

Remember when the Chicago Bears hit the bye week at 4-2 and looked like a team that could be a real factor in the NFC North?

Pepperidge Farm remembers.

Since then, the Bears have imploded offensively. Sunday's loss to New England was a new low—less than 150 total yards, three points, nine sacks allowed and 11 first downs.

Chicago's three-game skid has head coach Matt Eberflus squarely on the hot seat. But he told reporters he still believes the team can turn things around.

"I do believe in those guys," Eberflus said. "They have faith in us working together. I believe in our football team. I believe in the leaders of the football team, and we'll just have to get back to work."

Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams, who has been mostly awful during the skid, echoed the sentiments.

"We know how good we are, we know how good we can be," Williams said. "And right now we're not executing, we're not hitting on cylinders, and we have all the confidence in each other, to be honest with you."

Analyst's Take

The Bears went into their Week 7 bye on a three-game winning streak, and they left their scoring abilities in the off week. Chicago has lost three consecutive games, and Caleb Williams has regressed after a promising early October stretch. Williams has been inaccurate and under constant duress, but offensive coordinator Shane Waldron will take the blame for Chicago's ineptitude on that side of the ball. The Bears are flailing and need immediate answers. -- Moton

19. Seattle Seahawks (4-5)

Last Week: 19

Week 10 Result: Bye Week

After starting the 2024 season 3-0, the bottom has fallen out for the Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Geno Smith is tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions. Seattle has won just once in their past six games.

There has been no shortage of fingers pointed in the Emerald City, but while appearing on Seattle Sports, longtime analyst Brian Baldinger said that the Seahawks have struggled offensively because the offensive line has not played well.

"They're not a strong group," Baldinger said. "I mean, outside of Charles (Cross), who's struggled also at times this year, they look like backups. That's what they look like right now. I know Laken's a longtime player in this league, starts every game, never gets hurt. He's a quality player but he's on his fourth team right now. They've got backups in there right now and (offensive coordinator) Ryan Grubb is a deep-ball thrower. He wants to push the ball down the field, and those guys aren't holding up in order to run that style of offense right now."

Analyst's Take

It's hard to find fault with Baldinger's analysis—Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network ranked Seattle's offensive line as the fourth-worst line in the league heading into Week 10. Those line struggles have impacted every facet of the offense. Smith is pressing and making ill-advised throws. Kenneth Walker III and the ground game have struggled—Walker hasn't had a 100-yard game since Week 1 and averaged just 3.3 yards per carry last time out.

With the Arizona Cardinals surging and the San Francisco 49ers getting healthy, things aren't looking good for the Seahawks over the season's second half. -- Davenport

18. Denver Broncos (5-5)

Last Week: 18

Week 10 Result: Lost at Kansas City 16-14

This one may haunt the Denver Broncos for a while.

Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, the Broncos gave the two-time defending Super Bowl champions all they could handle. As the clock wound down, only a 35-yard field goal stood between Denver and knocking the Chiefs from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Unfortunately, Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal knocked that field goal out of the air, and while there's no denying that the Broncos are improved relative to 2023, at 5-5 the Broncos are on the fringes of postseason contention.

Denver head coach Sean Payton acknowledged to reporters that this loss was a hard one to stomach.

"I felt like we outplayed them, but we didn't finish," Payton said. "That one will take a while. It'll sting. I told our team I was proud of the way they fought. I thought we outplayed them. But nonetheless, you have to beat a champion, and we weren't able to do it, so obviously gut-wrenching."

The Broncos will have to shake the loss off quickly though. With the first-place Atlanta Falcons next up on the schedule, the Broncos are in danger of falling below .500 for the first time since Week 3.

Analyst's Take

The Broncos earned some respect after they came within a game-winning field goal of beating the Chiefs. But in sports, a close loss looks exactly like a blowout defeat in the standings. Yet Denver should be encouraged by its ability to hang with an AFC heavyweight as rookie quarterback Bo Nix shows promise. -- Moton

17. Cincinnati Bengals (4-6)

Last Week: 17

Week 10 Result: Lost at Baltimore 35-34

This loss may have been the straw that broke the Cincinnati Bengals' proverbial back.

