Interconference match-ups, divisional match-ups, and a Super Bowl rematch take center stage this weekend in Week 10 of the NFL season.
Last week was my return to NFL game picks and not to brag, but I almost came out a winner last week. Almost. I feel like this is the week I break through on my road back above .500. Keep an eye on the Chargers game which is my Lock of the Week.I feel like this is the week I break through on my road back above .500. Keep an eye on the Chargers game which is my Lock of the Week.
BYE Weeks: Buffalo, Detroit, Indianapolis, Oakland
Green Bay Packers (4-4) at Tennessee Titans (4-5)
Titans +2.5
First up, we have this intriguing game. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense have looked “off” pretty much all season long. Not having a true running back and a banged up receiver corps will do that. Their timing seems off but maybe a break from Lambeau will do them some good.
Pick: Packers -2.5
Denver Broncos (6-3) at New Orleans Saints (4-4)
Saints -3
The new school version of “The Greatest Show on Turf” New Orleans Saints offense returns home in Week 10. Under Drew Brees, this team has been much better at home than on the road, although they did hang 41 on the 49ers last week in San Francisco. The 49ers don’t have anywhere near the type of defense the Broncos have, even if Denver is missing some key players. I’m taking the better team getting points in this one.
Pick: Broncos +3
Los Angeles Rams (3-5) at New York Jets (3-6)
Jets -1.5
Oh, the Jets. Being a fan of this team has never been easy, and this season is no exception. Expectations going into this season were a little too high after they took care of business against inferior opponents last year. I’m not so sure that their record would be much different if they were playing last year’s schedule with this current roster. Nonetheless, the Rams are coming east to play a 1:00 p.m. game which usually proves to be hard on west coast teams. For that reason and because the line is basically a pick ‘em, I’m taking Gang Green.
Pick: Jets -1.5
Houston Texans (5-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
Jaguars -2
The Jaguars had a lot of hype going into this season, but their younger players haven’t quite clicked yet. Both of their wins were by a combined 4 points to teams with a collective 6-11 record so far in 2016. Right now, the Jags just aren’t ready to take the AFC South. They certainly aren’t ready to beat a Houston Texans team coming off their bye week.
Pick: Texans +2
Minnesota Vikings (5-3) at Washington Redskins (4-3)
Redskins – 2.5
The surprisingly high-powered Redskins offense will be taking on the league’s best defense in this NFC showdown. The ‘Skins have been using a myriad of running backs and a deep receiving group on their way to averaging over 400 yards of offense per game. However, they haven’t faced many defenses like Minnesota’s. I think the Vikings will do just enough to slow down the Redskins offense to make this game close and maybe even pull out the outright win.
Pick: Vikings +2.5
Chicago Bears (2-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)
Buccaneers +2.5
Next, we have a game that is just brutal. The Bucs may FINALLY be getting Doug Martin back and they need him now more than ever as they are down to their 4th and 5th options at running back. Chicago’s defense has been unexpectedly good this season and Jay Cutler hasn’t been too terrible since coming back from injury. I was told to never trust a guy with two first names, but I’m putting my trust in three on Tampa Bay’s offense this week (Winston, Martin, and Evans).
Pick: Buccaneers +2.5
Kansas City Chiefs (6-2) at Carolina Panthers (3-5)
Panthers -3
The Panthers seem to have righted the ship a bit and have won two in a row. Better yet, Cam Newton didn’t have anything to complain about in his post-game press conference either. I think he will this week after facing off with a tenacious Chiefs defense. I know the Chiefs barely beat the Jaguars last week, but this line is a little fishy to me.
Pick: Chiefs +3
Atlanta Falcons (6-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-4)
Eagles +1.5
In this battle of the birds, we get two teams going in opposite directions. The Falcons have won two in a row; the Eagles have lost two in a row. The Falcons will be without Tevin Coleman for the third straight week, but they’ve been doing just fine without him. Fine enough to win on the road against a desperate Eagles team? As long as Doug Pederson stops going for it on every fourth down, I think the Eagles stand a chance here.
Pick: Eagles +1.5
Miami Dolphins (4-4) at San Diego Chargers (3-5)
Chargers -4
The Chargers offense has been unbelievable this season, and Melvin Gordon has a lot to do with that. He has scored a TD in all but two games this season (both against the Broncos) and I don’t see one reason why that pace should slow down anytime soon. The Chargers could easily put up 40+ points again on Sunday.
Pick: Chargers -4
Dallas Cowboys (7-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-4)
Steelers -2.5
Still no word on whether Tony Romo will be suiting up in this one, which would make for quite the storyline. At this point in the season, you have to think that Dallas is as good as their record shows. The Steelers, on the other hand, have to be better than a .500 team, right? I’m not sure about the answer to that one as their defense has looked pretty bad all season and Big Ben can’t possibly be all the way back to 100% yet. Better team, getting points… has anyone noticed a theme this week yet?
Pick: Cowboys +2.5
San Francisco 49ers (1-7) at Arizona Cardinals (3-4)
Cardinals -14
This game more resembles a college football line. The Arizona Cardinals are getting two touchdowns at home against a woeful 49ers team. Chip Kelly hasn’t had much success in his second coaching gig in the NFL, and I don’t expect that to change much on Sunday.
Pick: Cardinals -14
Seattle Seahawks (5-2-1) at New England Patriots (7-1)
Patriots -7.5
It’s a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX (that’s 49 for those of you Roman numeral impaired) between the Seahawks and Patriots. This time the game is in New England but similar to the Super Bowl, the Patriots have had an extra week to prepare for this game. The Seahawks have been one of the luckier teams in the NFL and could easily be under .500 if they didn’t get the breaks they have gotten from refs and choking kickers. Belichick will have the boys ready to roll coming out of their bye and win by double digits.
Pick: Patriots -7.5
Cincinnati Bengals (3-4-1) at New York Giants (5-3)
Giants +1
The disrespect with this line baffles me. The Giants are coming off a key victory and are playing well right now while the Bengals are coming off a tie in London two weeks ago. It was very nice of Vegas to give the Giants a point, but I don’t think Big Blue is going to need it.
