NFL Week 10 Picks: Will Randy Moss Lead Titans Over Miami Dolphins?
This week's lineup of NFL games gets going early this week with a big Thursday night matchup between Baltimore and Atlanta.
But one of the biggest story lines will be with the Tennessee Titans, and the debut of wide receiver Randy Moss. The talented, yet controversial, wide receiver was released by Minnesota after a brief return to the original team who drafted him. Tennessee was the only team interested and claimed him off waivers.
Is he worth the risk?
Could he help Jeff Fisher and a Titans team in need of a boost in its passing game?
Guess we'll find out this weekend. Time to make some predictions and picks:
Baltimore @ Atlanta, Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, NFL Network
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The lowdown: It's a shame this is on a channel that not everyone gets. You have two great teams, two superb quarterbacks and two great running backs on display. And it will be especially interesting to see Baltimore's defense try and contain Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who's thrown for 1,949 yards and has just five interceptions in 288 attempts.
Why Baltimore will win: The Ravens (6-2) are extremely balanced on offense and match Atlanta when it comes to firepower. Baltimore's already played a brutal schedule and played New England close in a 23-20 overtime loss on Oct. 17. The Ravens defense still remains among the league's best, allowing just over 17 points and 310 total yards per game, and appears to be back on track after almost losing to Buffalo two weeks ago.
Why Atlanta will win: The Falcons (6-2) have the league's sixth best run defense, which is allowing under 100 yards rushing per game (95.9), and Atlanta is used to close games, going 5-1 in games decided by 10 points or less.
This should be a familiar type of style for the Falcons, which lost to Pittsburgh 15-9 in their season opener. Keep an eye on Atlanta's rushing attack, which had 58 yards against Pittsburgh, and see if the Falcons try to get their ground game established quickly against Baltimore.
Who's the pick: Atlanta 13-10. The Georgia Dome will be rocking as Atlanta finds a way to pull this out in the end.
Detroit @ Buffalo, Sunday, 1 PM EST, FOX
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The lowdown: The Bills (0-8) are still searching for their first win under Chan Gailey and will play a Lions (2-6) team that has had its share of struggles as well. This won't be a masterpiece, but Buffalo may have a chance here to get a victory.
Why Detroit will win: The Lions are without Matthew Stafford, who could be gone for the season after a shoulder injury last week against the Jets. But backup quarterback Shaun Hill still should be able to move the offense and connect with Calvin Johnson, who has 551 yards receiving and eight touchdowns on the season. Keep in mind Detroit is eighth in the league with over 247 yards passing per game.
Why Buffalo will win: On paper it doesn't seem logical, but the Bills are so close to breaking through. Of their eight losses, five are by eight points or less. Two of the last three have also been in overtime to Baltimore (37-34) and Kansas City (13-10). Maybe this is the week.
Who's the pick: Detroit 9, Buffalo 6. Both teams find out who has the best field goal kicker, and the Lions get a chip shot for the victory.
Minnesota @ Chicago, Sunday, 1 PM EST, FOX
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The lowdown: Chicago (5-3) is sitting right above Minnesota (3-5) in the NFC North standings, and this will be the first meeting between both teams this year. The Vikings have already been through a brutal schedule, and may have got back on track in last week's 27-24 overtime win against Arizona. If you're a Bears fan, you have to be nervous after your team barely beat Buffalo.
Why Minnesota will win: The Vikings should be feeling good after last week's win. Brett Favre finished with 446 yards passing, but even more impressive is the fact that eight different players caught passes. The defense is also holding opponents to under 100 yards rushing (96), which could spell trouble for Chicago, since Matt Forte only had 49 yards against the Bills.
Why Chicago will win: Watch the Bears' defense, which has allowed just under 17 points per game and will be looking to rebound after surrendering 340 total yards to Buffalo. Quarterback Jay Cutler showed last week he can be efficient and not make careless mistakes, completing 17-of-30 passes for 188 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Who's the pick: Minnesota 34, Chicago 20. The Bears are allowing almost 226 yards passing per game, and Favre will exploit that for another big night.
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NY Jets @ Cleveland, Sunday, 1 PM EST, CBS
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The lowdown: Don't be surprised if this is an extremely close, competitive game. New York (6-2) may have more talent, but Cleveland's playing with a ton of confidence, and after beating New England 34-14 last week, players say they can hang with anyone.