Despite over 400 passing yards from quarterback Joe Burrow and over 250 receiving yards from wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, the Bengals came up just short in Baltimore after the team's two-point conversion attempt at the end was unsuccessful.

That two-point try and a couple of fourth-down calls have landed head coach Zac Taylor in the crosshairs of some fans. But Taylor told reporters that he doesn't regret any of those decisions and still has time to turn the season around.

"We had our opportunity," Taylor said. "We got down there, went for two and just didn't work out for us. This team is going to continue to put us in good positions, and there's going to be a point in the season where that turns."

Analyst's Take

Taylor's decision to go for two was understandable—the Cincinnati defense had offered little in the way of resistance to the Ravens on Thursday night. Eschewing a 51-yard field goal for what turned out to be an unsuccessful fourth-down try was more puzzling. But Taylor isn't Cincinnati's primary problem any more than Chase or Burrow is.

The problem is the Cincinnati defense—a defense that allowed the Ravens to do essentially anything they wanted and convert over half of their third-down attempts. The Bengals aren't out of the playoff race just yet, but Cincinnati now has no margin for error, and the odds of a late surge from a flawed team aren't good. -- Davenport

16. Los Angeles Rams (4-4)

Last Week: 15

Week 10 Result: Lost vs. Miami 23-15

It has been a bumpy season for Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. But get the offense in gear and beat the Dolphins Monday night, and the Rams would be above .500 and in the thick of the NFC West race.

Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur acknowledged to reporters that the offense, while hit hard by injuries, hasn't been as consistent as he'd like.

"(The offense is) still a work in progress," he said. "I mean, we're just trying to build to consistency because there's been times where it's been really good and there's times where we just need improvement across the board, coaches, players, everybody. Every position group's got their hand in it, but when it's going, it's going."

It wasn't going Monday. Despite being as healthy as they have been in several weeks, Los Angeles was shut out of the end zone, turned it over twice and converted just three of 12 third downs.

Add it all up, and next week's trip to New England is suddenly very important.

Analyst's Take

Just when you think the Rams are putting to together and getting healthy, the offense lays an egg at home. The Rams have one thing going for them right now—the NFC West is packed tight, with all four teams having four or five losses. The defense played relatively well in Week 10, too. But there is too much talent on the Rams offense for the team to be settling for five field goals. Lean more on the run game. Use quicker passes to compensate for the offensive line deficiencies. Do something. And do it quick—because the Eagles, Bills and 49ers all loom over the next handful of games -- Davenport

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)

Last Week: 16

Week 10 Result: Lost vs. San Francisco 23-20

There are only so many injuries that a team can sustain before things start falling apart, and the Buccaneers appear to have hit that point.

To their credit, the Buccaneers played last year's Super Bowl teams down to the wire the past two weeks. But just as against the Kansas City Chiefs the week before, the Buccaneers just couldn't get over the hump against the San Francisco 49ers. Tampa has now dropped three straight and four of five to fall below .500 for the season.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield fought hard against the 49ers, but playing with an injury-ravaged wideout corps, he threw for just 116 yards and a score. Still, after the defeat head coach Todd Bowles didn't make any excuses for a third one-possession loss in the last five games.

"We have to finish ballgames," Bowles told reporters. "There's nothing wrong with how hard we're playing and how tough we're playing, but we have to finish games. ... We're making too many mistakes at the end."

There isn't a team in the league that needs Week 11 off more than Tampa. Luckily, they have it.

Analyst's Take

Tampa Bay might be the most dangerous team with a losing record in the NFL this season. Despite experiencing numerous key injuries—tackle Tristan Wirfs' being the latest—and having a below-average defense, the Buccaneers just don't go away quietly.

Baker Mayfield's underdog mentality continues to give the Bucs an edge.

If the Week 11 bye gives Tampa a chance to get players like Wirfs and wideout Mike Evans back in the lineup, the Bucs still have a chance to be a team that no one wants to face in the postseason. -- Knox

14. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)

Last Week: 14

Week 10 Result: Won vs. New York Jets 31-6

The Arizona Cardinals might just be for real.

