Thursday, November 9, 2023

NFL - Week Ten Preview

The second half of the NFL season gets going this weekend for most teams (the bye weeks continue as well as four teams are off this weekend) and among the bigger games is the San Francisco 49ers (5-3) at the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2), winners of five games in a row and coming off the bye week while the 'Niners have dropped three straight and are also coming off their bye week. 

The Jags have turned it up a notch on offense in recent weeks and quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne have been a solid combination. Meanwhile, San Francisco's defense has struggled and the sack totals are way down from a year ago. If they want to win this game, they have to get after Lawrence early and often. 

Another game that looks like a great one is in the AFC North where the red hot Baltimore Ravens (7-2) will be going after their fifth straight win as they host the Cleveland Browns (5-3), a team they blasted 28-3 on the road six weeks ago. The Browns have starting QB Deshaun Watson back in the fold and he will need to step up his game if they want to come away with a win against arguably the NFL's best team. 

The Ravens can run the ball exceptionally well and racked up nearly 300 yards on the ground last week as they routed the Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is enjoying an MVP type season so far and the Ravens should come away with the win, but they have to protect Jackson from the Browns stellar pass rush, which includes Myles Garrett, who has 9 1/2 sacks so far this season. 

In Los Angeles, the Chargers will host the Detroit Lions (6-2), who are coming off their bye week and lead the NFC North division, thanks to a balanced offense and a solid defense. The Chargers (4-4) have won two in a row and last Monday night, they smoked the New York Jets, 27-6 on the road as their defense had eight QB sacks and three fumble recoveries. The Chargers can outscore the Lions, but they have to avoid self destructing as they have done in three of their four losses this season. 

The rest of the action around the NFL is featured in capsule style and the Heftyinfo picks for Week Ten follow up. 

Carolina (1-7) at Chicago (2-7) - These two teams will likely have the top two picks in the next NFL Draft and the Bears own the Panthers pick. Toss up here. 

Indianapolis (4-5) at New England (2-7) - (game being played in Frankfurt, Germany) - The Colts and Patriots both trying to find their identities and it's already approaching mid-November. This game will likely be a yawner. 

Houston (4-4) at Cincinnati (5-3) - The Texans are playing above expectations and QB C.J. Stroud is looking like the rookie of the year. But the Bengals have Joe Burrow and their offense is more explosive than Houston in a big way. Take the Bengals. 

New Orleans (5-4) at Minnesota (5-4) - These two teams are in the thick of the playoff chase in the NFC. Saints have the better defense and that could be a factor, but the Vikings have Joshua Dobbs at quarterback and he is flying high after last week's big comeback victory over Atlanta. 

Green Bay (3-5) at Pittsburgh (5-3) - Steelers keep finding ways to get it done and should do so against the Packers this week. 

Tennessee (3-5) at Tampa Bay (3-5) - The loser of this game is likely done for the season as far as the playoffs are concerned. Toss up. 

Atlanta (4-5) at Arizona (1-8) - Kyler Murray returns at quarterback for the Cardinals, who have lost six straight games. Falcons are reeling after blowing the game last week against the Vikings. Toss up.

N.Y. Giants (2-7) at Dallas (5-3) - The Cowboys are fuming after losing to Philadelphia last week and should take it out on the Giants, a team they walloped 40-0 in the opening game. 

Washington (4-5) at Seattle (5-3) - The Seahawks got a huge helping of humble pie last week in Baltimore while the Commanders won on the road. Take the Seahawks in this game. 

N.Y. Jets (4-4) at Las Vegas (4-5) - The Sunday night game on NBC . . . no "Heidi" repeats happening here. But that was over 50 years ago and these two teams are nowhere near where they were back then. Raiders win in a squeaker.

Denver (3-5) at Buffalo (5-4) - The Monday night game in Buffalo . . . the Bills need this win desperately. Meanwhile, the Broncos have won two in a row, so it won't be an easy time for the Bills. 

 

The Heftyinfo picks for Week Ten  . . . . . . . . . .      (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS

Chicago over Carolina 

New England over Indianapolis (Game is being played in Frankfurt, Germany)

Cincinnati over Houston 

Minnesota over New Orleans 

Pittsburgh over Green Bay 

Tampa Bay over Tennessee 

San Francisco over Jacksonville 

Baltimore over Cleveland 

Arizona over Atlanta 

L.A. Chargers over Detroit 

DALLAS over N.Y. Giants 

Seattle over Washington 

Las Vegas over N.Y. Jets 

Buffalo over Denver 

 

Last Week's Record - 10-4 

SEASON RECORD - 88-48

Lock of the Week Record - 9-0

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