Week 10 losers: Several HCs put themselves on the hot seat, Mac Jones falling out of favor

Los Angeles Chargers defense: QB Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense put up 38 points in Week 10, but it was all for not. The Chargers defense offered little resistance against the Detroit Lions, allowing 41 points and 533 yards of total offense. 

It’s the fourth time this season the Chargers have allowed an opponent to surpass 475 yards, and the second time they’ve given up over 500, victimized for 536 yards by the Miami Dolphins in the 2023 opener. 

The Chargers defense had posted back-to-back solid performances ahead of Week 10, allowing a combined 19 points in wins over the New York Jets and Chicago Bears, but those outings came against Zach Wilson and Tyson Bagent. 

After allowing 8.3 yards per play to the Lions on Sunday, it’s safe to say the unit has regressed back to form. 

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens had a golden opportunity to build on their lead in the NFC North against the Cleveland Browns, and for a time, it looked like they might. However, the Ravens crumbled down the stretch, blowing multiple two-score leads to drop a 33-31 heartbreaker. 

Late in the game, on both sides of the ball, the Ravens simply couldn’t stay out of their own way. Only 10 plays after the Ravens had taken a 31-17 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Browns had cut the lead to only one. 

The final two offensive possessions for the Ravens resulted in a pick-six by QB Lamar Jackson and a punt. Meanwhile, Browns QB Deshaun Watson was a perfect 14-of-14 in the second half against the Ravens defense, capping it off with a 12-play, 58-yard scoring drive, resulting in a game-winning 40-yard field goal by kicker Dustin Hopkins as time expired.

Arthur Smith, Atlanta Falcons head coach: The Falcons dropped their third in a row in Week 10, falling to the previously 1-8 Arizona Cardinals and returning QB Kyler Murray, 25-23. The true failure on Sunday might have been the Falcons offensive approach, which falls on Smith. 

Despite facing the 17th-ranked passing defense in the league, the Falcons passing game was virtually nonexistent against the Cardinals. 

Starting QB Taylor Heinicke did leave the game with an injury, giving way to Desmond Ridder. However, the Falcons attempted only 21 passes on Sunday for a paltry 70 yards. Furthermore, weapons like WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts and versatile RB Bijan Robinson saw only 11 combined targets. 

The Falcons have lost three in a row and four of their last five, so clearly something has to change. Focusing on attacking an opponent’s weaknesses after their Week 11 bye week might be a good start. If things don’t improve, Smith could be on his way out of Atlanta. 

Cincinnati Bengals defense: Houston Texans rookie QB C.J Stroud was the story against the Bengals porous defense, throwing for 356 yards (9.1 YPA) and a touchdown. However, the Bengals also allowed a struggling Texans rushing attack to run over them all afternoon. 

The Texans entered Week 10 ranked 27th in rushing yards per game (87), but they exploded for 188 total yards (5.5 YPC) against the Bengals. 

Texans RB Devin Singletary feasted, carrying the ball 30 times for 150 yards (5.0 YPC) and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Stroud, Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson combined to rush for 38 yards and score off four carries.