There wasn't much the Redbirds didn't do well in Sunday's demolition of the New York Jets. Quarterback Kyler Murray misfired on just two of 24 pass attempts. The Arizona defense held the Jets to just 207 total yards.

Murray downplayed his big game while addressing the media after the win.

"I just try to keep it as simple as possible," Murray said. "The guys, they made plays for me all day. It's great to go out there and feel the way we did today. No matter what they did, we had a good day offensively."

Head coach Jonathan Gannon gave kudos to the Arizona defense.

"I thought (the defense) really stepped up," Gannon said. "I liked the plan a lot. It was well executed, a bunch of guys are making plays, and I thought our mode of play was on display. We'll grade the tape hard, but there's not going to be a lot of loafs, but our guys are humming."

Right now, there isn't a team in the NFC West playing better than Arizona. And with a manageable schedule the rest of the way, the postseason has suddenly become a real possibility.

Analyst's Take

The Cardinals aren't garnering praise like the Commanders in the power rankings, but they're an ascending team in the NFC. Kyler Murray looks like the Pro Bowl player who led this club to the postseason in 2021 before injuries derailed his 2022 and 2023 campaigns. The Cardinals' mix of veterans and upstart talent gives them a shot to win the NFC West. -- Moton

13. Atlanta Falcons (6-4)

Last Week: 10

Week 10 Result: Lost at New Orleans 20-17

Just when we were finally starting to really buy into the Atlanta Falcons as a contender.

The Falcons certainly had no problem moving the ball on a Saints team that had dropped seven straight games. The Falcons amassed a whopping 468 yards of offense, and quarterback Kirk Cousins topped 300 passing yards.

But whether it was an ill-timed pick by Cousins or a late sack that squashed Atlanta's last chance to drive for a game-tying field goal, when the stakes were highest the Falcons made mistakes—the kind of mistakes legitimate contenders just don't make.

Cousins allowed to reporters after the game that this is a loss that will be hard for the Falcons to shake off.

"It was certainly a tough loss," said Cousins. "We had chances to take the lead late in the game and not being able to do it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. This is one that you're sick over."

The Falcons are going to have to get over the down performance though—Atlanta still has a firm hold on the division, but next week's trip to Denver won't be an easy matchup and a prolonged skid could allow the reeling Buccaneers to right the ship and make a race of things.

Analyst's Take

The Falcons are good enough to win the AFC South, though perhaps only because of Tampa Bay's injuries. However, the Falcons aren't good enough to win consistently when Kirk Cousins isn't on his A game or when head coach Raheem Morris decides that settling for field goals is OK.

Defensively, Atlanta's lack of a reliable pass rush is a major liability. The team's inability to add a sack artist at the trade deadline was a massive mistake. -- Knox

12. San Francisco 49ers (5-4)

Last Week: 12

Week 10 Result: Won at Tampa Bay 23-20

CMC's back and you're gonna be in trouble. Hey-la-day-la, CMC's back.

For the first time in 2024, reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey was in the backfield for the San Francisco 49ers. McCaffrey gained just three yards a carry in his first game. But thanks to six receptions, McCaffrey topped 100 total yards in his 2024 debut.

It was Brock Purdy's 353 passing yards and two scores that carried the day offensively for the Niners. And the story of the game may have been a rough day from kicker Jake Moody that included three missed field goals and a sideline dust-up with wide receiver Deebo Samuel. But McCaffrey told reporters after the win that it felt good just to be back on the playing field.

"I'm just happy I'm here, man," McCaffrey said. "That was a long journey and a lot of long days. It feels good to win, and it feels good to just play in a football game again."

Analyst's Take

Christian McCaffrey is back, so all is right with the 49ers. Well, not exactly. While McCaffrey's return should have San Francisco's offense looking more like last year's unit, the 49ers defense has been decidedly average.

Additionally, self-inflicted mistakes cost the 49ers in close losses to the Cardinals and Rams and nearly cost San Francisco against the Bucs in Week 10.

