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NFL 2021: Grades, aftermath for teams coming off Week 10 bye

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 07: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals drops back to throw the ball during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on November 7, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 07: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals drops back to throw the ball during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on November 7, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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What kind of 2021 has it been to date for the Bears, Bengals, Texans, and Giants? And what kind of grades has each of the teams earned to date.

The NFL is just past the halfway point of its 18-week regular season. Every club has played at least nine contests in what is a 17-game slate for each of the 32 franchises. In Week 10, it was the Bears, Bengals, Texans, and Giants that got the week off.

With the exception of Zac Taylor’s improved club, the other three teams brought losing records into their mini-vacation. Chicago, Houston, and the Giants own a combined 7-20 record. How has this season gone so far for this quartet? And what happened around the rest of the league?

NFL 2021: Grades for teams coming off Week 10 Bye

Chicago Bears (3-6)

After a 3-2 start, the team is in the midst of a four-game losing streak. Rookie quarterback Justin Fields has shown flashes of being a reliable performer. Thanks mainly to Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery, the Bears’ ground attack is fifth in the league in rushing yards per game. But the Chicago defense has had its issues when it comes to stopping the run. And despite some steady improvement, Matt Nagy’s passing attack is dead last in the NFL.

Grade: C-

Cincinnati Bengals (5-4)

This grade would have been a little higher a few weeks ago. But the club has dropped its last two contests to the Jets and Browns and gave up a combined 75 points in those setbacks. Second-year quarterback Joe Burrow has been solid, throwing for 20 TDs. But he’s also served up 11 interceptions. Wideout Ja’Marr Chase is in the running for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. And free-agent addition Trey Hendrickson has sparked the pass rush.

Grade: B

Houston Texans (1-8)

It figured to be a long year for a franchise that was extremely busy this season signing bargains and letting notable players go. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor started the year for David Culley’s team and just returned after missing time with a hamstring injury. Rookie Davis Mills was under constant siege behind a subpar offensive line. The defense has had its issues for a few years and this season, only three teams in the NFL have allowed more points per game.

Grade: D

New York Giants (3-6)

Joe Judge’s club has been a bit of a disappointment considering Big Blue won six of their last 11 games in 2020. Quarterback Daniel Jones has had its ups and downs and it’s been another injury-plagued year for running back Saquon Barkley. But the biggest letdown this year has been a defense that finished 12th overall a year ago. Still, it’s a team that can’t be taken lightly considering their three wins have come vs. the Saints, Panthers, and Raiders.

Grade: C-

Aftermath

It was a Week 10 in which four teams in the NFC were off. As for the NFC North, the Packers and Vikings both came up with wins and the Lions forged a tie at Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, the Giants watched their other three clubs in their division come up with victories – all by double digits.

In the AFC North, none of the other three teams in the division came up with a win. The Ravens fell at Miami, the Browns were humbled by the Patriots at Foxborough and the Steelers tied the Lions. And as for the Texans, wins by the Titans and Colts over the Saints and Jaguars, respectively, made life a lot harder for Culley’s club.

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