If you find yourself with a feeling like the National Football League isn't quite as enticing heading into Week 10, you're not wrong. That's because the quality of teams playing this week has dropped by a fair amount with the level of teams who are sitting out this week on the bye.
Week 10 in the NFL features four teams getting some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Unfortunately for those tasked with hyping up the league's programming, it's a bit tougher knowing that the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and L.A. Rams aren't available for the fan's collective viewing pleasure.
The Chiefs could use a week off at this point after flying to Frankfurt, Germany and back in Week 9 to take on the Dolphins in a showdown between two AFC heavyweights. The Chiefs came away the victors and now own two tiebreakers in case the Jaguars and Dolphins want to complicate the race for the top seed. At 7-2, they're well-positioned to head into the second half of the schedule with a lot of confidence and momentum.
For the Chiefs, the bye also will help with some recent injuries. Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed left and came back to Sunday's game, while linebacker Willie Gay Jr. played through a lower-back injury. Running back Jerick McKinnon has also played through a groin injury as well. Clyde Edwards-Helaire missed Week 9 due to an illness, so the backfield and linebacking corps in particular should feel a lot better with a week off.
The Chiefs and Eagles being out this week means that both Super Bowl entrants from a year ago aren't going to be playing. The Dolphins sitting out also means the most dynamic offense in the league will also be on the sidelines. Even the Rams are at least a marquee franchise in a big market with a fairly recent Super Bowl win (and perhaps the front runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year in wide receiver Puka Nacua).
Just in case the league feels robbed of some marquee matchups, however, they can rest in the fact that a Super Bowl rematch is in the on-deck circle in Week 11 on primetime.