By the conclusion of Week 10, every team in the NFL will have played at least nine games this season. It begins on Thursday night in the Windy City when the Bears host the Panthers. It concludes on Monday evening when the Denver Broncos visit the struggling Broncos.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Packers)
They are a hard team to figure out. The Pittsburgh Steelers are ranked 29th in the league in total offense and points scored. Only the Denver Broncos are giving up more total yards per game and only three clubs are permitting more rushing yards per game. Yet, Mike Tomlin's squad owns a 5-3 record, including a 2-0 record within a division in which every team is at least two games above .500.
Every contest seems to be an ordeal for the Black and Gold. However, it could be worse as is the case with the revamped Green Bay Packers. Last week, Matt LaFleur's club raised its record to 3-5 after snapping a four-game losing streak. Quarterback Jordan Love was solid in a 20-3 victory over the Rams in which he didn't throw an interception for the first time since Week 2.
Green Bay's ground attack has struggled for the most part this season, but veteran Aaron Jones comes off his best outing this year. He totaled 20 carries for 73 yards and a score. Green Bay ran for a season-high 184 yards in last Sunday's win over Los Angeles.
The Steelers have had a few extra days to prepare for this interconference affair. Given the way this season has unfolded, that may not make much of a difference. Tomlin's team has played it close to the vest and this week it could catch up with them.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Texans)
It's impossible not to be impressed with the work first-time NFL head coach DeMeco Ryans has done with this club. It's also not difficult to see what the Houston Texans have with the second overall pick in April's draft.
Last week against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, quarterback C.J. Stroud was electric. He threw for an NFL rookie record 470 yards, to go along with five touchdowns, and rallied the team for a 39-37 victory. Wide receivers Noah Brown (153) and Tank Dell (114) and tight end Dalton Schultz (130) all finished with at least 100 receiving yards and each reached the end zone at least once.
In eight games, Stroud has thrown for 2,270 yards and 14 touchdowns with only one interception. Ryans's club has turned over the ball an NFL-low five times.
That being said, the quarterback on the other side of the ball in this Sunday showdown it's pretty damn good himself. The Cincinnati Bengals are in the midst of a four-game winning streak (after a 1-3 start) and Joe Burrow has been nothing less than sensational.
During this stretch, he has hit on a blistering 75.8 percent of his throws (119-of-157) for 1,133 yards and 10 scores with just two interceptions. Burrow has thrown at least two TD passes in each outing.
For what it's worth, the Texans have come up with a win in each of their last four visits to Cincinnati.
1. Seattle Seahawks (vs. Commanders)
The Washington Commanders are easily one of the most predictable unpredictable teams in the NFL this season. They own a 4-5 record, which is about par for the course for a team the 2022 season that finished last in the NFC East with an 8-8-1.
Quarterback Sam Howell has taken a lickin' and kept on tickin'. He's connecting on 66.6 percent of his throws for 2,471 yards and 14 scores. However, he's also been picked off nine times and lost one of his four fumbles. Of course, he's also been sacked 44 times, easily more than any other player in the league.
Unfortunately, Ron Rivera's defense has been a major disappointment. Only four teams in the league are giving up more total yards per game. Coordinator Jack Del Rio's unit has already surrendered 25 offensive touchdowns, 19 through the air. The Commanders have allowed 33-plus points in five of their nine games.
The Seattle Seahawks were a playoff team a year ago. Last Sunday at Baltimore, they were humbled by the red-hot Ravens, 37-3.
Last season's NFL Comeback Player of the Year has struggled as of late. Quarterback Geno Smith has committed a pair of turnovers in each of these last four games. Pete Carroll's club has a potent pass rush that could give Washington fits. However, the Seahawks have been walking on eggshells the last few weeks and don't appear to be as sharp as they were in September.