We’re nearing the midpoint of the 2024 NFL season, and it seems many teams are already considering their strategies for the next year.

Among those in dire straits are the Dallas Cowboys, who suffered another dismal home loss, prompting owner Jerry Jones to react emotionally. With eight games yet to play, the Cowboys are likely facing significant changes within both the coaching ranks and their roster.

The Chicago Bears are also eyeing potential changes this offseason as their offense struggles, particularly with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who is not performing to expectations.

Here’s a look at Week 10’s standout teams and those who stumbled.

WINNERS

Lions Pull Off a Stunning Comeback

In a surprising turn, despite their quarterback throwing five interceptions and facing a 16-point halftime deficit, the Detroit Lions staged an impressive comeback, scoring the last 19 points in the game to seal a 26-23 victory against the Texans.

Detroit (8-1) required both a 58-yard field goal and a game-winning 52-yarder as time ran out, maintaining their slim lead in the NFC. The Lions’ defense was crucial, forcing Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud into two interceptions early in the second half. The ground game, which had an underwhelming 23 yards on 13 carries in the first half, surged in the second, gaining 82 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

Mike Tomlin Dominates Another Rookie QB; Steelers Claim Key Win

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin continues to shine against rookie quarterbacks, boasting a 26-6 record (.813) after their nail-biting 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders. As a result, Pittsburgh (7-2) is making its way up the AFC standings and solidifying its decision to trust Russell Wilson as their key player.

The Steelers held rookie Jayden Daniels to a 50% completion rate and a rating of 68.5, both the lowest of his season. They demonstrated their defensive strength by successfully neutralizing the opposing speed and athleticism. With Wilson, the Steelers have been more successful with deep throws, leading to a crucial matchup for first place against the Ravens (7-3) next week.

Cardinals’ Defense Shines in Convincing Win

The Cardinals showcased their rising defense with a dominant 31-6 victory over a talented yet struggling New York Jets team. Arizona (6-4) has gone over two weeks without conceding a touchdown, including 19 consecutive drives since their last score allowed.

They outperformed the Jets in yardage, amassing 406 to New York’s 207. Quarterback Kyler Murray has been careful with the ball, throwing just three interceptions this season, with only one in his last five games. As the Cardinals continue improving, they could become a team that others prefer to avoid in the latter half of the season.

LOSERS

Time for a Reset: The Cowboys Need a Overhaul

Even though Dak Prescott did not play in the dismal home loss to the Eagles and is sidelined for the rest of the season, the Cowboys (3-6) can’t escape the harsh reality of their disappointing season.

Dallas has struggled mightily at home, suffering four consecutive losses at AT&T Stadium with a staggering -94 point differential. Primarily led by backup Cooper Rush, the passing offense managed only 49 yards. The Cowboys’ ineffective rushing attack and struggles against the run compound their issues. With an aging roster riddled with gaps, their recent trade for receiver Jonathan Mingo seems misguided as they inch toward a lost season. It’s time for a fresh start.

Broncos Learn Hard Lessons Against Chiefs

Denver has been a pleasant surprise this season. Entering Sunday at 5-4, the Broncos took the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs down to the final play of the game, needing only to make a straightforward field goal to win.

However, breakdowns in kick protection led to a missed opportunity, and the Broncos learned a tough lesson about maintaining focus until the very end against the NFL’s top teams. Denver (5-5) showcased its strong defense, limiting the Chiefs (9-0) to just one touchdown in the red zone.

Bears’ Offense in Critical Condition

The Bears managed to score merely three points against the struggling New England Patriots, who came into the match with just two wins, marking Chicago’s continued woes: they have now gone 23 possessions without a touchdown across two games.

Chicago (4-5) converted only one of their 14 third-down attempts (7.1%) and gained a mere 142 yards against the Patriots. In their last three games, they’ve converted a dismal 6 of 40 third downs (15%). Despite having a roster filled with talent, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has been unable to effectively utilize their playmakers. Frequent pre-snap penalties and erratic play calling are making matters worse. Significant changes are needed this offseason—or even sooner. Adding to their struggles, the Bears face a tough remaining schedule, including all six division matches and a critical game against the 49ers.

Falcons Struggle with Pass Rush, Fail to Firmly Establish Themselves

Despite their loss to the New Orleans Saints — a rival in the NFC South — the impact on Atlanta may not be severe. With a 6-4 record, the Falcons still lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) in their division, while the Saints and Carolina Panthers, despite their Sunday wins, are unlikely to pose a strong challenge.

Nevertheless, Atlanta struggles noticeably in key areas that prevent them from evolving into reliable contenders in the NFC—most notably, their lack of a pass rush.

The Atlanta Falcons’ pass rush has been lackluster, failing to make a significant impact during games. They pressured Derek Carr on 48% of his 25 dropbacks, marking the highest blitzing frequency for the Falcons this season. Despite this aggressive approach, they were unable to secure a single sack, and Carr managed to complete most of his passes, throwing just seven incompletions.