NFL Week 10 Picks: These Teams Are Sure to Gain Divisional Chokeholds

The NFL will see all of its teams in action in Week 10.

This gives teams the opportunity to both gain and lose ground in the divisional rankings. Both conferences are seeing some tight division races that could be won or lost this weekend.

With the wild card spots always involved in some mathematical formula, the surest way to get into the playoffs is by winning your division.

These teams will seize the day and put some space between other teams in their respective divisions.

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers find themselves in a three-way tie with the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs.

The Raiders are playing without star Darren McFadden and also without safety Michael Huff. The Chargers are playing at home and need to force Carson Palmer to turn the ball over, something Palmer has been obliged to doing since his arrival in Oakland.

With the Broncos and Chiefs playing each other, the Chargers will be in the driver's seat with a win at home.

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens will separate themselves from the rest of the AFC North in a few ways.

First off, they have a very winnable game against the Seattle Seahawks. If the Ravens can put the jet lag behind them, look for Ray Lewis and T-Sizzle to wreck havoc in the Seahawks backfield.

But the real reason they will gain a divisional chokehold is due to the Steelers and Bengals playing against each other.

I like the Steelers to win, which would mean the Ravens would be in a three-way tie with the Bengals and Steelers.

Having already beaten the Steelers twice this year, the Ravens would be in a good place to take the divisional lead when the Bengals visit in Week 11.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have a chance to make a strong case for being the AFC West leaders if they win.

The Chiefs are coming off their worst loss of the season, a 31-3 drubbing by the then win-less Dolphins.

They will look to bounce back, but it won't be easy. Tim Tebow had his best game this year last week, and if Matt Moore can shred the Chiefs defense, Tebow should put up solid numbers as well.

If the Chiefs can win at home, along with the Raiders beating San Diego, the Chiefs might be in line to play for the AFC West lead when they host Oakland in Week 16.

New York Giants

The New York Giants find themselves in a weird position. The usually tight NFC East division has a surprising gap from the top team down.

The Giants are the clear favorites and could not only take a divisional chokehold, but also make a case for the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff picture.

The 49ers have been having an amazing season, but they're currently ranked 22nd in the league at defending the pass. And in case you've been living under a rock lately, Eli Manning and the Giants have been on fire lately.

Second-place Dallas will have its hands full with a Buffalo Bills team that will look to run Fred Jackson down their throats all game long.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills are coming off a tough loss against divisional foe New York. The Bills will look to get back on track when they take on the Dallas Cowboys.

The Bills with a win will effectively become a strong No. 2 in the AFC East depending how the Sunday night game between New England and the Jets plays out.

The second wild card in the AFC is more than likely going to come out of the AFC East, and the Bills would be in prime position should they win.

Last time the Cowboys faced quality running backs, the defense was shredded by both LeSean McCoy and Steven Jackson.

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers have been on fire all season. Does anyone expect that to stop against the Minnesota Vikings? Didn't think so.

The Vikings will be starting a rookie QB, and while Christian Ponder has performed pretty well so far, the Vikings will likely be down early and often. With the Vikings being forced to be one dimensional, the Packers defense won't have to worry about Adrian Peterson as much.

The Packers have been the most consistent team all year and are the clear favorites to win the NFC North and be the top seed in the conference.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have been running wild lately.

With a healthy Arian Foster to go with Ben Tate, the Texans have turned from a pass-first team to a power running team.

The Texans will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers without their star defensive tackle, Gerald McCoy. Even with McCoy in there, the Bucs have been terrible against the run this year.

I would honestly be surprised if Matt Schaub has to pass the ball more than 25 times in this game, as Foster and Tate should be finding the end-zone early and often.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots visit the New York Jets in a pivotal Sunday night matchup.

The Patriots already beat the Jets earlier in the year, and with another win, would firmly assert themselves atop the AFC East. I'm willing to bet "The Hoodie" and Tom Brady won't let another game slip away against Buffalo, and they have a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way.

Sweeping the Jets will give New England the chance to erase their embarrassing loss against the Bills earlier in the year by making the playoffs yet again.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have to be foaming at the mouth considering their foe on Sunday afternoon.

Last month, the Lions put a beating on the Chicago Bears both on offense and defense. They've lost Jahvid Best and will need their back-ups to step in and give the Lions at least some form of a running game.

Look for the Lions to continue to put pressure on Jay Cutler as they did in their last meeting. Also, look for Calvin Johnson Jr. to continue his success against the Bears secondary.

The Packers are the clear front runner in the NFC North, but it's looking like at least one wild card spot will come from the division. Sweeping the Bears would assure the Lions of a wild card spot at the least.

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints have a chance to put some real ground between them and the second place Atlanta Falcons.

The Saints prevented the Bucs from sweeping them and have already beaten Carolina once this year. With a win over Atlanta, the Saints would have a firm foothold on the top of the NFC South.

Atlanta will be tough at home, but the Saints have too many weapons for Drew Brees to beat them with. If they can get by Atlanta at home, they will have two divisional games at home against opponents they've already beaten.