The NFL's trade deadline has come and gone, leaving in its wake a trail of bold moves, questionable decisions, and mounting pressure on coaches across the league. As teams position themselves for playoff runs or future rebuilds, the aggressive strategies employed by front offices are reshaping not just this season's landscape, but potentially the trajectories of franchises for years to come.
From the Indianapolis Colts' eye-raising pursuit of elite talent to the growing scrutiny on established coaches like Matt LaFleur, this week's developments reveal a league where patience is wearing thin and the margin for error has never been smaller.
John Middlekauff shares his insights on the upheaval and delivers his favorite NFL picks for Week 10.
Bills vs 
Dolphins best bet
Pick: Bills -9.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
Middlekauff expects the Bills to win and cover against the 2-7 Dolphins, who were blown out on Thursday Night Football by the Ravens.
"I think Buffalo is like the way better version of the Packers," he says. "I think this is an opponent that they've owned. If You're Sean McDermott you desperately want to carry that momentum from last week and just put your foot on their throat."
Not only does Middlekauff expect the Bills to win, he strongly believes this game will be out of reach early.
"I'd be stunned if we don't look up and it's 24-7 at half," he says. "I expect to get a pretty spirited Bills effort."
Steelers vs 
Chargers best bet
Pick: Steelers + 3 (-114 at FanDuel)
The Chargers will be without offensive linemen Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, both of whom are injured, setting up a clear path to victory for the Steelers.
"There's no excuse to not win this game," Middlekauff says.
He's hammering Pittsburgh's defensive line and TJ Watt in particular, whom he expects to have a big game.
"I think he's the heartbeat of the team," he says. "You just feed off his energy, and if their defensive line dominates they're going to be pretty good. Los Angeles will have a fourth string tackle essentially starting at either left or right tackle because your swing tackle, who is your backup, now starts at whatever position he's the most comfortable at. They're in major trouble."
The Colts' all-in gamble
The Indianapolis Colts made headlines with their aggressive pursuit of cornerback Sauce Gardner, a move that many analysts view as a significant overpay. The willingness to part with multiple assets for a single player reflects a franchise desperate to maximize their current window, but it also raises serious questions about value assessment and long-term planning.
"It's like if you live in Florida, maybe you got to overpay for hurricane insurance," Middlekauff says. "Or California for fire insurance. And that's how they're looking at it."
This vivid analogy perfectly captures the Colts' mindset as they view Gardner as essential protection against the high-powered passing attacks they'll face, regardless of the premium price. However, the risks inherent in such aggressive moves cannot be ignored. When teams mortgage their future for immediate help, the consequences of miscalculation can be severe.
"If you do trade multiple picks for the wrong player, it can derail you a little bit," he says.
This sobering reminder highlights the fine line between bold leadership and reckless gambling that NFL general managers must walk. The Colts' move for Gardner represents more than just a single transaction; it's a philosophical statement about how the franchise views its competitive window and its willingness to push all chips to the center of the table.
Matt LaFleur is on the hot seat
Perhaps no coach faces more scrutiny this week than Green Bay's Matt LaFleur, whose Packers suffered an inexcusable loss to the Carolina Panthers at home. The defeat marks yet another instance where Green Bay has failed to capitalize on favorable matchups, raising serious questions about LaFleur's ability to prepare his team for games they're expected to win.
"If you're the Packers at home, you cannot lose that game. It just cannot happen," Middlekauff stresses.
This blunt assessment captures the frustration surrounding the Packers' inconsistency. LaFleur's repeated failures in games where Green Bay was heavily favored have become a troubling pattern that threatens to overshadow his regular season success. The pressure is mounting, and with each unexpected loss, the calls for accountability grow louder.
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Mike McDaniel's play-calling woes
In Miami, Mike McDaniel faces a different kind of criticism. While his offensive system has shown flashes of brilliance, his situational play-calling has become a source of intense frustration for fans and analysts alike.
McDaniel must learn to adapt and evolve his play-calling in critical situations. The repetitive nature of these failures suggests a troubling inflexibility that could ultimately limit the Dolphins' ceiling, regardless of their offensive talent.
Kansas City's uncharacteristic struggles
The Kansas City Chiefs, long considered the gold standard of AFC excellence, find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Their reputation as an elite team is being tested by inconsistent performances and key losses early in the season. The aura of invincibility that once surrounded them has begun to crack, opening the door for rivals who have long played second fiddle.
"The Bills own the Chiefs in the regular season," Middlekauff says. "That's their Super Bowl. They get up for it every year... The problem is they never win the games that matter."
This observation about the Bills-Chiefs dynamic reveals the complex psychology at play among the league's elite teams. While Buffalo has proven they can compete with Kansas City during the regular season, their inability to translate that success to the postseason remains a defining narrative that both teams must grapple with.
