Here are 32 key takeaways from Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season:

1. The Kansas City Chiefs remain the only undefeated team in the league, yet their average victory margin so far this season is just 6.4 points.

2. In a nail-biting finish against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium, K.C. secured a 16-14 victory by blocking a field goal attempt on the last play, marking their third time in franchise history achieving a 9-0 record. Notably, only two of these wins have been by more than seven points. According to OptaSTATS, the Chiefs are the first team in NFL history to win nine straight games (including playoffs) after trailing at halftime.

3. It may be too soon to speculate if Kansas City can achieve an unmatched 17-0 regular season or even a 20-0 record with a Super Bowl three-peat, even as they appear to be cruising toward the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.

4. A more pressing question might be identifying the biggest contender to the Detroit Lions, who narrowly defeated the Houston Texans 26-23 on Sunday night.

5. Could it be the Philadelphia Eagles? Currently, their five-game winning streak is only outmatched by the Chiefs and Lions. Philadelphia reclaimed the NFC East lead with a dominant 34-6 victory against the Dallas Cowboys, who were missing Dak Prescott. The Eagles are beginning to resemble the team that nearly triumphed over the Chiefs in Super Bowl 57 rather than the one that faltered towards the end of last season. This Thursday, they will face …

6. The Washington Commanders, who remain just a half-game behind in the division after a tough 28-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is rapidly becoming one of the league’s most exciting players, with several key teammates including RB Brian Robinson Jr., K Austin Seibert, and newly acquired CB Marshon Lattimore expected to return soon.

7. What about the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals, who are on a four-game winning streak after a resounding 31-6 victory over the New York Jets? The Cardinals boast a multi-dimensional offense, and more crucially, their defense is starting to improve. Head Coach Jonathan Gannon brings a philosophical flair akin to that of Detroit’s Dan Campbell.

8. And let’s consider the San Francisco 49ers. Since the 2019 season, they have reached the NFC Championship game in all but one year. Known for strengthening their performance in the latter part of the season under coach Kyle Shanahan, this year should be easier with All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey back in action.

9. Don’t overlook the Green Bay Packers, who are also in the Lions’ neighborhood. After finishing strongly last season, they have the potential to replicate that success, assuming QB Jordan Love can regain his health and recapture the hot streak he had in the second half of the previous season, which led the inexperienced team to the divisional playoffs.

10. Ravens RB Derrick Henry has scored a touchdown in every game this season. He is just the fifth player in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to start a season with such a remarkable scoring streak.

11. Currently, MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson boasts the highest passer rating in the league at 123.2. (Remember the debates before the 2018 draft about whether he should transition to a receiver?) Aaron Rodgers holds the single-season record at 122.5, established 13 years ago when he secured his first of four MVP accolades.

12. Despite the standout performances of Jackson, Henry, and the Ravens’ high-powered offense, their victory over the Cincinnati Bengals 35-34 on Thursday was largely thanks to a crucial forced fumble from their more problematic defense. CB Marlon Humphrey’s punch changed the game in the second half and, per NFL Media, made him the only player since 2020 with double-digit interceptions and forced fumbles.

13. Welcome back, Christian McCaffrey. In his first game of the 2024 regular season after recovering from Achilles issues, the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year made an impact with 107 yards on 19 touches in a 23-20 win over the Buccaneers in Tampa.

14. Rookie WR Luke McCaffrey of the Commanders, brother of Christian, recorded 134 total yards this season after a 23-yard catch in Sunday’s loss.

15. Rookie WR Ricky Pearsall Jr. of the 49ers made a significant comeback. After facing life-threatening injuries from a shooting in San Francisco just two months ago – where first responders ensured he would survive – the 2024 first-round pick scored his first professional touchdown Sunday with a 46-yard pass from QB Brock Purdy.

16. The Steelers quickly capitalized on their trade deadline acquisitions. WR Mike Williams caught his first pass for Pittsburgh – a game-winning 32-yard touchdown at Washington. Newly acquired OLB Preston Smith also made his mark, recording his first sack with the team by bringing down the elusive Daniels.

17. Cards QB Kyler Murray set a franchise record with a remarkable number of consecutive completions during a game against the Jets’ former dominant defense, marking a milestone in the team’s 105-year history.