Why New York will win: There's no way Rex Ryan (pictured) and the Jets defense is going to allow Browns running back Peyton Hillis to have a big game. New York is allowing just over 87 rushing yards per game, fourth best in the NFL, and cornerback Darrelle Revis could cause plenty of problems for Cleveland rookie quarterback Colt McCoy.
Why Cleveland will win: You have to wonder if Browns coach Eric Mangini will keep the Jets guessing on defense. It may not be necessary, though: Besides having a season-high in total yards (404) against New England, the Browns also finished with a season-high in points, first downs (22) and time of possession (38:08). Also pay careful attention to the Browns defense, which caused plenty of confusion for New England with its alignments.
Who's the pick: New York 17, Cleveland 14. The Browns will make it tough, but New York will do what it takes to contain McCoy and keep Cleveland in check.
Tennessee @ Miami, Sunday 1 PM EST, CBS
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The lowdown: The Titans (5-3) are atop the AFC South, but need to regain composure after last week's 33-25 loss to San Diego. They could face a tough challenge, though, from a Miami (4-4) team that is still trying to establish any sort of consistency.
Why Tennessee will win: The Randy Moss experiment begins this week, and it will be interesting to see how he works with quarterback Vince Young. Moss was claimed off waivers by the Titans, which could use some help in a passing attack that's ranked 26th in the NFL.
While it may take time to develop chemistry, Titans running back Chris Johnson should have a big day against a Miami team that couldn't contain Ray Rice in last week's 26-10 loss to Baltimore.
Why Miami will win: The Dolphins could be able to exploit the Titans secondary, which gave up 305 yards to the Chargers. Miami quarterback Chad Henne has thrown for over 200 yards in six straight games, including 305 against New England and 363 against the Jets. And do you honestly think Tennessee is better than them?
Who's the pick: Tennessee 34, Miami 31. Moss will debut with a pair of touchdowns, and Johnson will add on two more in a Titans victory.
Cincinnati @ Indianapolis, Sunday 1 PM EST, CBS
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The lowdown: This should be a cakewalk for the Colts, which are facing a Bengals team that already has seen its season go in the tank.
Why Cincinnati will win: The Bengals (2-6) will need their best game of the year, and need Carson Palmer to perform up to his ability to pull out a victory. Palmer has thrown for 2,103 yards this season, but his quarterback rating has been horrendous in all but two games. If he can have an outing like he did against Atlanta, when he completed 36-of-50 passes for 412 yards, the Bengals could make this interesting.
Why Indianapolis will win: Cincinnati's allowed 218 yards passing per game this season, and look for the Colts to exploit that. Peyton Manning has thrown for 2,478 yards, and will be looking to rebound after throwing two interceptions and finishing with a quarterback rating of 65.7 in last week's 26-24 loss at Philadelphia.
Who's the pick: Indianapolis 41, Cincinnati 10. Order is restored, and the Colts get the blowout.
Houston @ Jacksonville, Sunday 1 PM EST, CBS
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The lowdown: It's a key matchup between two AFC South teams searching for answers and some confidence. The Jaguars (4-4) need to find a way to shut down Houston's offense, while the Texans (4-4) are in desperate need of rediscovering what helped them begin the season 3-1.
Why Houston will win: The Texans' offense should be able to gash Jacksonville. Houston is 12th in the league in passing, averaging just over 233 yards per game, and Arian Foster is having a Pro Bowl-type season. He could have a big day against a Jaguars defense that has allowed the third most touchdowns (10) to opposing running backs.
Why Jacksonville will win: It will depend heavily on a defense that's had its share of troubles, but has also shown it can contain some of the leagues best like Tony Romo and Peyton Manning. Give him a chance to operate, and David Garrard could produce, as he showed with five total touchdowns in the Jaguars' 35-17 win over Dallas on Oct. 31.
Who's the pick: Houston 24, Jacksonville 21. The Texans right the ship and get back into the playoff chase.
Carolina @ Tampa Bay, Sunday 1 PM EST, FOX
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The lowdown: You'd like to think this will be a tough divisional game, but barring a catastrophic collapse, this sets up to be a potentially great day for the Bucs.
Why Carolina will win: The Panthers need to stay healthy, and need a big day from whatever quarterback starts, which remains up in the air.
