NFL Week Ten Picks: Division Rivals All Set For Week Ten Matchups

Mark Jones's NFL Week Ten Picks

Last week I went a decent 10-4, which puts me at 53-34 for the year and 20-8 in the last two weeks. Hopefully I can keep up the good picking and continue to win a majority of my predictions.

NFL Week Ten Results already in:

Denver 34 (5-4) @ Cleveland 30 (3-6)

The Browns defense just couldn't seem to stop Jay Cutler and his high-powered Broncos offense, and even though Quinn and his Browns did put plenty of points on the board, Cleveland fell just short, losing to Denver 34-30.

Week Ten Picks

New Orleans (4-4) @ Atlanta (5-3)

Atlanta's running game should be blazing against this lazy defense, but the Falcons won't be able to keep up with Drew Brees and his passing attack. However, Atlanta should still put up a lot of points. Saints win in a fiery divisional rivalry, 27-23.

Tennessee (8-0) @ Chicago (5-3)

The Titans might be undefeated, but don't take the Bears as a push-over. With their well-known powerful defense and their surprising second-ranked offense, they could be a strong candidate to go to the NFC Championship. However, this defense should give Kyle Orton fits. Titans win a close game, 24-20.

Jacksonville (3-5) @ Detroit (0-8)

This is a tale of two struggling teams; one of which was expected to be awful, the other just has not nearly lived up to expectations. But anyway, after an extremely embarrassing loss last week 21-19 to Cincinnati, the Jaguars should be flaming mad and look to finally blow somebody out of the house. I think they will, 24-13.

Baltimore (5-3) @ Houston (3-5)

A game with quite a lot of AFC wild-card implications, this is a game between two decent yet not spectacular teams. However, Baltimore's defense should keep the Texans from scoring very much, and pull the Ravens to the top in a low-scoring 17-14 win.

Seattle (2-6) @ Miami (4-4)

Miami has been one of the NFL's biggest surprises of the year, as they are much better than last season. Seattle has also been a huge surprise, but in their case it is because how bad they seem to be this season. The Seahawks will put up a valiant effort to win this game, but fall just short, 24-21.

Green Bay (4-4) @ Minnesota (4-4)

This is an important divisional rivalry that will have a big impact on both the NFC wild card race and the NFC North race, especially if Chicago loses to undefeated Tennessee. Aaron Rodgers and his crew won the first match-up in Week One, and they'll pull it out again in a close game, 24-21.

Buffalo (5-3) @ New England (5-3)

The Bills have lost two straight, and the Patriots are coming off a nail-biting loss to rival Indianapolis. Both teams are looking to settle back down to normal in this close divisional game. But I think New England can pull out a small 27-24 victory, possibly coming in overtime.

St. Louis (2-6) @ NY Jets (5-3)

Brett and his team are looking like a trendy pick to get a wild-card or even a division title, and St. Louis has shown bursts of talent yet nothing very consistent. Plus, the Rams are quite beaten up by injuries and other problems. Favre can put the Jets at 6-3 with a win, and I bet he will, 28-14.

Carolina (6-2) @ Oakland (2-6)

The Raiders have no shot versus this stone-wall Panther defense and rough Carolina running attack. Period. Not to mention it is very likely they'll be without McFadden. Just another cruising 27-7 win for the Panthers.

Indianapolis (4-4) @ Pittsburgh (6-2)

In what is likely to be the Game of the Week, the Steelers come in plagued by injuries yet winning often against respectable opponents using their tough defense. On the other hand, a Colts team who had very high expectations has been very inconsistent and disappointing so far. However, as long as you've seen the Colts, you know you can never count them out. If the Steelers do, then they might lose. I think they might, and the Colts will win, 21-17!

Kansas City (1-7) @ San Diego (3-5)

This willbe a much-needed win for the Chargers. Even though the Chiefs took Tampa Bay to OT last week, San Diego really needs this win and they'll be fighting for it. Pretty sure to be a definite 27-9 victory.

NY Giants (7-1) @ Philadelphia (5-3)

A difficult game for both teams. They're both likely to be heading for the playoffs, so all this really determines is the division race (Washington is very overrated and I don't think they have much of a chance in the NFC East). But this game is going to be a clawing climb for each team to keep up with their opponent. It may go to overtime, but the Giants can pull it out, 31-28.

San Francisco (2-6) @ Arizona (5-3)           **MNF**

I'm not sure how this got to be on the Monday Night Football schedule, because it really doesn't matter at all. The Cardinals have already wrapped up the horrid NFC West, anyway. Cardinals win, 31-13.

Upset of the Week:   Indianapolis OVER Pittsburgh

Lock of the Week:    Carolina OVER Oakland

If you have any questions or opinions on this article, feel free to comment. Mark Jones can also be reached through e-mail at [e-mail].