NFL Week 10 Degrees: Unstoppable Saints get an 'A +' for blowout win, Patriots get an 'F', Giants a 'B +'



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The scoreboard operator in Cincinnati should probably ask for a bonus this week, because the Saints had 51-14 blowout win over the Bengals.

With the win, the Saints have now won eight games in a row, which is the longest active streak in the NFL right now. Although New Orleans has had some big wins during their streak, this one might have been the most impressive, and that's because it has been played on the road against an AFC playoff contender in a situation that had all the makings of a trap game.

If we've gotten one thing about the Saints during this streak, it's that their offense is borderline unstoppable. If you try to take away one weapon, they have three other weapons to replace it, and the worst part for opposing defenses is that Drew Brees knows how to use every weapon in his arsenal as he proved against the Bengals.

In the first half alone, Brees toyed with the Bengals defenses of the first half possessions. On the Saints' first score of the game, Michael Thomas, who was actually being covered by William Jackson. Unfortunately, good coverage means nothing when you're playing the Saints.

Of course, Brees does not only throw touchdowns to his receivers, he also loves to throw his backs, and he did a lot of that against the Bengals. Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara combined for 104 receiving yards against Cincinnati, with 28 of those coming from this touchdown catch by Ingram.

You know what else? Brees did in the first half? He showed off his skills in the two-minute drill. After Marcus Williams picked off Andy Dalton to set up New Orleans with the ball at the Bengals' 18-yard line with eight seconds left to play in the half, Brees went to work and made the Bengals pay.

It's a surprise for the Bengals' defense even when it's up to the second half after the way. Brees was nearly perfect in the first half, going 18 of 20 for 214 yards and three touchdowns (Brees ended up throwing for 265 yards total). With those three touchdown passes, Brees now has 508 for his career, moving past Brett Favre for the second most all-time.

Brees probably could have thrown 508 touchdowns against the Bengals' defense if the Saints did not take their foot off the gas in the second half. With the Saints up 48-7, coach Sean Payton decided to let Teddy Bridgewater play the fourth quarter.

The Saints are officially the team in the league right now and we're giving them an A + for their dominating win over the Bengals, and you know what, we're also going to give the scoreboard operator an A + too.

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New Orleans 51-14 over Cincinnati

Saints: A +

It's hard to say what was more impressive in this game: Saints defense that absolutely shut down the Bengals, or a New Orleans offense that tied the team's franchise record for points in a road game. Drew Brees threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns while leading the Saints to a score during all eight possessions he was on the field (six touchdowns, two field goals). Alvin Kamara (two rushing touchdowns) and Mark Ingram (104 rushing yards, 54 receiving yards) also went off with both back 100 yards. Defensively, the Saints harassed Andy Dalton: They are forced to fight the Bengals quarterback into throwing two interceptions.

Bengals: F

We're putting a lot of effort into this category of Bengals, which is why they're only getting this sentence.

Chicago 34-22 over Detroit

Lions: D

After letting Matthew Stafford get sacked 10 times in Week 9, things did not get much better for the Lions offensive line in Chicago. For the second week in a row, Stafford got destroyed by the Bears sacked him six times. Things got so bad for Stafford in this game that it actually looked like he was expecting to get sacked every time he touched the ball.

Bears: A-

The Bears' ground game was slowed to a screeching halt by the Lions, but that did not matter because Mitchell Trubisky was on fire. Trubisky threw for 355 yards and three touchdowns in a game where the Bears rolled out to a 26-0 lead. Allen Robinson had his biggest day with the Bears as the Jaguars trainer receiving trained six passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns. The yardage was more than Robinson had in his three games combined (91) with the Bears. Rookie wide receiver Anthony Miller also exploded, going off for 122 yards and a touchdown. The minus in this A-is for Cody Parkey, who might have had the worst luck of any kicker in NFL history. Parkey missed two points and two field goals, but the twist here is that all four kicks hit the upright and missed.

Washington 16-3 over Tampa Bay

Redskins: B +

The Redskins were beat up with multiple injuries going into this game, but that did not stop them from grinding out an ugly win. The Redskins basically perfected the "bend but do not break" defense in this game. They held the Tampa to Zero Touchdowns. We have a day where Tampa missed two field goals, Dustin Hopkins came up big for the Redskins by scoring 10 of their 16 points.

Buccaneers: C-

In what might be going on the offensive in NFL history, the Buccaneers totaled 501 yards, but scored just three points. It was the fewest points ever scored in an NFL game by a team that put up more than 500 yards of offense. If you're wondering how that could be, here's how: The Buccaneers drove inside Washington's 30-yard line a total of six times and came away with just one field goal. The other five possessions with two fumbles, one interception and two missed field goals.

