Every weekend in the NFL, elements attract our attention regarding the forces present, the records that are within reach or in relation to certain historical marks. Here, for the tenth week of activities, are 5 elements to watch out for.
• Also read: Our predictions for Week 10 and at midseason, who are the strongest Super Bowl contenders?
• Also read: Matthew Bergeron will miss some action
• Also read: Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland dies at 24
1. Nothing stops “JSN”
There’s no stopping Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The second-year player has four straight games with at least 100 yards. Against the Cardinals, he could become the first receiver in history with at least eight receptions and 120 yards in five straight games. Smith-Njigba could also become the third in history to start a season with nine consecutive games of at least 75 yards, after Antonio Brown in 2014 with the Steelers and Michael Irvin in 1995 with the Cowboys. At just 23 years old, he has already accumulated 948 yards this fall, an NFL high. He is on track to beat Calvin Johnson’s record, who gained 1,964 yards in 2012.
2. In the 100 club?
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The years pass and the impact of Sean McDermott as head coach of the Bills seems to be almost no longer emphasized. However, the man who took control of the team in 2017 now has 99 victories (including the playoffs). Against the Dolphins, he could therefore reach the symbolic plateau of 100 victories. He is in his ninth season and to date, few head coaches have won at least 100 games in nine seasons. Those who had passed this mark after nine seasons are George Seifert (116 victories), Paul Brown (104 victories), John Madden (103 victories), Joe Gibbs (102 victories) and Mike McCarthy (101 victories).
3. The impact of trade
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Will the players who changed addresses on Tuesday at the trade deadline quickly make an impact on their new team? For cornerback Sauce Gardner, it was a hectic week, going from New York to Indianapolis, then to Berlin, where the Colts faced the Falcons. A duel against Drake London could be fascinating. Receiver Rashid Shaheed, with the Seahawks, will certainly test the Cardinals’ deep zone coverage. Another receiver, Jakobi Meyers, joins the Jaguars, masters in the art of dropping passes this season. Meyers has reliable hands, but the Texans’ defensive backs are solid. We will also have to observe the impact of defensive end Jaelen Phillips with the Eagles against the Packers.
4. Lamar accumulates victories
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The Ravens’ game against the Vikings will mark the 100th start for quarterback Lamar Jackson. To date, he shows an excellent winning percentage, having recorded 72 wins. A 73rd victory would put him alone in fourth place in history for the greatest number of victories after 100 matches. He is currently tied with former Raiders center Ken Stabler. Only Patrick Mahomes (78), Tom Brady (76) and Roger Staubach (76) did better.
5. La machine Myles Garrett
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There is little good news from the Browns, but Myles Garrett is shining. The extraordinary defensive end already has 10 sacks and against the Jets, if he adds two to the count, he will join some big names. He could indeed become the first since the one and only Lawrence Taylor, with the Giants from 1985 to 1989, with at least 12 quarterback sacks in six straight seasons. He would boast seven seasons, total, with at least 12 sacks, something only Reggie White (10 seasons), Kevin Greene (8 seasons), Bruce Smith (8 seasons) and Leslie O’Neill (7 seasons) have ever accomplished.
