NFL Week 10 aftershocks: Is Trevor Lawrence failing the Jaguars?

While several NFL teams had statement wins in Week 10 (49ers, Cowboys, Lions, Browns), others crashed with disappointing losses (Jaguars, Bengals, Ravens). Here's a look at four aftershocks.

Trevor Lawrence is failing the Jaguars

The Jaguars drafted Lawrence No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft with the hope he would be the franchise savior. Instead, the 24-year-old may be holding Jacksonville back.

Though Lawrence hasn't played horribly this season, he is hardly the one to credit for the Jaguars' 6-3 start. The defense has routinely carried the underperforming offense in close games. Against the 49ers on Sunday, that task proved to be too heavy a burden.

San Francisco jumped to an early lead and never looked back, dismantling Jacksonville, 34-3.

"I think you have got to feel the pain and embarrassment of today," Lawrence said afterward, per ESPN.com. "We played terrible. We laid an egg."

Lawrence struggled, completing 17-of-29 passes for 185 yards and turning the ball over three times (two interceptions and a fumble).

If the Jaguars are to make a deep run in the playoffs, they must get more their quarterback. Ten turnovers compared to nine touchdown passes and only two games with multiple passing touchdowns this season aren't going to cut it.    

The Vikings are still a playoff contender

Following the loss of wide receiver Justin Jefferson and quarterback Kirk Cousins to injuries, many pundits believed Minnesota's playoff hopes were all but crushed. Yet, against all odds, the Vikings (6-4) are riding a five-game winning streak and firmly in the postseason hunt.

In relief of Cousins, who's out for the season with an Achilles tendon tear, Joshua Dobbs has led the Vikings to two victories. Since becoming Minnesota's starting quarterback after being traded by the Arizona Cardinals, the 28-year-old has completed 43-of-64 passes for 426 yards and three touchdowns. He also has 110 yards and two touchdowns rushing.

With Jefferson set to return from a hamstring injury in the next week or two, the Vikings will be getting back one of the best players in the NFL for their late-season push.

Sam Howell is a franchise QB

The Commanders (4-6) don't have a winning record, but they have a franchise quarterback in Howell. 

Despite appearing in only one game as a rookie last season, Howell has quietly put up some of the best numbers in the league. The 23-year-old is first in passing yards (2,783) and completions (264, 31 more than No. 2 Joe Burrow) and tied for fourth in passing touchdowns (17).

Howell's strong play is even more impressive considering the lack of talent around him. The second-year QB is constantly under duress behind an offensive line that has allowed 47 sacks, second most to the abysmal Giants, per StatMuse.

Texans C.J. Stroud has entered the MVP conversation

Stroud looks to be a lock for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he may have his sights set on an even greater accolade. 

The Ohio State product entered his name into the MVP conversation after another masterful performance, a 30-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, who had won four straight. Stroud completed 23-of-39 passes for 356 yards, accounted for two touchdowns (one passing, one running) and led the winning drive in crunch time for the second straight week.

With only nine NFL games under his belt, Stroud has already cemented himself as a top-10 quarterback. The 22-year-old ranks first in passing yards per game (291.8), second in passing yards (2,626), sixth in passer rating (101) and 10th in QBR (63.2). The future is certainly bright for Houston (5-4).

Per oddschecker, Stroud is an MVP long shot, but that could change if he keeps rolling.