Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action will soon be here and if it was anything like Week 9, underdogs could be a thing again in Week 10. The games I'll keep an eye on are the Browns-Patriots, Saints-Titans, and Chiefs-Raiders games this week. In this post, I'll do a preview of the week, my picks for the contests and the early and late game broadcast pairings. Let's get to work!
Week 10 Preview
The tenth week of the NFL's regular season will start in Miami, Florida and finish up in Santa Clara, California. Week 10 features a 14-game slate that will have 28 teams playing in those games. Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, and New York Giants will be on a bye this week. There will be a Thursday night game, seven early games, four late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. FOX will have the single, regional game and CBS will have the doubleheader. Let's get to the picks!
Week 10 Picks
Note: TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate. All game times are in US Eastern Time.
Baltimore (6-2) @ Miami (2-7) (FOX/Amazon/NFL Network; 8:20 pm): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
Both teams won last week as the Ravens beat the Vikings and the Dolphins beat the Texans. Baltimore would eventually win their matchup against Minnesota despite being down by a lot. What they face is a Dolphins squad that beat the Houston Texans. Miami had five of that game's nine turnovers. Baltimore somewhat feels some heat as the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns are creeping up behind them. I think the Ravens will take care of business despite the short week. If there's Miami turnovers in the game, I'd say the Ravens will have a good shot to win.
Atlanta (4-4) @ Dallas (6-2) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Falcons won against the Saints and the Cowboys lost to the Broncos. Atlanta pulled off a squeaker over the Saints. While I give them props for winning that game they are facing off against one of the better teams in the NFC in Dallas. Dak Prescott didn't look particularly well against Denver and possibly it was because of him not being fully healthy. With some extra time to watch film and get over last week I think the Cowboys will get back on a winning track.
Buffalo (5-3) @ NY Jets (2-6) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
Both teams lost last week as the Bills lost to the Jaguars and the Jets lost to the Colts. Buffalo really couldn't get a lot of offense going against a fairly okay defense in Jacksonville. I keep saying that Josh Allen can't do it all on his own. He needs to have a better productive running game. Mike White will get the start for the Jets in this game and has done well in his stead over the injured starter Zach Wilson. I don't see the Jets taking this game as the Bills defense has to be better than the Jets right? I think Buffalo rebounds.
Cleveland (5-4) @ New England (5-4) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
Both teams won last week as the Browns beat the Bengals and the Patriots beat the Panthers. Cleveland finally got rid of Odell Beckham Jr and played out of their minds against their Ohio rival Cincinnati. Doesn't seem surprising as the Browns won a lot of games when OBJ was injured. New England finally got above .500 and has done it with their defense and some stability in the quarterback position in Mac Jones. They have had a lot of hype surrounding them perhaps but sometimes momentum helps these sort of teams. I think it'll be a good contest but I think New England will take care of business.
Detroit (0-8) @ Pittsburgh (5-3) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Lions lost to the Bye and the Steelers beat the Bears last week. Detroit just can't seem to get it together and win a game this year. Dan Campbell seems like a good coach that I'd want to play for but the sad thing is that the team that he has just isn't that scary. What is scary is the Steelers defense. Pittsburgh's offense has at times looked not so scary. A lot of faith is being put on Ben Roethlisberger on my fantasy team if Kyler Murray can't go. I feel the faith is being well put but any given Sunday.
Jacksonville (2-6) @ Indianapolis (4-5) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Colts; CV: Colts
Both teams won last week as the Jaguars beat the Bills and the Colts beat the Jets. Jacksonville raised a few eyebrows and shut down the Bills offense. The real question is will they replicate the same success against a Colts team that has played better when Carson Wentz doesn't give freebies to opposing jerseys. Jacksonville has the 12th best rush defense and the Colts have the 5th best rush offense. Something is going to have to give. I don't trust Trevor Lawrence to become god with the offense that he has. If he gets better offensive weapons I'd trust him a bit more. I'll take the Colts.
New Orleans (5-3) @ Tennessee (7-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Saints; CV: Saints
The Saints lost to the Falcons and the Titans beat the Rams last week. New Orleans despite the near comeback almost won a game against an okay Falcons team. Trevor Siemian or Taysom Hill could start in the game and very well do well against the Titans. Tennessee hasn't had the respect they definitely deserve. The loss of Derrick Henry didn't really hurt them a lot against the Rams as they had a defensive showcase and Ryan Tannehill did damage to the Rams. I just have a gut feeling that could end up fucking me hard but I have a good hunch.
Tampa Bay (6-2) @ Washington (2-6) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
Both teams had a bye last week. Last time we saw the Buccaneers was a bad loss against their kryptonite: the regular season Saints. For Washington, they lost to the Broncos in a game they really should've done better in. This game is also a NFC Wild Card rematch where the Buccaneers beat the Football Team by a touchdown. Washington really is in for a bad matchup against Tampa as I don't really think there's one advantage that the Football Team has over Tampa. I think the Buccaneers rebound.
