Week 10 preview
Lions at Bears
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Detroit (5-3), Chicago (5-3)
Line: Bears by 1;
O/U: 52 1/2
Synopsis: Chicago expects QB Jay Cutler back from his groin injury, but he could be rusty in what looks like a shootout. Both teams can throw but CHI is 23rd in pass “D” and DET is No. 26. Lions’ Matt Stafford leads the superior aerial attack for this one.
Pick: Lions 30-27
Eagles at Packers
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Philadelphia (4-5), Green Bay (5-3)
Line: Pick ‘em; O/U: 47 1/2
Synopsis: GB is minus QB Aaron Rodgers (shoulder), so Seneca Wallace faces the NFL’s worst pass “D.” But still look for an Eddie Lacy-led attack. Eagles QB Nick Foles (seven TD passes last week) works vs. the No. 20 pass “D.”
Pick: Packers 26-23
Jaguars at Titans
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Jacksonville (0-8), Tennessee (4-4)
Line: Titans by 13;
O/U: 41 1/2
Synopsis: JAX couldn’t even keep from losing during its bye week. It’s best player, WR Justin Blackmon, was suspended and won’t play. And Titans RB Chris Johnson finally got going last week and now faces the league’s worst run “D.”
Pick: Titans 30-10
Bengals at Ravens
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Cincinnati (6-3), Baltimore (3-5)
Line: Bengals by 1 1/2;
O/U: 44
Synopsis: Cincinnati’s defense is banged up, creating an opening for the sputtering Baltimore attack. The Bengals like to throw, but the Ravens are decent against the pass. Baltimore is allowing just 11.3 points per game at home. Things look good for the Ravens.
Pick: Ravens 20-16
Rams at Colts
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: St. Louis (3-6), Indianapolis (6-2)
Line: Colts by 9 1/2;
O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: IND the superior team and STL has lost three in a row, but has been competitive for the most part. However, STL’s run “D” is terrible so Colts’ Trent Richardson, if healthy, could have a breakout game. But emergence of STL RB Zac Stacy, who faces the No. 26 run “D,” keeps this close.
Pick: Colts 27-20
Raiders at Giants
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Oakland (3-5), New York (2-6)
Line: Giants by 7;
O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: NY has had a horrible year, but has won its last two and gets inconsistent OAK here – which allowed Philadelphia to roll up 542 yards last week as Nick Foles threw seven TD passes. NY’s Eli Manning won’t top that, but should get the job done.
Pick: Giants 24-20
Bills at Steelers
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Buffalo (3-6), Pittsburgh (2-6)
Line: Steelers by 3;
O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: BUF expected to have QB EJ Manuel back from a knee injury to lead a ground-oriented attack that has C.J. Spiller now on track to face PIT’s No. 30 run “D.” Steelers a far cry from their usual selves. Upset possible.
Pick: Bills 23-20
Panthers at 49ers
Kickoff: 1:05 p.m.
Records: Carolina (5-3), San Francisco (6-2)
Line: 49ers by 6;
O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: CAR has won four in a row, albeit via a soft schedule, and faces an even hotter team – SF has won five straight and gets back previously key LB Aldon Smith from substance abuse treatment. SF has the No. 1 ground game, but is last passing.
Pick: 49ers 24-17
Broncos at Chargers
Kickoff: 1:25 p.m.
Records: Denver (7-1), San Diego (4-4)
Line: Broncos by 7;
O/U: 58 1/2
Synopsis: Denver’s Peyton Manning-led offense is No. 1 in the NFL in total yards and passing and faces the No. 29 defense. Meanwhile, Chargers QB Philip Rivers is having a solid year and DEN’s “D” is 30th vs. the pass.
Pick: Broncos 33-30
Texans at Cardinals
Kickoff: 1:25 p.m.
Records: Houston (2-6), Arizona (4-4)
Line: Cardinals by 3;
O/U: 41 1/2
Synopsis: Reeling HOU (six losses in row) is minus key RB Arian Foster (back) and QB Case Keenum makes just his second road start. That’s a bad sign vs. ARIZ, which is 3-1 at home and is rested as it comes off its bye.
Pick: Cardinals 24-13
Cowboys at Saints
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m.
Records: Dallas (5-4), New Orleans (6-2)
Line: Saints by 6 1/2;
O/U: 54
Synopsis: NO tries to bounce back after loss to Jets and its offense should get back on track vs. NFL’s second-lowest rated “D.” And Saints’ fifth-rated pass “D” should give Cowboys QB Tony Romo trouble. Saints 4-0 at home.
Pick: Saints 36-27
Dolphins at Buccaneers
Monday: 5:40 p.m.
Records: Miami (4-4), Tampa Bay (0-8)
Line: Dolphins by 2 1/2;
O/U: 41 1/2
Synopsis: How will Miami respond to locker-room turmoil? Hard to say, but winless TB will win some time – and QB Mike Glennon and RB Mike James, both rookies, are improving and this could be the spot.
Pick: Buccaneers 24-20