18. The NFC South, once showing signs of clarity, has reverted to its traditional .500 standards. The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers both faced losses on Sunday, while the struggling Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints celebrated wins, improving to 3-7, with the Saints ending a seven-game losing streak.

19. Congrats to interim Saints coach Darren Rizzi for winning his first game on Sunday after stepping in for the fired Dennis Allen. Rizzi could soon appear on the Jets’ shortlist, especially after his, uh, memorable postgame press conference.

20. Running back Alvin Kamara surpassed his former teammate Mark Ingram to become New Orleans’ all-time leading rusher. Kamara, recognized as one of the top dual-threat running backs in NFL history, had a 55-yard rushing performance, bringing his total career rushing yards to 6,544.

21. Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo had a tough game, missing three field goals, which is the worst performance of his career, during Atlanta’s 20-17 defeat.

22. Niners kicker Jake Moody also had a rough outing, missing three field goals in San Francisco’s narrow victory.

22a. Moody did secure the game-winning 44-yard field goal as time expired, but not before getting into a disagreement with teammate Deebo Samuel. Perhaps Drake London should have challenged Koo instead.

23. If you enjoy erratic quarterback performances, the Lions-Texans match was a treat. Detroit’s Jared Goff and Houston’s C.J. Stroud contributed to a total of seven interceptions – five thrown by Goff, who had remarkably not thrown one in his last five games prior to this.

24. Similarly, if sloppy quarterback play is your thing, the Bills-Colts game was for you. Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Indianapolis’ Joe Flacco shared six turnovers – with Flacco responsible for four of those (three interceptions and a fumble). I’m curious about what benched Colts QB Anthony Richardson thinks about this.

25. Another game for those who appreciate chaotic quarterbacking was the Vikings-Jaguars clash, where Minnesota’s Sam Darnold and Jacksonville’s Mac Jones each caused three turnovers.

25a. At least Jones’ play allowed for a tribute to retired Australian break dancer Raygun by Vikings safety Camryn Bynum.

26. The Chicago Bears are in trouble after losing three games straight since their bye week, putting rookie QB Caleb Williams at risk of being overwhelmed. The expected No. 1 pick of the 2024 draft managed only 120 passing yards in a dismal 19-3 defeat against the New England Patriots while also being sacked nine times.

26a. The Bears’ total of 142 yards marked their lowest in over three years, and this is the second time this season they have been limited to under 150 yards. The scrutiny surrounding head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is far from over.

27. New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had not turned the ball over multiple times since Week 2, but he ended up with two interceptions in a game held in Munich on Sunday. This brought his total to nine turnovers in ten games this season, complicating his future with the team come 2025 and beyond.

28. However, it was rookie running back Tyrone Tracy’s first-ever fumble in overtime that sealed Big Blue’s fate, leading to a 20-17 loss against the Panthers. The Giants are now on a five-game losing streak, the longest in the league.

29. A big shoutout to Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell, who recorded six tackles, two pass breakups, one interception, and recovered Tracy’s crucial fumble in overtime, marking Carolina’s first back-to-back victories in three years.

30. One of the memorable moments of the game was referee Shawn Hochuli showcasing a bit of nostalgia by issuing a false start penalty in German, reminiscent of his famous father’s legacy.

31. This week’s uniform note: It’s always nice to see the Cowboys add a red stripe to their helmets during the NFL’s November “Salute to Service” initiative around Veterans Day.

31a. Another uniform note: The Texans’ vividly painted red helmets, which made their debut on the field Sunday night, remind me of the 1985 Tom Cruise film “Legend” – worth looking up.

31b. A third uniform note: The Ravens showcased their “Purple Rising” helmets in Thursday’s win, marking a departure from their usual black helmets. This change was a refreshing sight compared to the Seattle Seahawks’ previous attempts.

31c. Final uniform note: The Jaguars introduced their “shell” white helmet on Sunday. It was somewhat underwhelming; it might have looked more impressive with teal jerseys or a monochromatic white look, but unfortunately, those options are limited by the league’s uniformity regulations.

32. Lastly, hats off to the passionate fans in Germany, who continue their long-standing support of American football. The impressive “tifo” displayed on Sunday was particularly striking.

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