Carolina (4-5) @ Arizona (8-1) (FOX; 4:05 pm): TW: Cardinals; CV: Cardinals
The Panthers lost to the Patriots and the Cardinals beat the 49ers last week. Sam Darnold will be out for this game and backup PJ Walker will likely get the nod to start. In limited action that Walker has been in with the Panthers he was 3 of 15 for 33 yards with two interceptions. Just doesn't seem like a stellar sample size. Kyler Murray could start if he goes through practice and stays well. Colt McCoy would get it if he can't go. Safe to say the Cardinals should have good signs going into this one with either quarterback.
Minnesota (3-5) @ LA Chargers (5-3) (FOX; 4:05 pm): TW: Chargers; CV: Vikings
The Vikings lost to the Ravens and the Chargers beat the Eagles last week. Minnesota can't seem to get out of their own way and not have an overtime in a game that they're playing. The Chargers had a good game and back and forth affair with the Philadelphia Eagles. Justin Herbert could take advantage of the weak Vikings defense as long as he plays well within himself. Los Angeles should take advantage of their plethora of running backs and keep the Vikings defense on the field. I'll take the Chargers.
Philadelphia (3-6) @ Denver (5-4) (CBS; 4:25 pm): TW: Broncos; CV: Broncos
The Eagles lost to the Chargers and the Broncos beat the Cowboys last week. Philadelphia played a good back and forth game against one of the better teams in the AFC. Denver made a Dallas team its plaything last week. Teddy Bridgewater threw very well even though his team's defense really made a statement and shut down the Cowboys for a good part of the game. Will the Broncos have a repeat performance against one of the better passing games in the NFL in the Eagles. Jalen Hurts has done damage in his legs and not necessarily just his throwing arm. I think the Broncos will have a tough task in slowing him down but I feel they'll pull it off.
Seattle (3-5) @ Green Bay (7-2) (CBS; 4:25 pm): TW: Packers; CV: Seahawks
The Seahawks had a bye and the Packers lost to the Chiefs last week. Seattle had a convincing win against the Jaguars in Week 8. Russell Wilson won't likely play and Geno Smith will likely get the nod. Green Bay was without Aaron Rodgers due to him going through COVID protocol. If he is cleared on Saturday he will likely get the start. If he doesn't then obviously it would be Jordan Love that would get the nod. I'm banking on the thought that Rodgers will be cleared to play. In the scope of things a Geno Smith vs Aaron Rodgers matchup seems to be a mismatch in any slight. Green Bay is gunning for a homefield advantage position at the #1 seed. I think they'll win.
Kansas City (5-4) @ Las Vegas (5-3) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
The Chiefs beat the Packers and the Raiders lost to the Giants last week. Its an old school AFC matchup on NBC! Patrick Mahomes didn't play spectacular but didn't turn the ball over against Green Bay. Las Vegas really let the game against the Giants float them by. Turnovers really kill you when it matters most. Kansas City hasn't looked at all great for over a month. Las Vegas had a good thing going since Jon Gruden's resignation winning two of their last three games. Derek Carr can play well when he doesn't throw the ball to opposing jerseys. The game could be a tossup but I'll take the home team.
LA Rams (7-2) @ San Francisco (3-5) (8:15 pm): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
Both teams lost last week as the Rams lost to the Titans and the 49ers lost to the Cardinals. Week 10 finishes up with a matchup that had been looking to be a fun one. Los Angeles has had a fun season with a Matthew Stafford having a rejuvenated season. The Rams had a bad loss against the Titans whom were down their best player in Derrick Henry. San Francisco confuses me a lot. They can be good and play well one week and then go shit the bed the next. I feel the Rams will have a bounceback week and reflect on last week's loss and get back to work. San Francisco could win but they will need to get a better game from their defensive line and passing game from Jimmy Garoppolo.
Early & Late TV Pairings (courtesy of 506sports.com):
Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area. Check local listings as they do get updated reguarly.
CBS Early
Cleveland @ New England
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
New Orleans @ Tennessee
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
Buffalo @ NY Jets
Spero Dedes, Jay Feely
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis
Andrew Catalon, James Lofton
CBS Late
Seattle @ Green Bay
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
Philadelphia @ Denver
Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta
FOX Single
Atlanta @ Dallas
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson
Tampa Bay @ Washington
Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth
Detroit @ Pittsburgh
Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston
Minnesota @ LA Chargers (LATE)
Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez
Carolina @ Arizona (LATE)
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
2021 Pick'em Records:
My record:
Week 1: 7-9
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 9-7
Week 5: 12-4
Week 6: 11-3
Week 7: 10-3
Week 8: 7-8
Week 9: 7-7
Total: 83-53
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 6-10
Week 2: 12-4
Week 3: 13-3
Week 4: 10-6
Week 5: 10-6
Week 6: 12-2
Week 7: 10-3
Week 8: 7-8
Week 9: 8-6
Total: 88-48
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
