Best and worst of NFL season's first half. Mock draft version 1.0. Plus, Week 10 picks and fantasy football advice
Jim Reineking
It's Week 10 and we look back at the season's first half, as well as drop our first mock draft. Before we dig deeper, enjoy these:
- Which teams will emerge victorious in Week 10? Our experts make their picks.
- Troy Aikman doesn't think the Cowboys need to draft Trevor Lawrence, if he were available.
- Is it possible the Jets could join the 2008 Lions and 2017 Browns in 0-16 infamy?
- As always, we're here to help you set up that fantasy football lineup.
About last night: Indianapolis Colts 34, Tennessee Titans 17 -- The Colts took control of the AFC South with this convincing win, helped by a blocked punt that turned into a touchdown that turned the tide in Indy's favor.
Game of the Week: Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams -- The NFC West looks to be a three-team race, so head-to-head matchups are vital. The Rams have won four of the last five against the Seahawks, and Sean McVay is 4-2 against Pete Carroll. The Seahawks currently lead the NFC West, but a porous pass defense could mean a big game for Rams QB Jared Goff.
Sneaky-good Game of the Week: Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers -- While the undefeated Steelers are dealing with some COVID issues, the Bengals are coming off an impressive win over the Tennessee Titans. The key for Cincy will be keeping rookie QB Joe Burrow upright against the Steelers' dangerous pass rush.
Survivor Pool Game of the Week: Jacksonville Jaguars at Green Bay Packers -- The Packers are in contention for a top NFC playoff seed. The Jaguars are riding a seven-game losing streak. This is the easiest pick of the week. In case you've missed it, we've been fortunate enough to hit on each survivor pick so far this season (Prior picks, starting in Week 1: Steelers, 49ers, Colts, Rams, Cowboys, Dolphins, Bills, Chiefs, Texans).
Week 10: Picks, news, analysis and more
- Week 10 picks: Who will win this week across the NFL? Our staff makes their picks.
- Lorenzo's Locks: USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes has the three best bets for this weekend. Will Tua and the Dolphins cover against the reeling Chargers?
- Power rankings: See how all 32 teams stack up heading into Week 10.
- Troy Aikman: Cowboys not in market for Trevor Lawrence: The Hall of Fame QB doesn't think Dallas needs to draft the Clemson star.
- Lamar Jackson: Opposing defenses are 'calling out our plays': The 2019 NFL MVP believes opponents are "beating us to the punch."
- Tua: I might never be 'my old self': As he approaches the one-year anniversary of his hip injury, Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa says he might never be the same player again.
- Will the Jets actually go 0-16? History suggests that there's a good chance they can join the ranks of the worst teams ever.
- NFL's most unbreakable single-game individual records: 30 years ago, Derrick Thomas set a record with seven sacks. Where does that feat rank among the all-time single-game records?
Midseason review
USA TODAY Sports takes a look back at the superlatives, and the not-so superlatives, of the 2020 NFL season so far.
- Midseason awards: The MVP race isn't the only hotly contested award contest.
- Midseason grades: Five teams received an "A" or better, while one stood alone in receiving an "F." Can you guess which one?
- Who are biggest surprises, disappointments? Preseason expectations proved to be too great for some teams, while others proved critics wrong.
- Bests, worsts of season so far: There have been plenty of highs and lows for the league's most notable figures.
- 10 biggest questions for season's second half: From the playoff push to the MVP race, there's plenty of intrigue.
Mock draft: Early first-round projection
With the NFL season at its midpoint, it was time to unveil the first of what will be many mocks before the 2021 NFL draft. Here's USA TODAY Sports' initial first-round projection:
1. New York Jets -- Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
3. New York Giants -- Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
4. Dallas Cowboys -- Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
5. Washington Football Team -- Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Fantasy football: Get your lineup right
Our fantasy football experts have valuable advice to help your team dominate this weekend.
- Fantasy rankings for Week 10: For your convenience, these position-by-position rankings were updated for this week's games.
- Studs, duds and sleepers: Here are some names to know going into Week 10. The good: Jared Goff against a struggling Seahawks pass defense. The not-so good: Mike Evans now that Antonio Brown is on the Bucs.
- Waiver wire options: With David Johnson in concussion protocol, it might be the Duke show for the Houston Texans in Cleveland.
Week 10 schedule
(All times Eastern)
Bye week: Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets
Thursday
Sunday
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Washington Football Team at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Monday
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
NFL Facebook group: Join now!
Football season is here! And, if you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders. Sign up now!
