NFL: Breakdown of the Top Five Games On the Slate for Week 10

Hello Bleacher Creatures! I'm back after three long weeks off. Earlier this year, I had breakdowns for Atlanta Falcons and Monday Night Football games. Since I took three weeks off I wanted to have something big for my return and I am doing just that. This slideshow will breakdown all the top five games on the slate for week ten.

5. Houston Texans (4-4) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4)

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 06: John Henderson #98 of the Jacksonville Jaguars pressures Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texnas during the game at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 6, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty I

Headline: Winner stays alive in AFC South

Both teams are one game back of the Colts and Titans. With the Colts playing the Bengals, they are likely to pick up a win to move to 6-3. As for the Titans, we'll get to them shortly. The loser could very well fall two games behind the division leader.

Key to Victory for the Houston Texans:

• Stop Maurice Jones-Drew:

Maurice Jones-Drew, (I'll call him MJD) has been an unstoppable force since entering the league from UCLA. He has given the Jaguars an elite running game for years now, but they can't just be one demensional. More on this below.

Key to Victory for the Jacksonville Jaguars: 

• Contain Houston's explosive offense:

With the Texans ranked near the top in all offensive categories and Jacksonville ranked near the bottom in all defensive categories, this doesn't look too promising for the Jaguars. Arian Foster has been the breakout star of 2010, he has 864 yards in 157 attempts. Tyson Alualu and Terrance Knighton are going to need to step up. Derek Cox will be covering Andre Johnson, one of the best receivers in the league. While Cox has been good, not many can cover the Florida phenom. Veteran Rashean Mathis will be on Kevin Walter, in an intriguing matchup. On a positive note for Jacksonville, they have 14 sacks so far this season, so Matt Schaub could be running for his life in this game.

The Rest of the Jaguars offense vs. the Texans defense:

The passing game is ranked 28th in the NFL and David Garrard has thrown seven interceptions, while being sacked 18 times. A lot of bad stats there! This offense could use another playmaker, weather it be a new quarterback or wide receiver. 

The Texans offense vs. the Jaguars defense has been fully covered!

 Winner: The Texans

4. Tennessee Titans (5-3) vs. Miami Dolphins (4-4)

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 20: Justin Gage #12 of the Tennessee Titans catches a touchdown pass in the first half behind Vontae Davis #21 of the Miami Dolphins at LP Field on December 20, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Headline: Randy Moss makes his Titans debut

After being traded by the Patriots and released by the Vikings, Randy Moss will play for his third team this season on Sunday. Moss will take Kenny Britt's place as Tennessee's top receiver as Britt is injured and will be out for four weeks.

 Key to Victory for the Tennessee Titans:

• Stop Brandon Marshall:

We all know Brandon Marshall is a top five wide receiver in the NFL. Marshall is 6-4, 230 pounds and has a very physical style of play. The man who will be tasked with covering him, Cortland Finnegan is 5-10 and 188 pounds. With this size difference can Finnegan cover Marshall? If not, double coverage will be a must for the Titans.

Key to Victory for the Miami Dolphins:

• Stop Chris Johnson:

This should be pretty obvious although Johnson's numbers are down from last season. Miami's rush defense is ranked in the dead middle, 16th in the NFL. The Titans offensive line is one of the most consistent in the league.

The Rest of the Titans offense vs. the Dolphins defense: 

Despite having Kerry Collins and Vince Young both starting games this season (Collins starting this week), the Titans are the highest scoring team in the NFL. Adding Randy Moss to the mix will only help that part of the team. He will be covered by Vontae Davis who knows Moss well considering he plays for a division rival of the Patriots. Watch out for Nate Washington and Bo Scaife to make big plays. 

The Rest of the Dolphins offense vs. the Titans defense:

Chad Henne has thrown ten interceptions and taken a step back from last season. Because of that, Chad Pennington will be making the start. It sounds as if the Dolphins have lost faith in there "Quarterback of the future", but that is more of a long term story.

 The Dolphins' combination of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams is averaging 106 yards per game and the Titans' are allowing 123 yards per game. Miami needs to take advatage of this and establish the running game.

The Dolphins need to get other weapons involved like Davone Bess, Brian Hartline and Anthony Fasano . This will get the Titans focus off Brandon Marshall and allow him to make big plays.

Winner: The Dolphins

3. Philadelphia Eagles (5-3) Vs. Washington Redskins (4-4)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 03: Chris Cooley #47 of the Washington Redskins runs in a reception for a first quarter touchdown past Stewart Bradley #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles on October 3, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Ph

Headline: Philly Faces the Struggling Former Face of There Franchise

Donovan McNabb had thought he found a loving new home in Washington D.C., well think again. Two weeks ago, McNabb was benched in favor of Rex Grossman with two minutes to go. The Lions defense caused a sack/fumble on Grossman's first play in and the 'Skins lost. Coach Mike Shanahan kept changing the story on why he chose Grossman over McNabb, causing further friction in the process. Stay tuned for the NFL's latest soap opera!

