Week 10 in the 2024 NFL season means that discussions about playoff spots and draft picks start to become intense, with every game having an impact on these. Let’s look at how the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens (among others) fared this week.
But before we do that, we need to talk about what happened in Germany.
“Fremdscham”
I did not want to write about this game, but things must be said. This week, the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers played the “Munich Game.” They are the two worst teams in football in a game that not even America wants to have. The Giants have the worst offense, while the Panthers have the worst defense this season. This should be interesting.
After the opening two drives that did not lead anywhere, the Panthers would be able to get the game’s first score. Starting from their 10-yard line, the Carolina offense, led by returning quarterback Bryce Young, made their way down to the Giants’ five-yard line. From here, Young found Ja’Tavion Sanders for the touchdown pass.
The Panthers extended their lead on their next drive. This drive again started deep in their territory but stalled at the Giants’ 35-yard line. This set up kicker Eddie Pineiro with a 53-yard field goal, which he was successful with.
In response, the following drive from the Giants made its way down to the Panthers’ 33-yard line. However, the offense could not get anywhere further with this drive, setting up a 43-yard field goal attempt from Graham Gano. Gano had been struggling with kicks in the warmup, and his struggles continued in the game, missing the field goal.
A few drives later, it looked like the Giants had woken up. The Daniel Jones-led offense made it to the edge of the Panthers’ red zone. But then, in typical fashion, Jones’ pass was intercepted. Any chance the Giants would get points in the first half was now over.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis meant that the Panthers had a 10-0 lead over the Giants at halftime.
But the Giants had a strong start to the second half. Jones and company brought the offense down to the Panthers’ 32-yard line. From here, Tyrone Tracy found the endzone to score the 32-yard rushing touchdown to keep New York in the game.
In reply to this, the Panthers also found the endzone. From the Giants’ seven-yard line, Young found David Moore for the touchdown pass. However, due to a penalty against Carolina, the score was taken off the board. But this did not stop the Panthers. A few plays later, Chuba Hubbard found the endzone for a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend their lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Giants were able to catch up with the Panthers at the beginning of the fourth quarter. This drive started from their four-yard line, and New York went down the field to the Panthers’ two-yard line. From here, Jones found the endzone for a rushing touchdown to put the Giants a field goal behind.
Things got better for the Giants on the Panthers’ next play, as Hubbard fumbled the ball, which the Giants’ defense recovered. With the shortened field, could the Giants take the lead in the fourth quarter, as they normally do in games they go on to win?
This time, they couldn’t. Jones threw another interception in the red zone, potentially denying the Giants victory.
However, near the end of the fourth quarter, Gano could finally score a field goal. This was from 42 yards out, and it meant that this game would go to overtime.
The Giants had the first possession of overtime, and it could not have gone any worse. On the first play, Tracy fumbled the ball, which the Panthers recovered. All Carolina needed was a field goal, and they were already in field goal territory.
A few plays later, Pinero scored the game-winning kick from 36 yards out, handing the Carolina Panthers a 20-17 win over the New York Giants.
Where do we begin? After weeks of humiliation, the Giants finally had a chance to win against the weaker opponent. However, due to mistakes from practically everyone, they did not even do that. Jones’ future is, according to coach Brian Daboll, “being evaluated.” What this may lead to is unknown, as I cannot explain their decision-making.
Is this one of the lowest points in the 100-year history of the New York Giants? Probably. There is a German word to describe my feeling about this team and their performances this season: Fremdscham (used to describe seeing something that one was not involved with but still feeling embarrassed)
Luckily, the Giants (and Panthers) are on a bye next week.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe NFL needs to rethink its strategy regarding the international series. Before the game, Commissioner Roger Goodell said that there may be eight games next season. That’s too many, especially if these will be poor-quality games. It’s a good day out, but enjoying oneself for a few hours is not a replacement for good-quality football.
Anyway, we are moving on to some proper football teams.
