NFL Week 10: AFC contenders dealing with injuries
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans are both without key players heading into Sunday’s NFL Week 10 contests.
Not the relaxing Saturday both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans were hoping for.
In the afternoon, word came down that Tennessee would be placing wide receiver Julio Jones on the Injured Reserve list, putting him out of action until Week 14 at the earliest. Jones has been hampered by a hamstring injury which has been a recurring issue for him in 2021. Without Jones and star running back Derrick Henry for the foreseeable future, the AFC-leading Titans are in trouble.
Want $250 to bet on NFL Week 10?
A few hours later, the Steelers announced quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had to be placed on the COVID-19 list, putting him out of this weekend’s tilt at home against the winless Detroit Lions. Pittsburgh should be able to get by the Lions with backup signal-caller Mason Rudolph. Although it still creates a bigger possibility of a horrid loss at Heinz Field which Pittsburgh can’t afford.
All told, the Titans are obviously in the tougher spot moving forward. Without Henry and Jones, opposing defenses are likely going to double A.J. Brown and force the ball to go anywhere else. This is a clear issue, considering Tennessee doesn’t have another quality receiving option at receiver, tight end or running back. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill must play the best ball of his career for Tennessee to keep being productive offensively.
Read: NFL Week 10 Totals – 5 Games Destined To Go Over
For the Titans, their next three games come against the New Orleans Saints (home) before seeing the Houston Texans (home) and New England Patriots (away). Should Tennessee’s emerging defense not carry the freight, this could be a 1-2 stretch for Tennessee. Luckily, the Titans have a three-game lead in the AFC South and the closest competition, the Indianapolis Colts, have already lost twice in head-to-head matchups.
Meanwhile, for Pittsburgh, the loss of Roethlisberger will hopefully only be for this weekend. Provided he is vaccinated against COVID, Roethlisberger only needs to become asymptotic and then have tests on consecutive days showing he’s negative. From a football standpoint, the main concern is losing to Detroit, something the 5-3 Steelers — who face a tough schedule down the stretch — can’t have happen.
For two AFC teams with playoff aspirations, sudden obstacles are looming. How each navigates will make all the difference.
