NFL Picks Week 10: Top 10 Shockers You'll Never See Coming
NFL Picks Week 10 edition are here and we're putting a special emphasis on the upset.
This year, it's clear that there's no elite team in the NFL and any team can be beaten on any given week. Just look at Cleveland and the Patriots last weekend. How many people do you think lost money betting the Patriots and the points?
I'm sure there were a lot of upset gamblers out there. But we're picking all the games and the upsets are towards the back. I went bold with some of them but then again, with the way the league is this year, how bold is it, really?
Tampa Bay vs. Carolina
1 of 14
Why Tampa Bay Will Win
The Bucs just find ways to win. Josh Freeman is evidently king of the fourth quarter and he will lead his team to a victory. It's just who he is. To already have six fourth-quarter comebacks at his age is astounding. It's not pretty, but it gets the job done.
Why Carolina Will Win
To be honest, I had a hard time thinking of why the Panthers could win this game. Carolina just looks lost right now, and I'm not sure if the Panthers are going to get back on track any time soon. It's a mess down there, and John Fox could lose his job.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
If I had to pick one player who could help topple the Bucs, it would be Steve Smith. He's a quarterback's best friend and whatever quarterback ends up getting the start will be looking his way early and often in the passing game.
Prediction
Tampa Bay 31, Carolina 20
NY Giants vs. Dallas
2 of 14
Why New York Will Win
Seeing as these two teams met a couple of weeks ago and the Cowboys lost after Tony Romo was injured, it seems safe to say that a repeat performance isn't too much to ask from the Giants this time around.
Why Dallas Will Win
The only reason the Cowboys could win is if they're so inspired by Wade Phillips' exit in Dallas that they really put it all out on the line this week against the Giants. Seeing as they quit last week against Green Bay, I wouldn't be holding my breath.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
Dez Bryant. The rookie scored three touchdowns against the Giants last time these two teams faced off, and he's turning into one heck of a player for the Cowboys. He's got size, strength and hands the size of oven mitts.
Prediction
New York 38, Dallas 10
Seattle vs. Arizona
3 of 14
Why Seattle Will Win
The Seahawks are a scrappy team that will play hard, despite last week's blowout against the Giants. If Charlie Whitehurst is the quarterback again, it could be tough for Seattle. The Seahawks need Matt Hasselbeck back.
Why Arizona Will Win
The Cardinals find ways to hang around in ball games. Arizona should have beaten Minnesota last week if it weren't for an epic collapse and yet another late-game comeback by Brett Favre. The Cardinals have weapons, it's just up to Derek Anderson to use them.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
Larry Fitzgerald. It hasn't been a normal Larry Fitzgerald year for the All-Pro wideout, but he's a quarterback's best friend and a guy who can make life a lot easier for Derek Anderson under center. He'll have to make plays down the field for the Cardinals to have success.
Prediction
Seattle 17, Arizona 14
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Miami vs. Tennessee
4 of 14
Why Miami Will Win
The Dolphins are a team that has no trouble moving the ball, it's just what Miami does once it gets inside of the 20-yard line that's the issue. The Dolphins just cannot get in the end zone and it's turned into a major problem. They'll have to execute in that area to win.
Why Tennessee Will Win
With Randy Moss now in the fold in Tennessee, it's going to open things for the Titans, and Chris Johnson is going to find room to run in the offense. If teams try and stack the box, the Titans are going go up top to Moss early and often.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
Chris Johnson. With Moss drawing double teams, Johnson is going to have to make the most of it and gash the Dolphins defense for giving him room to run. He's an explosive player, and he's going to get his chance to make plays.
Prediction
Tennessee 34, Miami 17
Baltimore vs. Atlanta
5 of 14
Why Baltimore Will Win
The Ravens defense isn't as strong as it used to be, but good news: The Baltimore offense is much better than it's been in recent years. Players like Ray Rice and Anquan Boldin are playmakers and Joe Flacco is coming into his own as a quarterback.
Why Atlanta Will Win
The Falcons have a potent offense led by Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White that will cause plenty of problems for the Baltimore defense. There are a lot of weapons out there, and Ryan will use them to his full advantage.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
Ray Rice. He is a threat in the running game, not to mention in the passing game, where he torched the Dolphins all day long on screen passes and swing passes. Rice is going to get plenty of looks and I think he's going to have a big game.
Prediction
Baltimore 30, Atlanta 24
NY Jets vs. Cleveland
6 of 14
Why New York Will Win
The Jets just shut teams down with their defense. The offense has struggled the past two weeks but the defense has kept the opposing offense in check for the most part. The defense is what gets it done for the Jets.
Why Cleveland Will Win
The Browns have beaten the Patriots and the Saints this season. It's an impressive feat for a team like Cleveland that has been a joke in recent years. Peyton Hillis is the man for the Browns and will be pounding the ball early and often to help protect Colt McCoy.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
It will be Colt McCoy. While Hillis is the centerpiece of Cleveland's offense, McCoy needs to make just enough plays to keep the Jets honest and enable the Browns to move the ball up the field and get points on the board.
Prediction
Cleveland 20, NY Jets 17
Cincinnati vs. Indianapolis
7 of 14
Why Cincinnati Will Win
The Bengals do have a good running back in Cedric Benson who can gash the Colts' weak run defense and open things up for Carson Palmer in the passing game. Terrell Owens is having a huge year and will be a major threat in the passing game.
