Are you up watching the Colts and Patriots in Germany this morning? I can’t say I blame you if you’re not. I definitely won’t miss the International Games that wrap up today. These early Sunday starts are no fun. Especially when it’s for the 2-7 Patriots and 4-5 Colts. Anyway, there’s actually some good football to be played today. Let’s discuss some NFL Week 10 storylines.
- The Baltimore Ravens (7-2) and Cleveland Browns (5-3) square off today in Baltimore in a big AFC North matchup. I wrote earlier this week that the Ravens might be the best team in the AFC right now, but they’ll be tested today with the Browns coming to town. Baltimore beat Cleveland 28-3 earlier this season and are looking for the season sweep against the Browns. Lamar Jackson enters today’s game with a league-best (among quarterbacks) 440 rushing yards. With 52 yards, Jackson will pass Randall Cunningham (4,928) for fourth on the all-time quarterback rushing list.
- The Browns desperately need a win against the Ravens today. Deshaun Watson missed their last meeting with a shoulder injury but returned last week to throw for 219 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He’ll need an even better performance today to slow down the red-hot Ravens.
- Josh Dobbs was the hero for the Minnesota Vikings last week and was the talk of the NFL world this week. But does he have an encore performance in him? Minnesota will take on the Saints today and need a win to stay in contention for a wild card berth in the NFC playoffs. Dobbs and the Vikings will get Justin Jefferson back soon, but not today. Minnesota’s defense has been sensational during their four-game winning streak, holding teams to 17 points per contest with eight takeaways.
- Do the Raiders have an encore performance in them this week? After cleaning house after the trade deadline, the rejuvenated Raiders blew the Giants out at Allegiant Stadium last Sunday. They welcome the Jets to Vegas today, and while the Jets are treading water this season without Aaron Rodgers, they’ll undoubtedly be a step up in competition from the Giants.
- C.J. Stroud and the Texans will take on the Cincinnati Bengals today. The rookie quarterback is looking to follow up his record-setting performance last week with a win over the Bengals, who enter today’s game winners of four straight. Houston is banged up with an injury report featuring 23 players, with eight players ruled out for today’s game. For the Bengals, they’re playing catchup and could use a victory today to keep pace with the Ravens in the AFC North.
- Cincinnati will be without Tee Higgins (hamstring) today, but this morning Ian Rapoport reported that Ja’Marr Chase will play for the Bengals despite dealing with a back injury all week.
- Will Levis will make his third start for the Tennessee Titans today when they take on Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But this time, it’ll be as the starter for the Titans after it was announced this week that he had supplanted the veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill as the team’s top quarterback.
- The 49ers will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars today and are looking to halt a three-game losing streak. They’ll have some extra help today with wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Trent Williams returning from injuries. They’ll also play their first game with Chase Young opposite Nick Bosa on the defensive line.
- Kyler Murray will make his 2023 debut for the Cardinals today when they take on the Atlanta Falcons this afternoon. Although Murray has shown some moments of brilliance during his NFL career, he has generally underperformed and failed to deliver the consistency that a team expects from a franchise quarterback. He needs to show that he can work well with new coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s system in order to take the franchise to the next level. Failure to do so could result in the Cardinals looking for a new direction next season.