Key to Victory for the Philadelphia Eagles:

• Force Donovan McNabb into mistakes:

McNabb has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns this season, this tells you all you need to know! Getting rushes and sacks on McNabb could get him frustrated. Trent Cole has seven sacks this season, so he is the man for this job. This could force McNabb to throw an interception and Asaunte Samuel already has five of them in 2010. If this happened, would Shanahan bench Donovan again?

Key to Victory for the Washington Redskins:

• Stop the passing game:

The Redskins rank 31st in pass defense, which won't work. With the Eagles big play potential, the Redskins secondary could easily be the begining of the end for Washington.

The Rest of the Eagles offense vs. the Redskins defense:

LeSean McCoy could makes things all the more difficult for the Redskins defense. He could take the focus off Vick, Jackson and Maclin, allowing them to catch Wahington's defense by suprise.

DeAngelo Hall is the 'Skins only hope, as he must keep DeSean Jackson from making a big play. Carlos Rodgers will be on Maclin, while London Fletcher may be covering Brett Celek.

The Rest of the Redskins offense vs. the Eagles defense:

Short passes could help McNabb get rid of the ball quick and not having Trent Cole in his face for 60 minutes. Speedy Santana Moss and Ryan Torian would be the likely targets of these passes. The previously mention Samuel will be on Moss and linebackers would be on Torian. Torian also needs to have a big day running the ball against the Eagles' 12th ranked rush defense.

Winner: Eagles

2. Baltimore Ravens (6-2) at Atlanta Falcons (6-2)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 03: Jamaal Anderson #98 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Baltimore Raves at Georgia Dome on September 3, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Headline: The NFL's Best Battle on Thursday Night Football

With both teams being tied for the best record in the NFL, (6-2) the Ravens and Falcons could possibly take homefield field advantage for there respective confrences.

The Key to Victory for the Baltimore Ravens:

• Stop Atlanta's running game:

The Falcons currently rank 6th in the league in rushing yards, while Baltimore ranks 13th in stopping the run. We have all seen the Ravens' shut an offense down, but can they still do it to a high scoring offense (and an elite offensive line) like the Falcons. You can't focus on the running game either,as Matt Ryan has proven he can pick apart a defense.

The Key to Victory for the Atlanta Falcons:

• Don't let Joe Flacco beat you by himself:

Statistically, the Falcons have one of the worst pass secondaries in the league. This means Flacco can use his flurry of weapons to shred the Falcons biggest weakness. Dunta Robinson covering Anquan Boldin will play a big role in deciding this game.

The Rest of the Ravens offense vs. the Falcons defense:

Ray Rice has averaged four yards a carry in 2010 and has continued to improve since his rookie year. His small size and speed makes him bounce off defenders (similar to Michael Turner.) Atlanta's rush defense has been great this season, with Corey Peters and Jonathan Babineuax in during run situations.

The Rest of the Falcons offense vs. the Ravens defense:

Matt Ryan is maturing into a top NFL quarterback. His top weapon, Roddy White has been brilliant in 2010. White has 58 receptions for 769 yards and five touchdowns this seaon. He will be covered by Chris Carr, good luck with that matchup Baltimore!

Tony Gozalez always creates mis-matches and is a great redzone target. He will most likely be covered by Ray Lewis, a fellow future Hall of Famer. That will be interesting to say the least.

 Winner: The Ravens

1. New England Patriots (6-2) VS. Pittsburg Steelers (6-2)

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 9: Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots shakes hands with Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium December 9, 2007 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won 34-13. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty

Headline: Winner gets inside track for homefield advantage in AFC

 While only midseason and two other AFC teams at 6-2 (the Jets and Ravens) the winner of this game gets an advantage over the other.This could decide homefield advantage in the AFC or who gets a week off on willdcard weekend.

Key to Victory for the New England Patriots:

• Establish the running game:

Even with the Steelers ranked first in the NFL in stopping the run, New England cannot abandon the running game. BenJarvis Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead have made a decent duo in the backfield, ranking 15th in the league in rushing. This will cause the Steelers to not just focus in on the pass.

Key to Victory for the Pittsburg Steelers:

• Stop the Patriots passing game:

The Patriots are the second highest scoring team in the NFL behind the Titans. If the Steelers stop the Patriots running game, (look at the previous key to victory) New England could be one dimensional. Wes Welker is the key here, because he is New England's primary target. Aaron Hernandez, Brandon Tate, Deion Branch, Danny Woodhead and Rob Gronkowski are the Pats other weapons. The Steelers pass defense in ranked 24th. If the Patriots can pass the ball, it will open up the run. If they can't, they'll have a hard time against the top ranked rush defense in the NFL.

The Patriots offense vs. the Steelers defense is fully covered! 

The Steelers offense vs. the Patriots defense:

Both of these units are somewhat struggling coming into this game. Ben Rothlisberger has played well since his return and is going up against a weak Patriots secondary. Devin McCourty will be on Hines Ward. With Ward's veteran savy and McCoury's youth, this may not be pretty. Mike Wallace creates big plays, something the Pats have allowed a lot of this year.

Rashad Mendenhall has played well and could also have a field day on New England's youthful defense.

Winner: Steelers

The End!

Courtesy of ministryoftype.co.uk

Who do you think will win these games? Who is the best team in the NFL? Make your opinion known in the comments section. Thanks for reading.