NFL Predictions Week 10: Games That Will Come Down to the Wire

The NFL prides itself on parity, and last week was a prime example of how close things can get. Three overtime games marked the schedule in Week 9, including a 27-24 Seattle Seahawks victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what was expected to be a blowout win for Seattle.

Who knows if there will be as much overtime action this week, but the schedule suggests there could be some close matchups that come down to the final possession of the game. Here's the entire Week 10 schedule and a closer look at contests that could be decided in the final moments:

Away	Home	Winner
Philadelphia Eagles	Green Bay Packers	Packers
Jacksonville Jaguars	Tennessee Titans	Titans
Buffalo Bills	Pittsburgh Steelers	Steelers
Oakland Raiders	New York Giants	Giants
St. Louis Rams	Indianapolis Colts	Colts
Seattle Seahawks	Atlanta Falcons	Seahawks
Cincinnati Bengals	Baltimore Ravens	Bengals
Detroit Lions	Chicago Bears	Lions
Carolina Panthers	San Francisco 49ers	49ers
Houston Texans	Arizona Cardinals	Cardinals
Denver Broncos	San Diego Chargers	Broncos
Dallas Cowboys	New Orleans Saints	Saints
Miami Dolphins	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Buccaneers
Washington Redskins	Minnesota Vikings	Vikings 34-27

Detroit Lions (5-3) vs. Chicago Bears (5-3)

These two divisional foes are tied with Green Bay for first place in what's become an ultra-competitive NFC North.

Following Friday's practice, Bears coach Marc Trestman declared Jay Cutler fit to start, after the quarterback missed last week's 27-20 win vs. Green Bay with a torn groin muscle. Chicago's team Twitter account shared comments from Trestman on Friday afternoon:

The Lions had a bye last week and haven't played since their thrilling 31-30 comeback against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8, when Calvin Johnson racked up a ridiculous 329 yards receiving. With Matthew Stafford showing signs of major maturation under center, his head-to-head matchup with Cutler should be fun to watch.

It will also be interesting to see Reggie Bush and Matt Forte try to power their offenses from the tailback position in a display of two of the league's top backs in 2013. Given the high stakes of a divisional matchup and the firepower on both sides of the ball, expect this high-scoring affair to be decided in the late stages of the game, with Johnson playing a key role in a winning drive.

Prediction: Lions win 38-35

Carolina Panthers (5-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-2)

The Panthers have become a sneaky good team in their third season with Ron Rivera as head coach.

Carolina has developed a strong front seven this year, spearheaded by linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive ends Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy. The group has led the Panthers to a No. 2 ranking in both rush defense (79.1 yards allowed per game) and scoring (13.3 points allowed per game), territory the 49ers have been familiar with in recent years.

San Francisco's own stout defense will be receiving an upgrade with the addition of Aldon Smith, who is expected to be used as a situational player after returning from rehab, per Pro Football Talk:

Expect Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick's running abilities to be put on the back burner as they face two tough defensive units. Both the 49ers (5) and Panthers (4) have winning streaks going right now, but San Francisco's passing game with Vernon Davis, Anquan Boldin and Mario Manningham (expected to play in his first game this year) gives the 49ers an edge.

Prediction: 49ers win 21-16

Miami Dolphins (4-4) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-8)

For the first time since Richie Incognito was suspended for his apparent role in Jonathan Martin's abrupt exit from the team, the Dolphins will take the field against the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.

Not only has this situation brought a nauseating amount of media attention to the Miami locker room, but it's cost the team two of its starting offensive linemen. The Dolphins are now without Incognito, their top left guard, and Martin, who has played both right and left tackle for the team this year.

Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post shared a projected starting offensive line for the Dolphins:

The Buccaneers may be winless, but they showed some potential by jumping out to a 21-0 lead at Seattle last week before losing 27-24 in overtime. The emergence of Mike James, who had 28 carries for 158 yards against the Seahawks, has softened the blow of losing Doug Martin for the season and given Tampa Bay new life on offense.

With the turmoil surrounding Miami, and Tampa Bay showing signs of breaking through, look for the Buccaneers to finally get into the win column in a close contest.

Prediction: Buccaneers win 20-17