Why Indianapolis Will Win
The Colts suffered a tough loss to the Eagles, coming off of a short week after beating Houston in an AFC South clash. Peyton Manning is an assassin and he's going to find his wideouts, no matter who is in the lineup.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
Cedric Benson. He is going to have to make plays in the running game for the Bengals to have any chance to upset the Colts. Cincy's season is over, but it's time play spoiler and not pack it in. Benson will be a big part of that.
Prediction
Cincinnati 31, Indianapolis 28
Kansas City vs. Denver
8 of 14
Why Kansas City Will Win
The Chiefs have a powerful running attack with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, and Kansas City is going to use them to their advantage to open up the passing game with Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe, who has really produced the past couple of weeks.
Why Denver Will Win
The Broncos are very one-dimensional, but when that passing game is clicking, it's hard to stop. Kyle Orton has had a good season in Denver and he's going make plays down the field. Brandon Lloyd is one of the top wideouts in football and Orton will look his way often.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
Kyle Orton. It has to be Orton because the Broncos don't have any kind of running game that can take control of a game and slow the pace down to keep the opposing team's offense off of the field.
Prediction
Denver 24, Kansas City 20
Minnesota vs. Chicago
9 of 14
Why Minnesota Will Win
Desperation is one heck of a motivator, especially when you came into the season with Super Bowl dreams and now you're fighting for the life of your season every week. This is a big division game and one the Vikings have to win.
Why Chicago Will Win
The Bears did a much better job of protecting Jay Cutler this past week by getting him out of the pocket, giving him more time to make his reads and throws. It's a shaky situation in Chicago, but if the Bears can protect Cutler, they'll compete.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
Jay Cutler. It starts and ends with Cutler in Chicago. He's got to protect the ball and he has to get the ball down the field to his wideouts and try and open it up for the rare time that the Bears actually hand the ball to Matt Forte.
Prediction
Chicago 28, Minnesota 24
New England vs. Pittsburgh
10 of 14
Why New England Will Win
The Patriots were embarrassed on Sunday and you know that they want to get the bad taste of that game out of their mouths. New England will be fired up for this game and Tom Brady won't play as poorly as he played last Sunday every week.
Why Pittsburgh Will Win
The Steelers just find ways to win. Pittsburgh makes the big plays at the big moments and walks away with the wins. Ben Roethlisberger extends plays and gets one or two first downs that not many other quarterbacks would get.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
Tom Brady. Brady is going to have to play better than he did against Cleveland. He was awful and it was his worst game of the season—he just needs to be sharper to beat a team like the Steelers.
Prediction
New England 27, Pittsburgh 20
Detroit vs. Buffalo
11 of 14
Why Detroit Will Win
The Lions will be without Matthew Stafford, who is believed to have separated his shoulder in the loss to the Jets last Sunday. However, there are still Jahvid Best and Calvin Johnson, who help any quarterback out in the passing game.
Why Buffalo Will Win
The Bills are a scrappy team and it's only a matter of time before they break through and win a game and get on the board. Buffalo will have a better chance with Stafford out of the lineup and with Ryan Fitzpatrick playing well.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
Steve Johnson. Johnson has been a beast for the Bills in the passing game and he and Ryan Fitzpatrick have developed quite the connection. Look for Johnson to make at least one big play during the game on Sunday.
Prediction
Buffalo 27, Detroit 13
Philadelphia vs. Washington
12 of 14
Why Philadelphia Will Win
Well, if Michael Vick can stay in the game this time around, he's going to extend plays and keep the chains moving. He's a playmaker and he seems to have that second gear back that he lost after being away from the game for so long.
Why Washington Will Win
Donovan McNabb's benching could be a blessing in disguise for the Redskins. McNabb played well after his benching in Philadelphia and I think McNabb is going to be angry and out to prove a lot to his doubters, including his head coach.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
Donovan McNabb. It's his former team and McNabb has to be the one to make the plays to keep the Redskins in this game and competitive. He had a good first half against the Eagles in the first matchup, but he needs to have a better all-around game this time around.
Prediction
Washington 24, Philadelphia 21
St. Louis vs. San Francisco
13 of 14
Why St. Louis Will Win
The Rams just make plays. It's the only way I can describe it. How else can you explain Sam Bradford scoring with Danny Amendola in the passing game? Throw in Steven Jackson and you've got an offense that can win games.
Why San Francisco Will Win
San Francisco is starting to get its legs under itself and with Troy Smith at quarterback we could be seeing a possible starter of the future for the 49ers. We'll see if Smith can play well enough to get the win like he did against Denver.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
Frank Gore. Gore is a workhorse and he's going to have to make strides in the running game to open up the passing game with Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. It starts with Gore this week against the Rams.
Prediction
San Francisco 30, St. Louis 24
Houston vs. Jacksonville
14 of 14
Why Houston Will Win
The Texans hung tough with San Diego this week but Houston will have to play better against the pass than it has all season long. Houston is awful in pass defense. David Garrard isn't great, but he will torch poor pass defenses.
Why Jacksonville Will Win
The Jaguars will need David Garrard to play well to win. Jacksonville does not win if Garrard has a shaky game. Maurice Jones-Drew can't do it alone. Garrard needs to step up and play well like he did against the Cowboys.
Star Who Could Lead Upset
David Garrard. He got a big contract from the Jags a couple of years ago and now it's time for him to start earning it in Jacksonville. If there's a shaky end to the season, the Jaguars may need to start thinking about a change at the position.
Prediction
Jacksonville 34, Houston 24
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