Following a Week 9 in which NFL favorites won 14 of 15 games straight up, attention has turned to Week 10 matchups that could defy expectations. The only upset last week came when the Green Bay Packers defeated the New England Patriots. With the pendulum potentially swinging back, several high-profile games this weekend present opportunities for underdogs, including a Sunday Night Football contest between AFC North rivals.
The Washington Commanders visit the New York Giants on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium. Washington enters the game with a favorable record against New York, holding a 3-0-1 mark. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has been effective in these matchups, throwing five touchdowns and no interceptions. The Giants face uncertainty at quarterback, as J.J. McCarthy, who suffered a hip pointer injury against the Eagles, is expected to play but showed a dip in performance before going down. Washington’s defense, which has allowed only 15.0 points per game over its last two contests, may limit New York’s offensive output.
In an international matchup in Munich, Germany, the New England Patriots host the Detroit Lions. New England struggles with turnovers, committing them on 19.4% of drives, but faces a Detroit defense that has forced only eight turnovers this season, the fourth-fewest in the league. Lions quarterback Jared Goff, while still performing at a high level, has seen his statistics decline slightly from his early MVP-caliber performances. This shift could allow the Patriots’ secondary to make a significant impact.
The Minnesota Vikings travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers. Minnesota acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Raiders just before the trade deadline, a move expected to bolster an offense that previously ranked 31st in passing yards per game. Despite offensive struggles, the Vikings are 6-2 thanks to their strong defense. The Packers, who have struggled against division rivals and teams with winning records, will also play without running back Josh Jacobs, who is out with a broken finger.
The Carolina Panthers aim to end a three-game losing streak when they visit the New Orleans Saints. While quarterback Bryce Young’s numbers have been modest against top defenses, his recent performance against a weaker opponent offers optimism. The Saints’ secondary has allowed 7.3 yards per attempt, the fifth-highest mark in the league, and the team has struggled at home, going 1-4 and 0-5 against the spread. Young’s solid game last week, where he completed 71.7% of his passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns, suggests he can exploit New Orleans’ defensive vulnerabilities.
In the Sunday Night Football matchup, the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. The Bengals face a significant rest disadvantage after playing an international game in Madrid the previous week, while Pittsburgh was on its bye. Joe Burrow has been dominating in recent weeks, leading the offense to over 35 points per game during a four-game winning streak. However, the Steelers present a tougher challenge, boasting a defense that allows just 5.0 yards per play and 18.0 points per game. Pittsburgh has a strong record coming off byes, winning and covering in each of its six such games since 2020.
