Week 10 Sunday introduced a doable finish to the Cowboys’ and Jets’ playoff hopes, an much more inconceivable escape for the Chiefs, the Steelers staying scorching and foiling extra Jayden Daniels late-game magic, the Falcons stumbling in New Orleans, and the Bucs falling quick towards the 49ers regardless of some Baker Mayfield heroics.
BAKER & RACHAAD KEEP IT ALIVE 🤯
📺: #SFvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/9tQ4uwNm6s
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) November 10, 2024
The Athletic NFL writers Mike Jones, Ted Nguyen and Dan Pompei share their ideas on all of those storylines and extra.
Which groups’ fan base must be extra dissatisfied with their crew’s 2024 efficiency: the Cowboys or the Jets?
Jones: This can be a robust one. Each groups had actually excessive expectations, however I at all times felt just like the Jets’ perception that they have been Tremendous Bowl contenders was unrealistic. Even with a wholesome Aaron Rodgers, that they had far too many points, far too many issues that might have gone unsuitable, they usually play in a troublesome division that includes a legit contender in Buffalo. I didn’t see them going from basement-dweller to leapfrogging the Payments. So, I’m going to go together with Dallas. Though I by no means purchase Jerry Jones’ annual Tremendous Bowl-or-Bust motto, the Cowboys have been 12-5 final yr, they usually had reached the playoffs three straight seasons. To fully implode like this must be fairly gutting for Cowboys followers, and the heavy investments in Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb on the eve of the season solely make issues much more painful. The Cowboys had continuity. They ought to have been battling Philadelphia and Washington for NFC East supremacy. As a substitute, this crew is simply dangerous, and there’s no aid in sight.
Pompei: They each must be dissatisfied for various causes. The Cowboys have been coming off a 12-5 season and had reinvested in Prescott and Lamb. They appeared poised to take the following step. The Jets had Rodgers — considered one of professional soccer’s best quarterbacks — returning after virtually a whole season missed. Then they made important additions, buying and selling for move rusher Haason Reddick and signing extensive receiver Mike Williams and offensive linemen Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses and John Simpson within the offseason, then buying Davante Adams just a few weeks in the past. Many thought they’d be probably the most improved groups of the 2024 season, however nothing has gone their approach. It’s a coin flip as to which fan bases must be most dissatisfied.
Nguyen: It’s obtained to be the Jets. The Cowboys’ offseason ought to have set the expectation for this crew; they didn’t signal any notable free brokers and strung out the method of paying Lamb, who missed coaching camp, and Prescott. Nothing they did within the offseason heightened the expectations for this crew. Nonetheless, it’s a bit stunning that they’re this dangerous. As for the Jets, their protection was elite final season. They simply wanted higher play from an offense that was getting Rodgers again and had upgraded the offensive line. Expectations have been excessive. Now, they’ve fired their head coach and have fallen out of the playoff hunt. Their in-season commerce for Adams has had little impression on profitable they usually gave up a third-round decide to get him. What’s worse: They appear like they’ve a tough rebuild forward of them.
After profitable in Washington, the primary recreation of a frightening second-half schedule, do the Pittsburgh Steelers belong within the Tremendous Bowl dialog?
Jones: Getting a hard-fought win towards a high quality Washington crew was huge, nevertheless it doesn’t carry as a lot weight as a win over Baltimore subsequent week would. The Steelers are actually a playoff crew, however let’s maintain off for an additional few weeks earlier than we declare them Tremendous Bowl contenders (in the event that they beat Baltimore, then you definitely may have the ability to sway me). For now, I see the Steelers pretty much as good, however have to see extra. We all know this crew has a balanced offense and a troublesome protection. They appear to have the entire components essential to contend. However remember that solely three of their seven victories have come towards groups with profitable data. This second half of the season will inform me so much about this crew — as famous, it’s a brutal stretch for Pittsburgh. But when they emerge from this run (Baltimore, at Cleveland, at Cincinnati, versus Cleveland, at Philadelphia, at Baltimore, versus Kansas Metropolis and Cincinnati) largely unscathed and atop the AFC North standings, then I’ll rank them among the many Tremendous Bowl contenders.
