Week 10
Cowboys vs. Jags
Kickoff: 10 a.m., London
Records: Dallas 6-3. Jacksonville 1-8.
Line: DAL by 7 1/2 O/U: 45 1/2
Synopsis: Dallas QB Tony Romo (broken bones in back) tries to play after being out last week, and indications are that he’ll give it a go. But if he isn’t up to it, or has trouble, Brandon Weeden takes over. Whoever goes faces the NFL’s No. 27 defense, which gives up 123.4 yards per game on the ground. So look for Dallas to hand often to NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray. Jacksonville scores just 15.7 points per game, the NFL low.
Pick: Cowboys 26-17
Dolphins at Lions
Kickoff: 10 a.m. (CBS)
Records: Miami 5-3, 3-1 away. Detroit 6-2, 3-1 home.
Line: DET by 2 1/2 O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: Miami has won three in a row, two of them on the road, and has the NFL’s No. 4 ground game and No. 3 defense. But the Dolphins draw an equally hot team, as Detroit also has won three in a row, and the league’s top-rated defense is a big reason. Lions WR Calvin Johnson (ankle) is expected back after a three-game hiatus.
Pick: Lions 24-16
49ers at Saints
Kickoff: 10 a.m. (Fox 28)
Records: San Francisco 4-4, 2-2 away. New Orleans 4-4, 3-0 home.
Line: NO by 5 O/U: 48 1/2
Synopsis: Both are .500 disappointments, but New Orleans is tied for first (NFC South) while San Francisco is 3 games out (NFC West), so the 49ers have less room for error. But SF’s Colin Kaepernick-led offense is sputtering and doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with the Saints’ high-powered attack if it’s “on.”
Pick: Saints 27-20
Chiefs at Bills
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Kansas City 5-3, 2-2 away. Buffalo 5-3, 2-2 home.
Line: KC by 1 O/U: 41 1/2
Synopsis: Kansas City’s on a three-game winning streak, allowing just 12.3 points per game during the spree. The Chiefs also have the No. 6 ground attack, but Buffalo is No. 8 vs. the run. Bills much improved, but WR Sammy Watkins and RB Fred Jackson are banged up, might not play.
Pick: Bills 23-20
Steelers at Jets
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Pittsburgh 6-3, 2-2 away. New York 1-8, 1-4 home.
Line: PIT by 4 O/U: 46 1/2
Synopsis: Ben Roethlisberger comes off back-to-back six-TD passing performances, a first in the NFL, but faces the No. 12 pass ‘D’ here. But that stat is deceiving – New York has permitted 24 TD passes, most in the league. Don’t expect another six-pack from Big Ben, however.
Pick: Steelers 24-17
Titans at Ravens
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Tennessee 2-6, 1-3 away. Baltimore 5-4, 3-1 home.
Line: BAL by 10 O/U: 44
Synopsis: Tennessee muddling through a miserable season and takes its popgun “attack” (No. 27) to Baltimore, which is eager to rebound after being blasted last week in Pittsburgh. The Ravens should thrive vs. Titans’ No. 23 ‘D.’
Pick: Ravens 27-16
Falcons at Bucs
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Atlanta 2-6, 0-4 away. Tampa Bay 1-7, 0-4 home.
Line: ATL by 3 O/U: 46 1/2
Synopsis: Tampa Bay QB Josh McCown set to return from a thumb injury that KO’d him Sept. 18, and he takes over the NFC’s worst offense, but the consolation is that he faces Atlanta’s NFL-worst ‘D’ – 408.8 yards per game allowed.
Pick: Buccaneers 26-23
Broncos at Raiders
Kickoff: 1:05 p.m.
Records: Denver 6-2, 1-2 away. Oakland 0-8, 0-4 home.
Line: DEN by 11 O/U: 49 1/2
Synopsis: Denver looks to rebound after being trounced last week in New England, and has a soft landing spot in Oakland, which has the league’s worst offense. Oakland’s ‘D’ is decent against the pass (No. 10), but Denver’s potent aerial show should be able to move anyway.
Pick: Broncos 33-20
Rams at Cards
Kickoff: 1:25 p.m.
Records: St. Louis 3-5, 2-2 away. Arizona 7-1, 4-0 home.
Line: ARI by 6 1/2 O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: St. Louis comes off upset win over San Francisco but did little offensively. The Rams now face the NFL’s worst pass ‘D’ but don’t seem capable of taking full advantage. Arizona is rolling (league-best 7-1 mark), and allows just 19.5 points per game.
Pick: Cardinals 26-13
Bears at Packers
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. (NBC)
Records: Chicago 3-5, 3-2 away. Green Bay 5-3, 3-0 home.
Line: GB by 7 O/U: 53 1/2
Synopsis: Green Bay’s offensive line is banged up, but faces a team that gave up 51 points (to New England) in its last outing and is on fumes as Chicago is in near must-win mode. Bears QB Jay Cutler has committed nine turnovers during Chicago’s current 1-4 slide.
Pick: Packers 30-20
Panthers at Eagles
Monday: 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Records: Carolina 3-5-1, 1-2-1 away. Philadelphia 6-2, 4-0 home.
Line: PHI by 6 1/2 O/U: 48
Synopsis: With QB Nick Foles now out because of a broken clavicle, Mark Sanchez takes over Philadelphia’s high-powered offense. He faces a ‘D’ that has allowed nearly 31 points per game in its last 7 (going 1-5-1). Panthers QB Cam Newton is slumping, but Eagles’ ‘D’ only No. 23.
Pick: Eagles 27-17