The game of the week in Buffalo proved to be a bust, but there was plenty of other thrilling action around the league in Week 10.
The matchups didn't exactly look scintillating on paper, but 11 of the 15 games this week were divisional games, meaning increased playoff implications.
The Bills certainly helped their playoff chances with a 23-3 blowout win over the Dolphins. Buffalo now holds the tiebreaker with the Dolphins by beating them twice this season, and in the tightly packed AFC East that could be huge.
Elsewhere, the Packers and Niners both continued their freefalls in the NFC, while the Colts and Titans both continue to look like solid playoff bets in the AFC.
| Week 10 NFL Recap |
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Rams 35 (7-2),
Panthers 10 (3-6) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
58.3: Third-down conversion percentage for the Rams.
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| Player of the Game |
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Kevin Carter, DE, St. Louis: Led the defensive effort with five total tackles and recorded 2 1/2 sacks. |
| Breakdown |
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The Rams returned to their winning ways with a solid defensive effort on a day that they couldn't get the running game going consistently. Marshall Faulk rushed for 73 yards on 16 carries, but St. Louis totaled only 79 yards rushing. The defense allowed 379 total yards to the Panthers, but forced three turnovers and sacked Steve Beuerlein six times. The Rams now have a four-game lead in the NFC West over San Francisco and Carolina, and could clinch a playoff spot before the end of November. |
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Vikings 27 (6-4), Bears 24 (4-6) OT
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| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
915: Total combined offense by the two teams in an offense shootout on the lakefront in Chicago.
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| Player of the Game |
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Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota: Caught 12 passes for 204 yards for an impressive 17.0 yards-per-catch average. |
| Breakdown |
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The Vikings won their fourth straight game after doing their darndest to give it away to the Bears. Minnesota allowed journeyman quarterback Jim Miller to throw for 422 yards and three touchdowns, although Jeff George countered that with 374 yards and three touchdowns. George improved to 4-0 as the Vikings' starter, but Minnesota has trailed in each of those four games. The Vikings head into their bye week looking good in the race for a playoff spot, after struggling out of the gate. |
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| Saints 24 (2-7), 49ers 6 (3-6) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
22: Total penalties in the game, with each team committing 11 infractions.
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| Player of the Game |
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Billy Joe Tolliver, QB, New Orleans: Completed 12-of-15 passes for 242 yards and one touchdown, and added two short rushing touchdowns.
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| Breakdown |
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The Saints snapped their seven-game losing skid with an impressive effort against the struggling Niners. Ricky Williams controlled the ball on the ground with 99 yards on 30 carries, but still hasn't scored his first NFL touchdown. San Francisco didn't do any better with Steve Stenstrom at quarterback this week. Charlie Garner continues to be the "star" of the San Francisco offense, gaining 60 yards on 12 carries for an impressive 5.0 yards per carry.
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| Browns 16 (2-8), Steelers 15 (5-4) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
81: Passing yards by the Eagles. |
| Player of the Game |
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Jamir Miller, LB, Cleveland: Led Browns with 12 total tackles and one sack of Kordell Stewart.
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| Breakdown |
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Cleveland won the defensive battle thanks to a much-improved effort from their first meeting in the season opener. The Browns allowed Pittsburgh only 298 total yards in this meeting, after surrendering 460 yards in their first meeting. Kordell Stewart struggled for the Steelers with only 137 yards passing and two interceptions. Phil Dawson continued his clutch kicking by hitting the game-winning 39-yarder as time expired to give the Browns the enormous upset.
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| Colts 27 (7-2), Giants 19 (5-4) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
13: First downs for the Colts, compared to 26 first downs for the Giants. |
| Player of the Game |
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Edgerrin James, RB, Indianapolis: Played his third straight tremendous all-around game, gaining 108 yards on 16 carries on the ground, and grabbing five passes for 72 yards.
