NFL Predictions: Week 10

Week 10 will be starting a little earlier with a game on Thursday, which means Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

It also means the level of competition is starting to step up, and teams are showing their playoff ability.

Like the Chargers, who a couple weeks ago looked dead in the AFC West, but with a game-winning touchdown pass from Phillip Rivers, knock off the Giants on the road, and find themselves one game behind the Broncos now.

The Colts also had a rough one with the Texans, who did everything they could to give Indianapolis their first loss, but a missed field goal by Kris Brown allowed the Colts to stay 8-0.

Speaking of 8-0, the Saints came from behind again to knock off the Panthers after being down 17-3 at halftime.

And the Cowboys took control of the NFC East with a huge win over the Eagles with another game winning touchdown combination from Tony Romo to Miles Austin.

Last week in Week Nine, I went 9-4 with losses by the Giants, Packers, Titans, and Eagles. Overall in the 2009 season, I am 92-37 and looking to get over the 100-win mark.

Lets take a look at the Week 10 Schedule.

Thursday Night Football: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers

These two teams have been struggling, so both of these teams would love to get this win on the NFL Network.

The Bears have been struggling as of late and last week, were taken apart by the Cardinals and their offense.

They struggled to stop the run, which is very uncharacteristic of a Bears defense, but this isn't the same Monsters of the Midway of the past.

The 49ers have dropped four in a row, but are close to finding their identity. They gave Alex Smith his starting job back at quarterback, because he can get the ball to Michael Crabtree well.

So far, Crabtree looks like he is the real deal at wide receiver.

The key to this game will be the running game. If Frank Gore can get going and pound the ball down the Bears throats all game, the 49ers should have no problem taking care of the Bears and ending the losing streak.

Final Score: 49ers 27, Bears 17

Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets

The Jaguars are at respectably at 4-4, but aren't really anything special.

Their only weapon on offense is Maurice Jones-Drew. Even Torry Holt isn't playing up to expectations.

What's worse about Jacksonville is their defense, which has given up close to 200 points so far.

The Jets started out red hot at 3-0 out of the gate, and have been 1-3 since then. They've lost a lot of tough games they really should have won, like the 16-13 overtime loss to the Bills.

They have lost Leon Washington for the season with a foot injury, so the running game is squarely on the shoulders of Thomas Jones.

This could be a game where Mark Sanchez gets the ball downfield to Braylon Edwards, and Jerricho Cotchery. The Jets should win at home this week.

Final Score: Jets 34, Jaguars 13

Denver Broncos at Washington Redskins

After starting out 6-0, the Broncos have dropped two tough games to the Ravens and Steelers.

The offense under Kyle Orton has been sputtering, scoring only 17 points in the last two weeks, and if they want to get back to winning, that needs to change.

What also needs to change is the running game, and getting Knowshown Moreno more involved, who only had three yards last week against the Steelers.

The Redskins have dropped four in a row, and aren't showing any signs of improvement.

Their offense under Jason Campbell hasn't been anywhere near good in 2009, and many wonder if Campbell will be out of Washington after this season.

But some still wonder when the D-Day of Jim Zorn is, being the day he is fired as head  coach. Everyone, probably including Zorn, knows it's coming.

Final Score: Broncos 27, Redskins 10

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers

The Falcons rebounded from a tough loss two weeks ago, and won easily over the Redskins last week, but their chances of catching the Saints in the NFC South aren't very good.

But they still have a shot to make the playoffs for the second year in a row with Matt Ryan leading the way.

At 5-3, Ryan's having a good second season, and making all of Atlanta forget who Michael Vick even was.

The Panthers continue to sputter down the bottom of the division with each loss.

It's a shame how a team went from being 12-4 and the second seed in the NFC to possibly having their starting quarterback benched, and released, and their head coach fired after one drastic season.

It's been that bad for Carolina in 2009. With the Falcons playing well, it won't be any better next week.

Final Score: Falcons 27, Panthers 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins

The Buccaneers are no longer winless.

After starting out 0-7, the Buccaneers found a way to beat the Packers at home, and get Raheem Morris his first win as head coach, and rookie quarterback Josh Freeman got his first win as quarterback.

How many more wins do the Bucs get after this? That's a tough one to ask.

The Dolphins took a step back after an 11-5 season a year ago, but they are still a young team learning how to play the game.

Each game Chad Henne starts, he is still learning how to be a quarterback in the NFL after watching Chad Pennington in 2008, and the start of 2009.

This should be a game where Miami can effectively use the running game with, or without the Wildcat formation, and have Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams go for big games at home.

Final Score: Dolphins 31, Buccaneers 14

New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams

The Saints showed more heart last week when they came from behind to knock off the Panthers.

They are a legitimate contender, and could at least find themselves back in the NFC Championship for the first time since 2006.

Some might even wonder if the Saints are even good enough to go 16-0 in the regular season.

The Rams finally got a win. Like Tampa Bay, who knows when they get their second.

The whole team needs to be scrapped, and made over from scratch. Which means Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson need to go.

The good thing is they have the right person with a lot of patience and belief for this job in Steve Spagnuolo, who will take the early losses, keep rebuilding and try to get this team back to respectability in the future.

Final Score: Saints 40, Rams 7

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

This will be a battle for first place in the AFC North division, and a big rematch from early September.

The last time these two played in Cincinnati, the Bengals knocked off the Steelers, and many wondered if Pittsburgh was in trouble.

But the Steelers have won five in a row and are right back on top of the division, right next to the Bengals.

Most of that can be thanked to the return of Troy Polamalu to the defense.

There are many reasons why the Bengals found themselves in first; Carson Palmer's health, Chad Ochocinco's focus or Cedric Benson's rejuvenation on the field.

