Week 10 of the NFL season brought us some incredible action, but also some moments that left fans shaking their heads, particularly in Chicago and New York. While other teams are making pushes for the playoffs, these two franchises are sinking deeper into dysfunction. Let’s dive into the biggest takeaways from the week, with a focus on two teams whose seasons have become nothing short of a disaster.
1. Chicago Bears Are In Total Disarray
The Chicago Bears are now sitting at 2-8 after a dismal 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots. The defeat was emblematic of their season, showcasing a team that is constantly underperforming, making mental errors, and showing little to no signs of growth. Matt Eberflus, who should be on the hot seat, has been unable to get the best out of his squad, and this loss should have been the final nail in the coffin for his coaching tenure.
What’s even more alarming is how poorly Caleb Williams, the top quarterback prospect in next year’s draft, was protected. The young signal-caller was sacked a jaw-dropping nine times, and while he does have room for improvement, you simply cannot succeed when you’re under constant pressure. The offensive line is a mess, the playcalling is uninspired, and the defense doesn’t have nearly enough talent to carry this team.
Bears fans can no longer blame it on injuries or bad luck—this is a coaching problem, and it’s hard to imagine the franchise making significant progress under the current leadership. With a potential high draft pick in 2025, the Bears need to completely reevaluate everything from the top down.
Key takeaway: The Bears need a complete overhaul, and firing Eberflus should be the first move. It’s time for a new direction in Chicago.
2. The New York Jets Are A Complete Mess
It’s hard to find the words to describe just how bad the New York Jets looked in their 25-point blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Jets entered the game hoping to bounce back, but instead, they put on one of the worst performances of the season, losing 25-0. This loss has put their entire season into question, and with each passing week, the frustration grows.
Aaron Rodgers’ return is the only thing keeping some hope alive for the Jets, but after seeing their offense fail to do anything against a team that was expected to be one of the worst in the league, it’s clear that this roster is in worse shape than most fans or analysts realized. Zach Wilson has shown some flashes, but he’s far from being the answer at quarterback. The team can’t move the ball consistently, and Rodgers, even if he returns, will have an uphill battle trying to make this team competitive.
What makes this situation even worse for the Jets is that they invested heavily in this season, bringing in veteran talent like Dalvin Cook, Alan Lazard, and Randall Cobb, all with the hope that Rodgers could turn them into contenders. Instead, they are mired in mediocrity, with a stagnant offense and an inability to close out games.
To make matters worse, the Jets have now allowed more than 400 yards of offense in multiple games this season, including against a team like Arizona, who came in with just one win on the year. There are no quick fixes here, and Jets fans must be wondering how much longer they can endure the disappointment.
Key takeaway: The Jets are in a nightmare scenario. Unless something drastic changes, this could be another lost season, and the franchise may be at a crossroads regarding their future at quarterback.
3. The Philadelphia Eagles Keep Rolling, But Cowboys Are Lost
In a dominant performance, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-6, holding them to just 146 total yards of offense. Yes, Dak Prescott didn’t play, but this was more than just an injury-induced loss. This was a Cowboys team that looked mentally checked out, disorganized, and uninspired, and that’s been a theme for them all season.
Philly continues to play solid football and is one of the most complete teams in the NFC. They’ve got a top-tier defense, a dynamic offense led by Jalen Hurts, and they seem to be coasting through their schedule. This win over Dallas is just another reminder of how far apart these two teams are right now, with Philly firmly in control of the NFC East and the Cowboys continuing to spiral.
Key takeaway: The Cowboys have serious problems, both on and off the field. Mike McCarthy‘s future is looking less secure with every loss, and the team as a whole lacks the consistency needed to compete at the top level.
4. Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow Are Playing MVP-Caliber Football
While much of the Week 10 conversation focused on the Bears and Jets, there was an incredible battle between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, which ended in a 35-34 victory for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson continues to impress, playing at an MVP level, throwing for 24 touchdowns against just 2 interceptions. The Ravens’ offense is clicking, and although their defense has some holes, Jackson has shown he’s capable of carrying this team on his back.
For Joe Burrow and the Bengals, despite losing, this game highlighted the brilliance of Ja’Marr Chase. With 264 yards and three touchdowns, Chase had a performance for the ages. But the Bengals’ defense remains a major issue, and with their playoff hopes dwindling, it’s hard to see them making a deep run without a significant improvement on that side of the ball.
Key takeaway: Both Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow are playing at MVP-caliber levels. However, the Ravens have a much better shot at the postseason due to their stronger all-around roster.
5. Panthers Get Their First Winning Streak Since 2022
In another surprise from Week 10, the Carolina Panthers secured their first back-to-back wins since November 2022, defeating the New York Giants 20-17 in overtime. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but a win is a win, and for the Panthers, this is a much-needed confidence booster. Chuba Hubbard ran for over 150 yards, and Bryce Young led a game-winning drive in overtime. The Panthers’ defense also stepped up, forcing three turnovers, including a key fumble in overtime.
For the Giants, this loss continues a frustrating season. Daniel Jones‘ struggles were evident, and with the team sitting at 2-8, changes are likely coming soon. But for the Panthers, this win provides a glimpse of hope as they look to build on their young talent moving forward.
Key takeaway: The Panthers are trending in the right direction, even if the win wasn’t pretty. Meanwhile, the Giants are stuck in a downward spiral with no real answers.
6. Bills Handle Colts, But Questions Still Remain
The Buffalo Bills handled the Indianapolis Colts 30-20, thanks to another solid performance from Josh Allen. Although it wasn’t the smoothest outing for Allen, the Bills were able to capitalize on turnovers and play strong defense. However, their performance wasn’t without questions—especially when it comes to their ability to execute in tight games.
The Colts continue to struggle, falling to 4-6. While Anthony Richardson shows promise, the team lacks the consistency needed to compete in the AFC, and their next two games against the Jets and Lions will likely determine whether they can stay in the playoff hunt.
Key takeaway: The Bills are on track for a playoff run, but their inconsistent play has to be cleaned up before they can truly contend. The Colts, on the other hand, are likely out of the playoff picture unless they make some big strides quickly.
Final Thoughts: Chicago and New York Need Major Overhauls
As we wrap up Week 10, it’s clear that the Chicago Bears and New York Jets are in the midst of deep, systemic issues. Both franchises need to completely reassess their leadership, their rosters, and their long-term strategy. Whether it’s coaching changes, quarterback decisions, or roster overhauls, it’s time for these two teams to start planning for the future.
The Bears and Jets are on a collision course with more disappointment in 2024 unless they make bold, necessary changes. The NFL is a league of high expectations, and these teams have fallen short in a way that will be tough to recover from without dramatic action. Whether that means moving on from head coaches or overhauling their rosters, something has to give. The rest of the league is moving forward—these two teams seem stuck in the past.
