In what could be described as a perfect spinoff to Netflix’s Stranger Things, Week 10 in the NFL was so upside down that the most-normal thing from all of the action was a dual something-or-other that might have forever changed the way uncles dance at weddings.
First, there was Dak:
And then, there was Jimmy:
Beyond that? Cleveland honored their mascot, Swagger, and his retirement from leading the Browns onto the field with an upset win over Buffalo. Aaron Rodgers caught a penalty flag—poetically, mind you—and the internet immediately shouted that such art needed to be accompanied by Alanis Morissette’s “Ironic.”
Three Heisman Trophy winners lined up in the backfield—at the same time!—during the Ravens-Bengals game. And Matthew McConaughey took the cyber streets after the incredible Monday night battle between the Seahawks and 49ers and basically wrote the dialogue for the next Lincoln commercial.
Not to be ignored or outdone—with some of the stranger credit going to Tennessee Titans’ Taylor Lewan—there were also some stellar efforts from a few the offensive lines.
As we slowly adjust back into reality, let’s take a look at the top 5 from Week 10.
5. Baltimore Ravens
The only thing keeping the Ravens’ O-line from being ranked higher than fifth this week is the tilted-smirk realization that they played against the Cincinnati Bengals.
But when your quarterback ends the day with a perfect QB rating, and the running game totals over 130 yards and two touchdowns, it’s impossible not to give a thumbs up, either.
The Ravens’ O-line continues to be a collective force. They led the way for Jackson’s big game on the ground and they kept him protected during the pass. One penalty and one sack, with only minimal pressure from the Bengals’ rush later, and the Ravens’ front had done another standout job—regardless if some saw this game as more of an AFC North intramural session.
Marshal Yanda, Bradley Bozeman, Matt Skura, Orlando Brown, Ronnie Stanley, with a dash of Patrick Mekari and James Hurst: You don’t make the schedule, you just block—and, man-O-man, do you guys block!
4. Atlanta Falcons
The week’s recipient of the Oliver Stone Reminder—Any Given Sunday—the Falcons took care of business against division rival (and top dog in the NFC South), the New Orleans Saints, with a smackdown that ended 26-9.
Wow!
Matt Ryan was 20-of-35 for 182 yards and two touchdowns—which isn’t great, but relatively speaking, it wasn’t plain oatmeal, either. The running game was effective, gaining a total of 143 yards on the day—again, numbers you wouldn’t forecast for the Falcons when going up against the sixth-ranked run-stop in the NFL.
Although there were some issues with hands to the face penalties, the Falcons’ O-line was a big part of the success. Facing a defense ranked ninth overall, and in the top half of the league in QB hits, they did an excellent job protecting Ryan, allowing one sack and five hits. On the ground attack, they provided a decent lane-opening at the front and a substantial push to the second level—which helped the Falcons look like a playoff contender and not the meager one-win team that the Saints were matching up against.
Alex Mack, James Carpenter, Jamon Brown, Kaleb McGary, and Jake Mathews: Dat sure wasn’t expected.
3. Cleveland Browns
The Browns muted a lot of the doubters on Sunday, taking the enthusiasm from a hot Bills team and tossing it into Lake Eerie—proving that the AFC is still a bit of an unknown and uniform choices don’t win games.
The O-line was steady against a good Bills defense, too. Ranked third against the pass, the Browns did an excellent job creating time for Baker Mayfield, keeping the Browns quarterback in the pocket (a rarity). He finished the day 26-of-38 for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Although he was sacked twice, the Bills defense only got four hits on him all game.
The running game—led by Nick Chubb’s 116 yards—helped add balance the Browns’ game plan and ended with 147 yards. True, the Bills run-stopping ability isn’t as efficient, ranked 20th overall in the NFL. But with Baker Mayfield lining up under center, you have to give the Browns credit for producing on the ground when it was clear that facet would be the Bills’ “You’re going to have to beat us another away, guys” modus operandi.
Greg Robinson, Wyatt Teller, JC Tretter, Chris Hubbard, and Joel Bitonio: You all had a littler “swagger” yesterday, well done!
2. Green Bay Packers
While a controversial goal-line ending overshadowed the game against the Carolina Panthers, it was the Packers’ robust blocking brigade from the blizzardy confines of Lambeau Field that was worth more than one or two reviews.
The Panthers’ defense, ranked ninth overall against the pass, was aided by the weather, and the general understanding that Aaron Rodgers is Aaron Rodgers—regardless of the pressure and disguises, he’ll usually find a way to, at the very least, not lose the game. That left the running game as the focal point for Panthers, and another understanding: The Packers are 16th in the league, with an O-line ranked 28th in run blocking. That most likely gave Ron Rivera and the defensive staff a little more confidence with a 27th-ranked run defense.
But it was the Packers’ weakness that outlasted the Panthers’ weakness. The combo of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams each had 13 carries, totaling 156 yards on the ground and three touchdowns (all Jones’). The Packers’ line complemented that with their expected pass-protecting—ranked sixth overall—holding the Panthers’ rush to only two sacks and a handful of hits on Rodgers.
David Bakhtiari, Corey Linsley, Elgton Jenkins, Bryan Bulaga, and Billy Turner: After further review, the ruling on the field stands—great job!
1. Minnesota Vikings
Another stout performance out of the NFC North, the Vikings headed down to Jerry World in Dallas and snagged a rebound win from the Week 9 confusion against a Mahomes-less Kansas City Chiefs.
One of the highlighted issues for the game against the Cowboys was how the Vikings’ line—which has not done a great job with pass protection—would do against a Dallas rush that helped make the pass defense fifth in the NFL.
And the O-line was tremendous—one sack allowed— with a protection effort that was better than the Vikes’ previous pass-blocking grades would suggest. And the energy during the air attack didn’t neglect a strong running push that has given the Vikings so many scoring opportunities this season: Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison totaled 139 yards on 34 carries with one touchdown.
Josh Klien, Pat Elflein, Riley Reiff, Garrett Bradbury, Brian O’Neill, and Dakota Dozier: It’s your great blocking prowess that deserves endless bowls of soup—congrats on being Champions of the Choppy Steps for Week 10