When these two play, it's always a tough game and very competitive. This could be a game that comes down to a last second field goal.

Final Score: Steelers 24, Bengals 23

Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans

The Bills aren't going anywhere in 2009. It's pretty safe to say that.

They brought Terrell Owens in to be a difference maker on offense, and he's barely done anything productive. If anything, Owens just looks old, and useless in Buffalo.

Some feel that Dick Jauron could get the axe after the season. The way Buffalo is going, it wouldn't be a surprise.

After starting 0-6, the Titans have won two in a row with Vince Young back as the starter.

So far, Jeff Fisher's team looks much improved and headed back in the right direction.

Another win for the Titans would give Teneessee more hope for 2009 and maybe even get back in the division and playoff hunt.

Final Score: Titans 27, Bills 13

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

The Lions have gotten back to bad habits, the worst one is losing games badly.

With the rest of the winless teams winning games, Detroit may fall back into the title of the worst team in the NFL unless they start winning some games.

It sounds like a good plan, only their next opponent is another powerhouse in the NFC and don't look like they will slow down anytime soon.

The Brett Favre-lead Vikings have been playing solid football at 7-1, and have total control of the NFC North.

As good as the offense has been, the Minnesota defense is the number one ranked unit in the NFL.

Combine a good offense and a scary defense, that's a formula for winning a championship.

Maybe Favre does have one last run in him after all.

Final Score: Vikings 38, Lions 17

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders

The Chiefs are bad, but at least they don't have to deal with trouble-making Larry Johnson anymore, as they released the running back this past week.

Johnson was one of the many problems in Kansas City, they are 1-7 and near the bottom of the NFL.

So far in year one of the Todd Haley-Matt Cassel era, it's been a mess.

It's not any better for the Raiders at 2-6.

They've only scored 77 points on offense, but they are expected to have Darren McFadden back in the running game, which is good news.

The Raiders, as bad as they are, should be able to hold off the Chiefs at home.

Final Score: Raiders 24, Chiefs 10

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

The Seahawks have fallen off the map. Once a Super Bowl runner up and playoff contender, they have fallen onto bad times.

They can't run the football, they can hardly pass it, and they aren't winning many games these days.

On the other side, the Cardinals have taken control of the NFC West again.

The offense exploded for 41 points last week, and looked like the high octane offense that made the Super Bowl a year ago.

At 5-3, they're already the favorite to win the division. Another win in the division could make it impossible for them to be caught again, which is expected.

Final Score: Cardinals 37, Seahawks 17

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers

The Cowboys have been playing much better football, winning four straight games, and knocking off the Eagles on the road.

Not only do they looked improved, Wade Phillips may end up saving his job with this team.

The Romo-to-Austin combination just seems to keep working each week, and don't expect it to change anytime soon.

The Packers biggest problem is stopping the pass rush from sacking Aaron Rodgers.

So far, Rodgers has been sacked a league high 37 times. By January, Rodgers will be in a Green Bay hospital somewhere.

This could be a game where the Dallas defense and DeMarcus Ware implant Rodgers into the ground at Lambeau Field.

Final Score: Cowboys 30, Packers 20

Philadelphia Eagles at San Diego Chargers

The Eagles lost a tough one to the Cowboys at home and now, find themselves in second place in the NFC East.

Donovan McNabb had a really off game at home, so he'll look to rebound on the road, which won't be easy.

Not when the Chargers are remembering how talented they are, and playing much better football, winning three in a row.

San Diego is now chasing Denver for the lead in the AFC West, and they are no strangers to doing so.

It's never easy for an East Coast team to come 3,000 miles and win on the road. This one might not be good for the Eagles.

Final Score: Chargers 28, Eagles 14

Sunday Night Football: New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts

NBC picked a great game to have as their Sunday Night Football game.

The Patriots have total control of the AFC East and are playing much better, mostly because of Tom Brady's health.

With Brady back, the touchdown passes to Randy Moss and Wes Welker will start to come back in.

But, can the Patriots stop Peyton Manning? They used to be able to, but I'm not sure about now.

Manning has new weapons to throw to and the same high octane offense he runs, and so far, it's gotten the Colts to 8-0.

This is the best game on the schedule and expect a lot of points on the board, but in the end, the Colts are slightly better than the Patriots now, and the Colts should get by to move on to 9-0.

Final Score: Colts 45, Patriots 34

Monday Night Football: Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

As for ESPN, they really are going to take a hit in the ratings this week and I'm sure the NFL wishes they could have flexed this game.

The Ravens lost a rough one to the Bengals and were physically beaten from start to finish, so look for the Ravens to come out angry, mad, and looking to rip off some heads on defense.

Brady Quinn was once again named the starting quarterback, but last time he started, he was awful. Maybe some time on the bench will help him get his focus back, because with an angry Ray Lewis looking to decapitate someone, Quinn better be on his toes.

The Ravens are a much better team, and the Browns are one of the worst in the NFL. How this game was chosen as a Monday Night game for national TV is beyond me.

The Ravens should win easily.

Final Score: Ravens 27, Browns 6

Bye Week: New York Giants, Houston Texans

There you have my Week 10 picks for this week. There are some really good games that should get some attention, and on Sunday Night, I suggest you tune into the Patriots-Colts game because that is worth watching any time an could eventually be a playoff game.

As far as Monday night goes, might be a good time to watch 24, watch Monday Night Raw, or if you are married, have a girlfriend, or are engaged, take your lady out for a nice dinner and a movie. Baltimore and Cleveland won't be worth watching, unless you're a die hard Ravens fans.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their week and see you this weekend for more football games.