If you thought you had the 2025 NFL season figured out, Week 10 just slapped the clipboard out of your hands. Seriously. We went into this slate expecting the heavyweights to flex and instead got a series of results that felt like they were pulled from a Madden simulation gone wrong. From a coaching firing in New York to a stunner in Miami, the NFL games week 10 schedule provided enough drama to fill a month, let alone a single weekend.
Football is weird. One minute you’re the toast of the town, and the next, you’re Brian Daboll cleaning out an office at MetLife Stadium. That’s the reality of the league in 2025. This week wasn't just about scores; it was about the seismic shifts in the playoff hunt that nobody saw coming.
👉 See also: Chelsea Champions League Champions: Why Those Two Stars Feel So Different
The Shockers: Dolphins Drown the Bills and Daboll’s Final Bow
Let’s start with the result that probably busted every parlay in North America. The Buffalo Bills, riding a seven-game win streak over their division rivals, walked into Miami Gardens and got absolutely dismantled. It wasn't even close. 30-13.
Tua Tagovailoa looked like he was playing a different sport than everyone else, finding Jaylen Waddle and Malik Washington for scores while De’Von Achane turned the Buffalo defense into a group of statues with a 59-yard touchdown run. The Bills had just beaten the Chiefs the week before. They were the "it" team. Then, suddenly, they weren't.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, the New York Giants' 24-20 loss to the Bears was the final nail for Brian Daboll. It was a classic "Giants" way to go out. They were up 20-10 in the fourth quarter. They had it. Then, a messy sequence involving a "too many men" penalty on a field goal try and some questionable play-calling led to a collapse. By Monday morning, Daboll was out, ending an era that started with so much promise but ended with a 20-40-1 record over four years.
Berlin Gets a Classic and the "Brady Bowl" Delivers
The NFL International Series headed to Berlin this week, and honestly, the German fans got a way better game than they probably expected. The Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons went to overtime in a 31-25 thriller. Jonathan Taylor basically put the Colts on his back, cementing his MVP case with a performance that felt like 2021 all over again. The Falcons' Drake London was a problem all morning, but Indy’s defense tightened up just enough when it mattered in the extra period.
Back stateside, we had the "Brady Bowl." New England versus Tampa Bay.
It was a matchup of Tom Brady’s two former loves, and it featured the young guns: Drake Maye for the Pats and Baker Mayfield (the new face of the Bucs). New England eked out a 28-23 win, their seventh straight victory. Think about that. The Patriots are suddenly the hottest team in the AFC. Drake Maye is playing with a poise that suggests the post-Brady era might finally be over.
High Scores and Defensive Meltdowns
The late afternoon window was a pure offensive explosion. If you like defense, you probably hated your life around 4:30 PM ET.
🔗 Read more: Major League Baseball News and Rumors: Why the Kyle Tucker Standoff is Getting Weird
- Lions 44, Commanders 22: Detroit is a buzzsaw. Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties and the results were terrifying. Jahmyr Gibbs broke off a 44-yard touchdown run that looked like he was running at 2x speed.
- Rams 42, 49ers 26: Matthew Stafford is 37 years old and playing some of the best football of his life. He carved up the Niners for four touchdowns. Davante Adams, now in a Rams jersey, caught his 401st career touchdown. It was a clinic.
- Seahawks 44, Cardinals 22: Seattle jumped out to a 35-0 lead. It was over before the second quarter was halfway done. Defensive tackle DeMarcus Lawrence actually had two scoop-and-score touchdowns. When your interior linemen are outscoring the opposing offense, you’re having a good day.
The "Ugly" Wins Matter Most
Not every game was a highlight reel. The Thursday night opener between the Broncos and Raiders was, to put it mildly, a flag-fest. Denver won 10-7. Both teams had more penalties than first downs. It was the kind of game that makes you want to go for a long walk without your phone. But for Bo Nix and the Broncos, a win is a win, even if it looked like a car crash.
Then you have the Houston Texans. They were down 17-0 early to the Jaguars. Then 29-10 heading into the fourth. With C.J. Stroud out (concussion), Davis Mills stepped in and orchestrated a comeback for the ages. 26 points in the fourth quarter. Mills ran in the winning score with 31 seconds left. It was the kind of "gut-check" win that defines a season.
Looking Ahead: The Playoff Picture is a Mess
After NFL games week 10, the standings look like they’ve been put through a blender. The Eagles managed a 10-7 slugfest win over the Packers on Monday night, but it raised more questions than answers about Matt LaFleur’s offense. The Packers have only scored 30 points total across their last three losses. That's a red alert in Green Bay.
Here is the reality of where we are:
📖 Related: Mondo Track and Field Surface: What Most People Get Wrong
- The AFC East is wide open again. Miami’s win over Buffalo proves the Bills aren't invincible.
- The NFC North is a three-way war. Detroit, Green Bay, and Chicago are all legitimate, though the Packers are stumbling.
- The "Lurkers" are dangerous. Teams like the Chargers and Patriots are stacking wins quietly while everyone talks about the Lions and Bills.
Actionable Insights for Week 11 and Beyond
If you're following the league closely or looking at the betting lines for next week, keep these three things in mind. First, don't overreact to the Rams' high score; the Niners were missing key pieces in the secondary and Mac Jones was under center, which put their defense in terrible spots. Second, watch the injury report for C.J. Stroud. Houston's offense is a different animal with him, even if Davis Mills played the hero this week. Finally, keep an eye on the Jets. Despite the "dead season" narrative, their defense just posted six sacks against the Browns. They are going to play spoiler for someone's playoff hopes in December.
The 2025 season has officially entered its chaotic phase. If Week 10 taught us anything, it's that "guaranteed" wins don't exist in this league. Buckle up.
Check the injury status of Garrett Wilson (Jets) and Jaxon Dart (who suffered a concussion) before making any moves for your fantasy lineups or Week 11 picks.