Every team in the NFL has played at least eight games, which means it is now officially the second half of the regular season. As of Friday (Nov. 10), there are only five teams that are more than two games out of a playoff spot.
So despite the Week 10 schedule providing only one game that features both teams having a winning record, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of important NFL action that will take place. Here are the five most intriguing matchups of Week 10.
5. New England Patriots (6-2) at Denver Broncos (3-5)
The Patriots have now won four in a row after last Sunday’s 21-13 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Denver’s playoff hopes are fading rapidly as they dropped to 3-5 with their fourth consecutive loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in blowout fashion by the score of 51-23.
Despite the four-game win streak, New England has actually put together their four lowest point totals of the season in those four outings. They are averaging 21.8 points per game during the win streak after averaging 32.3 during their 2-2 start.
They face a Broncos team that is utter chaos after a disastrous performance against the Eagles. Entering that game not having allowed a rushing touchdown, Philadelphia was able to score three times on the ground. They have also turned the ball over 13 times in their last four games.
4. Miami Dolphins (4-4) at Carolina Panthers (6-3)
Even after two straight losses, the Dolphins remain in the thick of things in the AFC playoff picture. In Week 9, they were defeated 27-24 by the Oakland Raiders. The Panthers have won their last two after Week 9’s 20-17 win over the Falcons, and they sit just half a game behind the Saints for first place in the NFC South.
The 24 points Miami scored last week were actually the second-most they have scored all season. They should feel lucky to be 4-4 as they rank last averaging 14.5 points per game and have been outscored by 63 points in their first eight games.
It isn’t a good matchup for them on ‘Monday Night Football’ as the Panthers have the fourth-best scoring defense allowing 17.7 points per game.
It will be important for the Dolphins to try to receive short fields by forcing turnovers. Carolina has been susceptible to coughing up the ball as they have turned it over nine times in their last four games.
3. Dallas Cowboys (5-3) at Atlanta Falcons (4-4)
After falling under .500, Dallas has now won three in a row after a 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. The defending NFC champion Falcons are trying to remain in the playoff picture as they have lost four of their last five games. In Week 9, they received a 20-17 loss via the Panthers.
The Cowboys are second in the NFL in rushing yards and first in rushing touchdowns and yards per carry. It will be a tougher challenge on Sunday as star running back Ezekiel Elliott will be suspended.
Alfred Morris is expected to get the bulk of the carries in the meantime.
Morris and the Cowboys face a Falcons team that allowed a season-high 201 rushing yards to Carolina last Sunday. Since their bye week, they have allowed three of their four opponents to rush for at least 138 yards.
2. Minnesota Vikings (6-2) at Washington Redskins (4-4)
The Vikings sit atop the NFC North by two games and have won four in a row. They easily took care of the winless Cleveland Browns 33-16 last week. Washington was able to stay in the NFC playoff hunt after a come-from-behind 17-14 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9 to move back to .500.
The Redskins may face their struggles against a Vikings defense that has allowed 20+ points just once all season.
Their 16.9 points allowed per game is third in the NFL, and their run defense has been stout. Opponents are averaging just 81.4 yards on the ground against Minnesota on 3.5 yards per carry.
That may put more of an onus on Kirk Cousins as Washington has no more than 94 rushing yards in their last four outings. It would be a big plus for him if Jordan Reed is able to suit up after he missed the last game due to a hamstring injury.
1. New Orleans Saints (6-2) at Buffalo Bills (5-3)
New Orleans has won six in a row after a 0-2 start, and now lead the pack in the NFC South. They had no problems taking care of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday winning 30-10. The Bills had a disappointing 34-21 loss to the New York Jets in Week 9 but still would make the playoffs in the AFC if they started today.
A postseason bid is something they haven’t accomplished since the 1999 season.
After three-straight 7-9 seasons with horrendous defenses, the Saints have seen the defense improve by light years during their win streak. During their last six games, they are only allowing 15 points per game while forcing 12 turnovers.
The Bills have also received strong defensive play which has played much of a role in their 5-3 start. The 34 points they allowed to the Jets was a season-high though, and two weeks prior to that they allowed their previous season-high of 27 to Tampa Bay. They still rank first in the NFL with a +11 turnover margin.