Why Tampa Bay will win: The Buccaneers had the chance to beat Atlanta last week, and Josh Freeman should be able to have a huge game. Freeman finished with 189 yards passing and two touchdowns, but also had two picks in a 27-21 loss to Atlanta.
Who's the pick: Tampa Bay 21, Carolina 3. It would be a huge upset if Carolina pulled this out.
Kansas City @ Denver, Sunday 4:05 PM EST, CBS
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The lowdown: This has always been a great rivalry, but this should be a great opportunity for the Chiefs to get back on track after last week's tough loss to Oakland in overtime.
Why Kansas City will win: Quarterback Matt Cassel had 216 yards passing against the Raiders and should be able to expose a Denver defense that is allowing 359 total yards per game.
Why Denver will win: If the Broncos are to have a chance, they need to find a way to shut down the Chiefs running game, which is tops in the NFL, and force Kansas City into careless penalties and mistakes.
Who's the pick: Kansas City 34, Denver 7. The Broncos just don't have the bodies to match up with Kansas City.
Seattle @ Arizona, Sunday 4:15 PM EST, FOX
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The lowdown: This could end up getting ugly really quickly. Both teams are obviously rebuilding, both also have awful defense and need any kind of success possible.
Why Seattle will win: The Seahawks (4-4) are tied for first in the NFC West with St. Louis, and have already defeated Arizona 22-10 on Oct.24.
Why Arizona will win: The Cardinals (3-5) showed they could compete with Minnesota, and almost pulled out the victory but will need more from its quarterbacks. Arizona is averaging just over 168 yards passing per game.
Who's the pick: Seattle 22, Arizona 17. The Seahawks go over .500 and stay in the thick of things in a really, really bad division.
Dallas @ NY Giants, Sunday 4:15 PM EST, FOX
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The lowdown: At the beginning of the year, you would have thought this would be a big time game, right? Not so much now. It's one of the league's best against an extremely disappointing Cowboys team that's among the league's worst teams and is playing in its first game under interim head coach Jason Garrett.
Why Dallas will win: Unless Stephen McGee is inserted and channels his inner Troy Aikman, that's just not going to happen.
Why New York will win: Go down the list. From top to bottom, this is simply a far better team, and if they do what they're able to, this won't be a contest.
Who's the pick: New York 42, Dallas 3. The Giants won't let off the pedal until the very end against their hated rivals.
St. Louis @ San Francisco, Sunday 4:15 PM EST, FOX
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The lowdown: A young Rams team is continuing to show promise, and still finds itself in the thick of the playoff chase. Now they get a chance to mature a little more against a 49ers team that continues to implode.
Why St. Louis will win: The Rams have only been blown out once this season, and boast one of the league's most promising young rookies in quarterback Sam Bradford. The defense is also among the league's best, allowing just over 97 yards rushing per game.
Why San Francisco will win: The 49ers simply need better play from the quarterback position, something they've struggled with all year.
Who's the pick: St. Louis 21, San Francisco 14. You should feel good about the future Rams fans.
New England @ Pittsburgh, 8:20 PM EST, Sunday, NBC
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The lowdown: Two very talented teams could give the fans a treat in this prime time matchup. After last week's performance against Cleveland, it should be interesting to see how Tom Brady does against the Steelers defense.
Why New England will win: Any time you have Brady, you simply have a chance. Don't be surprised either if the Patriots get aggressive on offense, and try to expose a Pittsburgh defense that has been a little soft lately, especially last week against the Bengals.
Why Pittsburgh will win: They've got the home crowd, and they also need to rebound after almost choking away a victory against an awful Cincinnati team. Bank on the Steelers being amped for this game.
Who's the pick: New England 20, Pittsburgh 17. Brady and the Pats will get back on track after last week's debacle against the Browns.
Philadelphia @ Washington, Monday 8:30 PM EST, ESPN
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The lowdown: The Eagles gained some confidence with last week's big victory over figuring things out under new coach Mike Shanahan. But this is a huge NFC East game for two teams that are chasing the Giants.
Why Philadelphia will win: Does anyone else having a feeling that Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson could expose the Redskins? Vick is returning to form, and appears to still be the ultra-talented player everyone loved watching in Atlanta.
Why Washington will win: If they can get a better outing from Donovan McNabb, then certainly they'll be right in the thick of it.
Who's the pick: Philadelphia 24, Washington 14. Vick and the Eagles are getting better each week it seems.
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