Tennessee 34-10 over New England

Patriots: F

The Patriots failed in every phase of the game in this loss by their offense, their defense and even their special teams. The return of Sony Michel (11 carries, 31 yards) did nothing to spark a Patriots ground game that totaled only 40 yards. Defensively, the Patriots had zero answers for a Titans offense that scored on its first three possessions. The 24-point margin makes this game tied for the second biggest loss that the Patriots have been awarded since 2003 in a game where Tom Brady starts.

Titans: A +

Titans coach Mike Vrabel spent eight seasons playing for the Patriots and it showed, because he definitely knew how to attack them. The Titans pounded the ball in this game with 36 rushing attempts that led to 150 yards. When Tennessee can move the ball on the ground, that opens things up for Marcus Mariota. Mariota threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns and is now 11-0 in his career when the Titans tally 35 or more carries in a game. Most of Mariota's yards went to Corey Davis, who caught seven passes for 125 yards and touchdown. Defensively, the Titans smothered Tom Brady, sacking him three times and keeping him under constant pressure.

Kansas City 26-14 over Arizona

Cardinals: C +

Someone in Arizona finally got the memo that David Johnson needs to be getting the ball more. In his biggest game of the season, Johnson touched the ball 28 times and totaled 183 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Chandler Jones racked up two of the Cardinals held Patrick Mahomes to his lowest passing total of the season (249 yards).

Chiefs: B-

For the first time, the Chiefs defense might have outshined their offense. Not only did the Chiefs sack Josh Rosen five times – with two of those coming from Chris Jones – but they also picked him up, which one of Kansas City's three touchdowns. Although the chiefs were held in check for most of the game, Tyreek Hill still managed to total 137 yards (117 yards receiving, 20 rushing yards) and two receiving touchdowns.

Buffalo 41-10 over New York Jets

Bills: A +

It looks like all the bills needed to fix their offensive problems to dayneyman who did not start a game in two years. Playing in his first game since 2016, Matt Barkley shredded the Jets defense for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Although it was not long enough for Robert Foster (three catches, 105 yards) and Zay Jones (eight catches, 93 yards, one touchdown). Barkley got some serious help from a Bills rushing attack that went over 200 yards (212) and a Bills defense that held their opponent under 200 yards (199) for the second straight week, marking the first time since 1999 that Bills defense has pulled that off.

Jets: F

This game was a disaster from start to finish for the Jets. For one, their offense went three-on-one on the team's first four possessions. Josh McCown celebrates the first half of the game from the second quarter. McCown only threw for 135 yards and he was sacked three times. The total yards by the Jets marked the first time since 2013 they were held under 200 yards in a home game.

Cleveland 28-16 over Atlanta

Falcons: D

Forget their red zone offense, the Falcons need to work on their offensive play-calling from the 1-yard line. The Falcons basically lost this game early in the fourth quarter when they had three chances to punch the ball in the end zone of the 1-yard line. Atlanta failed with all points. The Falcons is one of the two worst turnovers, two punts and one failed conversion of the 1-yard line. Defensively, the Falcons surrendered a total of 211 yards rushing, which is the most team in the game since 2014.

Browns: A

If we were regrading the Browns' 2018 draft right now, we'd give it an A + after the way their rookies played against the Falcons. Nick Chubb went off for 176 yards, including a 92-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that set the franchise record for longest scoring run. Chubb also caught three passes for 33 yards and a touchdown. The top pick in the NFL Draft also had a big day with Baker Mayfield completing 17 of 20 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns. Mayfield completed his first 13 passes and did not throw an incomplete until the second half. It's almost like Todd Haley was holding the Browns' offense because he was fired.

Indianapolis 29-26 over Jacksonville

Jaguars: B-

After carrying the Jaguars through the 2017 season, it's starting to look like the Jags defense is now weak on this team. Despite 320 yards and two touchdowns from Blake Bortles and a huge game from Leonard Fournette (109 yards, two touchdowns), the Jags lost this one because they could not stop the Colts. Indy scored a touchdown on their first five possessions as the Jags quickly fell behind 29-13. The Jags really only made one offensive mistake in the game and that came late in the fourth quarter when Rashad Greene lost a fumble as Jacksonville was driving the game or even taking the lead.

Colts: B

The Colts' decision to sign Eric Ebron is starting to look like one of the most underrated moves of the 2018 offseason. The first-round pick, which only scored 11 touchdowns in four seasons with the Lions, now has 10 touchdowns with the Colts following a three-score game against Jacksonville. Not only did Ebron catch two touchdown passes, but he also ran in another one. Andrew Luck's hot streak continued as he threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns. The touchdown total means that Luck is just the third quarterback in NFL or more in six consecutive games.

Los Angeles Chargers 20-6 over Oakland

Chargers: B +

It's a good thing Melvin Gordon is healthy, because it's the Chargers offense in Oakland. Playing in just his second game since Week 7, Gordon totaled 165 yards in a performance that included 93 yards on the ground and 72 yards receiving along with a touchdown catch. Defensively, Isaac Rochelle Tallied 1.5 of the Chargers' Four Sacks in the Game. The Chargers defense was not perfect in this game, but they did keep the Raiders out of the end zone, marking the first time the Chargers have held their opponent without touchdown.

