NFL 2023 Week 10: Biggest questions, risers and takeaways،
Week 10 of the NFL season began Thursday night with undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent leading the Chicago Bears to a close home victory in a low-scoring game against No. 1 pick Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers.
The week continued Sunday morning in Frankfurt, Germany, where the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots played an even lower scoring game, with the Colts coming out on top.
Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions arising from each game and identifying who — or what — is going up and down for each team. Let’s go.
Access a match:
CAR-CHI | IND-NE
Sunday
Colts
Can the Colts run? Indianapolis gets back to .500 for the first time in a month, and now the focus turns to what the Colts can do in the coming weeks. Only two of Indianapolis’ seven remaining opponents had a winning record in Week 10, putting the Colts in position to make a run if they could stabilize their defense and quarterback play. The Colts will now have a bye, allowing them to nurse some nagging injuries before meeting the Buccaneers and Titans in their next two games.
Refuel after victory: DL Dayo Odeyingbo. He led a fierce pass rush, recording a career-high three sacks, which matched his season total before the game.
Reduced stock after victory: DT DeForest Buckner was playing through an injury and facing numerous double teams, but the Colts could have used a little more playmaking from him in the run defense, with the Patriots rushing for a game-high 167 yards. –Stephen Holder
Next game: vs. Buccaneers (Sunday, November 26, 1 p.m. ET)
Patriots
Is this the bottom? The Patriots are 2-8 going into their bye, and the inconsistency and overall ineptitude of the Mac Jones-led passing attack is holding them back. Jones’ interception in the fourth quarter was a crush. The weak passing game overshadows some of the other good things the Patriots are doing, like playing inspired defense and running the ball as consistently as they have all season on Sunday. It also amplifies other mistakes, such as aggressive decisions by the coach, like calling a punt that backfired, a missed 35-yard field goal, and poor kickoff coverage .
Refuel after loss: Jahlani Tavai. The fifth-year linebacker got his hands on the ball in the third quarter, allowing CB Myles Bryant to intercept it, marking the second straight week he helped create a turnover to help hold the team up in a match.
Stock falling after loss: MacJones. It’s not always his fault, but he was sacked five times in the first half. He was lit up by offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien on the sideline in the third quarter before throwing a terrible interception in the fourth quarter and being replaced by Bailey Zappe. –Mike Reiss
Next game: at Giants (Sunday, November 26, 1 p.m. ET)
THURSDAY
Bear
Did Tyson Bagent start his last match of the season? The rookie quarterback is 2-2 in place of Justin Fields, who is close to returning from a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. If Fields is healthy, he will start against Detroit in Week 11, according to coach Matt Eberflus. Thursday’s win wasn’t pretty, and there are plenty of moments Bagent can learn from as he continues to develop as an NFL quarterback, whether or not the Panthers game is his last start of the 2023 season.
Refuel after victory: Kyler Gordon. The intensity of the nickel corner was contagious on defense. Gordon allowed 16 receiving yards, had a pass breakup and notched a team-high six tackles (two tackles for loss) against the Panthers.
Reduced stock after victory: Velus Jones Jr. The second-year wide receiver was benched and replaced by Equanimeous St. Brown, who was activated off injured reserve before the Panthers game. Jones’ season-long struggles that resulted in him being healthy make him a prime candidate to create an opening at the 53 when they activate Khalil Herbert off IR. -Courtney Cronin
Next game: at the Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Panthers
Will there be any changes on offense before facing the Cowboys? Coach Frank Reich didn’t make any changes before Thursday night’s game because it was a short week. He left the door open for next week, and the offensive line is where he will likely start. The inside rush disrupted the running and passing game for most of the season, even with right guard Austin Corbett returning to the lineup. It wouldn’t be surprising if center Bradley Bozeman was moved to guard and another player was inserted at center.
Refuel after loss: WR Mike Strachan. The coaching staff had a 6-foot-5 practice squad player, so he was elevated to the 53-man roster for this one. He only had one catch, but it was for 45 yards.
Stock falling after loss: QB Bryce Young – He didn’t throw any interceptions like he did the week before, but he easily could have had three or more. He totaled just over 100 yards in three quarters and only 185 for the game with no touchdowns. -David Newton
Next game: vs. Cowboys (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