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| Breakdown |
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The Colts kept themselves right in the thick of the AFC East race with a tough road win over the Giants. Marvin Harrison continued his amazing season for Indianapolis with six catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. The Colts kept the Giants off of quarterback Peyton Manning, holding them sackless. Indy travels to another NFC East opponent next week when it faces the 3-7 Eagles in Philadelphia.
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| Buccaneers 17 (5-4), Chiefs 10 (5-4) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
63.0: Trent Dilfer's completion percentage, the fifth time in eight games this season he has completed better than 60 percent of his passes. |
| Player of the Game |
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Jacquez Green, WR, Tampa Bay: Eye-popping numbers are rare from a Tampa Bay wide receiver, but Green finished with seven catches for 164 yards and one touchdown, the most receiving yards by a Bucs receiver since Charles Wilson had 176 yards against the Rams in 1994.
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| Breakdown |
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Tampa Bay's defense continues to impress, but the offense has shown signs of breaking out of its season-long slump with a second straight solid performance. Well, solid numbers-wise, but not necessarily execution-wise. The Bucs had to overcome six turnovers (including three fumbles by Mike Alstott) to move back to one game above .500 for the first time since the third week of the season. Derrick Brooks played another incredible game with 17 total tackles, one pass defended, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
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| Eagles 35 (3-7), Redskins 28 (5-4) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
188: Advantage in total yards for the Redskins. |
| Player of the Game |
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Duce Staley, RB, Philadelphia: Rushed for 122 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries.
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| Breakdown |
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The Eagles overcame an atrocious offensive game to beat their division rivals on an Eric Bieniemy touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Donovan McNabb was awful at quarterback for the Eagles, completing only 8-of-21 passes for 60 yards. Stephen Davis ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns for the Redskins, and Michael Westbrook caught four passes for 152 yards and a touchdown in the losing effort. Washington's defense continues to blow games against mediocre teams, and completely nullify the benefits of having a high-scoring offense.
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| Titans 24 (7-2), Bengals 14 (1-9) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
6.5: Sacks on the season by Titans rookie defensive end Jevon Kearse, after adding two more Sunday against the Bengals. |
| Player of the Game |
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Eddie George, RB, Tennesse: Crushed the upset hopes of the Bengals by running for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries.
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| Breakdown |
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Tennessee bounced back from its ugly shutout loss last Sunday to the Dolphins with an ugly win over the awful Bengals. The Titans continue to beat the lesser teams in their division, which in the six-team AFC Central will get you in the playoffs if you beat the Browns, Bengals, Ravens and Steelers twice each. Tennessee's defense recorded seven sacks and forced three fumbles in another excellent performance.
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| Bills 23 (7-3), Dolphins 3 (7-2) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
101: Total offense by the Dolphins, the second-lowest total in franchise history. |
| Player of the Game |
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Antowain Smith, RB, Buffalo: Rushed for 126 yards on 29 carries to help the Bills keep the football for 38:23.
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| Breakdown |
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Miami has found its nemesis this season and it is the Buffalo Bills. Miami has lost both its games this year to Buffalo, after dropping a 23-18 decision in Miami on Monday night in Week 4. The Dolphins had only six first downs against the Bills on Sunday, and Damon Huard passed for only 65 yards on 9-of-25 passing. Cecil Collins was lost to a broken left fibula in the second quarter and may be lost for the season. Fellow rookie J.J. Johnson rushed for 50 yards on 12 carries on Sunday, but he will need to step up his play significantly if Collins is out.
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| Raiders 28 (5-4), Chargers 9 (4-5) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
417: Total offense for the Raiders. |
| Player of the Game |
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Rich Gannon, QB, Oakland: Completed 18-of-24 passes 254 yards and four touchdowns.
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| Breakdown |
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Oakland played a great all-around offensive game, with 173 yards rushing to go along with Gannon's brilliant passing performance. The Raiders held the Chargers to 12 first downs and 225 total yards. Oakland controlled the ball for 37:08 by gaining 25 first downs and averaging 6.1 yards per play. The Chargers rushing game continued to be awful, gaining only 33 yards on 16 carries.
