Four teams beat the odds with improbable wins in Week 10 of the NFL

Since the merger, NFL quarterbacks now have a rate of 9-128 when throwing at least five interceptions in a game. Along with Tony Romo (2007 in Buffalo) and Matt Ryan (2012 against Arizona), Goff is the only one to achieve this this century.

That’s two big wins in a row for the 8-1 Lions – out in the rain at Lambeau Field, then Sunday’s impressive comeback.

“That’s what great teams do,” coach Dan Campbell told his team. “Even if you have an off day, you find a way.”

▪ The Vikings earned an important 12-7 win in Jacksonville, improving to 7-2 and keeping pace with the Lions. The Vikings became the first team since the 2006 Packers to win a game despite scoring no touchdowns and committing three turnovers; The teams had lost 201 such games in a row.

Brian Flores’ defense held the Jaguars to 143 total yards and forced three turnovers in the fourth quarter. The Vikings are one of the best stories of the season, but Sam Darnold could turn into a pumpkin with five interceptions in his last two games.

▪ The three certainties in life: death, taxes and an interim coach winning his first game (unless it’s with the Jets). The Saints ended their seven-game losing streak with a 20-17 win over the Falcons and awarded interim coach Darren Rizzi the “W” after he replaced Dennis Allen. The Saints escaped in part because kicker Younghoe Koo missed three field goal attempts for the first time in 88 career games.

The Falcons lost despite gaining 468 total yards, 25 first downs and 181 rushing yards, committing just one turnover and having the ball for 35:07. Over the last 40 years, teams have had a 135-6 odds of hitting these benchmarks in a game.

▪ Finally, the Chiefs improved to 9-0 with a 16-14 win over the Broncos, with Leo Chenal knocking down a 35-yard field goal attempt at the buzzer to secure the victory. While one has to be impressed with the Chiefs’ ability to consistently win close games, they are certainly living dangerously with seven of their nine wins by a one-point margin.

And while the blocked field goal was impressive, it also saved Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for a questionable decision. Chenal told NBC that while the defensive players were talking about whether they should let the Broncos score so they could get the ball back for Patrick Mahomes, Spagnuolo said, “We’re not going to do that. “We trust our guys and we’re going to get a stop .”

But the Broncos started at their 40, converted three third downs, bled the final 5:57 off the clock and set up for a game-winning 35-yard attempt. That doesn’t sound like a stop to me. Next time it’s probably wiser to forego the score.

▪ It’s one thing to beat the Raiders, Jets and Giants like the Steelers have done in recent weeks. But pulling off a comeback win against the red-hot Commanders was an impressive result. The Steelers are now 7-2 and a half game ahead of the Ravens for first place in the AFC North.

The Steelers’ defense is as poor as ever, ranking 2nd in points allowed (16.2) and limiting the Commanders’ dynamic offense to just 242 total yards (60 on the ground) and 3 points in its last five drives.

And the Steelers appear to have found the right formula with Russell Wilson, who has rediscovered his deep ball. Wilson was just 14 of 28 passing on Sunday, but for 195 yards and three touchdowns. He already has more completions, yards and touchdowns on deep passes (over 20 yards through the air) than Justin Fields in half of the games. In a weak AFC, the Steelers are proving to be a legitimate threat.

Looking for people Patriots fans care about

▪ Jaguars QB Mac Jones: In his first start of the season, he completed 14 of 22 yards for 111 yards and ran for a touchdown, but threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars’ 143 total yards were the fifth fewest in team history.

▪ Falcons LB Matthew Judon: Had one tackle and played 32 of 53 snaps in loss to the Saints. He has gone eight straight games without a sack.

▪ Titans WR Calvin Ridley: The wide receiver, who spurned the Patriots in free agency, had five catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Chargers. Ridley has 32 catches for 483 yards and three touchdowns this year, the last two of which would lead the Patriots.

▪ Titans K Nick Folk: In a loss to the Chargers, he missed his first kick of the year from 49 yards to right goal. Now 17 of 17 on PATs and 12 of 13 on field goals.

▪ Chargers WR Ladd McConkey: McConkey was taken 34th overall with the Patriots’ selection and had two catches for 52 yards, including a 37-yarder, in a 27-17 win over the Titans. McConkey leads the Chargers with 37 catches for 492 yards and four touchdowns.

Quick hits

▪ Don’t look now, but Josh Allen has thrown an interception in three straight games after throwing none in his first seven games.

▪ Surprise, surprise: The Colts are another dumpster fire. They pretty much have to resort to Anthony Richardson after Joe Flacco threw three picks, including a pick-6, against Buffalo.

▪ Now that the Giants are bye, don’t be surprised if quarterback Daniel Jones is benched so they aren’t at risk for his $23 million injury guarantee next year.

▪ Last year’s wunderkind coach, Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, doesn’t have a great successor. The Texans have lost three of four games, CJ Stroud is second in the league with 34 sacks and they haven’t scored a second-half touchdown in four games.

▪ Three total touchdowns, 22 of 24 passes, a blowout win – Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray keeps it up and will soon be in the MVP conversation.

▪ Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts is the first quarterback in history to have four straight games with a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and a passer rating of at least 100.

▪ As of Monday night, all FBS, FCS and NFL teams in Florida have lost this weekend: Florida, Florida State, Miami, Florida Atlantic, Central Florida, South Florida, Bethune-Cookman, Stetson, Florida A&M, the Buccaneers and the Jaguars. The Dolphins played the Rams on Monday night.

Ben Volin can be reached at [email protected].