Five Interceptions and a Win for Detroit
In one of the standout games of the week, the Detroit Lions faced the Houston Texans. The Lions come into the game with a 7-1 record, while the Texans have been struggling at times, losing to the New York Jets last week, but they are still the strongest team in the AFC South. Who would win this game?
The Lions had the game’s first possession, but a mistake would be made on this drive. On the Lions’ 41-yard line, quarterback Jared Goff would throw an interception. This mistake would be costly on the subsequent drive. The Texans made their way down to the Lions’ eight-yard line. From here, Joe Mixon found the endzone to give them the lead.
The Texans would add to the lead on their next drive. Quarterback CJ Stroud led the team down to the Lions’ 16-yard line, where this drive would stall. Here, kicker Kai’imi Fairbairn was able to make the 34-yard field goal.
In response to this, the Lions were able to find the endzone. Down at the Texans’ 20-yard line, Goff found Sam LaPorta for the touchdown pass. The best Houston could do in reply was another field goal from Fairbairn.
But after this, Goff made another mistake when his pass was intercepted on the edge of the Lions’ red zone. Luckily for Detroit, for the third drive in a row, all the Texans could manage was a field goal.
Embed from Getty ImagesA few drives later, the Texans would find the endzone again when Stroud found John Metchie for a 15-yard touchdown pass.
In response, Goff threw his third interception of the game just before halftime. As the teams returned to the locker room, the Texans had a 23-7 lead over the Lions.
Interceptions have been a repeating theme in this game so far, and this continued in the second half. On the first play of the half, Stroud threw an interception, which was quickly followed by Jared Goff’s fourth interception in this game.
However, the Lions had a better second drive. They quickly made it down to the Texans’ three-yard line, and here, David Montgomery found the endzone for the rushing touchdown. Detroit did attempt a two-point conversion, but this failed.
We then had a repeat of how this half started. Stroud threw an interception, and then Goff threw his fifth of the game. What was happening? These are the stats that you’d expect from the teams in the game above.
As the fourth quarter began, Detroit was able to get themselves within three points of the Texans. Starting from their 36-yard line, the Goff lead offense moved down to the Texans’ nine-yard line. From here, he found Amon-Ra St Brown for the touchdown pass.
Houston’s three-point lead became nothing on the Lions’ next drive, as kicker Jake Bates made a 58-yard field goal to level the scores with five minutes remaining.
The Texans had the opportunity to regain their lead on their next drive. Stroud and company made their way down to the Lions’ 40-yard line, setting up a 58-yard field goal attempt from Fairbairn. However, the normally reliable kicker failed on this attempt. This meant that with under two minutes left of the clock, all Detroit had to do was score a field goal to hand them an unlikely victory.
On the final drive, Goff did not throw an interception and moved his offense to the Texans’ 34-yard line. This set up a 52-yard field goal attempt from Bates. His kick was successful, handing the Detroit Lions a 26-23 win over the Houston Texans.
Embed from Getty ImagesFor a team to win after their quarterback has thrown five interceptions only shows how good the Detroit Lions are this year. The win moves them to 8-1 for the season. The loss is the Texans’ second in a row, and they fall to 6-4. However, they are still the best team in the AFC South by a long shot.
Next week, the Lions face the Jacksonville Jaguars, while the Texans play the Dallas Cowboys in their third consecutive prime-time game.
And on the subject of the Dallas Cowboys.
The Once-good Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a team in ruin this season. The Cowboys are usually challenging for the NFC East title, but this year, the number one spot in the NFL Draft may be more appropriate. They come into their game with the Philadelphia Eagles with only three wins, none of which came at home. To add further woes, quarterback Dak Prescott is out with an injury.
The Cowboys quickly made their first mistake of the game. On their 20-yard line, backup quarterback Cooper Rush fumbled the ball, which the Eagles recovered. The Eagles capitalized on this mistake.
A few plays later, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found the endzone for a one-yard rushing touchdown. In response to this, the Cowboys got some points on their next drive, as kicker Brandon Aubury found the uprights from 46 yards out.
