NFL Week 10: 5 Things We Learned

There were several big games in the NFL this week. Playoff spots became clearer, in some cases, and cloudier in others. Here are the five things that we learned, or relearned, this week.

1. The Chicago Bears, Not the Detroit Lions, Will Be the Wild Card from the NFC North

Matthew Stafford looked like a rookie today—again. He threw four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.

The Lions have lost recently to the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons and now the Bears—all conference games. The Lions lack a reliable running game and have a rough closing schedule. I can't see them making the playoffs.

2. Relearning What I Had Written Last Week, the Philadelphia Eagles' Season Is Over— Finito!

This week's game—and perhaps the entire season—can be summarized in one play.

At a key point in the game, when the Eagles needed a first down, Michael Vick threw a pass to Steve Smith. Smith caught the ball two yards short of the first down, with two defenders a few yards away from him.

Rather than turn up field and try to make the first down, Smith took a dive to avoid a possible hit. Perhaps he figured that, since that was how DeSean Jackson plays, this must be the Eagles' way.

Again this week the Eagles made a mediocre quarterback look like a star. John Skelton (who?) threw three touchdown passes and led a last-quarter, 87-yard drive to win the game. Chalk another one up for Juan Castillo's no-stop defense.

3. The Houston Texans Will Be Playing in the AFC Championship Game

The team that has never made the playoffs is now riding a four-game winning streak after trouncing the Tampa Bay Bucs. They will get Andre Johnson back after their bye week.

Four of their last six games will be against teams with losing records. Arian Foster is productive again and has a solid backfield partner in Ben Tate.

All the stars are aligning for the Texans to get one of the top two seeds in the AFC.

4. The San Francisco 49ers Will Be Playing in Green Bay for the NFC Championship

The 49ers beat a good team, the New York Giants, despite getting no rushing yards from Frank Gore. Early reports seem to indicate that Gore's injury is not serious. 

The 49ers' remaining schedule is easy. It includes five division games: two each against the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams and one with the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers path to the bye seems pretty clear. So, one playoff win at home and the 49ers will be in Green Bay for the NFC Championship game.

5. The New England Patriots Will Win the AFC East

The Buffalo Bills have lost three of their last four games. Whatever was ailing the Patriots got fixed in time for them to defeat the New York Jets and sweep the season series. 

The Patriots remaining schedule is easy. There doesn't seem to be any obstacle to the Patriots winning the division again.