The 49ers should make it to the postseason, but I'm not sure San Francisco would be a heavy favorite against any NFC contender if the playoffs started today. -- Knox

11. Houston Texans (6-4)

Last Week: 11

Week 10 Result: Lost vs. Detroit 26-23

At halftime of Sunday's night's game with the Detroit Lions, it appeared that the Houston Texans were on the verge of a statement win. The Lions couldn't stop turning the ball over. Houston hit intermission with a 23-7 lead.

However, when Detroit kicker Jake Bates' game-winning field goal snuck just inside the upright as time expired, the Texans became just the second team in over 80 years to lose a game in which they intercepted five passes and led by 15 points.

The Texans had their own turnover issues in the second half, and while speaking to the media after the game, head coach DeMeco Ryans bemoaned those giveaways as one of the reasons Houston came up short.

"It's not good enough. Turning the football over there, especially in the red zone, or coming out," Ryans said. "We talked about getting started in the second half, and we talked about being better in the second half. But to come out and turn the ball over on the first play of the second half and to get in the red zone where we have points and to turn the ball over, that's not winning football."

Analyst's Take

In what should be viewed as an embarrassing night for the Texans by losing to the Detroit Lions despite forcing five turnovers, John Metchie III's emergence deserves plenty of attention.

Metchie provided a career-high 74 yards against the Lions and scored his first career touchdown. Keep in mind, the third-year wide receiver is two-and-a-half years removed from being diagnosed with leukemia. The fact he's on the field contributing is a great story unto itself.

However, Metchie could fill a vital role as the season progresses. Despite the loss, the Texans still have a pretty strong grasp of the AFC South. Metchie can provide quarterback C.J. Stroud with a legitimate third target at wide receiver alongside Tank Dell and Nico Collins, when the latter returns from injury. -- Sobleski

10. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)

Last Week: 13

Week 10 Result: Won vs. Tennessee 27-17

It's time to start taking the Los Angeles Chargers seriously.

Yes, Sunday's win came against a bad Tennessee Titans team. But the Chargers were once again rock-solid defensively. The Bolts are surrendering a league-low 13.1 points per game, and per ESPN the Chargers are the fourth team since 1990 and the first since the 2013 Kansas City Chiefs to allow 20 or fewer points in each of its first nine games.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters after the victory that the win was a true team effort.

"A complete, total team win. When you look at the offense, the drives that we put together ... tough, gritty type of conversions on third down and fourth down," Harbaugh said. "They're playing lights out on the defensive side. And then special teams, another big return by our punt return unit."

The Chargers are playing excellent defense and complementary offense. The AFC West might not be a realistic goal, but the Bolts have already exceeded last year's win total, and a wild-card berth is absolutely on the table.

Analyst's Take

Jim Harbaugh was never likely to make the Chargers title contenders in his first season on the job. However, he has quickly forged a squad that, when healthy, has few real weaknesses. The defense is elite, the running game is above average, and quarterback Justin Herbert is thriving as a high-end game-manager.

With both Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey emerging as reliable receivers, the Chargers have become a well-balanced, well-coached team and talented enough that no one should want to see them in January. -- Knox

9. Green Bay Packers (6-3)

Last Week: 9

Week 10 Result: Bye Week

Sometimes the bye week comes at a perfect time. That's the case for the Green Bay Packers, who headed into Week 11 with a banged-up quarterback. Jordan Love's sore groin wasn't his only problem, either—Love's 10 interceptions so far this season were tied for the league lead heading into the week.

Love told reporters that he's aware he needs to play cleaner football if the Packers are going to make a deep playoff run this season.

"It just comes down to staying true to my reads and when plays do go off schedule, just that fine line of being smart with the ball and not putting it in harm's way and balance trying to make a play versus just throwing it away and live to fight another day," Love said. "I think it just comes down to staying true to my reads, like I said, making great decisions and just doing a better job being stingy with the ball."

