Here are my NFL Week 10 Picks
(9-4 last week, 87-46-1 for the season)
Bye teams: Hou, Ind, Min, NE, SD, Was
Cle @ Cin – The Bengals might have bungled a few games along the way, but they still have only two losses, swept the Ravens, and are unbeaten at home. The Battle for Ohio is a big deal, more so while the Browns are actually playing like an NFL team, but Cinci shouldn’t mess this one up.
Ten @ Bal – It’s the AFC North that kills the Ravens, as they just lost to the Bengals & the Steelers. Not the best way to win your division, but they still have hope. After all, they get to play at home vs the 2-6 Titans who aren’t in the Worst Team conversation, but probably should be.
KC @ Buf – Guess who has allowed the least points in the AFC this season? It was Baltimore, but now it’s Kansas City. They take their defense on the road vs a Bills team that has played well under Kyle Orton but that doesn’t have much home field advantage. I’ll go Chiefs, but barely.
Mia @ Det – Speaking of defenses, the Dolphins are #2 in points allowed in the AFC, the Lions are #1 in the NFC. So should be a 9-6 ballgame, right? No way, not with Detroit playing at home and getting Megatron back from injury. I look for Miami to get behind early and stay there.
Dal @ Jax – Here’s a game in London, one in which Tony Romo may or may not play. Regardless, I think the Cowboys will return to DeMarco Murray & the run game. They got stuffed vs Arizona, but Jacksonville is not nearly as stout against the run. Weeden or Romo; Dallas gets the win.
SF @ NO – These are two very similar teams. Both are 4-4, both should have much better defenses than they’ve shown, and both are still competitive. The difference is in momentum & location; the Saints are hot right now and get to play in the Big Easy. The Niners lose a tough one.
Pit @ NYJ – Could this possibly be an upset in the making? Big Ben just threw 6 TDs in each of his last two game, while the Jets are the epitome of crap. Seems like a blowout going the Steelers’ way, and I’d bet it will be. But man, sometimes teams that have nothing to lose don’t.
Atl @ TB – Well, something’s gotta give. The Falcons are winless on the road, while the Bucs are winless at home. Someone has to win, unless they tie I guess, which always sucks for everyone. Mike Smith should be fired after this season, but maybe they win this game. Who cares.
Den @ Oak – The Broncos can’t call themselves the best team in the NFL anymore, not after that embarrassing loss to the Patriots. Foxboro is just too tough a venue for that huge matchup, and Brady plays extra hard. But last week aside, Denver will win in Oakland and Peyton will play mad.
STL @ Ari – This one could get ugly. I know the Rams won last week vs the Niners, but that was more accident than effort; they’re just not a very good team. The Cards, on the other hand, play tough D, are undefeated in Arizona, and currently have a grip on the division.
NYG @ Sea – The Champs are very slowly getting back on track. They lost a couple games, regrouped, and look ready to smash some people in the mouth again. Enter Eli. Poor guy, I’m worried what might happen to him in this one, he’s just so fumbley. G-men lose in a big way.
Chi @ GB – This might be the easiest game to pick. Now, I think Cutler comes off the bye week & shows some improvement, especially Brandon Marshall’s way. But the Pack don’t lose in Lambeau, the Bears don’t win there, and GB is the better team in every phase of the game. No-brainer.
Car @ Phi – Am I the only one who remembers that Mark Sanchez sucks? All of the sudden he’s the face of the Eagles, the QB that should have started Week 1, the precise pocket passer. Umm, no. He will tank sooner rather than later and, even though they’re not good, the Panthers could benefit.