2020 NFL Week 10 Recap

No practice makes near perfect, bad beats for bettors, a delicious lasagna pun and the Catch of the Year highlight the NFL Week 10 Recap.

<p><b><i>Vikings 19</i></b><br />
<b><i>Bears 13</i></b></p>
<p>It took him 10 tries but Kirk Cousins finally won a game on a Monday night!</p>
<p>The longest MNF losing streak in NFL history is over, and Minnesota’s season is reborn thanks to three straight wins heading into a stretch of three straight home games against teams with losing records. Incredibly, it looks like the Vikings can <a href="https://youtu.be/RqG8XzjvlVw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sound the feasting horn</a> and make a postseason march despite their 1-5 start.</p>
<p>Conversely, Chicago’s fraudulent 5-1 start is a distant memory. Nobody wants to see Nick Foles carted off the field at the end of a lost game, but it seems like the only way Matt Nagy will do what is obvious to everyone but him: start Mitchell Trubisky and try to breathe some life into this bearskin rug you call an offense.</p>

1/14

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 16: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 16, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Vikings 19
Bears 13

It took him 10 tries but Kirk Cousins finally won a game on a Monday night!

The longest MNF losing streak in NFL history is over, and Minnesota’s season is reborn thanks to three straight wins heading into a stretch of three straight home games against teams with losing records. Incredibly, it looks like the Vikings can and make a postseason march despite their 1-5 start.

Conversely, Chicago’s fraudulent 5-1 start is a distant memory. Nobody wants to see Nick Foles carted off the field at the end of a lost game, but it seems like the only way Matt Nagy will do what is obvious to everyone but him: start Mitchell Trubisky and try to breathe some life into this bearskin rug you call an offense.

<p><b><i>Ravens 17</i></b><br />
<b><i>Patriots 23</i></b></p>
<p>Apparently, John Harbaugh was right to be <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/11/15/despite-a-down-year-in-new-england-john-harbaugh-remains-leery-of-the-patriots/">leery of the Patriots</a>. In a torrential downpour and without Calais Campbell, Baltimore’s defense got trucked by Cam Newton and the Pats rushing attack, while the Ravens offense was again punchless. The Ravens’ playoff rematch against Tennessee is now less about avenging last year’s postseason loss and more about ensuring there’s even a playoff scenario this year.</p>

2/14

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 15: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Ravens 17
Patriots 23

Apparently, John Harbaugh was right to be . In a torrential downpour and without Calais Campbell, Baltimore’s defense got trucked by Cam Newton and the Pats rushing attack, while the Ravens offense was again punchless. The Ravens’ playoff rematch against Tennessee is now less about avenging last year’s postseason loss and more about ensuring there’s even a playoff scenario this year.

<p><em><strong>Bengals 10</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Steelers 36</strong></em></p>
<p>Man, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 333 yards and four TDs without practicing all week. Just imagine what he’s going to do to Washington in three weeks with full preparation.</p>

3/14

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 15: Chase Claypool #11 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches an 11-yard touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during their NFL game at Heinz Field on November 15, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Bengals 10
Steelers 36

Man, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 333 yards and four TDs without practicing all week. Just imagine what he’s going to do to Washington in three weeks with full preparation.

<p><b><i>49ers 13</i></b><br />
<b><i>Saints 27</i></b></p>
<p>After last week鈥檚 <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30282885/with-deep-talented-receiving-corps-back-play-drew-brees-new-orleans-saints-stay-hot">poetry in motion</a>, New Orleans might be in for some writer’s block if Drew Brees is sidelined for an extended聽period. For all the years of <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sean-payton-doesnt-shy-away-from-comparing-saints-quarterback-taysom-hill-to-steve-young/">Sean Payton talking up Taysom Hill</a>, this should be where the Saints find out if he’s the future of the franchise at QB, right?</p>

4/14

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 15: Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers during their game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 15, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

49ers 13
Saints 27

After last week鈥檚 , New Orleans might be in for some writer’s block if Drew Brees is sidelined for an extended聽period. For all the years of , this should be where the Saints find out if he’s the future of the franchise at QB, right?

