NFL Week 10 Picks

After a lackluster 7-7 against the spread last week, looking for a little redemption in week 10. Double digits, November football, ooohh it's like the playoffs are almost here. This is the month where the pretenders drop to the wayside. No more bye weeks. Thank God.

Denver (-9) at Oakland - You know, the Raiders played Denver pretty tough last month. But since then, the offense has actually managed to get worse! Unthinkable, but true (Shane Lechler for the Pro Bowl!). Andrew Walter gets sacked 14 times while the Oakland D turns in another respectable showing. I hate the Broncos. So much. So... damn... much. Broncos 17 Raiders 6

Chicago at NY Giants (even) - Amani Toomer or not, this is a steal. Michael Strahan's down, too, but it doesn't matter. Here's why: Rex Grossman. At the Meadowlands. NY's had this game circled for a while, and even though Plaxico stupidly gave the Bear's some locker room fodder ("We can beat the Bears CBs easy"), the Giants have a statement to make on Sunday: They're the best in the NFC. Giants 22 Bears 14

Kansas City (even) at Miami - Just like Marino in '85, the Dolphins hand the Bears their first loss of the year. Here comes the letdown! Chiefs have looked sharp over the last three weeks. Chiefs 27 Dolphins 17

Houston (+10.5) at Jacksonville - Did Vegas forget the 27-7 groin punch Houston put on the Jags just a couple weeks back? 10.5 points is mighty generous, even if the Jags are coming off a comfy blowout win. The Jacksonville Jaguars: they confound me. Jaguars 30 Texans 27

San Diego (-1) at Cincinnati - Things are falling apart in Cincy and fast. I think Chris Henry just got arrested again as I'm typing this sentence. Carson Palmer isn't happy with the effort of his receivers and the defense isn't nearly good enough to contain LDT. Chargers 31 Bengals 21

Baltimore (-7.5) at Tennessee - They're hitting their stride and licking their chops at the prospect of beating the hell out of Vince Young. B-more is a lock. Ravens 26 Titans 10

Cleveland (+7) at Atlanta - Do you trust the Falcons? Didn't think so. But they're at home and Charlie Frye is the opposing QB. Vick to struggle. Falcons 16 Browns 12

Green Bay (+5.5) at Minnesota - Favre loves playing in Minnesota, but Brad Johnson gets a much needed break, facing a defense he can actually manage. The Vikings have scored a combined 10 points in the last two games. I say they get 1.5x that in this one. Vikings 15 Packers 14

New Orleans (+4.5) at Pittsburgh - No other way to say this: The Steelers suck. Even stranger? This is not a typical Saints team. Normally, this is the point in the season where they'd cave horribly, going 1-7 to finish the year. But then you remember that Jim Haslett isn't the head coach anymore. Sean Payton has to have Coach of the Year in the bag. Saints 24 Steelers 17

Buffalo (+12.5) at Indianapolis - The Colts have been only too happy to mail it in against lesser teams this year (see: Jets, Tennessee). I think there's a sense in Indy that they can relax after last Sunday night's big win and no one takes the Bills that seriously, do they? Colts 31 Bills 23

NY Jets at New England (-10.5) - I'd be damn pissed off if I was Tom Brady after last week's letdown against the Colts. It's likely that the Pats lost any hope of homefield advantage in the playoffs with that sour L. I do not want to be the Jets, this week, who've been playing a little over their heads this season just to get to 4-4. Pariots 35 Jets 17

Washington at Philadelphia (-7) - Coming off of perhaps the most needed bye week in the history of ever, the Eagles better take full advantage against a mediocre Washington team at home. I've got a feeling the Andy Reid will pulling out all the stops for this one. Big game for Donovan. Eagles 41 Redskins 21

San Francisco (+6) at Detroit - Picking the 49ers on the road? I must be off those meds I've never been prescribed. Detroit... maybe riding a little too high after stumping Vick last week? 49ers 21 Lions 16

Dallas at Arizona (+7) - Everyone can beat the Cardinals, but Tony Romo can't cover against them. Cowboys 27 Cardinals 24

St. Louis at Seattle (-3) - Let's not try to overthink this one. The rivalry between these two has been anything but predictable the last couple seasons, but the Seahawks seem to be regaining some confidence and they're at home to a squad that's lost three straight. Seahawks 24 Rams 20

Tampa Bay (+9.5) at Carolina - The Panthers are the picture of Jeckyll and Hyde, this season. Even at home on MNF, no one should trust them against a tricky Bucs team. They still have the talent to win, though. Panthers 17 Bucs 13