Nguyen: Let me first say: I used to be lifeless unsuitable about Russell Wilson. I didn’t assume he could be an improve over Justin Fields based mostly on what we noticed in Denver, however he’s enjoying to his strengths: making good choices on boot performs, throwing on the run, and launching moon balls. The Steelers offense is pretty much as good because it has been in years. Sunday was an enormous win towards an excellent Washington crew nevertheless it might need come at a price. Edge Alex Highsmith damage his ankle within the fourth quarter. With the Steelers’ edge depth already being examined, if Highsmith misses time, it might considerably have an effect on the protection. T.J. Watt is already seeing lots of double groups and chips. If opposing offenses can flip their consideration fully to Watt, the protection might wrestle. The Steelers have two robust video games forward of them, towards the Ravens and Bengals, however they may also get to play the Browns twice in 4 video games. Cleveland is getting more healthy and has regarded higher with Jameis Winston at quarterback, however he’s nonetheless itching to throw interceptions. If the Steelers could make it out of the following 4 video games 2-2, they’ll be in good condition. If they will beat the Ravens, they’ll be in actually good condition. They should set themselves up the perfect they will for the ultimate 4 video games, towards the Eagles, Ravens once more, Chiefs, and Bengals. I feel we’ll see them within the playoffs.
Pompei: Right here’s what we all know in regards to the Steelers: They’re robust, resourceful and aggressive — as each Mike Tomlin-coached crew has been. Right here’s what we don’t know: whether or not they have sufficient juice to persistently make huge performs to win huge video games down the stretch. They might want to beat some daunting opponents (Baltimore? Philadelphia? Kansas Metropolis?) with a view to get the place they need to go. And whether or not they can do this relies upon considerably on the play of Wilson, who has solely began three video games after bottoming out in Denver. Given their histories, the Steelers and their new quarterback have earned the advantage of the doubt.
The Chiefs survived once more — this time by blocking a would-be game-winning chip-shot subject objective towards the Broncos. Setting apart how they examine to the remainder of the NFL in 2024, how do you’re feeling this yr’s version compares to the Chiefs groups of the previous two seasons? Are they higher or worse geared up for a Tremendous Bowl run?
Pompei: We will beat up the Chiefs as a result of their offense isn’t as spectacular as previous variations, however that will be shortsighted. This can be a assured crew that is aware of how one can win. Good groups, bear in mind, virtually at all times get fortuitous bounces and sort calls. What the Chiefs do higher than any crew is that they don’t beat themselves — within the NFL, that’s a extremely underrated high quality. Additionally they stand up within the moments that change video games. There’s each motive to imagine the Chiefs will get higher because the climate will get colder, particularly their offense. Reinforcements are on the way in which. When the season is over, we could be saying this was the perfect of all of the Mahomes-led Kansas Metropolis groups.
Jones: I wrote about this a pair weeks in the past after their win over San Francisco, and it stays true immediately because the Chiefs enhance to 9-0: The offensive fireworks that we got here to anticipate from Kansas Metropolis could be missing due to the absence of a constant, field-stretching residence run menace. However that doesn’t imply the Chiefs are now not nice. Patrick Mahomes stays as gifted and clutch as ever, and Andy Reid nonetheless has all of his unmatched creativity. Instead of that explosive passing recreation is a extra bodily and constant speeding assault and a dominant protection. This Chiefs crew is extra balanced and extra well-rounded. In years previous, you knew the Chiefs would gentle up the scoreboard, however you needed to hope the porous protection might get a cease or two. Now that GM Brett Veach and Reid have labored to fortify this roster and proper weaknesses, you will have a Chiefs crew that, whereas not as prolific, is now extra balanced. One other extraordinarily vital issue: The entire core gamers on this crew are battle-tested and know what it takes to win. They don’t flinch. They climate storms and get the job finished. And so, though the supply might differ, this Chiefs crew is simply as geared up to make a Tremendous Bowl run as any of the earlier iterations.
Nguyen: The Chiefs have reached a degree the place it’s laborious to evaluate them based mostly on regular-season efficiency. At this level of the season final yr they regarded a lot worse, but they ended up profitable the Tremendous Bowl. Their secondary isn’t pretty much as good as they have been final season so the offense must be higher. They’re far more environment friendly — highest success fee within the league — than they have been final season however they haven’t had a recreation when the offense simply takes management. The addition of DeAndre Hopkins raises the ceiling for this offense; as he will get extra snug I feel that unit has an opportunity to be significantly better. The Chiefs are 9-0. It’s an unsightly 9-0 however they’re setting themselves for home-field, and we’ve seen them flip the change within the playoffs. As bizarre because it sounds, even with the ugly wins, I’m extra assured within the Chiefs now than I’ve been at midseason the previous few years.
We noticed a … shut battle in Munich between two groups with little short-term hope and quarterbacks on the brink. Retaining in thoughts the underwhelming QB draft class and lack of free-agent choices arising this offseason, do you anticipate Daniel Jones, Bryce Younger, each quarterbacks, or neither quarterback to be beginning (with their present groups or wherever else) in Week 1 of the 2025 season?
