Assumptions are a bad thing, no matter how strong the underlying data. That maxim was certainly true than in yesterdayâs slate of NFL games, which was frankly shocking across the board.
I want to trot out some assumptions I had coming into Week 10 and see how they fared. Spoiler: not great overall. Onward:
Assumption: Detroit is the best team in the NFL.
Answer: True! â
We start with last nightâs closer, an incredible game. I was all ready to apologize for doubting the Texans (6-4), who largely walloped the Lions â until the final quarter. Gritty defense and two incredible kicks from Jake Bates sealed a 26-23 Detroit win. The 8-1 Lions won despite MVP-candidate quarterback Jared Goff throwing five interceptions. Charmed stuff. (Apologies to the undefeated Chiefs, who won via a last-second field goal block, for not earning the top spot. Kansas City canât get away with this every weekend. Right?)
Assumption: Carolina has the leagueâs worst vibes.
Answer: False â
That distinction belongs to the 4-5 Bears, who suffered one of this seasonâs worst defeats in a 19-3 home loss to the Patriots. We talked about this last week, but coach Matt Eberflus probably needs to go. Caleb Williams completed only about 50 percent of his passes, and the Bearsâ offense was simply awful. How is it this bad already? Meanwhile, the former laughingstock Panthers (3-7) have won two straight after a victory in Germany against the 2-8 Giants, which might send Daniel Jones to the bench.
Assumption: Dallas is still a good football team.
Answer: False â
The Cowboys arenât quite Chicago, but then again, their record is worse: 3-6. Dak Prescott is hurt, his backups arenât great, Mike McCarthyâs seat is boiling and the sun is still taking away touchdowns â in Dallasâ domed stadium. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he wonât fire McCarthy midseason, which means these last eight weeks are going to be awkward. Hey, at least we were right about the Eagles (7-2) being good again.
Assumption: The Jets will figure it out.
Answer: False â
Every game, we scrape New Yorkâs film for signs of hope. Last weekâs win had us poring over the Jetsâ remaining games, wondering what would help them get into the playoffs. Then they went and lost 31-6 to the Cardinals â winners of four straight â yesterday, dropping to 3-7 and essentially ending a second straight cursed year.
And now, teams I donât know what to do with:Â
See our full Week 10 takeaways here.