NFL 2019-20 Week 10 Preview
Buffalo at Cleveland – The Bills have a very tough defense, one that should be able to contain the struggling Browns offense. Despite loads of talent, Cleveland just has not been able to take off offensively, and last week’s loss at Denver really almost ended what slim chances for the playoffs they still had. If there is any life left in their flickering playoff hopes, Buffalo should be able to extinguish it in this game, as I expect them to keep on rolling to a solid road win to remain among the elites in the AFC. My pick: Buffalo
Detroit at Chicago – Mitch Trubisky made a very public complaint that he was sick and tired of people criticizing the Chicago Bears. That is the kind of thing that usually works against not only the player, but his team, as well, because it sounds a whole lot like whining. Everything seems to be going wrong for the Bears, and it is doubtful that this is going to help them. Increasingly, Trubisky is feeling like a bust for Da Bears. The offense looked good last season, when the team finished 12-4 and won the division. But that also meant that they were not going to sneak up on anyone this season, and that it would likely be a much tougher season. Boy, has that ever been the case! Chicago seems on the verge of becoming one of those completely irrelevant teams by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, and that is why I am picking against them this week, despite their having home field advantage. My pick: Detroit
Atlanta at New Orleans – Quietly, New Orleans has positioned itself to be one of the favorites, and possibly one of the elites, not just in the NFC, but in the NFL. The 49ers have been the flashy, sexy choice, with their unbeaten record so far. But New Orleans is right behind them, with a veteran quarterback leading an explosive, dangerous offense, and a tough defense. Plus, this team seems like they are on a mission, clearly feeling cheated out of last year's Super Bowl. Of course, like anyone else, there are some things that still need to work, including staying healthy and focused, as well as continuing to have luck on their side. But right now, they are playing some of the best football of anyone, and the pitiful Falcons should not really be able to slow down their momentum when they come into town later today. My pick: New Orleans
Baltimore at Cincinnati - Well, the Bengals have home field advantage today, but that appears to be the only advantage that they have. As the last remaining winless team left in the league this season now, Cincy is starving for a win. Still, it is hard to imagine them beating these red hot Ravens, who are coming off a huge win over previously unbeaten New England. That might have been the single biggest win for Baltimore since their last Super Bowl season, which is starting to feel very long ago now. They are clearly hungry to step up and begin to be taken as a serious title threat and, barring a letdown, they should easily dispatch with the division rival Bengals today. My pick: Baltimore
Kansas City at Tennessee – The Chiefs have been a bit rocky this season, not quite as dominant or consistent as most people – myself included – expected them to be. But they still are good enough to win with some consistency, and apparently this season, they are better on the road than at home. They go on the road again against the Titans, who have shown vulnerabilities. My guess is that the Chiefs prove to be a bit too much for the reeling Titans, who feel like a team about to see their season turn into a “wait until next year” kind of season the rest of the way forward. Expect the Chiefs to win this one. My pick: Kansas City
Arizona at Tampa Bay – At the beginning of the season, I might have suggested that if one team here was the lowly one, and the other had an outside (admittedly, a bit remote) chance of qualifying for the playoffs, it would be the opposite. But while Tampa Bay’s collapse has not exactly been a shocker, Arizona’s toughness this season has come as a bit of a surprise. Indeed, the Cardinals have an explosive young threat at quarterback, and they seem to be playing tougher on both sides of the ball. And they are more than keeping their head above water, even in a very tough division. I like what the Cardinals are doing and the direction that they are going in, and that is why they are my pick to win this game. My pick: Arizona
Miami at Indianapolis – Okay, so the Dolphins got one victory. Granted, it was against the Jets, but that will likely end speculation for this team being the worst of all-time. That said, they are still pretty bad, and will be outmatched by almost every team that they play against this season. Hard to imagine them being able to put up a serious fight against the Colts, regardless of the question marks at quarterback. This should be a fairly easy and convincing win for the home team. My pick: Indianapolis
Carolina at Green Bay – The Panthers won last week, but I suspect that they are still trying to put the memory of the blowout loss in San Francisco behind them. Now, they go to the “frozen tundra” of Lambeau Field, to face the Packers, who have ranked among the elites in the NFC, and indeed of the league, to this point this season. But they got embarrassed last week against the Chargers, so they are hungry to get back to winning. I expect this to be a solid game, but the home team is probably better, and their home field advantage is probably a little bit too daunting for the road team. My pick: Green Bay
L.A. Rams at Pittsburgh – Well, here is an interesting match-up! Both of these teams entered this season expecting to be contenders, and both were plagued with questions and pressing issues during three game losing streaks that came at different times for each earlier this season. For the Steelers, the three game losing streak was how they began the season, and they looked awful, but have won four of five of their games since. Their offense has picked up, as has their defense, and the are back in the mix in terms of playoff talk. As for the Rams, Their three game losing streak followed an impressive 3-0 start, when they looked very much like defending NFC champions. They still looked like favorites, beating the Saints and looking awesome, and rolling fast down on the road to the Super Bowl, when they suddenly got a flat, getting upset by Tampa Bay at home, losing a tough game at Seattle, and then getting dominated at home by San Francisco. But like the Steelers, they have recovered enough to be in the thick of playoff talk again, having won their last two games. They still have a ton of talent on offense, and their defense seems to have improved since the losing streak, as well. This is a very tough test for both teams, but only one can win. Frankly, it could go either way. But in the end, home field advantage could prove to be the difference in a game that is almost too close to call, so I will go with the home team here. My pick: Pittsburgh
Sunday Night Football – Minnesota at Dallas – Another tough game that is just too close to call. Both teams enter having played well, and both are looking to establish themselves as among the better NFC teams, and serious division title contention. The Vikings have a tough defense, and a potent offense, with very good balance between their passing and running attacks. They are especially solid at home, but proved to almost be good enough on the road last week to very nearly beat the Chiefs. The Cowboys, meanwhile, still have some lingering questions from that three game losing streak earlier in the season. But they have rebounded and, for now, are still in front of the NFC East. This is a tough game for both teams, and frankly, a bit too tough to call. But if pressed to make a pick, it will be in favor of an upset win for the road team. My pick: Minnesota
Monday Night Football – Seattle at San Francisco – By now, the 49ers are most people's favorite picks to at least go to the Super Bowl, with their still perfect record. They have a hot young quarterback leading a potentially explosive offense, and their defense is laying lights out. This team has been playing some of the best football in the league, which is the reason why they have gotten so many people to stand up and take notice. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have reached a very strong 7-2 record much more quietly, often just eking out wins. But they remain in strong playoff contention, and should have the tools necessary to at least give themselves a chance at making a game out of this, with their veteran quarterback and surprisingly explosive offense, as well as their characteristically tough defense. Still, they are facing the 49ers, and San Francisco is undefeated for a reason. I hope that the Seahawks prove me wrong and win, but recent history this season tells me that it would be unwise to pick against the 49ers in this one. My pick: San Francisco
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