Monday Morning NFL Top 10: Patriots on the Brink; Seahawks, Rams, Colts Climb

Seahawks wins, Rams victories, Lions victories, and Chargers wins have defined Week 10. In 2025, an NFL Sunday would not be complete without a major upset. This week the Dolphins stunned the Bills. While the Broncos won seven straight games, so did the Patriots. We’ll see how everyone is doing heading into the Eagles vs. Packers matchup, which will be played on Monday. The Eagles have improved their offensive strategy and added Jaelan Graham and Brandon Graham around the deadline. They could be unbeatable in the final stretch. The football world keeps waiting for the Patriots’ Cinderella run to end, but the clock is not striking midnight on Mike Vrabel’s squad. The head coach uses creative time management techniques to manipulate the game, even though second-year quarterback Drake Maye has been playing at an MVP level. The AFC North is well-prepared for the playoffs, given New England’s ability of slowing down the game with various “turtle tactics”. Mike Macdonald makes sure the Seahawks take no prisoners when playing inferior opponents. The NFC has been able to knock out overmatched opponents in the first round, showing its dominance both on and off the field. Seahawks are well-equipped to win a championship, whether they rely on an explosive offensive led by Sam Darnold, or a stifling defensive system to choke quarterbacks in front of a disruptive line. Matthew Stafford for MVP campaign is beginning to gain momentum as the veteran quarterback creates masterpieces every week from his pocket. The 17th-year pro has transformed the Rams’ three-tight-end package into a scoring machine that is impossible to defend. Rams play their best football in the final stretch of the season, thanks to the Rams defense’s weekly pass rushes and coverage clinics. Daniel Jones is struggling with turnovers, but Jonathan Taylor can single-handedly carry the Colts to the winner’s circle. The NFL’s leading rusher surpassed the 1,000-yard mark with a spectacular 244-yard, three-touchdown effort against the Falcons in Berlin that showcased his “take over the game” skills as a downhill runner. Though the Colts need to get their QB1 back on track, Taylor’s dominance between the tackles can steady the offense until Jones finds his way.  Sean Payton’s defense can keep the Broncos in the game until the Broncos offense makes a crucial play to win the game. While the Broncos’ penchant for engaging in nail-biters makes it harder to include them in the title contender conversation, there is something to be said for finding various ways to win close games. The Buccaneers, despite losing a close game to the Patriots’ surging offense, are still in a strong position to make the playoffs as division champions with an offensive that is able to shine even without their stars. Baker Mayfield’s bond with rookie Emeka egbuka should make Tampa Bay’s offense almost impossible to defend, once Mike Evans (injured) and Chris Godwin (recovering from injury) return to play. With the running game holding up despite Bucky Irving being sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Buccaneers’ offensive potential gives them a chance to make a deep postseason run as a dark-horse contender. Dan Campbell, after stealing the offensive coordinator’s call sheet, got the Lions on track with a game plan that was centered around his best players rather than his favorite plays. This tactic was successful in a rout over the Commanders. David Montgomery combined his talents with Jahmyr Goff, Amon Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta to make Jared Goff a better distributor. Campbell could help the Lions rediscover their offensive magic. The gritty team from Motown may reemerge at the end of the season as a team that nobody wants to face. When they play the defending champions on Monday, the Packers will have the chance to prove they are one of the NFL elite teams. Green Bay is unable to run roughshod over other teams because of the inconsistency of their quarterback Jordan Love. Though the turnover-obsessed defense can overcome some of Love’s failings, the Packers will not challenge for a Super Bowl crown until their QB1 consistently plays at an elite level. Chargers were at their best in a convincing win over the Steelers on Sunday night. From the efficient passing game built around Justin Herbert’s talents as a mobile playmaker to the sneaky running game to the stifling defense that taxes quarterbacks’ brains, the Chargers are starting to look like the total package. Bucky Brooks, an NFL analyst with FOX Sports, is a well-known name in the NFL. He is also a game analyst for NFL Network, and he hosts the podcast “Moving the Sticks”. Want great stories delivered straight to your inbox, follow him on Twitter at @BuckyBrooks. Sign up for a FOX Sports account or create one. Follow leagues, players and teams to receive daily personalized emails.
2025-11-10 13:50:39