Nguyen: Jones has had an extended, lengthy, lengthy leash and even obtained a pleasant contract extension to show that he could possibly be the man. It’s laborious to think about him getting one other probability with the Giants, particularly for the reason that crew was already flirting with quarterback prospects on this final draft cycle. Younger has performed so much higher ever since being reinserted into the beginning lineup however I feel he must proceed to point out enchancment for them to decide to him — which is bizarre to say contemplating he was simply drafted final yr however impatience with younger quarterbacks appears to be the development across the league already. If Younger begins reverting then I’d think about the Panthers would have a severe dialog whether or not they need to proceed to spend money on him.
Jones: Younger shall be beginning for the Carolina Panthers in 2025. The second-year professional simply wants time and improved assist. He’s exhibiting indicators of development. Perhaps not dramatic indicators, however he has certainly displayed enchancment since returning to the beginning lineup. Sunday’s exhibiting (15-for-25 for 125 yards and a landing, plus two carries for 30 yards) wasn’t horny, however he performed inside himself, made stable choices, and above all, took care of the soccer. The Panthers have their first win streak since Week 3 of the 2021 season — insane. The rest of this Carolina season is all about Younger’s improvement. If he can proceed to take these child steps ahead, he could have one thing to construct on for 2025 when, hopefully for his sake, the Panthers could have improved the roster round him so he doesn’t really feel prefer it’s all on him. Now, so far as Jones, who threw two extra interceptions and no touchdowns within the loss … we’ve seen sufficient. It’s not going to get any higher. I wouldn’t guess on him beginning subsequent yr. Sure, quite a lot of groups will want quarterbacks, and it’s true this isn’t a powerful draft or free company class at QB, however I can’t see the Giants sticking with him, or any crew determined sufficient to accumulate Jones with the objective of utilizing him as a starter.
Pompei: The most certainly situation is each QBs will start the 2025 season with new groups as backups. It could be tough for the Giants and Panthers to justify bringing the quarterbacks again, however each have sufficient potential to benefit curiosity, time and assets from new groups. The components of taking a step again with a brand new crew to take a step ahead has labored just lately (see Sam Darnold and Mayfield). Younger and Jones shall be starters once more given their talents and the availability and demand issues on the place. In the event that they find yourself in helpful circumstances, they might even make their previous groups remorse giving up on them.
Revisiting the now-struggling NFC South: Was dropping a street recreation to a Saints crew whose entrance workplace has already waved the white flag offer you pause in terms of the Falcons holding off the Bucs within the division?
Jones: This was primarily a lure recreation for the Falcons. It’s not unusual for a crew with an interim head coach to have a short lived hearth lit underneath it and win a recreation it shouldn’t have. Then, throw in the truth that this was a divisional recreation, which may at all times be a bit of wonky, and this Falcons loss isn’t all that stunning. Atlanta remains to be a stable crew. They’re not nice. They’re not dominant. However they do lots of issues properly. They nonetheless have an excellent shot at profitable the NFC South. They’re additionally helped by the truth that the injury-riddled Buccaneers misplaced their fourth straight recreation immediately. If Tampa can get wholesome, then we’ll see these two groups battle it out for the divisional title within the remaining weeks of the common season.
Nguyen: Fortunately for the Falcons, the Bucs additionally misplaced a recreation to a last-second subject objective. The Bucs are down two video games, have been swept by the Falcons and are coping with a ton of accidents. The Falcons have a foul protection and a quarterback who can’t transfer. These points are going to point out up in some video games — I wouldn’t be shocked if the Falcons beat any crew within the league and I wouldn’t be shocked in the event that they dropped a recreation to any crew. Mayfield has been enjoying properly with out Mike Evans and Chris Godwin nevertheless it hasn’t translated to wins. The Falcons could have three video games in a row towards groups with out shedding data and the Bucs could have three video games towards groups with shedding data after their bye week. This must be probably the most vital stretch for the NFC South.
Pompei: The Falcons are allowed a mulligan. They appear like an excellent crew, not an amazing one (which you may say about virtually each midseason contender) — that means they need to do the little issues properly each week with a view to prevail. Their schedule is fairly type down the stretch, and 10 wins are properly inside attain. With two victories over the Bucs of their again pocket, they’re well-positioned to take the division. In the event that they don’t, will probably be on them.
(Prime photograph: Chris Coduto / Getty Pictures)
