THE LATEST THINKING
The opinions of THE LATEST’s guest contributors are their own.

Both Flash And The Basics
Posted on November 13, 2020 03:20
0 user
With temperatures falling like leaves from trees, we're reminded about the wisdom of building teams that offer exciting playmakers and also practice sound, basic football. Week 10 in the NFL will highlight several teams that have excellent running attacks — controlling the time of possession — along with stout defenses.
Many of us love watching the NFL's electric young QBs, like Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa. Those four provided plenty of excitement last week, and their teams are making noise like postseason giants.
I find it interesting that the AFC is fielding about twice as many contenders as the NFC — I have found the opposite to be true in prior years. While those young guns are part of the reason (three of the four I named are in the AFC), I feel sure that it is also due to the fact that there are more AFC teams that have developed a focus on running the ball well and playing very sound defense.
This is why I feel that a few current contenders like the Seahawks are due for a fall. While it is true that offense wins championships these days, you can’t do so with a defense that ranks in the bottom third.
This weekend, we will see better candidates for that trip to Tampa in February. The weekend kicks off with a meeting of two all-around sound teams — the Colts and Titans.
On Sunday, I look for very good AFC divisional matches between the Bengals and Steelers and the Broncos taking on the Raiders. And I have little doubt that the Chargers visiting the red-hot Dolphins will provide plenty of thrills.
In the NFC, I expect that the Rams will burn that flagging Seahawk defense and take over the lead in the AFC West. The 49ers are likely doomed to the cellar.
Elsewhere, I think the Jaguars will be easy pickings for the division-leading Packers (NFC North), and the Lions will likely rebound over that flawed team from Washington. That division race is far from over.
The Patriots, lagging behind the Bills and Dolphins in the AFC East, are desperate for wins. But I don't like their chances against the scary-good Ravens.
Perhaps the most exciting game of the weekend will pit those electric Cardinals against one of my favorite examples of a well-rounded team, the Bills, who field the seemingly-unstoppable Josh Allen — when their blitzing defense isn't torturing hapless offenses.
There's a lot to like in mid-November. Here are all the NFL 2020 Week 10 games — and my picks.
Away Home My Pick
1. Colts Titans Colts
2. Eagles Giants Eagles
3. Jaguars Packers Packers
4. Washington Lions Lions
5. Texans Browns Browns
6. Bucs Panthers Bucs
7. Chargers Dolphins Chargers
8. Broncos Raiders Raiders
9. Bills Cardinals Bills
10. 49ers Saints Saints
11. Seahawks Rams Rams
12. Bengals Steelers Bengals
13. Ravens Patriots Ravens
14. Vikings Bears Vikings.
Enjoy.
Comments