Analyst's Take

The Packers are a good team, even if they aren't exactly on the same level as the surging Lions. Love has a deep cadre of young and talented wide receivers. Josh Jacobs has been solid in the backfield. Green Bay is a respectable 13th in the league in scoring defense. Again, Green Bay might not be the buzzsaw that their NFC North rivals in Motown are. But Green Bay has the talent on both sides of the ball to absolutely be a factor in the wild-card race—and be the sort of team no one wants to play on the first weekend of the postseason. -- Davenport

8. Minnesota Vikings (7-2)

Last Week: 6

Week 10 Result: Won at Jacksonville 12-7

Generally speaking, when a two-loss team holds an opponent under 150 yards of offense, that team wins going away. But the Minnesota Vikings needed all 60 minutes to squeak past a terrible Jacksonville Jaguars team, because the Vikings are developing a Sam Darnold problem.

Darnold's decision-making with the ball has been shaky in recent weeks, and Sunday was no exception—the 27-year-old threw three more interceptions Sunday, giving him five in the last two games.

While addressing the media after the loss, Darnold said he's well aware that he needs to take better care of the football.

"I got to do a lot better job to take care of football," Darnold said. "I think that's obvious."

However, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell came to the defense of his embattled quarterback.

"We're going to check back on this moment and use it the right way, and Sam is going to be better off for it," O'Connell said. "I truly do believe that."

Analyst's Take

The 7-2 Vikings should be headed to the postseason following last year's absence. However, I have two big concerns with this squad.

The first is an inconsistent secondary that is incredibly turnover-dependent when facing QBs not named Mac Jones. The second is the bad decision-making we've seen from Sam Darnold over the past few weeks.

Darnold is better than anything Minnesota had at quarterback following Kirk Cousins' injury in 2023. When he's taking care of the football, the Vikings look like a team that can beat anybody. When he's not, the Vikings look like a team destined to be one-and-done in the playoffs. -- Knox

7. Washington Commanders (7-3)

Last Week: 7

Week 10 Result: Lost vs. Pittsburgh 28-27

Week 10 was a litmus test for the Washington Commanders—a matchup with one of the AFC's hottest teams in the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of a critical NFC East showdown with the rival Eagles in Week 11.

After rolling through opponents much of the season, the Washington offense stumbled in Week 10. Quarterback Jayden Daniels told reporters ahead of the matchup that he expected Pittsburgh's defense to be a challenge.

"I mean, for years, I mean ever since (Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach) Mike Tomlin was there, he is a hell of a coach," Daniels said. "Obviously, he doesn't have a losing record for a reason. So, he is going to have his guys ready to play. They play hard. They know their scheme. They have some really good players, obviously got TJ Watt, Patrick Queen, guys like that, Minkah Fitzpatrick. But overall, the whole defense, they play together. They have a good continuity and it's going to be a good challenge for us."

He wasn't wrong.

The 27 points Washington scored were fine, but the Commanders logged fewer than 250 yards of offense and Jayden Daniels completed just half of his 34 pass attempts for 202 yards without a touchdown.

Analyst's Take

Jayden Daniels made everything look so easy early in his rookie season that a person is almost taken aback when he struggles. But he did Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh held the favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year to a season-low completion percentage (50), zero touchdowns and only five rushing yards. The Steelers brought their trademark pressure, made Daniels uncomfortable and didn't allow him to break outside of structure to create big plays. Not everyone has the personnel to slow Daniels in the same manner. However, the outcome shows teams can slow down and contain the talented young signal-caller. -- Sobleski

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2)

Last Week: 8

Week 10 Result: Won at Washington 28-27

The Pittsburgh Steelers are rolling.

Offensively, the insertion of Russell Wilson at quarterback has unlocked Pittsburgh's passing attack—Wilson didn't have great numbers against the Commanders, but he did throw three touchdown passes.

Defensively, the Steelers put the clamps on a Washington offense that has been hot, limiting the team to just 242 yards of offense.

After acquiring wide receiver Mike Williams in a trade last week, Williams caught the game-winning score, with Wilson talking up his newest weapon while addressing the media after the victory.

"It was a big-time catch by Mike. I just tried to give him a chance, let him do his thing," Wilson said. "You visualize those moments and what could happen and just trusting guys. That was all Big Mike there."

