Week 10: Which Players, Coaches, and Teams Are on the Rise?

Prospective Head Coaches

If you are a coordinator in this league, there is no better time to seek a head coaching job. Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots appear to be parting ways come season’s end. Several other organizations appear poised to have openings as things get worse and worse for the bad teams in this league. The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and the New York Giants all could have openings, so we’ll be seeing plenty of turnover in the months ahead.

San Francisco 49ers

Well, so much for the San Francisco 49ers collapsing. After three straight losses and a bye week, the 49ers headed across the country and absolutely dismantled the Jacksonville Jaguars who were on a five-game winning streak. The Jags didn’t even have a chance. Brock Purdy found his groove again with the return of Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams, and the defense came to play with newly-acquired Chase Young already proving to be a difference maker. Still, I don’t put the 49ers on the same level as the Philadelphia Eagles, but regardless, keep your calendars circled for the Week 13 matchup in Philly.

AFC North Foes Chasing the Ravens

The Cincinnati Bengals might have lost, but with Joe Burrow, they’re never out of the hunt. For the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, they’ll take any win they can get in the tightly-compacted AFC Wild Card race as they both sit with 6-3 records, only a game back of the Baltimore Ravens for the division crown. I don’t know how the Steelers keep winning as they’ve been outgained every game this year, but that’s Mike Tomlin for you. Cleveland’s defense is full of difference-makers, and if you’re getting an above-average version of Deshaun Watson, no one will want to play Cleveland come playoff time. With a month and a half to go, the AFC North will be exciting to watch unfold.

NFC Wild Card Teams

Unlike the AFC, we basically know who will make the postseason in the NFC, and the three expected wild card teams added impressive wins to their resumes to widen the gap. The Dallas Cowboys obliterated the pitiful New York Giants, the Seattle Seahawks pulled off an impressive win over the Washington Commanders, and the Minnesota Vikings won their fifth straight game as Josh Dobbs looks capable of carrying this club. Still, beating the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and even the Detroit Lions is an uphill battle for these teams, getting into the playoffs is where you start, and these three clubs are officially in the driver’s seat.

Prospective Head Coaches

If you are a coordinator in this league, there is no better time to seek a head coaching job. Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots appear to be parting ways come season’s end. Several other organizations appear poised to have openings as things get worse and worse for the bad teams in this league. The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and the New York Giants all could have openings, so we’ll be seeing plenty of turnover in the months ahead.