Raiders: C-

The Raiders biggest issue on Sunday. The Raiders got inside of the L.A.'s 25-yard line a total of four times total points on the four possessions. One Raiders drive ended when the team failed on a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line. Derek Carr lost his way to the Chargers 21-yard line, and the third drive ended. Carr made a horrible decision to THROW AWAY a fourth play from the Chargers 19-yard line. The Raiders play in the red zone was so bad it basically epitomized their entire nightmarish season.

Green Bay 31-12 over Miami

Dolphins: C-

The Dolphins Special Teams went through big time in Green Bay with a punt and a fake punt that went for a fourth down. Unfortunately for Miami, they are just as good in the other two phases of the game. The offense turned the ball over twice, including a Brock Osweiler interception in the third quarter that the Packers up with an easy touchdown. As for the Dolphins Defense, they struggled in the red zone: The Packers made four trips to that part of the field and scored a touchdown on four possessions. The Dolphins had gone into Sunday's game with the NFL's ninth-best red zone defense.

Packers: B +

The most important Aaron on the field Aaron Jones, Aaron Jones. Jones steamrolled the Dolphins defense for 145 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries. The Packers defense suffocated Brock Osweiler with six different players picking up a sack. The defense also forced two turnovers, including a fumble recovery on Miami's opening possession that came after the Dolphins had driven down Green Bay's 14-yard line. The Packers have been unbeatable at Lambeau Field this year. Including the win over the Dolphins, the Packers are now 4-0-1 on the season in home games.

Los Angeles Rams 36-31 over Seahawks

Seahawks: B

With 108 yards on the ground, Seahawks rookie Rashad Penny spearheaded in Seattle rushing attack that steamrolled the Rams for 273 yards, and surprisingly, Seattle lost. We say surprisingly because of the loss in the history of the Seahawks lost a game where they rushed for more than 250 yards. Before Sunday, they had been 12-0 when hitting that mark. The Seahawks only made one big mistake in this game when Russell Wilson lost a fumble in the fourth quarter. The turnover led to a touchdown that gave L.A. to 36-24 lead and basically iced the game.

Rams: B +

Aaron Donald continues to be an unblockable machine. The defensive lineman racked up 2.5 of his team's sacks as the Rams put constant pressure on Russell Wilson for the better part of four quarters. Donald was not the only star who came through for the Rams: Jared Goff (318 yards, two touchdowns), Todd Gurley (160 total yards, one rushing touchdown) and Brandin Cooks (109 total yards, one rushing touchdown) all had big games on offense.

Dallas 27-20 over Philadelphia

Cowboys: B +

It looks like the Cowboys have figured out the secret to beating the Eagles: feed Ezekiel Elliott early and often. Not only did Elliott carry the ball 19 times for 151 yards and touchdown, but he also added six catches for 36 yards and another touchdown. Elliott has now racked up at least 140 yards in every game he's ever played against the Eagles, and the Cowboys are undefeated (3-0) against Philly when Elliott is on the field. The Cowboys also got a huge game from rookie Leighton Vander Esch. Playing in place of the injured Sean Lee, Vander Esch led the team in tackles and saved the game with a shoestring tackle of Corey Clement on a third-and-2 in the fourth quarter. Jason Garrett has also been shown to be in favor of a cowboy's drive.

Eagles: B-

Zach Ertz had a huge night (14 catches, 145 yards, two touchdowns), but it was not enough for an Eagles offense that got off to a slow start with two punts and one interception on their first three drives. In the first half alone, Philly totaled just 132 yards of offense. The Eagles also gave up their ground game (44 assists vs. 16 runs) and they could not come up with any big plays when they needed them. On the defensive side of things, Philly had no answer for Ezekiel Elliott, who blew threw for 151 yards on the ground.

New York Giants 27-23 over San Francisco

Giants: B +

Eli Manning is still struggling, but for one night, he is just enough to lead the Giants to the win. We have night where he threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns, Manning was at his best on the Giants' final drive. Of that 188-yard total, 69 of those yards came on a game-winning drive that ended with Manning throwing a 3-yard TD pass to Sterling Shepard with just 53 seconds left. Odell Beckham also had a big game with four catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns. It was Beckham's first multi-touchdown game since Week 3 of last season.

49ers: B

If Nick Mullens proved one thing in this game, it's that last week was no fluke. Mullens was the best quarterback on the field in this game, throwing for 250 yards and a touchdown. Mullens also threw two picks, but both of them came out of their hands. The biggest star of the game for the 49ers was Matt Breida. Not only did it rush for 101 yards and has touchdown, but it also adds another 31 receiving yards and a touchdown catch.

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