Five [Opfer's Take]aways from NFL Week 10

5. Ten nuggets from week 10

Talk about a story - Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater was active for the first time in 672 days…

Atlanta’s defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn recorded a franchise record six sacks against the Cowboys. Consider this: he registered 7.5 sacks combined between 2015-2016, and hadn’t had more than six in a season since his rookie campaign (NFL)…

The 49ers won their first game of the season, leaving the Browns as the only winless team remaining…

Speaking of, the Browns set an NFL record for most consecutive losses on Sundays, clinched their tenth consecutive losing season, and now control their own destiny for the number one overall pick in next year’s draft…

From 2004-2016, the Rams won a total of three games by 25 or more points. Sunday’s 26-point win over the Texans was the Rams fourth win this season by at least 25 (ESPN)…

Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara became the first pair of Saints’ backs to go over the century mark in rushing in the same game since 2006 (NFL). They were also the only two backs in the league to eclipse the plateau on Sunday. The Saints have now won seven in a row…

Falcons QB Matt Ryan became the quickest to reach 40,000 passing yards in NFL history – 151 games (Elias)…

QB Russell Wilson leads the Seahawks in rushing with 290 yards (next closest is Chris Carson with 208 who is on IR). No QB to lead his team in rushing at season's end has ever made it to the Super Bowl…

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald became the second youngest player to reach 15,000 career receiving yards and became the first player in the Super Bowl era to have 150 catches against three different teams - 155 against the Seahawks, 153 against the Rams, and 163 against the 49ers (Elias)…

Indianapolis' Jacoby Brissett tied the legendary Johnny Unitas (1966) for the most 60-yard passing touchdowns (four) by a Colts quarterback in a season (ESPN).

4. Injury ravaged season

The injuries continue to pile up. Notables who have lost their season due to injury in 2017- Richard Sherman, Deshaun Watson, Andrew Luck, Ryan Tannehill, Aaron Rodgers, Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Zach Miller, Jason Peters, Joe Thomas, Marshall Yanda, JJ Watt, Whitney Mercilus, Eric Berry, Dalvin Cook, David Johnson, Darren Sproles, Julian Edelman, Allen Robinson, and Jamie Collins. The list goes on. The big time injuries that have taken the league by storm have hurt not only their respective teams, but also fans as the elite level of competition decreases with each devastating blow.

Sherman became the latest casualty on TNF, adding to a lengthy list (seattletimes).

3. Rock bottom

Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse for the Big Apple... The G-Men hit rock bottom on Sunday by losing to the previously winless 49ers. Coming into the game, San Fran had lost 23 of their past 25 games, while being outscored by 63 points in their previous three contests. All the Niners did was impose their will throughout to the tune of 474 yards and four scores behind a rookie quarterback, dominating the Giants in a 31-21 victory. A week after a 51-17 beat down at the hands of the Rams, it’s clear the Giants season is going off the rails. Hard to believe for a team that won 11 games a season ago. The only thing working for Ben McAdoo is his hair.

2. Cowboys miss more than Elliott

After his suspension was finally put into effect, it was clear the Boys would miss the play of its superstar Elliott. What most overlooked was the importance of their staple at left tackle, Tyron Smith. On Sunday, the running game was actually effective in limited attempts, as the backs rushed for 65 yards on 15 carries (4.3 YPC). The problem was when they fell behind, and were forced to throw the ball. The absence of Smith (groin), allowed the Falcons to account for eight sacks and two forced fumbles of Prescott. Smith’s replacement, Chaz Green, gave up six sacks and had a number of penalties. Dallas goes as its running game goes. Sure Elliott is important, but without All-Pro Smith, Dallas’ offense struggled, looking mediocre at best. With the 8-1 Eagles coming to town (a team with 25 sacks - 10th in the league), the Cowboys can only hope to have their staple back. Otherwise, look out.   

1. Flipping the script

All four of the current division leaders in the NFC – Minnesota (North), Philadelphia (East), New Orleans (South), Los Angeles (West) – finished in the bottom two in their respective divisions a season ago.

It's a changing of the guard through the first 10 weeks (Sportscenter).

Minnesota continues to be strong against opposing offenses, ranking fourth in total defense. The surprise has come in the form of a journeyman gem in signal caller Case Keenum, who has the third-best total QBR this season, 72.5 (ESPN), and is leading an offense ranked tenth in the league. The Vikings currently have a comfortable two-game lead on the second place Packers.

Philadelphia has reeled off seven straight after a week 2 set back to the Chiefs. The difference: turnovers. The Eagles have won the turnover battle in each of their eight wins this season, while their lone loss was the only time they ceded that battle. Moreover, they rank tenth in total defense (first in rush defense) and fourth in total offense. If you haven’t heard by now, the biggest reason for Philly’s success: Carson Wentz. No. 11 leads the league with 23 TD passes (only five INT’s), and is third in QB rating. With a win on Sunday, the Eagles will have a commanding four game division lead on Dallas. 

New Orleans has also won seven in a row. They’re not only flipping their losses to wins (7 wins ties their win total from all of last season), but also their game script. For years, Brees led a pass-heavy offense, often due to the fact that the defense was atrocious. Enter 2017, where the revamped D currently ranks eighth in total defense. Much like Dallas of last season, the Saints are now leaning heavily on the run. During their winning streak, they have rushed for 1,139 yards and 14 touchdowns (they tallied a franchise record six rushing scores on Sunday). At one point on Sunday, Peyton called 24 consecutive run plays. The commitment to the running game, behind Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, is leading to sustainable success for ‘Who Dat’ nation. The Saints currently hold a half-game lead on the Panthers, who they beat handily in week 3 (34-13) and meet again in week 13.

Los Angeles has seen an offensive explosion in 2017, scoring at least 30 points in six of their nine games – tops in the league. The Rams rank third in total offense – sixth in passing, fifth in rushing – and lead the league in scoring (32.9). During their current four game winning streak, they’ve outscored their opponents, 144-41. In the process, coach of the year candidate, Sean McVay, has turned second-year pro Jared Goff into a franchise quarterback. In his last two contests, Goff has erupted for over 650 yards and seven touchdowns (no INT), becoming the first QB in franchise history to accomplish that feat in a two game span. He currently ranks seventh in yards (2,385), QB rating (101.5), and touchdowns (16). We’ll find out rather quickly the nature of this team, as the Rams next five games are against stiff competition: @Minnesota, vs. New Orleans, @Arizona, vs. Philadelphia, @Seattle.

In a season in which the NFC is there for the taking, one of these four very well may be the conference’s representative in Minnesota.