NFL Week 10 roundtable: Cowboys’ downfall, Christian McCaffrey’s return, Lions-Texans

Strikes have been made, gamers swapped and groups remade with the NFL commerce deadline passing Tuesday.

Now, the unofficial again half of the season begins with Week 10. We’ll see one other matchup of rookie quarterbacks, the Dallas Cowboys pivoting to Cooper Rush (and Jonathan Mingo?) towards a scorching Philadelphia Eagles group, Christian McCaffrey’s return to the San Francisco 49ers, a pair of Tremendous Bowl hopefuls within the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions taking on Sunday night time, and extra.

Our NFL writers Mike Sando, Jeff Howe and Zak Keefer verify in as soon as once more, this time to preview Week 10’s storylines.

New England Patriots–Chicago Bears provides us one other matchup between two high rookie QBs: Drake Maye and Caleb Williams. Which franchise do you could have extra confidence in to correctly construct round its younger QB?

Sando: I lean towards Chicago just because the Bears have already tried to place some items round their younger quarterback, albeit with combined outcomes. New England hasn’t made a full effort but. The Patriots have a more recent group of group builders with out a lot of a observe document, and their organizational restructuring may nonetheless settle out over the subsequent few years. It’s nonetheless an fascinating query. How nice ought to we really feel in regards to the state of affairs in Chicago? I’m not overly optimistic, however I do suppose Williams can deal with extra over the long run.

Howe: Maye is taking part in higher than Williams, so Jerod Mayo and firm deserve credit score for the plan they’ve executed. Nevertheless, the Patriots’ new regime stays uncooked and unproven, and the Bears have improved faster than anticipated over the previous 18 months. Regardless that Matt Eberflus could be on the new seat, you possibly can’t argue with the expertise the entrance workplace has put round Williams. Ryan Poles’ most urgent offseason want can be restocking the offensive line to assist Williams get extra comfy within the pocket. The Patriots, alternatively, nonetheless have a large rebuild to undertake.

Keefer: About 30 years of historical past tells me to withstand leaning with the Bears right here, however Poles has performed an admirable job of establishing Williams for achievement. My largest hesitation stays with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, and maybe with Williams’ inconsistent play type. Is he getting higher? For just a few weeks I believed he was, however that was principally towards bottom-tier groups. We’ll get a greater sense of the place Williams is at, and whether or not the Bears are doing this the suitable means, by the tip of the season. The Patriots, alternatively, are removed from being persistently aggressive.

Jerry Jones would possibly consider the Cowboys nonetheless have a lot to play for, however with Dak Prescott’s hamstring harm, issues appear bleak in Dallas as a scorching Eagles group involves city. What are your ideas on how the remainder of Dallas’ season will unfold?

Sando: Jones will proceed to maximise the highlight and income, his high priorities. The group will miss the playoffs, and there can be a lot hypothesis a few potential teaching change, which is able to maintain the group within the information. If this sounds somewhat cynical, it’s. I’ve gotten to a degree the place analyzing this franchise can appear repetitive and futile. What’s Jones striving for right here?

Howe: Since we are able to rule out the playoffs for the Cowboys, I’d prefer to see Trey Lance get an prolonged look sooner slightly than later. Rush is an effective backup who is aware of the offense and has proved his capability to maintain the Cowboys afloat when the roster is at its greatest, however that hasn’t been the case this season. If the Cowboys don’t enhance their standing within the subsequent couple of weeks with out Prescott, give Lance a showcase alternative.

Keefer: So far as I’m involved, it’s fait accompli in Dallas this season. Prescott’s harm will solely expedite the end result that was already coming. Even when he have been wholesome, this group doesn’t have the firepower to go on a late-season run. The offense is simply too one-dimensional and the protection far too inconsistent to hold with the higher groups within the NFC: the Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, Eagles, 49ers and Atlanta Falcons. The disappointments of this yr — and the playoff losses of the previous a number of years — are damning indictments on Jones’ cussed method. This group wants a brand new voice on the high. And it’s not getting one anytime quickly.

.@DMRussini and @ChaseDaniel do not perceive the Jonathan Mingo commerce.

And neither do NFL personnel.

Hear: https://t.co/T72aab8bFG pic.twitter.com/mprxi7JCcX

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 8, 2024

The Lions are already taking part in like the very best group within the league. How a lot does the Za’Darius Smith commerce change issues for Detroit? The Texans are 6-3 however look removed from the contender many thought they’d be. Is it time to begin worrying about Houston if it loses this recreation?

