---
title: "NFL Quarterbacks Make Career-Starting Debut in Week 10"
url: https://newscentral.site/nfl-quarterbacks-make-career-starting-debut-in-week/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Sports"
published: 2026-11-14T18:34:35.000Z
updated: 2026-11-15T01:49:16.294Z
id: c21297f5-7dbd-48ec-b1a3-7c0af3d3e4af
source: "CBS Sports \n                                                https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-10-picks-best-bets-chiefs-steelers/"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/nfl-quarterbacks-make-career-starting-debut-in-week/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# NFL Quarterbacks Make Career-Starting Debut in Week 10

Several teams are preparing for quarterback changes, with rookies Fernando Mendoza and Carson Beck set to make their first career starts alongside second-year quarterback Kyle McCord.

The NFL Week 10 schedule is about to get a major shake-up as several teams prepare for quarterback changes. Rookies Fernando Mendoza and Carson Beck are set to make their first career starts on Sunday, alongside second-year quarterback Kyle McCord.

Meanwhile, veteran quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Jacoby Brissett will be returning from trade deadline deals that saw them switch teams. Cousins is heading back to Minnesota, where he previously played, while Brissett joins the Ravens after being acquired in a move aimed at mitigating the loss of Lamar Jackson.

The aftermath of these trades promises to have far-reaching effects throughout the league, and bettors will need to take this into account when making their picks for Week 10. With so many changes happening under center, it's anyone's guess how teams will perform on Sunday.

Four teams - Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay - are taking a well-deserved break in Week 10 as they enjoy the bye week. This means that fans of these teams won't have to worry about their squads for at least one more game.

The Bengals' offense is currently scorching hot, having averaged over 35 points per game during their four-game winning streak. Quarterback Joe Burrow has been instrumental in this success, throwing for a total of 18 touchdowns and boasting an impressive passer rating of 132.0.

Notably, the teams the Bengals have faced during this winning stretch are not exactly the toughest opponents - they've played the Dolphins, Ravens (without Lamar Jackson), Titans, and Falcons.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to provide a significant challenge to the Cincinnati Bengals, particularly on defense. With their fifth-lowest yards-per-play average and fourth-lowest points-per-game allowed, they pose a formidable opponent for the Bengals. The Bengals' offense has struggled in recent weeks, and this matchup could be a turning point.

The Bengals' defense, however, is vulnerable against the run, allowing an average of 5.0 yards per rush attempt so far this season. This sets up Jaylen Warren to continue his impressive form as one of the breakout players of the season. The Steelers' running game will likely look to exploit this weakness.

A scheduling quirk also works in favor of the Steelers. After a bye week, they are well-rested and ready for their matchup against the Bengals. In contrast, the Bengals are coming off an international game last week, which may have taken a toll on their energy levels. This rest discrepancy could prove significant.

The Steelers' defense has been one of the best in the league this season, allowing just 18.0 points per game and boasting an impressive passer rating allowed of 83.3. The Bengals will need to find a way to overcome these numbers if they hope to secure a win.

Despite their poor records, both teams have shown flashes of brilliance this season. However, it's the Steelers who appear to be in better form heading into this matchup. Their defense is well-equipped to handle the Bengals' offense, and their rest advantage could prove decisive.

Bryce Young, meanwhile, faces his own challenges against the Saints. Despite a poor 1-5 record against his division foe, he has shown glimpses of improvement in recent weeks. His numbers may have dipped since the start of the season, but he's starting to look more like himself once again.

Young will be looking to capitalize on a favorable matchup against the Saints' secondary, which has allowed an average of 7.3 yards per attempt this season. This is one area where he can exploit his opponents and potentially secure a rare victory for the Panthers.

The New Orleans Saints have struggled mightily at home this season, boasting a dismal record of 1-4 straight up and 0-5 against the spread. This lackluster performance has not been helped by their venue, the Superdome, which appears to be an unfavorable environment for the team.

Projected score: Panthers 24, Saints 21 The pick is Panthers +2.5, a wager that could potentially pay off given the Saints' home woes.

The Atlanta Falcons face a particularly challenging schedule, forced to play consecutive weeks after their international game in Madrid last Sunday. This grueling pace may put them at a disadvantage against the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs, who cruised to a 35-12 victory over the Jets just last week.

