2021 NFL Week 10 Recap

Rams 10
49ers 31

It’s rare to say a team that won its first home game in 393 days saved its season but that’s what San Francisco did by winning their fifth straight over the rival Rams. The 4-5 49ers still aren’t what they’re supposed to be but if Deebo can live up to his name and push people around along a very winnable stretch run for the Niners, they could become an undesirable draw in the NFC playoffs.

Chiefs 41
Raiders 14

Now that’s the Kansas City Chiefs we know and fear.

Patrick Mahomes said he was going to take his shots, and boy did he, matching Hall of Fame legends with his third career 400-yard, 5-TD game to help Andy Reid pass Curly Lambeau for fifth on the all-time coaching wins list. Heaven help us all if Mahomes goes on a hot streak.

Seahawks 0
Packers 17

In his return from a finger injury, Russell Wilson was handed (pun absolutely intended) an undesirable career first, getting shutout in Seattle’s first scoreless game in 10 years. If the Green Bay defense can continue to perform like they have the last two weeks, it’ll take a lot of pressure off Aaron Rodgers (and his lousy attitude) to get the Packers over the hump and into the Super Bowl.

Eagles 30
Broncos 13

While everyone is looking at the great Darius Slay scoop and score (that also involved a Teddy Bridgewater business decision), I’m looking at Philadelphia rushing for 214 yards against a decent Denver defense. I can’t figure out either of these teams.

Vikings 27
Chargers 20

I’m sure this game will matter once the wild card playoff push begins in earnest, but for today, this touchdown celebration is everything. More of this, please!

Panthers 34
Cardinals 10

Cam Newton, in his first game for Carolina since Week 2 in 2019, extended his own record with his 43rd game with a rushing TD and passing TD. The NFL is better with Cam in it and Superman is about to perform a Thanos finger snap against the Washington defense I’ve said for two years he should be facing in practice.

“You couldn't live with your own failure. Where did that bring you? Back to me.” https://t.co/5XpwqnOhAR pic.twitter.com/jcCZzfy1qA

— Zito (@_Zeets) November 11, 2021

Buccaneers 19
Washington 29

I don’t know what it is about Tampa that brings out the best in Taylor Heinicke, but No. 4 arguably played better than he did in the game that kept him in the NFL, especially when he directed that ridiculous game-clinching 19-play, 10-plus minute drive to run out the clock. The Burgundy and Gold better have a couple such drives in Carolina to avoid the wrath of Cam.

And, another year, another brutal injury on the treacherous FedEx Field turf. The most compelling argument for a new stadium in D.C. is simply designating the current one a safety hazard.

Charting out the cursed section of FedEx Field as noted by @michaelpRTD.

When you look at it like this, it's really incredible how many significant injuries have occured in the North-West end of the field. pic.twitter.com/mzz4o4AQuO

— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) November 14, 2021

Falcons 3
Cowboys 43

Dan Quinn got his revenge by damn near shutting out the team that fired him in the middle of last season and Dak Prescott basically hit us with that famous line from Taken. I hate how much swag Dallas has right now.

Lions 16
Steelers 16 (OT)

I’ve ranted for years about how much I hate ties — the worst result in football — so I’ll instead point out that Detroit officially won’t go 0-17 this season.

Bills 45
Jets 17

Ok, y’all can kill all this Mike white noise. Buffalo is who we thought they were and white is who we thought he was. Zach Wilson is the leader of this team, for better or worse — and if he’s trying to play like white, the Jets are in a whole new world of trouble.

Browns 7
Patriots 45

Much like his predecessor Tom Brady, there would be no just desserts for Mac Jones in New England, as Cleveland continued its 29-year drought on the road against the Patriots (to put that in perspective, Bill Belichick was coaching the Browns the last time they won in New England). This could be the start of a late season run for the Pats and the beginning of the end for an injury-riddled Browns team that can’t seem to keep Baker Mayfield upright.

Saints 21
Titans 23

In the latest reminder that special teams is every bit as important as the other two phases of the game, New Orleans is off to its worst start in five years largely because they don’t have a kicker worth a damn. This result may keep the Saints from marching into the postseason and basically hand the AFC South to Tennessee.

Jaguars 17
Colts 23

It was fitting Indianapolis won with the help of a blocked punt at a time when Carson Wentz punted on the possibility of choosing his newborn child over this game. Regardless, the Colts are on their way to playoff contention while Jacksonville remains the sad sack franchise it was before last week’s upset of the Bills.

Ravens 10
Dolphins 22

Baltimore had not only beaten Miami in eight of the last nine meetings — the Ravens won the last three meetings 137-16. Lamar Jackson’s streak of 45 straight starts scoring at least 14 points ended near his hometown. After Miami’s merciless blitzing, the Ravens have to hope their season doesn’t come down to this surprising no-show.