Sando: I’m frightened about Houston already based mostly on what we’ve seen in latest weeks. That appears unusual to say a few group with a 6-3 total document and a 5-1 document within the convention. Possibly I’m studying an excessive amount of into the optics of that Thursday night time efficiency towards the New York Jets, when the offensive line was not aggressive and C.J. Stroud appeared nearly defeated. A victory over the Lions would enhance my outlook on Houston rather more than a defeat to Detroit would change how I’m already feeling in regards to the Texans.

Howe: Stroud’s efficiency has tapered off due to the accidents round him, so I’d count on him to show it round upon Nico Collins’ return. Even when the Texans lose Sunday, they need to win their subsequent three to move into the bye at no worse than 9-4 with a few measuring-stick contests down the stretch towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. The Texans are in a brand new spot as a group that’s anticipated to win whereas its opponents present up every week with its undivided consideration. That’s a problem for any younger group that’s seeking to make the leap from a division champ to a official playoff risk.

Keefer: The Lions have been by no means going to have the ability to exchange Aiden Hutchinson, however Smith is a worthy addition and may add some pass-rush punch down the stretch. Detroit has separated itself fairly a bit from the remainder of the NFC, and that can be a troublesome place to play come January. As for the Texans, if any of the opposite three groups within the AFC South — the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars — have been any good, I’d say the Texans needs to be frightened. However all three are struggling. That is Houston’s division, and with Collins on his means again quickly, the Texans will proper the ship sufficient sooner or later to win one other AFC South title.

The Jets (at Arizona Cardinals) and New Orleans Saints (vs. Falcons) have fired their head coaches and have interim replacements in Jeff Ulbrich and Darren Rizzi. Who would you goal for each jobs in 2025?

Sando: Mike Vrabel involves thoughts as an fascinating second-chance candidate and somebody with the persona to offer a group an id. The Jets may use somebody who has performed the job earlier than. It’s an awesome job in that market and with that possession. I’m much less positive in regards to the persona match for Vrabel in that market. He could be higher someplace like New Orleans or, say, Jacksonville, each time that job opens. The Saints ought to proceed to pivot away from the Sean Payton tree as they set up a brand new id, which they want. They need to rethink their management construction, which may have an effect on the kind of coach they search.

Howe: The Jets ought to promote out for Ben Johnson, however he’s been extremely selective. I additionally surprise how he’d deal with the New York highlight. Wanting Johnson, I may see Zac Robinson making sense. This subsequent concept would possibly go over like a fart in a spacesuit in New York, however Mike McCarthy would make sense to additional the all-in method with Aaron Rodgers. McCarthy gained’t have an issue with the New York media, both. Vrabel would make sense for the Saints, however I ponder in the event that they’ll need to go the offensive route with somebody like Frank Smith or Bobby Slowik.

Keefer: Mike and Jeff stole my picks. The Jets want somebody like Vrabel, who gained’t kowtow to the quarterback’s calls for — that’s, if Rodgers returns in 2025. I may additionally see Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as a worthy candidate. He’s been stellar since arriving in Baltimore final season. I ponder what the Saints’ teaching candidate pool appears to be like like. Johnson can be first on nearly everybody’s record, however with the Cowboys’ job possible opening as properly, that might be an element. Or will New Orleans pull the last word shock and chase Invoice Belichick?

Christian McCaffrey is again (Sunday vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). The 49ers added a defensive lineman, Khalil Davis, on the deadline. They’re recent off a bye. Time to consider the 49ers can begin to put all of it collectively?

Sando: The 49ers lack the depth of their greatest groups, and I believe that can present up in the long run. They’ll possible end within the 9-8 vary and have a shot at advancing within the playoffs, however I don’t see them getting again to the Tremendous Bowl.

Howe: The personnel will enhance so long as they curb the harm bug, though latest historical past means that’s a dicey proposition. The Niners have to cease making a gift of video games. In the event that they cease beating themselves and proceed to get their stars again on the sphere, they’ll be OK, even when they’re not on the Lions’ degree.

Keefer: This group will look completely different from the minute McCaffrey’s again on the market, particularly within the purple zone, the place he’s among the many most harmful weapons within the league. However this isn’t the NFC West the 49ers are used to. The Cardinals have quietly improved, the Los Angeles Rams have gained three in a row and stuck their protection, and the Seattle Seahawks stay very a lot in it. I wager the division title will come right down to San Francisco and Los Angeles.

(High picture: Darren Yamashita / Imagn Photographs)