Patrick Mahomes' performance has been impressive of late, with five touchdowns and no interceptions over his past two games. However, it's worth noting that he has lacked a downfield threat this season, averaging an NFL-low 5.6 air yards per attempt.

The Chiefs have recently bolstered their receiving corps by acquiring Josh Downs in a trade with the Colts before the deadline. This addition could provide a much-needed boost to Mahomes' passing game, particularly against the Falcons secondary, which was exposed just last week by the Bengals and has also lost star safety Jessie Bates III to the Jaguars.

Atlanta's struggles against AFC teams are well-documented, boasting an unimpressive 0-4 straight-up and ATS record in its last four games against the conference.

The Kansas City Chiefs are favored to take down the Atlanta Falcons this weekend, with a projected score of 26-20 in their favor. The Chiefs' strong offense and recent form make them an attractive pick for gamblers looking to place a bet.

In other news, several teams have been making significant moves ahead of Week 10, with Jacksonville going all-in on trades to bolster its defense. The Jaguars acquired Jessie Bates III, Jordan Davis, and Davon Godchaux in the hopes of propelling themselves towards a potential Super Bowl run. Meanwhile, Tennessee has traded away key players, including standout safety Amani Hooker.

Tennessee's decision to trade away talent from its defense could prove costly against Trevor Lawrence, who is having an MVP-caliber season. With a passer rating of 111.7, Lawrence ranks second among quarterbacks who have started at least eight games this year. His impressive form has been a key factor in the Jaguars' success so far.

The matchup between Jacksonville and Tennessee promises to be one-sided, with the double-digit spread suggesting that the underdog will struggle to keep up. The Jaguars' defense has been particularly effective on the road, allowing 20 or fewer points in six consecutive games. Meanwhile, their ability to limit opponents' rushing yards is a major asset, with an average of just 89.3 yards allowed per game.

The numbers are stacked against Tennessee, which will be looking to overcome its defensive weaknesses and contain Lawrence's explosive offense. The Jaguars' recent form suggests that they have the skills and momentum to deliver a convincing win, making them a compelling pick for gamblers this weekend.

The Jaguars' momentum continues to build as they face off against a Titans team that has been struggling to contain opponents on offense. With a projected score of 34-16 in their favor, the Jaguars are looking like a solid bet for gamblers this weekend.

Fernando Mendoza is set to make his highly anticipated NFL debut after being drafted first overall in 2026. However, he will be facing a baptism by fire against one of the league's top defenses in Seattle. The Seahawks have been stifling opponents all season, allowing just 244.2 total yards per game and an average of only 18 points.

The Raiders' defense has been leaky at best, having allowed over 30 points in six consecutive games - a feat that is tied for the longest such streak in NFL history. This could be a recipe for disaster for Mendoza as he tries to navigate his first career start. Meanwhile, the Seahawks' offense should have plenty of opportunities to score with Sam Darnold out and Drew Lock set to play despite an injury.

The statistics are not on Mendoza's side either, as No. 1 overall quarterbacks have a dismal record in their first starts since 2003. They have gone just 1-15-1 straight up and 3-14 against the spread, making it even more challenging for him to succeed on Sunday.

Zach Charbonnet could be a key player in the Seahawks' offense this weekend, especially with his recent performance of 16 carries for 77 yards. The Raiders have been particularly vulnerable to running backs, allowing an NFL-high 5.0 yards per carry so far this season.

The stakes are high for Mendoza and the Jaguars as they look to capitalize on their momentum and take down a struggling Titans team. With a convincing win in sight, the Jaguars could be a compelling pick for gamblers looking for a strong return on investment this weekend.

The Seahawks are favored to win by a margin of six and a half points over the Raiders in their upcoming game.

Meanwhile, the Patriots face off against the Lions in Munich, where the Lions are expected to emerge victorious by two and a half points. The projected score is 30-20 in favor of the home team.

In other games, the Bills are favored to beat the Jets by eight and a half points, while the Browns have a slight advantage over the Texans with a pick of plus four and a half points.

---
Source: [CBS Sports](
                                                https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-10-picks-best-bets-chiefs-steelers/
                    )  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/nfl-quarterbacks-make-career-starting-debut-in-week/
