The NFL Roundup 2020: Week 10 – What We Learned

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Boy it really was a special weekend of football, wasn’t it? Because you could just feel the energy coming from the field during this past weekend’s slate of games, and the chance to play in the postseason allowed for several teams on the bubble to up the ante by winning big and that made for some exciting games for certain. The kind that taught us a lot about the elite teams out there and the ones that are on the cusp of greatness and without further ado, the time has come to reflect upon Week 10 in the NFL and every lesson it sent our way about our favorite teams and the potential field of teams that will meet in the postseason. 
​
It was wonderful to see Alex Smith playing at a high level once again.
Make no mistake about it, comeback stories are always a welcome addition to NFL football and Sunday featured a big one. For after years of rehab and uncertainty, Washington Quarterback Alex Smith took the field and played at the same high level that we are used to from him and that’s just amazing. Because he shouldn’t be playing in the slightest, not after suffering through an injury like that. But modern medicine and sheer grit and will allowed for Smith to do the impossible and start in the NFL again and that’s just magical. And if by chance, the Washington Football Team can coach up their receivers in all the right ways, this team might do something special down the stretch, since #11 was sharp on Sunday and will likely continue to be since he clearly hasn’t lost his edge in the slightest. 
 
The Philadelphia Eagles need to bench Carson Wentz.
It wasn’t all that long ago that Carson Wentz was viewed as the savior of the Philadelphia Eagles. For his high draft standing and skill set made it seem as though this team could find stability and success at the quarterback position for the first time since the Donovan McNabb era. But sadly, it was a backup QB that won Philly a championship and thus far, Wentz hasn’t looked all that special, especially in 2020. Because he’s been clunky and awful this year and well, the time has come to outright bench him. Because he’s obviously overwhelmed or hurt and he just needs a minute to catch his breath and clear his mind and the team needs to get a look at Jalen Hurts and see what he is capable of. Because if Wentz comes back from a little break and still looks awful, then the team will know the time has come to move on and start over at this all-important position.
 
The Tennessee Titans need to get back to basics.
It wasn’t all that long ago, that the Titans were the toast of the NFL. After all, they were the underdog in 2019 and they shocked the world by knocking the Patriots off in the playoffs and high hopes were definitely surrounding them early on this season when they jumped out of the gate with big wins. But then the Steelers happened, and they haven’t been the same since. Which doesn’t necessarily mean that the team has gone sour or been exposed as something awful, it just means that teams have figured out their weaknesses and that they are trying too hard on the field, and in order to get back to their winning ways… they need to get back to their fundamentals. So, if this team can make the run game a priority once again and get a little more aggressive on defense, they’ll be just fine. But if they cannot and continue to try to tweak the game plan and shock folks, then expect them to either exit the playoffs early, or miss them altogether.
 
The Dolphins and Cardinals continue to be pleasant surprises.
Normally when one discusses Miami or Arizona, it’s rarely in a positive light. Because for a long time now, these teams have been downright awful and tend to lose with impunity week in and week out. But that is apparently, no longer the case. For it turns out that Miami’s roster purge and snagging of Tua has paid off in spades since they are a force to be reckoned with the AFC East and the Cardinals decision to go for broke with Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury was a wonderful idea since they are suddenly superstars in the NFC West. If anything, it’s just nice to see that these two teams are finally turning it around and are playing as though they have nothing to lose. Because that attitude and their new stars are making for some thrilling football for certain and if these young teams continue to grow and play well, there’s a fine chance we’ll see both of these teams in a Super Bowl, down the road.
 
The Baltimore Ravens need to shake things up.
Speaking of teams that had high hopes coming into 2020, only to see them dashed, the Baltimore Ravens are another squad that teams are starting to beat with ease after struggling with them the year before. But unlike the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore’s big problem is that they’ve stuck to the basics for far too long and become predictable in the process. Because their opponents are aware of the fact now that their run defense is a joke and playing containment on Lamar Jackson, confuses him and delays his throws since is first instinct is to run then toss. Which means that if Baltimore wants to start winning games and dominating again, they need to change things up. Make Jackson throw for a change, for instance, and start shoring up the run on the defensive side and if they accomplish those things and confuse their opponents from time to time, then they’ll be able to go far in the playoffs. But if not, then they too will suffer an unfortunate end to a promising season.

---