The thing about the November 10th NFL schedule is that it looked like a bit of a "mop-up" week on paper. You had a bunch of teams with losing records, a few rookie quarterbacks trying to find their legs, and some legacy franchises that were, frankly, circling the drain.
But then Sunday actually happened.
Football is funny like that. It’s never just about who is better on a spreadsheet. Sometimes it’s about a kicker in Kansas City having the game of his life or a rookie in Chicago realizing that the NFL is much, much harder than it looks on TV. If you missed the action from that Sunday in 2024, you missed the day the playoff picture finally stopped being a "projection" and started being a reality.
The Chaos in the Early Window
The morning slate was basically a fever dream. Honestly, if you bet on the favorites, you probably had a rough time at the sportsbook.
Take the Kansas City Chiefs. They were 8-0 heading into their game against the Denver Broncos. It should have been a blowout, right? Instead, it took a literal miracle. Leo Chenal blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt as time expired to keep the Chiefs undefeated with a 16-14 win. It was ugly. It was stressful. But it was classic Kansas City.
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Meanwhile, over in Chicago, things were getting dark. The New England Patriots—who most people had written off weeks ago—rolled into Soldier Field and absolutely dismantled the Chicago Bears. Drake Maye didn't have to be a superstar; he just had to be better than Caleb Williams. He was. The Patriots' defense piled up nine sacks. Nine. You could practically hear the collective sigh of despair from Bears fans through the screen.
Over in Germany, the Carolina Panthers managed to outlast the New York Giants in Munich, winning 20-17 in overtime. It wasn't exactly "the beautiful game," but a win is a win when you're at the bottom of the NFC South.
Quick Scores from the Morning
- Bills 30, Colts 20 (Josh Allen being Josh Allen)
- Vikings 12, Jaguars 7 (A weird, touchdown-less struggle)
- Saints 20, Falcons 17 (The post-Dennis Allen "bump" was real)
- 49ers 23, Buccaneers 20 (Jake Moody eventually found his range)
Why the Late Games Changed Everything
The afternoon games on the November 10th NFL schedule felt a lot more like a changing of the guard.
If you want to know what a team in total freefall looks like, look at the Dallas Cowboys. They got humiliated at home by the Philadelphia Eagles, 34-6. Without Dak Prescott, that offense looked like it was playing in slow motion. Cooper Rush and Trey Lance combined for a performance that made Dallas fans want to turn the lights off at AT&T Stadium early.
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Then you have the Arizona Cardinals. They didn't just beat the New York Jets; they erased them. Kyler Murray was basically playing a video game, completing 17 straight passes at one point. The final score was 31-6, and it wasn't even that close. It’s wild how quickly the "Aaron Rodgers is going to save New York" narrative died that afternoon.
The Pittsburgh Steelers also made a massive statement. They traveled to D.C. to face the surging Washington Commanders and walked away with a 28-27 win. Russell Wilson's moon ball to Mike Williams late in the fourth quarter was the kind of veteran play that wins championships. It sort of proved that the Steelers are actually for real this year.
Sunday Night Drama: The Lions' Great Escape
The day wrapped up with the Detroit Lions visiting the Houston Texans. This game was bizarre. Jared Goff threw five interceptions. Five!
In almost any other scenario, a quarterback throwing five picks means a 30-point loss. But these are the 2024 Lions. They trailed 23-7 at halftime and somehow, through sheer grit and a defense that refused to break in the second half, they clawed back. Jake Bates nailed a 52-yarder to tie it and a 58-yarder to win it.
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It was the first time a team won a game after throwing five interceptions since 2012. It basically cemented Detroit as the team to beat in the NFC. They aren't just talented; they're lucky and tough, which is a terrifying combination in November.
What This Means for Your Roster
If you're looking at the fallout from the November 10th NFL schedule, there are a few things you've got to accept.
First, the "rookie wall" is a real thing. Caleb Williams is struggling with a porous offensive line, and it’s affecting his decision-making. If you’re a Bears fan, you have to hope a coaching change (which feels inevitable) fixes the scheme.
Second, the Cardinals are the real deal in the NFC West. Their defense hasn't allowed a touchdown in weeks. That’s not a fluke; that’s coaching.
Next Steps for Week 11 and Beyond:
- Watch the Waiver Wire: Teams like the Saints and Patriots found some defensive identity this week. If you're playing fantasy, look for their streaming potential.
- Evaluate the Jets: At 3-7 after this loss, their season is effectively over. Expect a lot of "business decisions" from their veterans in the coming weeks.
- Check the Injury Reports: The Eagles and 49ers both had some scares this Sunday. With a short turnaround for some, those practice reports are more vital than the actual game tape right now.