NFL Week 10 Predictions

NFL Week 10 Predictions

3 games really intrigue me this week.

1. Minnesota Vikings at Oakland Raiders

This will be one of the best games of the week because both teams are surpassing expectations and on the cusp of making the playoffs. Oakland suffered a last minute loss in Pittsburgh, but played extremely well for most of the game. Derek Carr has really stepped up his game as well. He has thrown for 3 or more TDs in his last 3 games and Oakland has scored 34 or more in those games. The flourishing of Oakland's passing game is due in part because of their successful run game, thanks to Latavius Murray. Unfortunately, Murray was knocked out of the Pittsburgh game by a big hit from Mike Mitchell, causing Murray to have concussion like symptoms. If he doesn't play, the Vikings will be able to focus more on the pass game rather the run, allowing the Vikings to put more pressure on Carr. On the other side will be the Minnesota Vikings who have won 4 straight and haven't gave up more than 23 points in any game this season. The Vikings made Todd Gurley work for every yard and held him under 100 yards for the first time since his first game. Linval Joseph was a monster in the Vikings victory over the Rams. He was blowing up the back field and getting a great push for the Vikings D'Line. I expect him to have another big game in Oakland. 

Adrian Peterson had another monster game against a top 10 defense, rushing for 125 yards and a TD. He is now leading the league in rushing yards and I expect him to continue to extend that lead next week with Teddy Bridgewater being potentially out or at least coming back from injury. Oakland does have a top 10 rushing defense, but they are the worst passing defense and a bottom 10 team in points allowed. Depending on Bridgewater's status, I think the Vikings will run for over 100 yards and have a field day passing the ball. Without Teddy, I think they will lose this game because Oakland will stack the box, limiting how much damage Adrian can do. I'll take the Vikings with Bridgewater over the Raiders in Oakland 27-20.

2. Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks

This is easily the game of the week. Can the Cardinals go into Seattle and crush Seattle's playoff dreams or will Seattle beat the Cardinals and save their season? I am going to go against the crowd here and pick the Cardinals to kill Seattle's playoff hopes. Seattle has been so overrated this season, it makes me irate, that ESPN's power rankings always has them in the top 10 because they (the ESPN voters) think this is the team from last year. Newsflash, they aren't. Their 4 wins are all against teams with a combined record of 8-24. Wins against: The Lions, Bears, 49ers, and Cowboys. Their losses are all against team's .500 or better. Yes they have only lost by a score in 3/4 of those games, but at some point they have to realize they aren't as good as we thought they would be. Once again, ESPN has them at #7 in their power rankings. You can't make this up. Seattle does have maybe the best defense in the league, but the Cardinals have a top 5 offense along a top 10 defense. That is the difference among these 2 teams. I'll take the Cardinals by a FG, 26-23.

3. New England Patriots at New York Giants

This game makes my list because of the history between the 2 teams. For some odd reason, Tom Brady has lost twice to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, both when the Patriots were by far the superior team. With the roll Tom Brady is on right now, I know he has those 2 losses in the back of his head. He won't say anything about them, but he is going to play like he hasn't forgotten who took 2 rings away from him. I realize this is just a regular season game, but if there is one or 2 games that the Pats will lose this year, I'll say this will be the game they might. I don't think it will happen due to the Giants having a sad defense and they are just not as good as the Patriots, but Sunday night's Colts over the Broncos upset proves anything can happen. I'll take the Patriots over the Giants 33-23.

Strange/Bold Prediction/Thought

What if, somehow the NY Giants beat New England, win their division, win the NFC playoffs and face New England for the 3rd time in the Super Bowl? Could you imagine the stories and the mental pressure Belichick and Tom Brady would feel to beat them? That would be one of the craziest scenarios in my lifetime. Very, very doubtful it would ever happen, but the thought of it is very
entertaining.

Andrew Luck is out 2-6 weeks due to a lacerated kidney and abdomen muscle partial tear. The Colts can not afford to lose him right now. They are on the brink of losing their division. Fortunately they have a bye this week and have a very easy schedule remaining. I believe Matt Hasselbeck will be able to win enough games to win the division, allowing for Luck to comeback before the playoffs start. Andrew Luck injury (via ESPN)

WEEK	AWAY TEAM	HOME TEAM	MY PICK
10	Bills	@Jets	Jets
	Lions	@Packers	Packers
	Cowboys	@Buccaneers	Cowboys
	Panthers	@Titans	Panthers
	Bears	@Rams	Rams
	Saints	@Redskins	Saints
	Dolphins	@Eagles	Eagles
	Browns	@Steelers	Steelers
	Jaguars	@Ravens	Ravens
	Vikings	@Raiders	Vikings
	Patriots	@Giants	Patriots
	Chiefs	@Broncos	Broncos
	Cardinals	@Seahawks	Cardinals
	Texans	@Bengals	Bengals

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