Week 10 marks the final week of teams with bye weeks – and also the beginning of the Thursday night game for the 2010 season. It’s time for KP’s NFL Week 10 picks.
The opening Thursday night game of the year is a dandy – as the Ravens and Falcons each fight to be the first NFL team to 7 wins.
By Sunday night, it’s the Patriots and the Steelers, followed by Monday’s second match between Donovan McNabb and the Eagles.
Last Week: 6-7
Season: 69-61
It’s once again time to “Pick Your Knows” – the only time it’s not a disgusting habit – and here are the NFL Week 10 picks and games (spreads as they appear through CBSSports.com).
NFL Week 10 Picks: Pick Your Knows Against the Spread
Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons (-1.5)
This game is fairly even matched – and one advantage is the Falcons being undefeated at home and QB Matt Ryan only having one career loss in Atlanta. Expect Atlanta to give the Ravens a heavy dose of Michael Turner – hoping they can win the time of possession game. This one is a coin flip – and therefore the edge goes to the home team.
KP’s Pick: Atlanta
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (+1.5)
The Vikings have big names on the D-line, plus a top ten pass defense (yards per game) – all signs that would point to a Minnesota win considering the sacks allowed by the Bears, plus picks by Cutler. The Vikes haven’t managed any sacks or picks. Therefore, expect Favre to throw more INT’s on this day, as Chicago escapes with a home win.
KP’s Pick: Chicago
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins (+0.5)
The Dolphins are a balanced team – both on offense and defense – falling into the middle of the pack in the NFL in each category. The Titans debut Randy Moss, in hopes to stretch out the defense and keep a team from stacking the box. Miami is winless at home – but with Chad Pennington taking over the offense again – expect limited mistakes and a more efficient offense.
KP’s Pick: Miami
Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills (-2.5)
Shaun Hill will start at QB for the Lions – once again replacing an injured Matthew Stafford. The Bills have come close to winning its first game over the last 3 weeks – losing twice in OT and falling by a field goal to the Bears last week. Playing at home in a game that will likely be a shootout, expect Buffalo to finally break into the win column on Sunday.
KP’s Pick: Buffalo
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns (+3.5)
The Browns will likely be the trendy pick this week considering how they dismantled New England last week. But the Jets feature a much better defense, highlighted by a top five run defense that should keep Peyton Hillis in check all day – forcing Colt McCoy to win through the air. Take the Jets to cover on the road.
KP’s Pick: New York Jets
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (-7.5)
Peyton Manning and the Colts host Ochocinco, T.O and the Bengals (AP Photo/Bill Waugh)
The Bengals almost pulled out a miracle win against the Steelers on Monday night – but that gamewas at home – and while the Colts defense is not as solid as Pittsburgh’s D, Indy also has a much more potent passing game led by Peyton Manning. Colts cover at home.
KP’s Pick: Indianapolis
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5)
The Panthers have had a tough road this season – most recently losing Matt Moore for the year, plus having both its star running backs hobbled (Mike Goodson will start on Sunday). With the majority of its talent hobbled, it’s a tall order for Carolina to keep a game close on the road against a Bucs team that is surprising many in 2010.
KP’s Pick: Tampa Bay
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-1.5)
Matt Schaub has reportedly said that he is OK to play this Sunday – and with him in the game, this one should be a shootout, as Garrard and the Jags will likely score a lot on a weak Houston pass defense. In the end, it’s the balanced attack of Schaub, Johnson and Foster that wins the game for the Texans.
KP’s Pick: Houston
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (+0.5)
This game features the most potent rushing attack (KC) against one of the best passing attacks (Denver). The key difference: The Chiefs’ top NFL rushing attack takes on a Broncos team that is 31st in the NFL in rush defense. Expect Kansas City to run all over Denver.
KP’s Pick: Kansas City
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (-3.5)
The Seahawks will likely get key pieces on the D-line back and Matt Hasselbeck, too – but this is a team that has struggled the last two weeks. This, plus both teams have played poorly on the road. The Cards – after blowing a lead late to the Vikings last week – utilize its passing weapons and get a must-needed win at home.
KP’s Pick: Arizona
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (-14.5)
The Giants have clearly been the best team in the NFC to this point – while Dallas has arguably been the worst. Still, with Jason Garrett taking over – plus Jerry Jones threatening many more changes to come – expect some motivated Cowboys players to keep this game closer than the two-touchdown-plus spread that it’s at.
KP’s Pick: Dallas
St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers (-5.5)
Both teams have fairly solid run defenses, which will provide challenges for both Frank Gore and Steven Jackson. San Francisco’s only two wins are at home – but each were by 8 points – and with each team trying to control the clock and establish the run game, it’s a good bet that this one comes down to the final possession – and stays close throughout.
KP’s Pick: St. Louis
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5)
Brady and the Patriots will be looking to bounce back against the Steelers
The Patriots – coming off a blowout loss to Cleveland – now get the talented Steelers on the road. While the Steelers sport a dominant defense, they are beatable in the passing game. It’s difficult to imagine Belichick dropping back-to-back conference games by a large margin – and therefore, expect Brady to push this game to the wire. Take the Pats and the points.
KP’s Pick: New England
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins (+3.5)
The Eagles fell to McNabb and the Redskins weeks ago – but it was a close game where Michael Vick left early with a rib injury. This time around, the Redskins are in some turmoil with the McNabb benching saga, plus the running backs nursing some injuries, too. Monday night, the Eagles salvage a split of the season series – and cover on the road in DC.
KP’s Pick: Philadelphia
Bye Week: Green Bay, Oakland, New Orleans and San Diego
As always, thank you for visiting The Wife Hates Sports!
AERO–
The Panthers are completely depleted right now… Moore out for the year, both backs are out. It’s Clausen and Goodson in the backfield against the young Bucs. I think Tampa Bay will have no problem covering at home.
REV–
I will man… sorry missed your call. Will try and catch up with you this weekend if we can work something out.
The Bucs must beat the Panthers if they are to have any chance at making the playoffs. I never thought that I would be saying that this season. Oh well, Go Bucs!
Just let me know, man.
Dude, REV – yes. We have good people for this – just haven’t gotten it going yet. Maybe we can chat this week or this weekend and you can help me get this thing moving? I was looking at the program I have the other night and then something else came up and I put it aside. It will definitely be a good thing.
Podcast anyone?