NFL Picks Week 10: 3 Teams That Will Put Up a Fight

There's nothing like a close, nail-biting game in the NFL.

We saw two spectacular clashes in Week 9, with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants beating the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots respectively in the closing seconds.

But I'm expecting there to be three nail-biters in Week 10 and I can't wait to watch them.

Here are three teams that will put up a fight in Week 10.

Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

I wasn't too high on the Falcons when they started the season 2-3, but three straight wins, including against the Detroit Lions, has me warming up to them.

The difference for the Falcons in their last three games is their defense has come to play. Considered an emerging defense before the season, they flopped early, but they have allowed just 13.3 points per game in their last three games.

Nonetheless, I still like Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints as a superior team and consider their 31-21 loss to the St. Louis Rams in Week 8 to be more of a wake-up call than an indication of who they truly are.

New York Jets (5-3)

I wasn't a big fan of the Jets, even after they defeated the San Diego Chargers in Week 7, but their 27-11 victory over the Buffalo Bills after their bye week impressed me.

This team's pass defense, as always, will keep it in games, but I still don't trust quarterback Mark Sanchez or running back Shonn Greene as the guys to lead the Jets to the promised land.

That's why I see the Patriots, despite losing to the Giants in Week 9, defeating the Jets.

But it's going to be tough. Tom Brady is coming off a bad game and he struggled in his only game in the last two years at MetLife Stadium against the Jets last season.

Get ready for some fireworks. I absolutely love this rivalry.

Chicago Bears (5-3)

This was one of my toughest games to predict.

Since starting 2-3, the Bears have done nothing but impress me. The Week 6 win was against a bad team in the Minnesota Vikings, but their last two games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles have been eye-opening.

The Bears' defense is getting better, the offensive line is no longer the worst in the NFL and quarterback Jay Cutler had a solid game against a revved-up Eagles secondary in Week 9.

However...

I still can't pick the Bears over the Detroit Lions, who defeated Chicago 24-13 in Week 5.

I understand the Lions had lost two straight games before blowing out the Denver Broncos in Week 8, but they are averaging more points per game than the Bears and are allowing fewer points per game (18.4).

In short, I feel the Lions have a more solid foundation and are a better team on both sides of the ball than the Bears.

And while Lions No. 1 running back Jahvid Best may be held out of Sunday's game, it's worth noting the Lions did just fine against the Broncos with Maurice Morris in the backfield. Plus, they're more of a passing team, anyway.