Week 10 NFL Takeaways: 49ers get back to form; is C.J. Stroud in the MVP conversation?
Week 10 NFL Takeaways: 49ers get back to form; is C.J. Stroud in the MVP conversation?
Joshua Dobbs with another magical performance, and is there concern for the Lions?
Watch out now; some teams are starting to make progress, particularly with their quarterbacks, which could greatly impact their season.
The Houston Texans don’t just have an NFL Rookie of the Year candidate in quarterback C.J. Stroud; the first-year signal-caller should be in the MVP conversation after another impressive outing.
When the Houston Texans drafted NFL Rookie of the Year candidate in quarterback C.J. Stroud; I doubt they believed he would be this dominant, this quickly. With each passing week, the first-year signal caller shows noticeable progress and will keep on improving. His recent performance has generated buzz about him being a contender for NFL MVP, but should we be hailing him as the frontrunner already?
The Minnesota Vikings are reveling in back-to-back wins following the acquisition of former Arizona Cardinals starter Joshua Dobbs, who is showcasing his masterful craft. When the Vikings traded for Joshua Dobbs after Kirk Cousins went down, did they anticipate his immediate impact to be this remarkable?
The Cleveland Browns' dominance as the league's best defense has been a constant source of irritation this season. This defense somehow keeps the offense in the game in every game that they play. However, their starting quarterback finally displayed glimpses of exceptional skill, elevating them to potentially the AFC's most formidable team. Picture the Browns' quarterback room finally heading in a positive direction - it's something to contemplate.
The New England Patriots may have finally moved off of Mac Jones, but Bailey Zappe isn't much of an improvement, highlighting the glaring weakness in the team—the quarterback position. Additionally, another problem worth mentioning is that the head coach and de facto GM have made a series of ill-advised moves throughout the year. However, one particular roster decision stands out as the most detrimental for the Patriots. Despite having abundant resources during the offseason, Belichick carefully scrutinized his roster and surprisingly deduced that his wide receivers didn't demand substantial further investment. The Patriots' 2-8 record reflects their struggles, which can be traced back to the team's questionable decisions. Belichick had complete control over the roster, carefully selecting each individual. He's the visionary behind the entire endeavor.
Quarterbacks are constantly at the center of attention, dominating every conversation. However, this weekend's NFL action was defined by more captivating stories. It's time to immerse ourselves in the thrilling Week 10 NFL Takeaways and analyze the notable events and key observations.
Stroud and the Texans picked up a trademark victory Sunday in Cincinnati, is he in the MVP discussion now?
In a year where there isn't a clear-cut MVP leader after 10 games, Stroud's stats speak for themselves, making him a potential MVP. Stepping up on Sunday with the game on the line, Stroud mirrored his performance from last week. If you explore what MVPs do, that's the crux of the matter. Of course, he's going to have to perform even better when the games matter, under the intense spotlight and high expectations. It's not November that determines the MVP, otherwise, he would currently be in the top 3. The MVP is decided in December. But Stroud is off to a phenomenal start, outshining anyone in the NFL. The Texans have triumphed in a greater number of games this season compared to the previous three years, and they still have eight games remaining. You can debate endlessly, but there's no denying that Stroud was the driving force behind their wins. Of course, it'll be a challenge to earn that respect as a rookie, and the Texans would likely have to secure a playoff spot for him to truly be considered, but right now, he should definitely be part of the discussion. In Houston, there is a player of great value, and the future is filled with potential.
Are the 49ers back to their old selves after the defensive display they put on in Sunday’s performance?
The 49ers' defense struggled the most with their run defense and lackluster coverages, which proved to be problematic during their losing streak. In order to counter the 49ers' aggressive play style, teams coming in with a game plan chose to attack them on the ground. This week, their defense was solid against the run, only allowing 59 yards on 17 carries. On Sunday, Lawrence found himself holding the ball under increasing pressure, enduring five sacks and 10 quarterback pressures. The revamped defensive line had a feast, leading to a noticeable improvement in their secondary.
In terms of offensive prowess, Purdy was excelling, demonstrating exceptional skill in making high-difficulty throws. However, his performance was overshadowed by costly turnovers in the last two games. On Sunday, he resumed where he had left off, but this time he handled the ball with precision. Beating the 49ers will be a daunting task if their secondary effectively resolves their issues with busts in coverage and if Purdy exhibits careful ball control. Deebo Samuel's performance on Sunday was limited to just four targets; I believe he could be more involved. Besides the occasional Power Sweep and End Around run plays, the more involved he is, the more dangerous this offense becomes, creating an unpredictable and formidable team.
With Joshua Dobbs leading the Vikings to back-to-back victories, what are the Vikings capable of for the rest of the season?
Let's kick things off with the obvious: I highly doubt the Vikings will surpass the Lions in the NFC North, especially considering they still have to face off against them twice. However, they are guaranteed to add an interesting twist and offer thrilling football entertainment. The Vikings have three upcoming games against teams with losing records: the Broncos, Bears, and Raiders. A victory against the Broncos and Bears would grant them a seven-game winning streak, ensuring Dobbs becomes well-versed in the intricacies of the Vikings playbook. With Jefferson's return, this offense has a chance to elevate itself into the top-10 rankings moving forward. During Jefferson's absence, rookie Jordan Addison has truly blossomed, impressing everyone with his performance. Hockenson had an impressive performance on Sunday, recording 11 catches, 134 yards, and a touchdown. Dobbs’ mobility gives this offense an interesting dynamic. With Brian Flores at the helm, the defense is strong and well-coordinated. They could legitimately be a playoff team.
Is the lack of defense for the Detroit Lions concerning for a team with playoff aspirations, even though their offense seems legitimate?
The opposing team had a field day against their defense, scoring 38 points and gaining 421 yards. They also managed to convert seven of 14 third downs. Overall, the Lions' defense has been quite solid this season. In my view, I wouldn't describe that unit as concerning. While there are worries about the defense, the team can rely on the playmaking abilities of certain individuals to leave a mark in the playoffs. Their high-scoring offense renders a shutdown defense unnecessary. They just need one that can make advantageous stops, and I think they can do that. I'd like to witness how they fare against another top-tier team, to truly gauge their abilities. But the rest of their schedule doesn’t feature a lot of elite opponents: the Bears twice, Packers, Saints, Broncos, Vikings twice, and Cowboys. The Cowboys matchup is expected to be an explosive spectacle with a high-scoring offensive showdown. And the meetings with the Vikings should prove intriguing. Nevertheless, I can't fathom why Detroit wouldn't end up with one of the top NFC playoff seeds, considering their dominant play on the field.
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