With a Week 11 matchup with the rival Ravens looming large on the schedule, the Steelers are firing on all cylinders.

Analyst's Take

Everything is falling into place for the Steelers.

Quarterback Russell Wilson has taken command of Pittsburgh's offense, to make it far more potent over the last three games. Standout rookie center Zach Frazier returned to the lineup on Sunday. George Pickens is quickly building a rapport with Wilson. Mike Williams made an excellent first impression with a touchdown on his very first catch as a member of the Steelers. Finally, the defense is flying around the field and creating havoc.

Pittsburgh leads the AFC North by a half-game. It has earned that spot. Most importantly, the squad is only getting better as it grows together. -- Sobleski

5. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)

Last Week: 5

Week 10 Result: Won at Dallas 34-6

They say that football is a game of momentum.

That being the case, as the Eagles prepare to face the Washington Commanders in a critical NFC East clash, the team is riding high after destroying an undermanned Cowboys team in Dallas on Sunday.

It was a game that got off to something of a rocky start, with the Eagles turning it over twice in the first half. But Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts accounted for four touchdowns, and Philly outscored Dallas 20-0 after the half and allowed less than 150 yards of offense.

After the win, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told reporters he was pleased with the way Hurts and the team bounced back from a rocky start.

"He didn't let one play affect the rest of his game," Sirianni said. "That's what winners do. That's what Jalen Hurts does, and I'm so accustomed to him doing that because when he makes a mistake, he's able to put it in the past. That's not as easy as it sounds."

Analyst's Take

Coordinator Vic Fangio deserves ample credit for what he's done with the Eagles defense. Compared to last season, Philadelphia is surrendering 82 fewer yards per game. The unit currently ranks second overall after finishing among the bottom seven in 2023. It's a drastic turnaround that's been helped greatly by two specific additions.

Last year's Eagles pass defense stunk. The secondary now ranks among the league's top four. First- and second-round rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have been spectacular in their particular roles. Mitchell doesn't back down from any assignment against top wide receivers, while DeJean has thrived in the role of nickel corner.

The current iteration of the Eagles is much closer to the squad that went to the Super Bowl two seasons ago than the one the franchise fielded last year. -- Sobleski

4. Baltimore Ravens (7-3)

Last Week: 4

Week 10 Result: Won vs. Cincinnati 35-34

The good news for the Baltimore Ravens is that the team found a way to emerge from Thursday's shootout with the Cincinnati Bengals with a win. Quarterback Lamar Jackson offered up another MVP-caliber performance, throwing four touchdown passes. Baltimore's NFL-best run defense gave up just 49 rushing yards.

The bad news is that Baltimore's NFL-worst pass defense was shredded again—Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow threw for a staggering 428 yards and four scores for a Cincinnati team that nearly pulled off the upset.

Bengals wideout Ja'Marr Chase accounted for a staggering 264 of those yards, and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged to reporters after the win that the team did a poor job of covering the Bengals superstar.

"We doubled him a bunch of times," Harbaugh said. Those plays we didn't, we were in zone coverage there. He should have been covered. Those plays shouldn't have happened. There's no doubt about it. Those are not tough plays. Those are basic routes that should be covered in the coverages that we're in, so that's not the standard."

Analyst's Take

There's no question that the Ravens are an offensive buzzsaw, whether it's running back Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson on the ground or wide receiver Zay Flowers and tight end Mark Andrews through the air. The Ravens have averaged over 440 yards and almost 32 points per game.

But there's no sugarcoating it—the Baltimore secondary is terrible. Baltimore is now allowing almost 295 passing yards per game. As good as the Ravens are offensively, that non-existent pass defense is going to get the team bounced from the postseason at some point. Watch. -- Davenport

3. Buffalo Bills (8-2)

Last Week: 3

Week 10 Result: Won at Indianapolis 30-20

The Buffalo Bills headed to Indianapolis in Week 10 both on a roll and with a banged-up pass-catching corps. Buffalo didn't have veteran wideout Amari Cooper or rookie Keon Coleman.

