Strasser: Week 10 NFL recap

2673

Week 10 of the NFL season provided some of the most exciting games of the year up so far. There were entertaining games throughout the entire slate, and there were definitely some upsets that most experts didn’t see coming. 

In one of the weirdest games of the weekend, the 7-1 New Orleans Saints were set to host the 1-7 Atlanta Falcons. The Saints were favored by 13.5 going into this game, so it was safe to say this game was pretty much a lock.

But the Atlanta Falcons’ defense had something to say about that. Saints quarterback Drew Brees and their offense were pretty much bottled up for the entire game. They failed to score a touchdown as the Falcons sacked Drew Brees 6 times and held the Saints to 9 points in the dome.

Nobody saw this game coming, and the Saints have now scored 0 touchdowns in 3 of their games this season.

Final: 26-9 Falcons.

Upsets were definitely the theme of this week, as the next game was not quite on the level of the last but definitely had some of the same effects.

In Tennessee, the 4-5 Titans were hosting the 6-3 Chiefs. The Chiefs were definitely favored to win this game, mostly because the reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes was returning from an injury he sustained in Week 7.

Of course, Mahomes returned to MVP form in this game and was pretty amazing throughout most of the game.

He finished 36/50 with 446 yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs were getting pretty much anything they wanted on offense, but once again their defense proved to be a major problem.

The Chiefs’ defense allowed Derrick Henry to run for 188 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yarder.

The game was close late, but it came down to the last possession for Ryan Tannehill and the Titans, who came through in the end.

Tannehill played the part of the hero and led the Titans down the field for a game winning touchdown.

Mahomes managed to get the Chiefs into field goal range to tie the game, but the kick was blocked and the Titans edged out the Chiefs in a thriller.

Final: 35-32 Titans

Another notable game this weekend was Packers vs. Panthers at Lambeau Field. Going into this weekend, there had been rumors that there was a possibility of snow during the game.

This game lived up to the “America’s Game of the Week” title Fox had given it.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked a little uncomfortable but he was maintaining drives and getting his stud running back Aaron Jones on the goal line where he has cashed in time and time again. It was nothing different in this game as Jones rushed for three touchdowns.

The second half of this game was being played in constant snowfall.

Running back Christain McCaffrey and the Panthers were being forced to punt quite a bit in this game.

McCaffrey still managed to rush for 108 yards and a touchdown but this was definitely not his week. This game came down to the last play as quarter back Kyle Allen led the Panthers down the field in the snow, and on 4th and goal from the two yard line, McCaffrey was handed the ball and just barely got stopped right before the goal line.

The Packers’ defense came up huge as they won a Lambeau classic.

Final: 24-16 Packers

And finally, there was somehow an even more entertaining matchup on Monday Night.

The undefeated 49ers were facing off against their division rival, the Seattle Seahawks, at home.

The Seahawks were 7-2 heading into this one, so this had the makings of a great game.

It exceeded all my expectations and provided everything I could have asked for.

This game was definitely a defensive battle for most of the game as both defenses actually scored for their teams.

Both offenses were lack luster with the exception of a few plays.

The Niners signature this year has been their run game and defense, but unfortunately they couldn’t get their run game going at all.

Jimmy Garoppolo looked painfully average for most of this game but led the Niners to a game tying field goal at the end of regulation.

(Editor’s note: The game tying field goal dramatically secured the over, 47.5, and the Seahawks to cover +6.5 to add another element to this thriller)

The Seahawks won the toss in overtime and it was all up to Russell Wilson.

Up to this point, Wilson was the front runner for the MVP. He led the Seahawks down the field, but on a crucial third down play in the red zone, he threw his second interception of the season.

Suddenly, the Niners were in a prime position to win the game as they only needed a field goal.

They got close enough for an attempt but backup rookie kicker Chase McLaughlin missed the game winner in overtime.

Giving Wilson a second attempt in overtime is never a good idea as, once again, he led the Seahawks on a game winning drive with a few miraculous plays.

Jason Myers drilled a 46 yarder and clinched the game for the Seahawks. This game is definitely the most entertaining game so far this season, and a candidate for game of the year.

The undefeated 49ers finally fall as they go to 8-1, and the Seahawks get an extremely important divisional win and improve to 8-2.

Other Headlines:

  • Another MVP front runner Lamar Jackson continued on his tear, as he posted his second perfect passer rating this season and threw for 3 touchdowns and rushed for 1 totaling 298 yards. He also might have had the run of the year has he spun 3 different guys and rushed past the rest of the Bengals defense for a 47 yard touchdown. Ravens cruised to another division win.
  • The Cowboys lost a crucial prime time game to the Vikings as they fall to 5-4 and are now tied with the Eagles at the top of the NFC East.
  • The Jets beat the Giants in the “Battle for New York” as rookie Daniel Jones’ best effort wasn’t enough as he threw for four touchdowns but Saquon Barkely only managed 1 yard on 13 rush attempts.
  • The Raiders edged out the Chargers on Thursday Night Football, in another exciting game that came down to the wire.

Week 10 was probably one of my favorite weeks so far this season, because there was an awesome mix of what makes the NFL great. Snow games and game winning drives are what the NFL is about and this week had a little bit of everything.

For comments/questions about this story, email sports@thewhitonline.com or tweet @TheWhitOnline.

Comment