NFL Week 10: Commanders upset sets stage for Burrow, Pollard showdowns

The 2026 NFL season entered Week 10 with a dramatic shift in momentum, as the Washington Commanders defeated the New York Giants 24-21 in a matchup that defined the opener. In the final eight minutes and 25 seconds of that contest, two passing touchdowns and three interceptions occurred, marking the first time since the 2001 season that such a sequence happened in a game's final ten minutes. Jayden Daniels secured the victory with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs with 57 seconds remaining, followed by a game-saving interception from Rasul Dougal with 25 seconds left. Daniels became the first player to record multiple fourth-quarter interceptions and a game-winning touchdown in a single contest since Carson Wentz did so for Washington in 2022.

The statistical implications of the Commanders win extend to the divisional races, but the spotlight turns to the AFC North on Sunday. The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) host the Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) in a battle for first place. Pittsburgh’s defense has allowed just 12 total touchdowns in eight games, tying them for the second-fewest in the league. This unit is led by edge rusher T.J. Watt, who has 7.5 sacks, tied for fourth in the NFL. The Bengals, however, possess the second-highest scoring offense in the league, averaging 30 points per game. Quarterback Joe Burrow is on pace to join Peyton Manning as the second quarterback in NFL history with four or more total touchdowns in five consecutive games.

Burrow’s recent performance includes four straight games with a completion percentage of 70% or better and at least four total touchdowns, a streak no player has achieved before. In their Week 3 meeting in Pittsburgh, the Steelers won 30-27 after Burrow fumbled with 53 seconds left. That game saw Burrow complete 28 of 37 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns. The prediction is that Burrow will overcome Watt’s pressure to produce at least four touchdowns again against the stingy Steelers defense.

In the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2) travel to face the Tennessee Titans (1-7). Jacksonville overhauled its defense at the trade deadline, acquiring Jordan Davis, Jessie Bates III, and Davon Godchaux for a package of five draft picks. This new group, which previously ranked second in the NFL in scoring defense, will face a Titans offense built around running back Tony Pollard. Pollard recently posted consecutive games with over 100 rushing yards and multiple touchdowns, joining Derrick Henry, Chris Johnson, and Earl Campbell as the only players in franchise history to achieve that feat.

The Titans’ quarterback situation adds another layer of complexity to the schedule. Kirk Cousins, who has 20 passing touchdowns this season, returns to Minnesota’s old rival in Green Bay. The Vikings traded for Cousins to bolster their offense, which had only 12 offensive touchdowns in a 6-2 start, the fewest for a team with that record since 1950. However, the Green Bay Packers (6-3) lead the league in interceptions with 13 and have 19 total takeaways. All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney has five interceptions, while Evan Williams has three. The expectation is that Cousins will throw multiple interceptions in this return to the NFC North.

In Atlanta, running back Bijan Robinson leads the league with 880 rushing yards. He faces a Kansas City Chiefs defense that allows just 17.9 points per game and 97.5 rushing yards per game, the 10th fewest in the NFL. Despite the Chiefs’ defensive strength, the Falcons, who are struggling in the passing game with quarterback Michael Penix Jr., will likely rely on Robinson for over 20 carries. Meanwhile, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has been sacked 33 times, faces Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. Anderson leads the league with 9.5 sacks. Watson’s average time to throw is 3.08 seconds, ranking ninth longest among qualified quarterbacks, but he aims to avoid more than two sacks in this matchup.