NFL Week 10 Picks: Early-Season Contenders That Will Bounce Back on the Road

Week 10 of the NFL season is when the pretenders begin to get exposed. Teams that were there at the beginning of the year will now find themselves on the outside looking in.

Having said that, some early-season surprises will stick.

Here are three hot starters that have since cooled off, but who will remain in the discussion for another week after notching big wins on the road in Week 10: 

Buffalo Bills (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

The Bills find themselves sitting at 5-3 and tied atop the AFC East division after starting 2011 with a sizzling 4-1 record. In Week 10, they'll be pitted against the struggling Dallas Cowboys, who are just 4-4 midway through the year.

Buffalo has been suspect on the road this season, falling to the Bengals and Giants. Both are good teams, but are both teams that the Bills must be able to overcome if they are to contend with the Jets and Patriots for a playoff spot.

The Cowboys were anything but impressive in last week's 23-13 home win over the lowly Seahawks, and that's why Fred Jackson and the Bills get the edge away from home in Week 10. 

Washington Redskins (vs. Miami Dolphins)

Given the Dolphins' 0-7 start to the season, last week's blowout win at Kansas City seems as much a fluke as anything.

Sure, the Redskins aren't exactly firing on all cylinders at midseason, but they are good enough to sink Miami on the road.

Having lost four consecutive games, Washington will fight back against the injury bug on Sunday and drop the Dolphins to 0-4 at home in 2011. Week 10 belongs to Washington. 

Tennessee Titans (vs. Carolina Panthers)

Once upon a time, the Tennessee Titans were 3-1 and atop the AFC South division. Five weeks and three losses later, the Titans are on the verge of becoming irrelevant and headed for an early vacation.

Meanwhile, the Panthers are a lock for an early vacation. If the Titans' D can put a handle on rookie sensation Cam Newton, Tennessee can stop the bleeding rather easily on the road on Sunday.

Chris Johnson and the running game must be a factor against Carolina, and the Titans should be aware that both of the Panthers' wins have come at home this season.