2026 NFL Week 10 Biggest Takeaways for Every Team

Old faces in new places will define the Week 10 of the NFL after the league's trade deadline came and went.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins is back with the Minnesota Vikings. Wide receiver Keenan Allen is back on the West Coast, albeit with the San Francisco 49ers. Josh Downs provides the Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs with a new offensive weapon. The Jacksonville Jaguars beefed up their defenses, too, with the additions of safety Jessie Bates III and defensive tackle Jordan Davis.

These debuts for new teams are only the start of the stories coming out of professional football's Week 10 action. As always, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Brent Sobleski, Kris Knox, and Moe Moton followed all of the happenings to break down the biggest stories and most pressing questions coming out of each contest.

Washington Commanders at New York Giants

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Washington Commanders' rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams scores a touchdown against the New York Giants.

Commanders 24, Giants 21

Did the Washington Commanders Actually Save Their Season?

The Washington Commanders ensured they wouldn't endure the same outcome Thursday after tying the New York Giants in Week 5. Instead, the Commanders played aggressively, put the primetime contest away late in the fourth quarter and improved to 3-5-1.

The victory was absolutely necessary to ensure the New York Giants didn't run away with the NFC East. Now, the Commanders remain within striking distance of the division leader. However, Washington still trails by two games and the Commanders' upcoming schedule likely portends more week-to-week inconsistency.

The Cincinnati Bengals and the league's best passing attack come to town next weekend and face Washington's bottom five pass defense. The Commanders should be favored against the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans during the next two weeks before what could turn into a difficult five-game stretch against the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys to finish the regular season.

Yes, the Commanders kept their season alive. But a slow demise is likely forthcoming.

Washington Commanders' New Big-Play Threats in Passing Game

Ultimately, quarterback Jayden Daniels found Stefon Diggs for the game-winning 32-yard touchdown pass with under a minute remaining in regulation. However, the Commanders wouldn't have been in that position without tight end Ben Sinnott and rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams providing big plays earlier.

Entering Thursday's contest, Sinnott had caught one pass for six yards. The 2024 second-round draft pick hadn't caught more than three passes or provided over 36 receiving yards in any contest during his first two-plus seasons. He set career-highs Thursday with four catches for 42 yards, including a touchdown grab.

Meanwhile, Williams continues to show burst and an ability to create after catch with a 31-yard touchdown reception.

Terry McLaurin and Dyami Brown may be on injured reserve, but the Commanders have two young players filling the void.

Can New York Giants RB Cam Skattebo Do Enough to Answer Critics?

The New York Giants were active in the running back market prior to Tuesday's trade deadline. Ultimately, the organization didn't land Jonathan Taylor or any other option.

Cam Skattebo was forced to answer the bell on Thursday. He did so with 122 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns. Plus, he consistently stuck his nose in pass protection to help quarterback JJ McCarthy.

Skattebo has now posted two straight appearances with 120 or more scrimmage yards. The second-year back will never be as explosive or dynamic as Taylor. However, he can be an adequate-to-quality starter if he's fully committed to serve as the hammer within the Giants offense.

Isaiah Likely Emerges at New York Giants' No. 1 Target

Malik Nabers is the Giants' top wide receiver. However, tight end Isaiah Likely made the big play Thursday to give New York a fourth-quarter lead.

McCarthy targeted Likely on 11 different occasions. The tight end responded with a career-best 127 receiving yards, including the all-important 66-yard touchdown connection.

When John Harbaugh served as the Baltimore Ravens' head coach, Mark Andrews was Lamar Jackson's favorite target. Likely could certainly be that for McCarthy and possibly Dart upon his return.

Sunday Slate

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza

Traded players will have a spotlight shining on them during Sunday's action, of course. At the same time, some familiar faces will be under extra scrutiny. Case in point, this year's No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, is expected to start his first NFL game after Kirk Cousins' departure to the Minnesota Vikings. Also, the Indianapolis Colts chose not to trade running back Jonathan Taylor. How the Colts coaching staff utilizes the three-time Pro Bowl ball-carrier will be a fascinating to watch.

New England Patriots at Detroit Lions (9:30 a.m.)

Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m.)

Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns (1 p.m.)

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (1 p.m.)

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (1 p.m.)

Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts (1 p.m.)

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m.)

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets (1 p.m.)

Seattle Seahawks at Las Vegas Raiders (4:05 p.m.)

Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m.)

San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys (4:25 p.m.)

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (8:20 p.m.)

All times are Eastern Standard Time.

Monday Night Football: Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Quaterback Jacoby Brissett is now a member of the Baltimore Ravens. He's expected to make his first start with his new squad during Monday Night Football.

The Los Angeles Chargers will travel all the way to Baltimore in hopes of finally registering its first win of the season. Otherwise, it'll be a long trip home after Monday Night Football with a six-day turnaround to face the New York Jets at home.

Meanwhile, the Ravens should look different during this primetime affair. Jacoby Brissett is expected to start at quarterback after being acquired via trade from the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 6. Brissett is a life preserver to keep the 4-5 Ravens afloat until Lamar Jackson can return late in the season.