NFL Week 10 Preview
With each passing week, as wins and losses continue to pile up, the playoff picture is slowly beginning to form. As some prime contenders have continued to thrive, their spots have been nearly solidified. Others in those same positions took a slight hit with unexpected losses, such as the formerly undefeated Patriots and Packers, that may have brought them back to earth. Some lower-tier teams have already accepted defeat, but others are on the up and up, looking to crawl into frame. Every single week the picture shifts. Surely this coming one will be no different. Each of the following 4 games is one that could be looked back on a couple months from now. One team will look back with regret and sorrow, the other with pride and joy.
Chargers vs Raiders
The AFC West title race has quickly become much more interesting. After the Chiefs' 4-0 start, it seemed like the would run away without a fight from the competition. But with KC dropping 3 of their last 5, the Raiders and Chargers have a chance to rebound. A lot of people thought the Chargers would stick with the Chiefs just as close as last year, but instead they have suffered some a bunch of close losses that have put them in an early hole. An impressive win over Green Bay has hopefully brought some life back to this team, but they still have some work to do to get where they need to be.
Their opponent this week is shockingly neck-and-neck with them in the division. After a poor 2018 performance and a wild off-season, Oakland has defied the odds and won a handful of football games this season. While a playoff run seems a little too far out of reach, it can't be completely ruled out. They just play simple, solid football, and they have done it fairly well. They protect the football, protect their QB, and conservatively move the ball downfield. That may not be the most thrilling style, or be the one to get you to the postseason. However, it is the kind of team that could give a team like the Chargers a hard time.
The Chargers have a talented roster, but they struggle with the basics of ball security and ground attacks. That leaves them making too many mistakes, and often leaves them feeling like they didn't lose to their opponents, but rather themselves instead. That is exactly the kind of play that feeds into the Raiders' style.
Raiders win, 19-13
Panthers vs Packers
After a couple disappointing seasons in a row, Green Bay has had a big rebound season. From day 1 of the new season, the Packers have held on to the division lead in the North. While that is impressive, I have still had my reservations about this team. The defense looked good through the first 3 weeks, but since, they have reverted back to their usual selves, allowing 27.3 points per game. Aaron Rodgers has been his usual self s well, but the running game is giving him little support. In some ways, I'm a little surprised how many game they are winning. As long as they keep putting up W's, I suppose I can't judge them too harshly. However, we saw them lose an ugly one last week, and I feel there could be more to come if they don't make some changes.
Although their record doesn't reflect it, I think the Panthers might just simply be the better team here. With the exception of one bad loss in San Francisco, Carolina has been surging lately. With Kyle Allen under center, the rest of the team has really picked up the pace to support him. The defense has allowed it's fair share of points this year, but they also lead the league in sacks and lead the NFC in takeaways. That means that the offense has gotten great field position to rack up points on the back of Christian McCaffrey. All Kyle Allen really has to do is just not mess things up, and he is succeeding. Some people seem to think that QB's are all that matter. Some like to act like you simply cannot win without an elite passer. While having one of those helps quite a lot, I'll take a roster like Carolina's over a one-man show every time.
Panthers win, 34-28
Vikings vs Cowboys
There has been a common trend in Minnesota and Dallas over the past couple years. They have both had loads of talent on both sides of the ball, but it has been somewhat wasted. For the most part, they win the game that they should, but once a challenge comes their way, they crumble. Whether you want put the blame on coaching, the QB's, or anything else, it is clear that they are doing something wrong. The talent on both sides will make this a great game, but in the end, it could feel like both teams are just trying to give the game away.
The Vikings and Cowboys both win their games through great defense and rushing attacks. They are neck-and-neck in both those areas as well, which means this game will most likely be determined by the QB's. Both have their ups and downs, but I do know which one I trust more. Kirk Cousins has gained quite the reputation for his inability to beat any good teams. That stayed consistent when he played Dallas in his years in the East. Cousins did not play terrible against the Cowboys, amassing a passer rating of 97.7 in 7 games. However, he only won once in those games, and that was a week 17 matchup against Kellen Moore and Cousins didn't even play the entire game. Those losses aren't all on him alone, but at some point, the excuses need to stop and resultas need to be shown. I don't know how well Dak will play, but he might just have to show up and watch Cousins lose this Sunday.
Cowboys win, 22-17
Seahawks vs 49ers
The reigning NFC Champion Rams are not looking likely to defend their title. That isn't so much because of their own play, but rather the high level of competition in their own division. If you ask me, the two teams ahead of them in the West are 2 of the top 5 teams in all of football, including the lone undefeated team, the 49ers. Those 2 are about to clash under the Monday night lights in a crucial division match. Seattle needs this win to come within 1 game of San Fran. On the hand, if the 49ers can take this one, with how good they are playing, that would seemingly put the title out of reach for the Seahawks or the Rams.
If the season were to end today, Russell Wilson would have to be the MVP. With a 68.3% completion percentage, 278.3 passing yards per game, 25 total TD's, 1 interception, and an incredible 118.2 passer rating, Wilson has been better than ever before. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the team behind him. While Seattle has had world class defense and running game in the past, this year has been mostly Wilson with only a moderate amount of help. That has been working fine so far, but when they run into a team like San Francisco, they are clearly outmatched. Whether you look in the trenches, in the secondary, in the backfield, or under center, the 49ers are stacked. It is really tough to find a weakness. Garoppolo is certainly not on the same level as Wilson this season, but that matters very little when his supporting cast is as great as it is. Russell Wilson has been great, but unless his team really picks up the pace, he won't be able to carry them to victory this Monday.
49ers win, 31-23
