Week 10 predictions
So here we are into the second half of the season. The business end. This is where it gets serious…
Thursday Night Football: Friday 1:20am
Oakland Raiders 20-27 San Diego Chargers
The Chargers seemed to find their mojo again on offense last week, out of necessity more than anything. Rivers found his best receiver Jackson with regularity for big days all round, and if that carries on here, the Raiders, coming off a loss to Tebow (despite Carson palmer throwing 300+ yards), will have no chance of keeping up with San Diego.
Sunday 6:00pm
New Orleans Saints 30-34 Atlanta Falcons
Most people would expect Drew Brees to put up big numbers in a dome, and I am one of them, but I have a sneaking feeling that no matter how many yards he throws for, the Falcons will rack up more. This could be a serious shootout in the Georgia Dome, but with the hero getting it done on the ground. Michael Turner could be the key to this one, if the Saints fail to stop him, I just feel Atlanta have the edge, not just in the game, but in the division as well. The Falcons are coming good at the right time.
Tennessee Titans 24-27 Carolina Panthers
Cam’s had a rest for a week, and now comes back to face a team in a bit of turmoil. After a promising start, the Titans lost star receiver Kenny Britt for the season, and haven’t looked the same team from there. One plus point was the re-emergence of CJ2K to some degree last week against the Bengals, he had 110 combined yards, and if the Titans are to get back on track, they will have to get him firing again. But I’ll take the rested home team by 3.
St Louis Rams 24-17 Cleveland Browns
One step forward, two back. That’s the story of the Rams over the last two weeks. A sensational win followed by a loss to the John Skelton led Cardinals (Patrick Peterson may have had something to do with it as well). That was a game the Rams should have won. As for the Browns, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Cleveland is not a good team. If St Louis are truly progressing, they can take an important road win here.
Pittsburgh Steelers 27-19 Cincinnati Bengals
Who would have thought that the Bengals would be fighting it out atop the AFC North with half the season gone? Well, it’s happened. But with Pittsburgh and Baltimore still to play twice, its goodnight to Cincinnati. They have been the most improved team in the league by a mile, but they’re not improved enough to beat the two best teams in the AFC, who just happen to be in their division. A pretty straight forward win for the Steelers.
Buffalo Bills 21-26 Dallas Cowboys
At first glance, this game looks a tight one, but Rob Ryan has been an inspired signing for Jason Garrett and the Cowboys (forget the Philly disaster). Dallas’ defense is hugely improved, and will be too good for Buffalo this week. With Miles Austin sidelined with a hamstring injury, Tony Romo will have to look to Dez Bryant and Jason Witten a little more, as well as handing the ball off to DeMarco Murray. Neither of which is a bad thing.
Jacksonville Jaguars 13-10 Indianapolis Colts
Will anyone be watching this game? It could be Curtis Painter’s first win this season! The Colts simply can’t go 0-16 just because Peyton Manning isn’t playing? Right? Stop Maurice Jones Drew, and they might well get a win. But they haven’t stopped anything so far this season, so I’ll play the percentages. 0-10 it is then.
Denver Broncos 17-24 Kansas City Chiefs
I really don’t know what happened to KC last week, I’ve watched the highlights, and I’m still confused as to why they were so poor. How is it possible to only score 3 points on Miami? Well they’d better sort themselves out because Tebow’s coming to town. I was wrong last week, I doubted Tim and he proved me wrong. So because I like the soap-opera of Tebow, I’ll doubt him again and say that Dwayne Bowe has a huge day and Kansas City gets back on track.
Washington Redskins 13-17 Miami Dolphins
If Miami were planning to ‘Suck for Luck’, they didn’t really read the script. You’re not supposed to get better! Now they come up against a Redskins team stuck in a rut, and considering bringing back Rex Grossman. You know it’s a bad state of affairs when Rexy is being mentioned as the possible solution. Miami were good against the run last week, and if Washington can’t get Helu or Torain or Choice going, Miami could make it 2 from 2.
Arizona Cardinals 20-37 Philadelphia Eagles
Another week, more panic for Eagles fans after another loss that should have been a win. The equation is simple now for Philadelphia. Get it together and win at least 6 of their last 8 games or miss out on the playoffs. They’ll get one win here, simply due to Arizona’s abysmal pass defense; they can’t rely on Patrick Peterson to win them games every week.
Houston Texans 27-20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Texans have showed over the past few weeks what a dangerous team they really are. Even without Andre Johnson, they have put 25+ points on teams from the ground alone. The tandem of Arian Foster and Ban Tate is frightening, and when Andre comes back, Matt Schaub will be back to his 300 yard best. This team has a real chance if the defense holds up to the standard of play that they have set all season. They will win their division, but how far can they go in the playoffs? Only time will tell.
Sunday 9:05pm
Baltimore Ravens 30-10 Seattle Seahawks
Baltimore finally showed me what I was looking for last week, with Flacco’s clutch play excellent and their composure perfect. For me, they are legitimate Superbowl contenders who will only get better through the postseason. This should be no trouble, but I said that about their game at the Cardinals where they sneaked past by 3 points. But Baltimore will win.
Sunday 9:15pm
Detroit Lions 27-21 Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler and the Bears pulled off an impressive win in Philadelphia on Monday night, but part of that was down to the lack of pressure the Eagles put on the QB. Cutler will not get that luxury on Sunday. Ndamukong Suh will be bursting to hit someone after a bye week of no violence, and Cutler could well be his target of choice. Matt Forte will once again have to shoulder the offense, and he is putting together a nice claim for Offensive MVP, but his efforts may again come up short.
New York Giants 20-17 San Francisco 49’ers
This is an interesting matchup, with two teams on great runs of form. The Giants are built to stop the run, with their big men up front, and this could be the key in this matchup, as without Frank Gore making huge gains, the 49’ers will have to rely on Alex Smith to make plays, something they haven’t had to do yet. San Francisco’s defense will keep the game tight, but I just fancy the Giants. It’s ok though 49’ers fans, you’re basically in the playoffs already.
Sunday Night Football: Monday 1:20am
New England Patriots 23-26 New York Jets
Is the house of Bill crumbling? This game will tell us a lot about the Patriots. Will they bounce back from two straight losses or will they succumb to Rex Ryan once more. Personally, I think that the Patriots problems are many, no deep threat, no roster depth, no pass rush, no plan B. With games coming up against Philadelphia and Buffalo, both offensively good teams, a loss here could put them in serious trouble. An 8-6 season is certainly not out of the question, but would that be enough to get into the playoffs from a competitive AFC East? The Jets, however, seem to be finding their form again. The defense is back to playing lights out football and that is good enough to win games alone.
Monday Night Football: Tuesday 1:30am
Minnesota Vikings 23-34 Green Bay Packers
Christian Ponder and the Vikings gave Green Bay a bit of a shock when they played a few weeks ago, almost rallying to tie the game at least. However, the Packers are a different proposition at Lambeau Field, and despite Minnesota being a much better team, they will again fall victim to the juggernaut that is known as Aaron Rodgers. What is left to say about the Green Bay QB? He is exceptional. Green Bay goes 9-0. If you’re going to put some money on the Pack going 19-0 and winning it all, do it now, because the odds will only get shorter.
