NFL Predictions Week 10: Crucial Games That Will Impact Playoff Picture

There is still a lot of football to be played, but by Week 10, the all-important divisional games have an added layer of intrigue.

We have some idea of how the divisions are shaping out, and these divisional battles will reinforce those notions or give floundering teams hope for a midseason turnaround.

This week's schedule features three divisional games that will impact the standings and possibly alter the playoff picture.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have not looked like the defending Super Bowl champions at any point this year. They sit at a measly 3-5 with six teams between them and a second AFC wild-card spot.

While it may be a little early for such a label, Week 10 is a must-win game for the Ravens if they are to have any realistic chance of making the playoffs.

They host the Cincinnati Bengals, who sit atop the AFC North with a 6-3 record. Those Bengals are coming off a disappointing defeat at the hands of the Miami Dolphins last week, but the loss of Geno Atkins was the more devastating blow.

Naysayers have taken every opportunity (like last week’s loss) to knock the legitimacy of the Bengals. Can Cincinnati capitalize on its opportunity to deliver a knockout blow to the Ravens?

The Ravens' secondary is coming off a game where it was dismantled by the combination of Jason Campbell, Greg Little and Davone Bess. Yes, you read those names correctly.

Baltimore faces a much tougher test in a Cincinnati offense that is stacked with playmakers. Wide receiver A.J. Green leads the NFL in receiving yards, Marvin Jones is tied for fourth in the league in receiving touchdowns and rookie running back Giovani Bernard has proven his explosiveness and play-making ability with six total scores. Andy Dalton is playing great football (excluding last week’s four-turnover debacle), and he’ll get the win.

Week	Yards	TDs	INTs	Passer Rating
6	337	3	1	105.9
7	372	3	0	135.9
8	325	5	1	125.7
9	338	0	3	55.4
Total	1,372	11	5	102.2

It will still be a close game, but another slow start will be too much for Baltimore to overcome.

Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals 24, Baltimore Ravens 20

Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers

All conversation regarding the AFC West has revolved around the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs, particularly their upcoming matchup in Week 11.

As a result, the San Diego Chargers and the revival of Philip Rivers have been overlooked.

Player	Yards	Completion Percentage	TDs	INTs	Passer Rating
Peyton Manning	2,919	71.2	29	6	119.4
Philip Rivers	2,473	72.2	17	7	106.5

The Chargers are very much in the hunt for that second AFC wild-card spot, but they still have to play four games against the Broncos and the Chiefs.

This game will tell us whether this San Diego team is for real or if it's just another Chargers squad that isn’t cut out for the postseason.

Rivers is more than capable of going toe-to-toe with Peyton Manning. Like Tony Romo in Week 5, however, Rivers won’t be able to keep up with a prolific Denver offense for four quarters and will come up a little short.

Prediction: Denver Broncos 31, San Diego Chargers 27

Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears

Nothing is juicier than a three-way tie for first place in the NFC North. Well, maybe a four-way tie, but the Minnesota Vikings don’t look like they’re joining the party anytime soon.

With two defenses that have struggled to stop anybody through the air, this one will come down to whether or not Jay Cutler plays. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the mercurial quarterback plans to return for this one:

If the Chicago Bears are without their starting quarterback, Josh McCown won’t be able to keep up with a high-octane Detroit Lions offense.

With Cutler in the lineup, however, this is a relatively even battle.

Don’t overlook the bulletin-board material that the Bears have after Lions vice chairman Bill Ford Jr. called them a “bunch of thugs” after their last matchup, according to ESPN's Michael Rothstein.

More importantly, don’t overlook the return of Charles Tillman last week. As we saw last time Calvin Johnson took the field, there is nobody who can cover him one-on-one, but Tillman’s return is a big boost for the Bears defense.

This has all the makings of a hard-fought battle, and the Bears offense will be able to come out on top thanks to a great performance by Matt Forte.

Prediction: Chicago Bears 28, Detroit Lions 27

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