No problem.

Offensively, Buffalo was still able to generate 415 yards of offense and score 30 points. Defensively, the Bills forced four turnovers, including a Taron Johnson pick-six.

While addressing the media after the win, head coach Sean McDermott applauded the defense for carrying the day.

"I thought the defense, the takeaways was a big-time difference in the game," coach Sean McDermott said. "I think they're just a very competitive group, they take a lot of pride in not letting each other down."

Josh Allen echoed those sentiments, although the quarterback said he needs to take better care of the ball himself.

"I threw two interceptions, can't do that. We can be cleaner, that's on me. We've got to play better on offense," Allen said. "The defense played awesome. We gritted it out and that was a team win right there."

Analyst's Take

The Bills continue to find different ways to win. Against the Indianapolis Colts, Mack Hollins emerged as quarterback Josh Allen's favorite target. Hollins' 86 receiving yards on Sunday proved to be his best outing in over two years. With Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman currently dealing with wrist injuries, others needed to step up and perform. Hollins did.

Meanwhile, Allen helped the squad as a runner with 50 rushing yards and a touchdown to tie O.J. Simpson with the second-most rushing touchdowns in Bills franchise history. Imagine when the entire offense is on the field and hitting on all cylinders. -- Sobleski

2. Detroit Lions (8-1)

Last Week: 2

Week 10 Result: Won at Houston 26-23

For much of Sunday night's game, it appeared that the Detroit Lions' recent surge was coming to a crashing halt. After playing as efficiently as any quarterback in the league, Jared Goff threw a whopping five interceptions against the Houston Texans. The Lions trailed 23-7 at the half.

But the Lions kept fighting, and after peeling off 16 unanswered points, Detroit emerged from NRG Stadium with a win that keeps the team atop the NFC.

After Jake Bates put through a 52-yard field goal to give Detroit its seventh straight win, Lions head coach Dan Campbell talked up his team's resiliency while speaking to reporters.

"That was a hard-fought game," Campbell said. "We had to fight our way back in there. I'm proud of the guys. There's things we've got to clean up, but our guys wouldn't go away. They just wouldn't go away."

Analyst's Take

Good teams find a way to win even when they're not playing well. By all rights, the Lions should have lost their Sunday Night Football matchup with the Houston Texans. Instead, they roared back by scoring 19 unanswered second-half points to claim a victory.

These types of double-digit comebacks have become commonplace for the Kansas City Chiefs, who everyone is striving to beat. The Lions have reached that echelon with two such wins in their last four games despite trailing by 10 or more points in the second half. Jared Goff's five interceptions couldn't ruin the evening's festivities. Instead, the Lions overcame, which says a lot about this team, its talent and how it can handle itself against top competition. -- Sobleski

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0)

Last Week: 1

Week 10 Result: Won vs. Denver 16-14

The Kansas City Chiefs just keep finding a way.

Sunday against the Broncos, two AFC West foes played to a virtual standstill. But as the clock wound down, Denver had a shot at a makeable field goal that would have handed Kansas City its first loss.

But as has been the case in every game this season, the Chiefs found a way to pull out a win, this time with linebacker Leo Chenal blocking that potential game-winning kick.

"It's a complete shock, you know? Not much I can say about it," Chenal told reporters. "I was really praying for something to happen. That moment is so heavy. There's a second on the clock, they're going to kick a field goal, and you feel the weight of the moment."

The game was the 2024 Chiefs in a nutshell. The numbers weren't that great—300 yards of offense. The margin of victory was slim—Kansas City's hasn't won by more than 10 points all season long.

But somehow, some way, the Chiefs keep finding a path to victory.

If they do so again Sunday against the rival Bills, the 1972 Dolphins might start getting a little nervous.

Analyst's Take

Last week, Patrick Mahomes shook off an ankle injury, and then the Chiefs blocked the Broncos' potential game-winning field goal. Kansas City looks like a team of destiny that will at least make it back to the Super Bowl for a chance at a three-peat. The Chiefs' biggest test against the Bills will tell us more about how they measure up with the AFC's top contenders. -- Moton