NFL - Week Ten Preview

The game of the week is no doubt the Sunday Night Football Game on prime time between the Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans, both at 7-1, in Soldier Field in Chicago.

The Bears have been out of their minds defensively this season, converting turnovers into touchdowns (they have seven so far through eight games) and rank near the top of the NFL against the run as well as points allowed.

Meanwhile, the Texans have been stellar on defense as well, and also rank near the top of the league defensively in points allowed. In fact, Houston is third overall (allowing 286 yards per game) on defense and rank in the top five against both the run (82 yards a game) and the pass, where they are giving up 204 yards per game.
The Bears have been better offensively this season with a healthy Jay Cutler and his favorite target,wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Houston counters with running back Arian Foster and quarterback Matt Schaub and his favorite wideout, Andre Johnson.
All that being said, do not be surprised if these two teams wind up in a shoot out.
Something has to give.

Here is a capsule style breakdown of the week's action with the Heftyinfo picks for Week Ten following.

Atlanta (8-0) at New Orleans (3-5) - The Falcons (and QB Matt Ryan in particular) ALWAYS have struggles in the Big Easy ... take the Saints.

Detroit (4-4) at Minnesota (5-4) - That crash you are hearing is the Vikings coming back to reality as the season moves along. Meanwhile, the Lions have been on a three game roll.

Denver (5-3) at Carolina (2-6) - Peyton Manning will school Cam Newton on how it's done.

San Diego (4-4) at Tampa Bay (4-4) - Which Chargers team will show up this week? For that matter, which Buccaneers team will show up this week?

Tennessee (3-6) at Miami (4-4) - Titans must put up or shut up in this road game.

Buffalo (3-5) at New England (5-3) - Why bother?

Oakland (3-5) at Baltimore (6-2) - This game could be closer that most "experts" think.

New York Giants (6-3) at Cincinnati (3-5) - Bengals are a desperate team.

New York Jets (3-5) at Seattle (5-4) - The Seahawks are tough at home. The Jets are in disarray.

St. Louis (3-5) at San Francisco (6-2) - The 49ers have the Seahawks UP CLOSE in their rear view mirror and need to keep winning.

Dallas (3-5) at Philadelphia (3-5) - The loser of this game might as well pack it in for the rest of the season.

Kansas City (1-7) at Pittsburgh (5-3) - Steelers on a roll, at home this week on Monday Night Football, against a hapless Chiefs squad.  BLOWOUT!

The Heftyinfo picks for Week Ten . . .      (Home teams listed in BOLD)

Indianapolis over Jacksonville
New Orleans over Atlanta
Detroit over Minnesota 
Denver over Carolina
San Diego over Tampa Bay
Tennessee over Miami
New England over Buffalo
Baltimore over Oakland
New York Giants over Cincinnati 
Seattle over New York Jets
San Francisco over St. Louis
Philadelphia over Dallas
Chicago over Houston
Pittsburgh over Kansas City

Last Week's Record:  10-4

SEASON RECORD:  83-49