NFL Week 10 Picks: Predicting Winners for Every Key Game

For Week 10 of the NFL season, the scheduling gods have given us three key matchups that should provide excellent viewing fodder. Here are my picks for each of Week 10's biggest games.

New Orleans Saints (6-3) at Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

After a disappointing 2-3 start to the season, the Falcons have reeled off three straight wins and have finally seemed to find their footing. While quarterback Matt Ryan still hasn't performed up to expectations, running back Michael Turner has stepped up and reasserted himself as a force. Turner has averaged 110.7 yards over the past three weeks while scoring three touchdowns. Atlanta will surely ride its bruising back until Ryan gets things going again. 

This Sunday, the Saints travel to Atlanta after going 2-2 in the past four weeks, including a loss to the hapless St. Louis Rams. Drew Brees and company started 4-1, but have since looked vulnerable against lesser competition.

New Orleans still has the league's top-ranked offense, averaging a whopping 445.1 yards per game, and is second in points scored (31.9). Against a division rival in a game that has all sorts of playoff implications, I expect Brees and the Saints offense to lead the way and get the team a victory. 

The Falcons will play well, but won't be able to stop New Orleans this weekend.

Prediction: New Orleans 34, Atlanta 24

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)

The Bengals have won five straight games after a 1-2 start and need a win against a top team to really establish themselves as a legitimate contender in the AFC.

So far this year, the Bengals have relied on a stout defense to win games. Marvin Lewis' defensive unit ranks fourth in the NFL, allowing just 301.3 yards per game. The Bengals also have the league's second-best rushing defense, surrendering 84.5 yards per game on the ground. Cincinnati is also giving up just 17.5 points per game, which ranks them fourth league-wide.

Offensively, the Bengals have just needed to be steady, and rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has done well as a game manager. While Cincinnati is currently 22nd in the NFL in total offense (316.3 yards per game), Dalton's unit hasn't had to do much to get wins thanks to how good the defense has been.

The Steelers enter Sunday's matchup with the Bengals licking their wounds after a hard-fought 23-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. I don't expect Pittsburgh to be too happy on Sunday. The Steelers' loss to the Ravens snapped a four-game winning streak that saw they shoot to the top of the AFC contenders list, and they can't be too happy about losing that momentum.

While the Bengals have really been playing well, I think the Steelers will be too much for them to handle on Sunday. Pittsburgh's experienced defense will attack Dalton relentlessly and force the rookie to make some key mistakes. That will open the door for Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense to get the job done.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 21

New York Giants (6-2) at San Francisco 49ers (7-1)

I really don't know how either the 49ers or the Giants have been able to get to this point given the obstacles each team has faced. But this Sunday, the two teams will go toe-to-toe in what should be one of the most intriguing matchups of the season.

The Giants enter the game having won six of seven despite suffering major injuries to virtually every part of their roster. Somehow, Tom Coughlin's team has put it together week-in and week-out and managed to come up with victories. It has truly been shocking considering that the Giants rank just 11th in total offense (371.6 yards per game) and 19th in total defense (365.6 yards per game).

Somehow, despite those numbers, New York has found a way to win games, which makes them extremely difficult to pick against.

Meanwhile, the 49ers enter Sunday's game riding a six-game winning streak, and if not for an improbably comeback by Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2, they would be undefeated. It's quite simple how Jim Harbaugh's team has won: They run the football and stop the run. That's really it.

The 49ers have the league's top run defense and are allowing just 70.8 yards per game on the ground. On the flip side, Frank Gore and his stable of running backs are rushing for 137.6 yards per game, which is sixth in the league. 

While I have been very impressed with how the Giants have managed to gut out wins this season, I just get the feeling that this 49ers team is special and will take the game on Sunday. It's a big matchup for both teams, and I see it as fairly even across the board. With that in mind, I'll go with the home team.

Prediction: San Francisco 28, New York (Giants) 24