Philadelphia would be next to make a mistake in this game when Hurts’ pass was intercepted in the endzone. This meant that any advantage the Cowboys would have gained from this interception was removed, as they started their next drive from the 20-yard line. This went nowhere.
Embed from Getty ImagesDallas got something going on offense on their next drive, with Rush and company moving the ball down the field to the Eagles’ six-yard line. However, Ezekiel Elliot then fumbled the ball, which Philly recovered in the endzone.
But they were unable to hold on to the ball for long, as Hurts was sacked and fumbled it early on the next drive. The Cowboys recovered the ball on the six-yard line but were unable to convert it into six points. They settled for a field goal.
Just before halftime, the Eagles returned to their usually dominant form and quickly moved down the field and reached the Cowboys’ 14-yard line. From here, Hurts found Dallas Goedert for a 14-yard touchdown pass.
This meant the Eagles had a 14-6 lead over the Cowboys at halftime.
Philadelphia would extend their lead early in the second half, with Hurts finding Johnny Wilson for a five-yard touchdown pass. The lead would get even bigger on their next drive, with Hurts scoring an eight-yard rushing touchdown.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis got worse for the Cowboys, as Rush was sacked and fumbled the ball on the edge of the Dallas red zone. The Eagles recovered it, and they converted it into a field goal.
In the fourth quarter, Rush was out and replaced by Trey Lance. But he could not change their luck. Dallas again fumbled the ball on this drive, which the Eagles converted into another field goal.
An interception thrown by Lance was the last thing this Cowboys offense did as the Philadelphia Eagles cruised to a 34-6 win.
If this is how the Dallas Cowboys will play the rest of the season, I cannot wait for their game with the New York Giants. It may be one of the worst games in history and an important one for the number one pick. The win improves the Eagles to 7-2, while the Cowboys fall to 3-6.
Baltimore Come Back
In the past few years, the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals has decided the AFC North champion and who will make the playoffs. This may not be the case this year, as the Bengals are far behind the Ravens, but this does not mean that this game will lack the usual entertainment.
The Bengals had the game’s opening drive and would be able to find the game’s first score from it. Starting from their 30-yard line, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow moved his offense down to the Ravens’ one-yard line. From here, Chase Brown found the endzone for the rushing touchdown.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Ravens were able to respond to this score a couple of drives later. Quarterback Lamar Jackson moved the offense down to the Bengals’ six-yard line. He then found Nelson Agholor for the touchdown pass to level the scores.
There was then another period with either team unable to get anything going. However, the Bengals broke this just before halftime. Burrow and company reached the Ravens’ 14-yard line, but a mistake happened here. Burrow’s deep pass into the endzone was intercepted. However, upon further review, the play was ruled as an incomplete pass, returning the ball to the Bengals.
After this, they could make it down to the Ravens’ three-yard line. Here, Burrow found Tanner Hudson for the touchdown pass.
This meant that the Bengals had a 14-7 lead over the Ravens at halftime.
Cincinnati added to its lead just after halftime when Burrow found Ja’Marr Chase for a 67-yard touchdown pass. But the Bengals’ good times soon ended, as on their next drive, Cincinnati fumbled the ball in their territory, which the Ravens recovered.
Baltimore was able to take full advantage of this mistake. Jackson led the offense down to the Bengals’ one-yard line, and then Derrick Henry found the endzone for the rushing to cut the Bengals lead.
This lead would further be depleted after the next drive from the Ravens. The drive started on their eight-yard line, and Baltimore quickly reached their 16-yard line. Then, Jackson found Tylan Wallace for an 84-yard touchdown pass. Despite this impressive play, the scores would not be tied, as Justin Tucker missed the PAT.
However, this missed kick would not stop the Ravens and would continue to score on their next drive. This time, Jackson found Mark Andrews for an 18-yard touchdown pass. Baltimore then attempted a two-point conversion, which was successful, giving them a seven-point lead.
