NFL Week 10 Picks: Score Predictions for Every Game on the Schedule

With a strange, lockout-minded schedule in place for the 2011 NFL season, we're faced with no teams on the bye for Week 10. It also marks the beginning of weekly Thursday night games, meaning that Tuesday is a good day to start making predictions about the week's slate of contests.

Winners, as always, are in all caps for your convenience.

Oakland Raiders at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

It's a shorter week than usual for the two AFC West teams, as they appear in the season's first Thursday night game. Both the Raiders and Chargers are coming off of disappointing losses in games each team could have won, but Oakland has far more problems than the Chargers and will need more time to overcome them.

Final score: Chargers 30, Raiders 13

Arizona Cardinals at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The Eagles looked like a mess once again in their Week 9 loss to the Chicago Bears, but there's little chance they'll look as bad against a 2-6 Cardinals squad likely led by John Skelton for yet another week.

Final score: Eagles 24, Cardinals 10

Tennessee Titans at CAROLINA PANTHERS

I am an unwavering supporter of the 2011 Panthers with Cam Newton as quarterback, as their record doesn't reflect how well they've truly played, dropping the majority of their games by the slimmest of margins. The Titans aren't a bad squad, to be sure, but I see them struggling against Newton despite being effective on offense in their own right.

Final score: Panthers 27, Titans 24

HOUSTON TEXANS at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs are stronger defending the run than the pass, but with two bruising backs, the Texans are at an advantage. Both Ben Tate and Arian Foster went for over 100 yards in Week 9 as integral parts of both the passing and running offense. The Tampa Bay offense, in contrast, has been inconsistent. I see the Texans grabbing their third road win of the season this Sunday.

Final score: Texans 21, Buccaneers 16

Washington Redskins at MIAMI DOLPHINS

A shocking two wins in a row for the previously struggling Dolphins doesn't seem out of the question here, with the Redskins a mess in all phases of the game. Running back Roy Helu broke out last week on the back of quarterback John Beck, who can't do much more than check down when it comes to completing passes. Miami's defense will take Washington for a ride.

Final score: Dolphins 17, Redskins 9

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at Indianapolis Colts

There are no signs pointing toward any reason for the Colts to win this contest, considering their lackluster defense, unproductive offense and the fact that they're careening ever closer to full-on resignation to their circumstances. Maurice Jones-Drew will single-handedly tear the Colts apart this Sunday.

Final score: Jaguars 14, Colts 6

Denver Broncos at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Chiefs were thoroughly and embarrassingly decimated by the then-winless Miami Dolphins in Week 9, snapping a four-game winning streak. They'll get back to their winning ways against the Denver Broncos this week. Just stop Tim Tebow, and all will follow.

Final score: Chiefs 21, Broncos 13

BUFFALO BILLS at Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are up, and then they're down, and they haven't had much luck against legitimately good squads this season (save for their overtime win against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3). The Bills need to rebound from their loss to the Jets, and they'll do it in Dallas against a team they can easily and successfully stop.

Final score: Bills 31, Cowboys 23

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at Atlanta Falcons

This game will be close and hard-fought, as any game between NFC South teams should be, with four seriously talented squads in the division. But the Saints have one advantage over the Falcons that will prove to be the deciding factor—quarterback Drew Brees' plethora of talented receiving targets.

Final score: Saints 30, Falcons 24

ST. LOUIS RAMS at Cleveland Browns

Sometimes, a game is so close on paper that it's hard to predict the winner; this game between the Rams and the Browns is the opposite of that scenario. While it may be close, it won't be because both teams are playing stellar football. The Rams simply have more going for them, however, and that's why I give them the win.

Final score: Rams 16, Browns 13

Pittsburgh Steelers at CINCINNATI BENGALS

This is the first time this season that the inconsistent-but-always-looming Steelers will meet the surging Bengals, and it should be an informative outing for both squads in their search to reach the postseason. Cincinnati has yet to play a team with the talent and history of Pittsburgh thus far this season, but I think they'll manage the challenge well, with the Steelers exposing so many different ways they can be beaten.

Final score: Bengals 20, Steelers 17

BALTIMORE RAVENS at Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks have had some luck fall their way this season, and haven't looked as terrible as I thought they were in their losses. That said, the Ravens are quickly proving themselves as the top team in the AFC, and a trip out west isn't going to slow them in Week 10.

Final score: Ravens 27, Seahawks 3

New York Giants at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

There's no doubt that the Giants have worked hard to make themselves into a good football team, despite their flaws, and that was made clear in their Week 9 win over the New England Patriots. But the Niners aren't the Patriots—they're better. And New York is going to find itself outmatched this Sunday.

Final score: 49ers 27, Giants 20

DETROIT LIONS at Chicago Bears

The Bears showed they are indeed talented and have what it takes to win games in their defeat of the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. A lot of that win, however, had to do with the Eagles making mistake after mistake as much as it had to do with the Bears capitalizing on them. The Lions are fresh off of their bye and have the playoffs in their sights. Chicago won't get this win.

Final score: Lions 31, Bears 14

New England Patriots at NEW YORK JETS

A week full of marquee matchups is capped off by Monday night's game between the New England Patriots and New York Jets. Reputations and divisional control are on the line as the Jets try to do the impossible and hand the Patriots their third consecutive loss. The Steelers and Giants have forged a blueprint for defeating New England, and Rex Ryan's Jets will likely look to emulate those efforts on their way to what is likely a close, hard-fought victory.

Final score: Jets 23, Patriots 20

Minnesota Vikings at GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Packers don't win this game just because they've dispatched every team they've seen thus far; they win this game because they're hands-down the better team. Surely, there's an opponent out there that can stop Green Bay, but it won't be the Vikings on Monday night.

Final score: Packers 31, Vikings 17