NFL Week 10: Everything You Need to Know for Sunday's Games
We've finally reached that wonderful point in the NFL season where every team has played through at least 50 percent of its season. The 2015 playoff picture is beginning to take shape, and we finally have a decent grasp on which teams are competitive and which teams are looking ahead to next season.
Sadly, the season is already more than half over. For the fans of 20 franchises, the party is quickly coming to an end.
Let's try to look at the bright side, though. For all but a few teams, the playoffs are still a realistic possibility. The Buffalo Bills helped improve their chances with a 22-17 win over the New York Jets on Thursday night.
This Sunday, 24 more teams will try to put one in the win column. Can the Green Bay Packers halt their losing skid? How about the Dallas Cowboys? Will the Arizona Cardinals or Seattle Seahawks stake their claim as top dog in the NFC West?
We'll have to wait for the answers, of course. Until then, here's a look at everything you need to know for Sunday's games.
Biggest Questions
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How Quickly Can the Packers Get Back to Form?
The Green Bay Packers have lost their last two games, dropping both contests in relatively convincing fashion. At 6-2, it isn't quite time for the Packers to panic, but they have to straighten some things out in a hurry.
Though Green Bay has been one of the better teams in the NFC this season, injuries and inconsistencies have prevented it from looking as dangerous as it did a year ago. The offense, which is usually one of the league's best, is rated only 12th overall by Pro Football Focus. The defense is rated 15th.
There is a sense of urgency surrounding the Packers because having home-field advantage in the playoffs would be a huge boon. They at least want to secure a first-round bye in the postseason. Another loss could jeopardize that goal.
Green Bay is tied for the second-best mark in the NFC with the same record as the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings.
This week brings a winnable game—at home against the Detroit Lions. However, the Packers need to do more than win this week—they need to start functioning like an elite football team again.
Who Is the Best Team in the NFC West?
Right now, the 6-2 Cardinals stand alone atop the NFC West. However, the two-time defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks will have an opportunity to begin taking back the crown Sunday night. This is because the Seahawks host the Cardinals in what should be an epic slugfest.
Seattle is coming off its bye week on a two-game winning streak. Arizona is also coming off its bye week on a two-game winning streak.
But let's not forget about St. Louis. The Rams have proved themselves a force to be reckoned with since the emergence of rookie phenom Todd Gurley. St. Louis shares a 4-4 record with the Seahawks and currently owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over both Seattle and Arizona.
If the Rams and Seahawks win, both teams would be one game behind the Cardinals in the division with St. Louis-Seattle and Seattle-Arizona looming in Weeks 16 and 17.
Which Peyton Manning Will Show up Against Kansas City?
We all know that Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning hasn't been his usual MVP-caliber self this season. He has had both good and bad games but seems to be on the rise once again.
Manning is rated 16th overall among all quarterbacks by Pro Football Focus.
With a tough divisional matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, will it be a good week or a bad one for Manning?
Two weeks ago, he had arguably his best outing of the season, completing more than 72 percent of his passes for 340 yards. The Broncos crushed the then-unbeatend Packers 29-10.
Last week against the Indianapolis Colts, though, Manning tossed two interceptions and completed just 58.3 percent of his passes. It was the fourth time this season he has fallen short of 300 yards passing while also throwing two or more interceptions.
It won't be all on Manning, of course, since the Broncos have a championship-caliber defense. However, a bad performance by one of the game's all-time best signal-callers would give the Chiefs a much better chance of pulling off the road upset.
Game of the Day
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What: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
When: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: NBC
We still have almost two months until playoff time, but if you're hungry for a postseason atmosphere, then Sunday night is going to be worth consuming. When the Arizona Cardinals travel to Seattle, we're going to get a postseason-like game.
The Seahawks are on a two-game winning streak and coming off their bye. They're also in a bit of desperation mode because they would fall three games behind the Cardinals with a loss.
When it comes to the NFC West title, it is basically now or never for Seattle.
Arizona, meanwhile, is standing tall atop the division and looking to drive a dagger into the rival Seahawks. A win here wouldn't secure the division title, but it would make it a whole lot more difficult for Seattle to catch up down the stretch.
Though the Cardinals are currently in charge, they know the Seahawks are the two-time reigning kings of the division—and the NFC.
"Those guys are kind of in our way," Arizona safety Tyrann Mathieu said, per Bob Baum of the Associated Press. "We want to go somewhere, and we have to go through those guys."
There's a solid chance both of these teams will be in the playoff race at the end of the season, but the outcome of this game could well impact how that race unfolds.
Honorable Mention: Minnesota Vikings at Oakland Raiders
Don't look now, but the Oakland Raiders just might be a playoff team. At 4-4, Oakland is in the mix in the AFC, and perhaps more importantly, the team is playing well. A win Sunday would make the postseason that much more likely.
Why is this important? The NFL just seems better when the Raiders are relevant.
To get a win, though, Oakland will have to go through the Minnesota Vikings, another surprise team. The Vikings haven't struggled like the Raiders in recent years, however. The surprise is that Minnesota has a realistic shot at unseating the Packers atop the NFC North; the rivals share identical 6-2 records.
This is another matchup pitting two potential playoff teams that is going to be a lot of fun to watch. The action kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox.
Stats of the Week
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Yards rushing per game by the Philadelphia Eagles over their past four games. The Eagles are 4-1 this season when they rush for at least 100 yards.
Rushing yards per game allowed by Philadelphia's opponent this week, the Miami Dolphins. Only the Cleveland Browns have been worse at defending the run.