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| Cardinals 23 (3-6), Lions 19 (6-3) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
9.1: Third-down conversion percentage for the Lions, who managed a first down on only one of 11 third-down situations.
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| Player of the Game |
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Michael Pittman, RB, Arizona: Excelled in his first career start, running for 133 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries.
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| Breakdown |
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Arizona won for the first time in a month thanks to an excellent effort from first-time starter Pittman. The Cardinals had the ball for 32:44, but the Lions still managed to gain 373 yards despite Arizona's control of the ball. Gus Frerotte played a great game starting in place of Charlie Batch, throwing for 375 yards and two touchdowns, but suffering five sacks at the hands of Arizona's defense. Detroit travels to Green Bay next week in a crucial division game that could determine whether the Lions can hang around at the top of the NFC Central or not.
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| Cowboys 27 (5-4), Packers 13 (4-5) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
117: Rushing yards by bruising running back Mike Alstott on 25 carries. |
| Player of the Game |
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Jason Garrett, QB, Dallas: Played a steady game in beating the Packers for the second time in his career while filling in for Aikman.
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| Breakdown |
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Green Bay dropped its third straight game for the first time since 1994, despite Dallas playing without its three superstars on offense. The Cowboys got tremendous running efforts from Emmitt Smith's backup Chris Warren, and from third-teamer Robert Chancey. Dallas sacked Brett Favre three times and picked him off twice. The Packers fell below .500 for the first time since Week 13 of the 1994 season, when a 34-31 loss to the Lions dropped them to 6-7. Dallas moved into a three-way tie at the top of the NFC East with the win, joining the Redskins and Giants atop the division.
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| Jaguars 6 (8-1), Ravens 3 (3-6) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
374: Combined total offense by both teams. |
| Player of the Game |
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Lonnie Marts, LB, Jacksonville: Led the Jaguars with seven solo tackles, added one sacks and a forced fumble.
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| Breakdown |
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Jacksonville holds the best record in the league at 8-1 after downing the Ravens by a field goal in an ugly defensive tilt. The Jaguars are on pace to beat the 1985 Chicago Bears' record for fewest point allowed in a season, and giving up only three points to the Ravens helps the possibility of them breaking that record. The Bears allowed only 186 points during the regular season that year, while the Jaguars are on pace to give up only 140 points. Jacksonville hasn't allowed more than 10 points in any of the last six games.
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| Seahawks 20 (7-2), Broncos 17 (3-7) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
11: Years since Seattle's last playoff appearance, the longest current drought in the league. |
| Player of the Game |
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Joey Galloway, WR, Seattle. Fresh off the sandlots of Wheeling, W.Va., Galloway caught four passes for 88 yards in his first action in nearly 11 months.
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| Breakdown |
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The Seahawks beat the Broncos for the first time since 1995 thanks to another solid outing from Jon Kitna and the talented receiving corps. Kitna tossed one touchdown pass each to Sean Dawkins and Derrick Mayes, and Joey Galloway made his presence felt in his return to the team. Mike Holmgren might be a bit worried about the struggles of the running game, since the Broncos held them to 41 yards on 21 carries. With the win, Seattle pushed its lead over the Kansas City Chiefs to two games with seven games to play. The two teams meet next Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, and a win by the Seahawks would put them three up on the Chiefs with six games to play.
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| Jets 24 (3-6), Patriots 17 (6-3) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
895: NFL-leading rushing total of Jets running back Curis Martin after Monday night's game. |
| Player of the Game |
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Ray Lucas, QB, New York: Looked much better in his second career start than he did in his first, in leading the Jets to the upset win against his former team who gave up on him a few years back.
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| Breakdown |
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Curtis Martin has now gained 531 yards in his last four games, the second time in his career that he's had four straight 100-yard games. The Jets dominated the Patriots by putting pressure on Drew Bledsoe throughout the game forcing him into his poorest effort of the season, as he threw for only 170 yards on 15-of-36 passing. The Patriots now move into a crucial stretch of their season with road games at Miami and Buffalo the next two weeks.
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