Week 10 of the National Football League  was a particularly exciting one for lovers of nail-biting contests, as eight of the 13 matchups this past week featured final scores with a separation of five points or fewer between winner and loser. Games like this showcase highly entertaining finishes where the best players have the opportunity to exhibit their “clutch gene,” leading their squads to hard-fought victories. Some flourished in these high pressure moments while others struggled under the bright lights.

Sunday, Nov. 10 featured an early morning matchup between the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers that took place in Munich, Germany. While both teams have had abysmal performances this season, the Giants’ especially incompetent offensive attack was on full display in a disheartening 20-17 defeat. Their record now stands at a woeful 2-8. 

Although it is true that running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s fumble in overtime fully sealed the defeat, the Giants have much larger personnel issues in other areas, most particularly at quarterback. Giants head coach Brian Daboll was noncommittal about keeping struggling quarterback Daniel Jones as the team’s starter. Jones’ performance has drawn the ire of Giants fans, as he is in the midst of a season where he has massively underperformed. He has currently thrown for eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in his ten games thus far, which is not even close to the level required to contribute to his squad’s success. 

This has been a particularly frustrating season for the Giants because not even the emergence of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers as the perfect target for Jones can alleviate his woes. There were specific instances during their latest defeat where Jones could not even locate an open Nabers to throw him the ball. This lack of awareness is not acceptable for a sixth year quarterback. Only time will tell if the Giants move on from Jones: his six seasons at the helm having only yielded one playoff appearance. This year will certainly not change these prospects as they are already all but eliminated from playoff contention already.

Meanwhile, quarterback Lamar Jackson is further solidifying his case to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award, with his superb play leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 35-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. An electric contest, the game culminated in the Bengals failing to convert on a two point conversion attempt even after quarterback Joe Burrow led an awe-inspiring drive down the field to score. Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase arguably had the individual player performance of the season, finishing with an absurd 264 yards gained on 11 catches. In addition, he scored three touchdowns. However, these monstrous efforts were not enough as a poised Jackson threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns to spearhead the efforts of the victorious Ravens.

The Kansas City Chiefs bettered their unblemished record to a perfect 9-0 after a miraculous 16-14 victory against the Denver Broncos that saw the game end as Broncos kicker Wil Lutz’s  potential game winning 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked as time expired. This increases the Chiefs’ winning streak to fifteen games when counting last season. Such success is made all the more shocking when considering that they have frankly escaped with many of their victories by the skin of their teeth. Even quarterback Patrick Mahomes criticized his own performance earlier in the season. Despite all of this, the Chiefs look primed to repeat their Super Bowl success from last year. It is difficult to remain highly critical of a squad that essentially is unwilling to lose even a single game.

While these close matchups can be exhausting for players, coaching staffs and organizations, they are exhilarating for us fans, who intently follow sports to be on hand for those moments. Anticipation for the NFL’s postseason only ramps up more if the remaining weeks of the regular season continue to promise this level of intrigue and suspense.

Games to watch:

Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m. E.T. on Nov. 17, 2024

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m. E.T. on Nov. 17, 2024