Touchdown passes thrown by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees over the past two weeks. Also the number of touchdown passes thrown by Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins all season.
Touchdown passes of more than 20 yards thrown by Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr this season. No quarterback has thrown more.
Games in which New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has thrown multiple touchdown passes. That's more than any other quarterback and also matches the number of games he has played.
Passing touchdowns allowed by the Seattle Seahawks at home this season. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer has thrown 12 of his 20 touchdown passes on the road.
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Who's Favored?
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Here are the odds for Sunday's games, via Odds Shark:
| Game Time (ET) | Away Team | Home Team | Favorite |
| 1 p.m. | Jacksonville | Baltimore | Baltimore -4.5 |
| 1 p.m. | Detroit | Green Bay | Green Bay -12 |
| 1 p.m. | Miami | Philadelphia | Philadelphia -7 |
| 1 p.m. | Cleveland | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh -5.5 |
| 1 p.m. | Chicago | St. Louis | St. Louis -7.5 |
| 1 p.m. | Dallas | Tampa Bay | Even |
| 1 p.m. | Carolina | Tennessee | Carolina -4 |
| 1 p.m. | New Orleans | Washington | Even |
| 4:05 p.m. | Minnesota | Oakland | Oakland -2.5 |
| 4:25 p.m. | Kansas City | Denver | Denver -4.5 |
| 4:25 p.m. | New England | NY Giants | New England -9 |
| 8:30 p.m. | Arizona | Seattle | Seattle -2.5 |
Matchups to Watch
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Marcus Mariota vs. Carolina Pass Defense
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota managed to out-duel Drew Brees last week, passing for 371 yards and four touchdowns en route to a 34-28 overtime victory. Of course, Mariota is going to face a much stiffer test this week against the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers boast a pass defense that is rated fourth overall in coverage by Pro Football Focus. The group is headlined by emerging star cornerback Josh Norman. The secondary was good enough to keep Aaron Rodgers mostly in check during last week's victory and did the same to Andrew Luck the week before.
From an arm talent and mobility standpoint, Mariota is similar to both Rodgers and Luck, though he is obviously far less established. This should be a fun battle to watch.
Tom Brady vs. Giants Pass Defense
It's also going to be fun watching New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady go up against the New York Giants, albeit for different reasons.
There is some history here, as the Giants knocked off Brady's team in two of their last three Super Bowl outings. The difference, though, is that a championship-caliber defense led those New York teams.
This year's Giants defense is far from championship-caliber. New York is tied for just 25th in pass coverage and rated last in pass rush by Pro Football Focus. If the Giants don't find a way to turn those things around at home this week, Brady could put on a clinic.
Washington Backs vs. Saints Run Defense
The Washington Redskins have had difficulty running the football of late. In fact, the team has rushed for 51 or fewer yards in each of its past four games.
Alfred Morris, Matt Jones and Chris Thompson will have an opportunity to put their rushing struggles behind them, though, against a New Orleans Saints defense that isn't exactly proficient at shutting down the run.
The Saints rank just 25th in run defense and are allowing 122.6 yards per game on the ground.
Carson Palmer vs. Seahawks Pass Defense
We've already mentioned that the Seattle Seahawks have allowed only one touchdown pass at home this season and that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer has been a scoring machine on the road. But let's dig a little deeper into this matchup.
The key to shutting down Palmer is limiting his time in the pocket. Give him an opportunity, and he'll slice through a secondary like Edward Scissorhands. This is where the Seahawks can get an advantage. Seattle has been very good at pressuring opposing passers.
Through eight games, the Seahawks have produced 20 sacks. More importantly, however, is the fact that even when Seattle isn't bringing quarterbacks down, it is bringing the heat. According to Pro Football Focus, only four teams are better at rushing the passer than the Seahawks are.
Palmer isn't the most mobile quarterback, but he will likely have to find ways to buy time in order to be successful Sunday.
Injury Report
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Each week, we take a look at the most significant injuries from around the league.
Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears (out): According to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Forte has confirmed that his knee injury is an MCL sprain.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings (questionable): Bridgewater suffered a concussion last week against the St. Louis Rams and is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Oakland Raiders. According to Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, however, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said Bridgewater is likely to play.
Josh McCown, QB, Cleveland Browns (questionable): McCown is officially questionable with a rib injury, and it seems likely that Johnny Manziel will get the start. Browns cornerback Joe Haden, safety Donte Whitner and guard Joel Bitonio are all out.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (questionable): Roethlisberger is also listed as questionable for Sunday with a foot sprain. However, Big Ben was in a walking boot most of the week, so he is not likely to start.
Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans (out): According to the Tennessee Titans' injury report, the team will be without Wright (knee) and cornerback Jason McCourty (groin) this week against the Carolina Panthers.
Prince Amukamara, CB, New York Giants (out): Amukamara has been ruled out with a pectoral injury. Wide receiver Victor Cruz (calf) and tight end Larry Donnell (neck) have been ruled out as well.
Sean Lee, LB, Dallas Cowboys (out): Lee suffered a concussion in last week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He is expected to miss this week's game as well.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos (questionable): According to NFL Media's James Palmer, Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak expects Sanders (ankle) to be a game-time decision on Sunday. Broncos pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware has been ruled out with a back injury.
Expert Picks and Predictions
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Each week, we take a look at picks and predictions from Bleacher Report's top NFL writers. We also spotlight the experts' results on a week-to-week basis.
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