<p><b><i>Bills 30</i></b><br />
<b><i>Cardinals 32</i></b></p>
<p>My <a href="/gallery/nfl/2020-nfl-awards-predictions/">preseason MVP pick</a> is looking pretty good right now. Kyler Murray continued <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/11/12/kyler-murray-halfway-to-nfls-first-4000-yard-passing-1000-yard-rushing-season/">his record-setting pace</a>, and paired with DeAndre Hopkins for <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1328133279392919553?s=20">the indisputable play of the year</a>. Don’t look now, but Arizona is atop the NFC West in a three-way tie for first place at 6-3 and has a chance to dispatch of Seattle by completing a season sweep on Thursday. Speaking of the Seahawks…</p>

5/14

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 15: Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals catches the game-winning touchdown pass as safety Jordan Poyer #21 and safety Micah Hyde #23 of the Buffalo Bills defend during the final seconds of the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Bills 30
Cardinals 32

My preseason MVP pick is looking pretty good right now. Kyler Murray continued , and paired with DeAndre Hopkins for . Don’t look now, but Arizona is atop the NFC West in a three-way tie for first place at 6-3 and has a chance to dispatch of Seattle by completing a season sweep on Thursday. Speaking of the Seahawks…

<p><b><i>Seahawks 16</i></b><br />
<b><i>Rams 23</i></b></p>
<p>If Pete Carroll <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/11/09/pete-carroll-i-dont-have-any-place-in-my-brain-for-how-our-defense-played/">doesn’t have space in his brain for fixing his defense</a>, he’d better make room for getting Russell Wilson to stop <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1328129245231591424?s=20">turning the ball over at an unprecedented rate</a> (for him, anyway). Forget Wilson’s first MVP 鈥� Seattle’s season depends on whether they can get him some help before it’s too late.</p>

6/14

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 15: Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks misses a catch in the end zone against Darious Williams #31 of the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)

Seahawks 16
Rams 23

If Pete Carroll , he’d better make room for getting Russell Wilson to stop (for him, anyway). Forget Wilson’s first MVP 鈥� Seattle’s season depends on whether they can get him some help before it’s too late.

<p><b><i>Chargers 21</i></b><br />
<b><i>Dolphins 29</i></b></p>
<p>First, count me among those who want to see <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/11/13/dolphins-throwbacks-could-eventually-become-their-permanent-uniforms/">Miami make the throwback uniforms the everyday聽unis</a>. Clean, classic, beautiful 鈥� just like the Dolphins sitting at 6-3 and off to their best start in 19 years.</p>
<p>Even as the Chargers are <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2020-11-09/chargers-anthony-lynn">losing in every way possible</a>, they won big by drafting Justin Herbert, the first QB in NFL history to throw multiple touchdowns in six straight games. He and Tua Tagovailoa, whose five touchdowns are the third-most by a quarterback without an interception in his first three starts, seem <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dtFIjaD5hA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">destined to do this forever</a>.</p>

7/14

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) runs the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Chargers 21
Dolphins 29

First, count me among those who want to see . Clean, classic, beautiful 鈥� just like the Dolphins sitting at 6-3 and off to their best start in 19 years.

Even as the Chargers are , they won big by drafting Justin Herbert, the first QB in NFL history to throw multiple touchdowns in six straight games. He and Tua Tagovailoa, whose five touchdowns are the third-most by a quarterback without an interception in his first three starts, seem .

<p><b><i>Broncos 12</i></b><br />
<b><i>Raiders 37</i></b></p>
<p>Las Vegas used a dominant run game and four Drew Lock interceptions to win its third straight game and move to 6-3 in <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1328163380331388934?s=20">a wide open conference</a>. If the Raiders beat the Chiefs in primetime to sweep the defending champs, the stretch run sets up nicely for the Silver and Black to stun the league and win the AFC West.</p>

8/14

Las Vegas Raiders running back Devontae Booker #23 carries the ball during the second half against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)

Broncos 12
Raiders 37

Las Vegas used a dominant run game and four Drew Lock interceptions to win its third straight game and move to 6-3 in . If the Raiders beat the Chiefs in primetime to sweep the defending champs, the stretch run sets up nicely for the Silver and Black to stun the league and win the AFC West.

<p><b><i>Washington 27</i></b><br />
<b><i>Lions 30</i></b></p>
<p>To paraphrase Bill Parcells, Washington is exactly what their record says they are: A 2-7 team that got swept by the awful Giants and lost in Detroit, where the Lions hadn’t won in 385 days. Alex Smith’s career day shows the Burgundy and Gold have just enough to be competitive but are still a long way from being good.</p>

9/14

DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 15: Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) during the first half of a regular season game between the Washington Football Team and the Detroit Lions on November 15, 2020 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Washington 27
Lions 30

To paraphrase Bill Parcells, Washington is exactly what their record says they are: A 2-7 team that got swept by the awful Giants and lost in Detroit, where the Lions hadn’t won in 385 days. Alex Smith’s career day shows the Burgundy and Gold have just enough to be competitive but are still a long way from being good.

