Week 10 Picks

Sunday, Nov. 13
Arizona (2-6) at Detroit (3-5), 1 p.m.
Arizona, with the No. 4 ranked passing game in the league, has three touchdowns in 21 trips to the red zone. Sad. Arizona is 0-3 on the road. Detroit has virtually no offense but has scored 131 points, just 15 less than Arizona. The good news for Detroit is they've allowed only 152, compared to Arizona's 211. Arizona's only win against an NFC team was San Francisco in Mexico City. Detroit's was against Green Bay in Week 1. I've been concentrating on this game for 5 weeks. I hope that supermarket still has Kurt Warner's job available.
Prediction: Lions, 31-10.

Baltimore (2-6) at Jacksonville (5-3), 1 p.m.
Throw out that 3-point fluke loss to St. Louis, and Jacksonville has had a pretty good run lately. Baltimore has not (3-game losing streak). Both teams are good against the pass, so don't expect any aerial spectacles. Jacksonville has the best chance to grind out some ground yardage. Baltimore remains without Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, but quarterback Kyle Boller returns for the first time since Week 1. You really don't think that's going to matter, do you?
Prediction: Jaguars, 26-9.

Houston (1-7) at Indianapolis (8-0), 1 p.m.
What is understood need not be discussed.
Prediction: Colts, 42-13.

Kansas City (5-3) at Buffalo (3-5), 1 p.m.
Even with Priest Holmes out, Kansas City should have a moderately easy time with Buffalo. The Larry Johnson kid is for real, despite his prior run-ins with Dick Vermeil, and the old guy couldn't be happier right now: Buffalo is 31st against the run. If Johnson does his job and holds onto the ball, that will make the passing game that much more effective. KC merely needs to put the brakes on Willis McGahee. Merely.
Prediction: Chiefs, 28-24.

Minnesota (3-5) at N.Y. Giants (6-2), 1 p.m.
The weeks you want Minnesota to pull an upset. Minnesota is horrible on the road (0-4). New York is solid at home (4-0). Just about all the key indicators and stats favor New York, so let's pick a score and move on.
Prediction: Giants, 35-10.

New England (4-4) at Miami (3-5), 1 p.m.
New England has one of the top passing offenses in the league. Miami has one of the best pass defenses. Miami has one of the best running games. New England has one of the worse run defenses. Adam Vinatieri is not as automatic as before (9 of 13 this season, 0-2 beyond 50 yards). It looks like Richard Seymour is going to play. That will help New England more than I can express. Oh, Tom Brady still hasn't lost back-to-back games in his career.
Prediction: Patriots, 23-17.

San Francisco (2-6) at Chicago (5-3), 1 p.m.
Chicago has won four straight. There's something I never thought I'd write this season. San Francisco is 32nd in offense and defense. Only Chicago's defense is great (3rd), but their offense is horrible (27th). That's OK. Plenty of defenses score points. Chicago has really turned the dials on the scoreboard a couple times.
Prediction: Bears, 24-10.

Denver (6-2) at Oakland (3-5), 4:05 p.m.
Despite the obvious disparities between these two teams, Oakland always gives Denver a battle in the "black hole of intelligence." Denver is coming off a bye, and Oakland just suffered a bitter last-minute defeat to another division rival. One team has preparation, the other has rage. Both play on the dirty side. Both have great running games. There's a gulf of difference between Jake Plummer and Kerry Collins, neither team is that good against the pass. Both Denver losses are on the road.
Prediction: Broncos, 32-27.

N.Y. Jets (2-6) at Carolina (6-2), 4:05 p.m.
Despite the obvious disparies between these two teams ... oh, wait. Never mind.
Prediction: Panthers, 28-6.

Green Bay (1-7) at Atlanta (6-2), 4:15 p.m.
Ditto.
Prediction: Falcons, 38-17.

St. Louis (4-4) at Seattle (6-2), 4:15 p.m.
OK, not quite as lopsided, but St. Louis is floundering, and Seattle can all but put away the division with a win. St. Louis is 1-3 on the road. Seattle is 4-0 at home. St. Louis has won 2 in a row; Seattle, 4 in a row. But, wait! St. Louis is second in the league with 5.9 yards per offensive play. Oh, Seattle is first with 6.1. St. Louis' offense is ranked 2nd; Seattle's, first. St. Louis' defense is ranked 30th; Seattle's, 14th.
Prediction: Seahawks, 30-14.

Washington (5-3) at Tampa Bay (5-3), 4:15 p.m.
Even records. Washington is 1-3 on the road. Tampa is 3-1 at home. But these teams are headed in opposite directions. Tampa has lost 3 of 4, including their home loss last week to Carolina. And Washington picked up their road win in Philly last week too. The recipe for beating Tampa seems easy: Stop "Cadillac". It's been a pretty easy task lately.
Prediction: Redskins, 24-13.

Cleveland (3-5) at Pittsburgh (6-2), 8:30 p.m.
Despite Ben Roethlisberger riding the pine, Pittsburgh should be OK today. Cleveland simply isn't ready for prime time. Still, Romeo Crennel could pull a rabbit out of a hat against Charlie Batch, who looked less than professional last week against Green Bay.
Prediction: Steelers, 23-10.

Monday, Nov. 14
Dallas (5-3) at Philaelphia (4-4), 9 p.m.
While the other NFC East teams beat up on each other, the N.Y. Giants with their easy schedule and 9 home games are pulling away. Is Philadelphia still reeling from the Terrell Owens circus? I don't think so. Are they ready for this game? Yeah, probably. Will they finally try to run the ball a little? I would guess so. Have you seen a review elsewhere that has actually talked about the game, instead of a stinking loser who's not even putting on a uniform? Probably not. Dallas pummelled Philadelpia (33-10) earlier this season in Dallas. That was the beginning of a 1-3 slide for Philadelphia and a 3-1 streak for Dallas. If Drew Bledsoe protects the ball( no interceptions, fumbles or sacks that lead to punts), Dallas wins. If Philly loses this game, they can kiss the playoffs goodbye. Bledsoe gets sacked (but will it be deep enough?).
Prediction: Cowboys, 27-26.

Open date: Cincinnati, New Orleans, San Diego, Tennessee