NFL Picks Week 10: Teams That Will Ride Momentum to Victory

Momentum is a powerful force in the world of sports, and in the NFL it can be everything.

Week 10 presents some juicy matchups for NFL fans, including a few heated division battles with potential playoff stakes on the line.

Tom Brady and Rex Ryan will kick off round two of their chess match this Sunday in New York to decide ruler of the AFC East, and the surprising Lions will travel to Soldier Field to decide second place in the NFC North.

Before you pop a squat with an ice cold drink in one hand, and the remote in the other, check out these three surging teams poised for a W in Week 10:

Baltimore Ravens

After an embarrassing Monday night loss to the Jaguars three weeks ago, NFL experts were questioning the Ravens ability to challenge for a Super Bowl in 2011.

But after two-straight wins, including a last-second, come-from-behind win over the rival Steelers, which snapped Pittsburgh's four-game winning streak, many like the Ravens to win the AFC North and contend for the conference title.

Joe Flacco has shown much improvement over the last two games, including the poise required in the fourth quarter to be considered an elite quarterback in the NFL.

The defense is firing on all cylinders after an emotional win at Heinz Field last Sunday night, so expect a dominant Ravens' win at Seattle on Sunday, similar to their romping of St. Louis on the road in Week 3.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears' last lost was on Monday night to the Detroit Lions, the same team they'll host in Week 10.

Chicago is in the midst of a three-game winning streak and reminding everyone why they hosted the NFC Championship Game last January despite flying under the radar for much of the 2010 season.

Jay Cutler has been playing at an extremely high level as of late, showing glimpses of vintage Brett Favre on Monday night against the Eagles. Running back Matt Forte has been shredding opposing defenses on the ground and out of the back field the past three weeks, and shows no signs of slowing.

Sure the Lions nipped their losing streak at two games, but the running back injuries are still concerning and the Bears' defensive play at home is always turned up a notch.

Julius Peppers will continue to be a force on Chicago's defensive line and will overshadow the play of Ndamukong Suh in Week 10.

New York Jets

Like the Bears, the Jets have won three straight games after beginning the season just 2-3. Wins over the Dolphins, Chargers and Bills have New York back in the playoff picture and a win on Sunday away from the division lead.

The Pats are trending in the opposite direction, having lost two straight to the Steelers and Giants. Both are formidable opponents no doubt, but games Tom Brady and company are supposed to win if they are going to make a move in the AFC this winter.

Given the momentum both teams are riding, the Jets are an obvious pick in Week 10. Playing at home against a bitter rival with so much on the line, Rex Ryan and the Jets even the season series at 1-1.