NFL Betting Predictions: 5 Picks for Week 10

My hometown of Las Vegas took a beating last week as the majority of favorites covered the spread to send the sports books into a near-state of depression.

The big dogs in the NFL are finally separating themselves from the rest of the teams in the league. Although the underdogs were hot in the first half of the season, the favorites are starting to assert their dominance.

Just ask Vegas.

I look for that trend to continue this week as Vegas looks for a solution to what everyone has referred to as "Black Sunday."

Here are my five picks for Week 10.

Last Week: 4-1
Last 2 Weeks: 8-2

All lines courtesy of covers.com.

Detroit Lions (-2) at Minnesota Vikings

The Detroit Lions are hot, while the Minnesota Vikings are ice cold. Minnesota's fast start is slowly coming to an end as the Lions come into the Metrodome with a bunch of confidence after two straight wins.

The Vikings beat the Lions on the road in Week 4 by the score of 20-13 without scoring an offensive touchdown.

Minnesota's offense has been disappointing over the last couple of weeks and wide receiver Percy Harvin might not even play because of an ankle sprain.

Detroit has scored 59 points in its last two games and have become relevant in the NFC again. Look for the Lions to roll in this one.

New England Patriots (-11) vs. Buffalo Bills

The New England Patriots have a long history of dominating the Buffalo Bills. A very long history.

The Patriots have won nine of their last 10 meetings against the Bills and have yet to take their foot off the gas pedal.

The Pats have beaten the Bills by a combined 103 points in their last three victories over their divisional foe. New England is also coming off a bye and is fresh off a 45-7 beatdown over the St. Louis Rams.

New England has averaged 36 points per game over the last five weeks while Buffalo has only averaged 18.6. Though I'm normally reluctant to take a double-digit home favorite, this matchup has "blowout" written all over it.

San Diego Chargers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (over 47.5)

The public is hot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after they strung together three impressive victories. On the other hand, the San Diego Chargers are coming off a 31-point performance and an extra three days rest.

The Chargers have scored at least 24 points in four of their last five games and are very much alive in the underachieving AFC.

Tampa Bay has averaged 36 points per game over the last month and comes back home after two big wins on the road. The Bucs are stacked offensively, and also possess the league's worst passing defense.

San Diego will look to make a statement against a high-flying Tampa Bay squad and it wouldn't be surprising to see a 35-32 final score.

Denver Broncos (-4) at Carolina Panthers

The Denver Broncos have solidified themselves as a serious contender in the AFC after three impressive victories.

Peyton Manning led the Broncos into Cincinnati last week an showed why he is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game after the Broncos left with a 31-23 victory.

The Panthers have kept their games close this season, but the Broncos are riding too high for me to bet against them. I know they say "sell high and buy low," but the Broncos are only laying four points against a two-win team.

Denver's defense has been one of the most impressive in the league and while they've hung around for most games, I just can't see the Panthers covering in this one.

Tennessee Titans (+6) at Miami Dolphins

This is my lone underdog cover of the week and it took a lot of thought before I came to this conclusion.

Tennessee was embarrassed last week against the Chicago Bears and will be looking for redemption against the Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins are the better team, but their last two wins have only been by a combined seven points. The Titans have averaged 23.5 points per game over the last month and will have Jake Locker back as their starting quarterback.

The Dolphins are only averaging 21 points per game over their last four games and haven't been explosive on offense by any means.

I don't feel comfortable giving the Dolphins a touchdown over the Titans, but it wouldn't be surprising to see this game go under the total either.