The NFL Roundup - Week 10

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(Ben Margot/Associated Press)

Week 10 is an important one in the NFL, because this is when the discussion really begins as to what teams we will see face off in the Playoffs. For some squads, their spot in the tournament is a given, but for so many other teams, there is still a fighting chance for a shot at the title, and the ones that truly want it, will do anything for that opportunity. It means this weekend's games might be a little fiercer than we are used to seeing and the storylines all the more interesting and here are the top stories we will be keeping an eye on this weekend.

Do the Broncos bench Trevor Siemian if the offense stalls this weekend?
A few weeks ago, the Denver Broncos were 4-0 and enjoying every minute of it. But fortunes change quickly in the NFL and they are now 6-3, in third place in the ultra competitive AFC West and facing a tough road back to the playoffs and one of their biggest issues this season continues to be their offense. The run game is hit or miss, and while QB Trevor Siemian has played decent football at the position this year, the offense simply isn't energized or scoring the kinds of points it needs to. I've expressed my opinion that it comes from a lack of leadership on Siemian's part, and as we learned last year, Coach Gary Kubiak isn't afraid to make changes at the position based upon the tempo of the offense. So is this it? Is this the week Kubiak pulls #13 and puts in the rookie? Hard to say for sure since Gary is trying to build up the young man's confidence, but with the playoffs slipping away and the offense not getting any better, there is a chance that Siemian may sit if he struggles again.

Where do the Vikings go from here?
The Minnesota Vikings are in a free fall at this point. They've lost an offensive coordinator, are dealing with a stagnant offense and porous defense and their three game losing streak is certainly building doubt in the minds of every player on the team. So how on earth do the Vikings right the ship? Well it starts with Head Coach Mike Zimmer. While it's clear he's a player's coach and believes in building up his team through positive reinforcement, the mistakes these guys are making when it comes to such fundamental things as tackling cannot be tolerated. He's going to have to hold his players accountable and expect more out of them, and as silly as that may sound, that it may come down to a scolding...what else is left? They've proven they can play, they're simply not mentally tough at this point and if they can't get their minds refocused on fundamentals...they can kiss the playoffs goodbye.

If the Jaguars lose this weekend, will owner Shad Khan FINALLY fire Gus Bradley?
I've been hard on Head Coach Gus Bradley for some time now, and with good reason...he's a terrible football coach and while I get that continuity is important...this team just isn't getting any better and that's on Gus. But, despite a 2-6 record and another loss last week to Kansas City, this man still has a job and I'm unsure as to why. So, the question is, what will it take for Shad to finally pull the trigger and send Gus packing? My hope is that a loss to the Texans might finally prompt that to happen since Houston seems woefully unprepared to play when they're on the road and Brock Osweiler is an awful quarterback. Because if Gus cannot take advantage of those weaknesses, something several teams have been able to exploit, it should prove unequivocally that Bradley cannot coach in this league and he should be relieved of his duties immediately. But sadly...I think it will be business as usual, they'll lose and lose big and Gus will show up to work come Monday morning, without a care in the world.

Can the Seahawks end the Tom Brady revenge tour?
Tom Brady has been outright unstoppable since his reinstatement into the league and everyone is starting to wonder if there is a team out there right now that can actually find a way to stop him and well...there is a chance that Seattle might answer the call. For starters, they're coming off a huge win this past weekend against the Bills and let's be honest, they're hungry to prove to the league that they are still an elite team, so what better way to do that, than by beating the Patriots. It won't be easy, but the formula for beating Tom Brady has always been the same. If they can generate solid pressure, get to him and disrupt the timing in his game, they have a shot and if not...well, then Tom Brady will knock off another team and not think twice about it. 

What happens now at Quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys?
After spending most of the season healing from a back injury suffered in the preseason, Tony Romo is back to practicing for the Dallas Cowboys and is essentially cleared to play. But will he is the question on all of our minds. After all, in this league you're not supposed to lose your job to injury, but the Dallas Cowboys are in a unique situation. Dak Prescott is a phenomenal rookie quarterback and a big reason the team is 7-1 right now and at this point, it's up to the coaches to decide who will start at this all important position. My hope is that the Cowboys will continue with Prescott at the helm simply because of the fact there's no need to disrupt the incredible chemistry that #4 has built with the first team offense. But, you never know when it comes to Dallas and their fickle coaching staff, but if they want to do the right thing and keep on winning...they let Prescott continue to play and let Romo heal for a change. 

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