NFL Week 10 Recap: High-Stakes Finishes, Defensive Showdowns, and Surprising Standouts

Week 10 of the NFL season delivered plenty of drama, as teams battled to stay in playoff contention. From clutch performances and last-minute heroics to costly mistakes and defensive dominance, this week had it all. Pittsburgh eked out a nail-biting win against Washington, while the Chiefs kept their top seed hopes alive with a close victory over Denver. Across the league, standout plays and pivotal errors set the tone, as fans were treated to heart-stopping moments and surprising comebacks. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant takeaways and standout performances from an action-packed week of NFL football.

Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Washington Commanders 27

Steelers
Did Pittsburgh’s Offense Lose Momentum? After back-to-back games with over 400 yards of offense, the Steelers struggled to find rhythm early against Washington. By halftime, Pittsburgh managed only 97 yards, eventually finishing with 312. Russell Wilson’s performance (14-of-28 for 195 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) showed inconsistency, especially on deep throws, completing just 2-of-7 for 40 yards with a touchdown and an interception on passes over 15 yards, according to ESPN Research.

Game Summary: Near self-destruction. The Steelers faced early adversity, including a failed fake punt that set up Washington’s first touchdown. Multiple penalties, particularly three costly flags on cornerback Joey Porter Jr., continued to haunt Pittsburgh. In the final moments, Jaylen Warren’s fumble nearly sealed their fate before a late-game touchdown to Mike Williams secured the victory.

Key Player: Recently acquired receiver Mike Williams delivered in the clutch. On his ninth snap as a Steeler, he caught a deep pass from Wilson for the go-ahead touchdown with just over two minutes left, highlighting why Pittsburgh pursued him before the trade deadline.

Next game: vs. Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Washington Commanders
Did MVP Candidate Jayden Daniels Struggle? Quarterback Jayden Daniels faced difficulties under Pittsburgh’s heavy blitzing, finishing 16-of-33 for 194 yards. His two crucial missed throws in the second half, one potentially a 96-yard touchdown, were pivotal in Washington’s narrow defeat.

Game Summary: Gut punch. Washington held a 10-point lead and went toe-to-toe with Pittsburgh but missed several key opportunities, turning a potential signature win into a frustrating loss. Their defense also missed the presence of cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Standout Performance: Right tackle Trent Scott, filling in for injured Andrew Wylie, held his own against T.J. Watt with added support from tight end John Bates. Scott’s solid play was a bright spot in a tough loss for Washington.

Next game: at Eagles (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

San Francisco 49ers 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20

49ers
Is McCaffrey’s Return Enough? Christian McCaffrey returned and notched 107 scrimmage yards, but the 49ers still looked short of dominant. At 5-4, San Francisco sits in a competitive NFC West, but upcoming games against Seattle, Green Bay, and Buffalo will likely decide their playoff fate.

Game Summary: Continued malaise. Despite extra rest from the bye, the 49ers struggled against a tired Buccaneers squad and repeatedly missed opportunities in the red zone.

Trouble Spot: Special teams errors persist. Kicker Jake Moody missed three critical field goals but redeemed himself with the game-winner. A muffed punt earlier also led to Tampa’s first score.

Next game: vs. Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Buccaneers
Can Tampa Bay Turn Their Season Around? With four straight losses, the Buccaneers desperately need Mike Evans’ downfield presence, especially with Jamel Dean out on defense.

Weak Point: The middle field coverage remains porous, with JJ Russell subbing in at linebacker. Quarterback Brock Purdy took advantage, throwing for 87 yards and a score between the numbers in the first half.

Stat to Note: Even without star tackle Tristan Wirfs, Tampa averaged 4.6 yards per rush after his exit, marking a notable improvement in their ground game.

Next game: at Giants (Nov. 24, 1 p.m. ET)

Buffalo Bills 30, Indianapolis Colts 20

Bills
Can Buffalo Tighten Up Before Facing Kansas City? The Bills’ four forced turnovers were a bright spot, but injuries and miscommunication in the receiving corps must be addressed. The running game, led by James Cook’s 4.9 yards per carry, could help balance the offense if utilized more.

Game Summary: Good enough. While not their best performance, the Bills capitalized on early turnovers and made late adjustments to secure their best start since 1993 at 8-2.

Next game: vs. Chiefs (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Colts
What’s Next for the Colts at QB? Joe Flacco, who replaced Anthony Richardson as starter, struggled with three interceptions, making a reevaluation likely. Flacco’s turnovers hindered the Colts’ ability to close the gap.

Issue: Abandoning the run game. Despite Jonathan Taylor’s 107-yard first half, the Colts ran just five times in the second half, which allowed Buffalo to capitalize.

Next game: at Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

New Orleans Saints 20, Atlanta Falcons 17

Saints
Can the Saints Ride Newfound Momentum? Interim coach Darren Rizzi’s debut brought fresh energy, helping the Saints break a losing streak. Their upcoming homestand is critical if they hope to turn around their season.

Summary: Stepping up. With key receivers out, Marquez Valdes-Scantling stepped in with a 100+ yard, two-touchdown performance, providing a spark for New Orleans.

Next game: vs. Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Falcons
Why Are First-Half Struggles Persistent? Atlanta’s offense struggled early, with just 26 yards in the first quarter.

Trouble Spot: Younghoe Koo’s kicking woes continued as he missed three field goals, reducing his success rate to a career-low 70.8%.

Next game: at Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Kansas City Chiefs 16, Denver Broncos 14

Chiefs
Does This Win Cement the Chiefs’ No. 1 Seed Hopes? A victory over Buffalo could all but guarantee Kansas City the AFC’s top playoff seed.

Trouble Spot: The Chiefs’ running game, previously effective in the red zone, struggled, averaging just 2.5 yards per carry.

Next game: at Bills (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Broncos
Are the Broncos a Real Contender? Denver’s defense showed playoff-caliber play, but offensive inconsistency is a concern.

Key Player: Rookie Audric Estime made an impact, suggesting he could be a valuable addition to the Broncos’ ground game.

Next game: vs. Falcons (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Minnesota Vikings 12, Jacksonville Jaguars 7

Vikings
Did the Defense Save Minnesota? While Sam Darnold struggled with three interceptions, Minnesota’s defense stepped up, forcing three turnovers in the fourth quarter.

Stat: New kicker Parker Romo went 4-for-4 in his NFL debut, providing all of the Vikings’ points.

Next game: at Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Jaguars
Is Jacksonville’s Offense Stalled? With only 143 total yards, the Jaguars’ offense, plagued by injuries, is in a concerning slump.

Next game: at Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Carolina Panthers 20, N.Y. Giants 17

Panthers
Is Bryce Young Proving His Worth? Though Young’s performance was modest, his poise showed promise for Carolina’s future.

Standout: Chuba Hubbard’s 153-yard rushing day backed up his recent contract extension, providing Carolina a needed offensive lift.

Next game: vs. Chiefs (Nov. 24, 1 p.m. ET)

Giants
What’s Next for the Giants? At 2-8, the Giants are likely facing major changes, starting with evaluating Daniel Jones’ future as the starter.

Stat: Rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. continued his streak of big plays with three runs of 10+ yards, though his late-game fumble cost the Giants.

Next game: vs. Buccaneers (Nov. 24, 1 p.m. ET)