<p><b><i>Eagles 17</i></b><br />
<b><i>Giants 27</i></b></p>
<p>Good luck figuring out the NFC East, <a href="https://twitter.com/pfref/status/1328092926384230400?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the first division to have only 10 wins through the first 10 weeks of a season</a>. Philly is winless when they play day games, and the Giants have yet to beat anyone outside the division. All four teams in the NFC Least should be thankful there’s no relegation in the NFL.</p>

10/14

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 15: New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) beats Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (24) for a reception during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants on November 15, 2020 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Eagles 17
Giants 27

Good luck figuring out the NFC East, . Philly is winless when they play day games, and the Giants have yet to beat anyone outside the division. All four teams in the NFC Least should be thankful there’s no relegation in the NFL.

<p><b><i>Bucs 46</i></b><br />
<b><i>Panthers 23</i></b></p>
<p>Tampa Bay followed up a blowout loss featuring the fewest rush attempts in history with a blowout win highlighted by a 210-yard rushing effort to complement Tom Brady’s 341-yard, 3-TD rebound. Did I mention one-handed <a href="https://twitter.com/Buccaneers/status/1328068272844132354?s=20">JPP got a pick</a>?! Not bad for a team <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/11/15/buccaneers-arrived-in-carolina-after-seven-hour-delay/">literally playing on short rest</a>.</p>

11/14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones II (27) runs away from the pursuit of Carolina Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn (21) on his way to a 98-yard touchdown run during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)

Bucs 46
Panthers 23

Tampa Bay followed up a blowout loss featuring the fewest rush attempts in history with a blowout win highlighted by a 210-yard rushing effort to complement Tom Brady’s 341-yard, 3-TD rebound. Did I mention one-handed ?! Not bad for a team .

<p><b><i>Texans 7</i></b><br />
<b><i>Browns 10</i></b></p>
<p>Nick Chubb is <a href="https://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/30325164/nick-chubb-decision-1-yard-line-costs-bettors-cleveland-browns-fail-cover-45-point-spread">a bad beat for bettors</a> but the best thing to happen to Cleveland; the Browns are 4-1 and average over 200 rushing yards per game with Chubb in the lineup this season. This is a wild card contender as long as he and <a href="https://twitter.com/Browns/status/1328096985585491977?s=20聽聽">the Browns’ real Gs</a> keep keepin’ on.</p>

12/14

CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 15: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball for 59 yards against the Houston Texans during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Texans 7
Browns 10

Nick Chubb is but the best thing to happen to Cleveland; the Browns are 4-1 and average over 200 rushing yards per game with Chubb in the lineup this season. This is a wild card contender as long as he and keep keepin’ on.

<p><em><strong>Jaguars 20</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Packers 24</strong></em></p>
<p>Aaron Rodgers threw his first interception at home since Week 6 of last season, but Green Bay was still a winner despite the sloppy showing against a team it should have blown out. Good teams find ways to win without their A-game and the Packers certainly did.</p>

13/14

GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 15: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws during a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lambeau Field on November 15, 2020 in Green Bay WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jaguars 20
Packers 24

Aaron Rodgers threw his first interception at home since Week 6 of last season, but Green Bay was still a winner despite the sloppy showing against a team it should have blown out. Good teams find ways to win without their A-game and the Packers certainly did.

<p><em><strong>Colts 34</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Titans 17</strong></em></p>
<p>Y’all can focus on <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/philip-rivers-passes-marino-on-all-time-passing-yards-list-in-colts-34-17-win-ov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Philip Rivers making history</a> or what this Indianapolis win means for the AFC South race. For me, this was about the resilience of the human spirit <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/11/13/corey-davis-on-playing-after-his-brothers-death-this-is-what-he-wanted-me-to-do/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exhibited by Corey Davis in the wake of tragedy</a> and a not-so-subtle reminder that special teams matter every bit as much as offense and defense.</p>

14/14

NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 12: Tennessee Titans Punter Trevor Daniel (12) has his punt blocked by Indianapolis Colts Linebacker E.J. Speed (45) in game action during a NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans on November 12, 2020 at LP Field in Nashville TN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Colts 34
Titans 17

Y’all can focus on or what this Indianapolis win means for the AFC South race. For me, this was about the resilience of the human spirit and a not-so-subtle reminder that special teams matter every bit as much as offense and defense.

Rob Woodfork

Rob Woodfork is 草莓传媒's Senior Sports Analyst, which includes commentary and analysis in "DC Sports, Filtered" as well as duties as a multimedia sports reporter, nightside sports anchor and sports columnist on 草莓传媒.com.

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