This lead lasted one play, as Burrow found Chase for a 70-yard touchdown pass to level the scores.
The Ravens attempted to score on their next drive, but Jackson’s pass was intercepted on the first play of the drive. However, upon further investigation, the pass was ruled incomplete, giving Baltimore another chance, which they took full advantage of. Jackson moved his offense down to the Bengals’ five-yard line. Here, he found Rahod Bateman for the touchdown pass to give them a slim lead with under two minutes left on the clock.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter this, the Bengals had possession, knowing that a touchdown was needed. Starting from their 30-yard line, Joe Burrow brought his offense down to the Ravens’ five-yard line. Here, he found Chase for the touchdown pass.
Cincinnati then decided not to do what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did last week against Kansas City and go for a game-winning two-point conversion. However, this attempt failed, handing the Baltimore Ravens a 35-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
This was another close encounter between these two teams. Both quarterbacks threw for a combined eight touchdowns, with Burrow recording 428 passing yards. However, this was not enough for the win. This also continues the trend of good games played on a Thursday night, a slot that normally does not have the best games.
The win gives the Ravens a 7-3 record, while the Bengals fall to 4-6, and their playoff chances look slim.
Next week, the Ravens face the Pittsburgh Steelers in what should be a decider for the AFC North, while the Bengals play the Los Angeles Chargers.
What Happened in the Other Games?
The New England Patriots exploited a weak offensive line from the Chicago Bears to record a 19-3 victory. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked nine times, as the Patriots moved to join a range of teams with three wins this season.
The Buffalo Bills faced the Indianapolis Colts in a game that could give them one hand on the AFC East title. Josh Allen did not have the best day, throwing two interceptions, but the Bills’ defense, which forced four turnovers, did its job, handing the Bills a 30-20 win and a five-game lead in the AFC East.
The only undefeated team left in pro football is the Kansas City Chiefs. It looked like the Denver Broncos would be the team to hand them their first defeat of the season when Broncos kicker Will Lutz stepped up to take a game-winning 35-yard field goal. However, the Chiefs blocked this kick, handing them a 16-14 win and keeping the undefeated record intact. Will they ever lose?
The New Orleans Saints fired their head coach last week and are on a seven-game losing streak. They played the in-form Atlanta Falcons, expecting another defeat. However, the Saints held on to a 20-17 victory, giving interim coach Darren Rizzi a good start.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe meeting between the San Fransico 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw the season debut of star running back Christian McCaffrey. However, the feet of kicker Jake Moody stole all of the attention. Moody missed three kicks in this game and was set up for a game-winning 44-yard field goal. Unlike all of the others, he made this, handing the 49ers a 23-20 win to keep them in the running for the NFC West title.
In a game between two equally strong teams this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Washington Commanders. In the age, experience defeated youth, as the Russell Wilson-led Steelers recorded a 28-27 win over the Commanders, with Wilson throwing three touchdowns in this game.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Minnesota Vikings did not need to do much to defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars. They outplayed the Jags throughout the game, but the final score does not do this performance justice. The Vikings won the game 12-7, moving the seven wins and handing the Jags their eighth defeat of the season.
Another two-win team this season is the Tennessee Titans. They faced the Los Angeles Chargers this week and were defeated 27-17. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was involved in two touchdowns as the Chargers picked up their third straight win.
After their victory against the Houston Texans last week, the New York Jets crashed with a heavy defeat to the Arizona Cardinals. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray had a near-perfect day, doing 22 from 24 and throwing for 266 yards in their 31-6 win over the Jets, a game New York never looked like they were in.
Finally, the Miami Dolphins faced the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. The Dolphins’ defense is very strong, which was seen here, denying the Rams from scoring a touchdown. The Dolphins recorded a 23-15 win in a game of mostly field goals.
So that was week 10 of the 2024 season. Next week. the Commanders face the Eagles in an important game for the two competent sides in the NFC East, The Green Bay Packers face the Chicago Bears, and Patrick Mahomes faces off against Josh Allen.