The Bears (5-3) knocked off the Green Bay Packers last week and are tied for first place with the Lions and Packers (both 5-3) in the NFC North division. Chicago may even have quarterback Jay Cutler back behind center for the game. Cutler has been out sonce suffering a groin injury against the Washington Redskins three weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the Lions are coming off the bye week and blasted the Bears up in Motown back in Week Four, 40-32 in a game that was nowhere near as close as what the final score would indicate.
The Packers will be without All-Pro QB Aaron Rodgers for an undetermined amount of time as he suffered a collar bone fracture against the Bears. How much impact that will have on the division race will have to play out, but the winner of the Bears-Lions game will definitely have some wind in their sails heading into the final seven games.
The AFC North is not a very strong division this season, so the Baltimore Ravens (3-5) know they have to win the division to likely get back to the playoffs this year. The Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) have a strong hold on the division lead at this point, but they are coming off a tough loss to Miami a week ago.
The Ravens are basically in a "must win" game here after falling to the Cleveland Browns (4-5 with the bye this weekend) last week and it won't be easy, but they have to start winning games, especially in the AFC North.
Some other games of interest have the Denver Broncos (7-1) at San Diego Chargers (4-4) in a AFC West battle and the Sunday Night Football game has the Dallas Cowboys (5-4) going on the road to face the New Orleans Saints (6-2) in a game that could help determine a possible first round bye in the post-season.
The Broncos are coming off their bye week and still trail the Kansas City Chiefs (9-0), who they will be playing next week and again two weeks later. So it is important for them not to look ahead because the Chargers have been a formidable team this season under rejuvenated QB Philip Rivers, who does boast a winning record (4-3 including two playoff wins) against Denver QB Peyton Manning in head-to-head games.
The rest of the action is featured in the capsule previews along with the Heftyinfo picks for Week Ten.
(Cleveland, Kansas City, New England and NY Jets have the Bye Weeks)
Washington (3-5) at Minnesota (1-7) - The Vikings have had a tough year so far. Washington won a squeaker last week.
Seattle (8-1) at Atlanta (2-6) - The Seahawks have been struggling to win lately but the Falcons are simply awful this year.
Detroit (5-3) at Chicago (5-3) - First place in the NFC North is on the line in this game.
Philadelphia (4-5) at Green Bay (5-3) - Can Eagles' QB Nick Foles throw for SEVEN touchdowns again this week? Can the Packers win without starting QB Aaron Rodgers? This should be a good game.
Jacksonville (0-8) at Tennessee (4-4) - The Jaguars have to win at some point this season. Not this week on the road against the Titans they won't.
St. Louis (3-6) at Indianapolis (6-2) - Take the Colts... they are rolling.
Oakland (3-5) at NY Giants (2-6) - The Giants can actually get back in the NFC East race with a win. The Raiders are a mess.
Buffalo (3-6) at Pittsburgh (2-6) - Yawn.
Cincinnati (6-3) at Baltimore (3-5) - It's put up or shut up time for the Baltimore Ravens.
Carolina (5-3) at San Francisco (6-2) - The 49ers have won five straight games. The Panthers have won four straight games. Something has to give. Take the 49ers at home.
Denver (7-1) at San Diego (4-4) - The Broncos are well rested while the Chargers let one get away at Washington last weekend.
Houston (2-6) at Arizona (4-4) - This could be a very exciting game ... stay tuned.
Dallas (5-4) at New Orleans (6-2) - This Sunday Night Football game in prime time should be a shoot out in the Super Dome.
Miami (4-4) at Tampa Bay (0-8) - This Monday night stinker could very well produce the first win of the season for the Bucs.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Ten . . . . . (Home teams are listed in BOLD; Lock of the Week pick is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Minnesota over Washington
Seattle over Atlanta
Detroit over Chicago
Green Bay over Philadelphia
TENNESSEE over Jacksonville
Indianapolis over St. Louis
NY Giants over Oakland
Pittsburgh over Buffalo
Cincinnati over Baltimore
San Francisco over Carolina
Denver over San Diego
Arizona over Houston
New Orleans over Dallas
Tampa Bay over Miami
Last Week's Record: 7-6
SEASON RECORD: 81-52
Lock of the Week Record: 8-1
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