The NFL Roundup 2021: Week 10 Preview

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Hello again football fans, and welcome to this week’s edition of the NFL Roundup, one that is going to be filled with outright anticipation and speculation. Largely because, there are a lot of questions surrounding the elite teams in the NFL right now, since so many of them have allowed for ugly losses that shouldn’t have happened, to happen, and that really does have us wondering if they are imposters of sorts. The kind that might buckle under pressure and cost themselves a shot at the playoffs. So, with that mind, let’s dive in and look at some of those potential trap games and discuss all the juicy storylines and questions that Week 10 in the NFL is going to send our way.
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Can the Broncos go 6-4?
Truly there has been no team more puzzling than the Denver Broncos this year. Because at times, this team has been downright dominant in all three phases of the game, making it appear as though Vic Fangio has finally figured it out and should stay as the team’s head coach. While at other times… they stink, plain and simple, and well… while their big win over Dallas should engender hope in the city of Denver, it only leaves the fans wondering, as to whether or not the Broncos will be able to beat the Eagles at home at and go 6-4 and honestly, that’s hard to say. Because of this team’s woeful inconsistency. So really, everything hinges upon which Broncos squad shows up this weekend, and if the good one swings by, it’s good news for all in Broncos Country and if not… then more frustration will hang over the Mile High City.
 
Will the Cowboys be stunned by the Falcons this week?
Make no mistake about it, the Dallas Cowboys straight up got slapped in the face by the Denver Broncos last week, a team that many consider to be inferior at best, and they are once again facing a sub-par squad in Atlanta, one that they should beat. But will they? And well, the answer to that question hinges on one particular thing. In that, the Cowboys can’t get cocky and take Atlanta for granted. Because that’s what they did against Denver, and it cost them dearly. So, if they go out and play smash mouth football, they should come out of this okay, but if they fall to another bleh team… then questions about their standing and talent will arise once again.
 
How will Green Bay respond on the field to its latest quarterback controversy?
Sunday’s Green Bay/Seattle game on paper, looks like a lock for the Packers. After all, they boast a strong offense and solid defense, and the Seahawks are in disarray defensively. But there are no guarantees that the Packers can win this game, because of the question marks surrounding Aaron Rodgers. For if he doesn’t clear Covid protocols on Saturday, he’s out another week and we know how that will go with Love under center, but even if he starts… will this team be able to win? Because let’s be honest, things are going to be awkward on the field when #12 returns since he’s made a fool of himself and considering how things went in Week 1 for the Packers when they dealt with more drama from Rodgers… there’s a fair chance the Packers will lose on Sunday… all because their star quarterback is a legend in his own mind.

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Cleveland Browns (5-4) at New England Patriots (5-4)
Gillette Stadium – Foxboro, Massachusetts
Sunday, November 14, 2021 – 1:00 p.m. EST – CBS

​This game is of note, simply because it features two teams that find themselves in unexpected positions. For the Browns expected to have a better record at this point and be in command of the AFC North. But injuries and receiver drama has kept them fighting for their playoffs lives and they’re taking on a team… that is happy to be in its current position. Because few thought the Patriots would be in playoff contention this early in the middle of their post-Brady rebuild. But Mac Jones has given them a fighting chance to compete and make the postseason. Which means this will be an intense game, one filled with big plays and a potentially tense finish, and you can never go wrong with that. 

Buffalo Bills (5-3) at New York Jets (2-6)
MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey
Sunday, November 14, 2021 – 1:00 p.m. EST – CBS

​Normally a game that boasts such disparate records, wouldn’t be worth discussing. But the fact of the matter is, the Jets might have a QB phenom on their hands by way of Mike White and the Bills… are suddenly struggling to beat bad teams. Which means that if the Jets can follow the containment procedures for Josh Allen that the Jaguars did last week and lock down and disrupt the passing routes for Buffalo… all while putting up some serious points on the board… they’ve got a shot at winning this game. Which means at this point, it’s all up to Buffalo to not take this hungry team for granted and to bring their A game and toughness to the field. And if they can’t do that, expect the Jets to stun the league by way of an epic upset.

Sunday Night Football
Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) at Las Vegas Raiders (5-3)
Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas, Nevada
8:20 p.m. EST – NBC

​This is a game that is on our radar for one reason and one reason alone. In that, it features a pair of teams in crisis. For the Kansas City Chiefs are a shell of their former Super Bowl Dynasty selves and are desperately searching for a way to get back on track so they can keep their domination of the AFC West rolling and the Raiders are looking to rise above a year full of scandals. The kind that has completely transformed the sidelines and the roster for this team. Which means that this is a matchup that should be filled with outright intensity as they both try to get their respective seasons back on track, and as to who will win… is anyone’s guess. Because both squads really are struggle bussing right now, but if I had to guess… Kansas City does have the edge here. Because when their offense is clicking, it’s dangerous and I’m of the opinion that they’ll rally together and lead the Chiefs to victory.