NFL Week 10 picks

Over a busy two weeks, I get a chance to post my picks this week, and I'm just in time for the start of NFL Network's Thursday night games.

Thursday night:  Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons:  These two teams are pretty evenly matched.  I'd pick Baltimore except for one thing -- the Falcons are unbeaten at home.  Yes, that will have to end sometime, but I'll keep Matt Ryan and company maintaining it for now.  FALCONS, 24-20

Sunday early games:
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Bucs:  Carolina is having a tough year.  Their record matches Dallas, although Dallas gets more attention.  BUCS, 17-10

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts:  The Bengals have two dynamic receivers, but the T.Ocho Show isn't working out too well.  The Colts have seen many of their best receivers get injured, but they keep finding more people to catch for Peyton.  COLTS, 24-20

Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills:  The Bills will win a game sometime.  They play at home, against a struggling team, so this might be the time.  I'd actually pick Buffalo EXCEPT Matt Stafford returned to Detroit's lineup last week.  He can lead the team past the Bills.  LIONS, 24-21

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars:  Jacksonville has been fortunate.  Any team with a points margin like theirs should have a worse record than 4-4.  The Texans' defense will extend that margin, and push the Jags below .500.  TEXANS, 27-17

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears:  The Vikings are just in too much turmoil for me to favor them, even if the Bears offense has been so atrocious.  The special teams and defense make up for that, and should elevate them past the Vikings.  BEARS, 17-13

New York Jets at Cleveland Browns:  The Jets defense is stifling, second only to the Steelers.  For the Browns, that means they won't have any room to breathe.  JETS, 20-13

Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins:  Pity the Miami fans, for their beloved Dolphins are winless at home this season.  With a tough Titans squad coming to town, one revitalized with the addition of Randy Moss on the outside, I don't think that winless record will change this week.  TITANS, 23-17

Sunday late games:
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants:  Despite the woes in Dallas, their points margin is not too bad for a 1-7 team.  I suppose that just makes their record even worse.  Owner Jerry Jones canned coach Wade Phillips this week, promoting Jason Garrett.  I don't know how much that will shake up the team.  Garrett already called most of the offensive plays.  We do know that he has instituted a little more discipline in the locker room, which may not sit well with some of the players.  Throw in a tough Giants defense, and this doesn't look like a good week for the former "America's Team".  GIANTS, 27-17

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos:  It's been a tough year for Denver.  While the Chiefs have slipped from their outstanding start, Matt Cassel and company are putting up excellent numbers.  Orton is leading the Broncos well, but the team is one-sided, as they can't get a running game going.  That gives any decent defense to anticipate their moves, and the Chiefs have a decent defense.  CHIEFS, 24-20

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals:  It's upset time! Seattle has been atrocious on the road this season, while the Cards have shown flashes of brilliance.  Derek Anderson has struggled with Coach Wisenhunt's system, but the team has still scored more points than Seattle has.  CARDS, 20-14

St Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers:  Second upset pick.  The 49ers are finding themselves, while the Rams are still not consistent.  The Rams could win this game, but I actually think the bye week will hurt Bradford, as he seems to need the momentum.  49ERS, 20-17

Sunday night:  New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers:  The Steelers have the best defense in the league.  While Bill Belichick is capable of finding ways to move against that defense, I think the Steelers will be just a little too stifling for the Patriots to handle.  STEELERS, 16-14

Monday Night Football:  Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins:  Michael Vick is back, and he's slippery.  The Redskins defense may be slightly better than the Colts, but their offense isn't as good.  If Philly could beat Indy, they can beat the Redskins.  EAGLES, 23-17