The Los Angeles Chargers (4-5) and the Oakland Raiders will get Week Ten started with the Thursday night game in Oakland. The Raiders (4-4) are playing better than expected to this point in the season following all the drama of the Antonio Brown saga during training camp that threatened to cause quite a stir within the organization before he was sent packing prior to the season opening game.
However, the Raiders have been playing well on offense with quarterback Derek Carr enjoying a solid season through the first eight games. The defense hasn't been so great though, giving up too many yards through the air while allowing opponents to score almost at will. They must stop Philip Rivers and the Chargers air attack if they want to win the game.
Speaking of Rivers and the 'Bolts, they have won two in a row after a terrible 2-5 start which saw them lose two games in the final minute. The Chargers are coming off a big win against the Green Bay Packers last week in which they thoroughly dominated the Packers in all phases of the game while winning 26-11 in L.A.
The other two "prime time" games this week are the best matchups as the Dallas Cowboys host the Minnesota VIkings on Sunday night and then the Seattle Seahawks will be at the San Francisco 49ers in the Monday Night Football game.
The Vikings are 6-3 this season and lost a heart breaker last week in Kansas City, 26-23 on a last second field goal for K.C. The Cowboys (5-3) blasted the New York Giants, 37-18 last Monday night and showed some real balance on offense with running back Ezekiel Elliott gaining 139 yards and QB Dak Prescott throwing three touchdown passes.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks (7-2) will travel to play the undefeated 49ers (8-0) in a huge game in the NFC west division race. Seattle won a 40-34 overtime shootout against Tampa Bay last Sunday as QB Russell Wilson (22 touchdown passes with just one interception) passed for five touchdowns in the game.
The 49ers toppled the Arizona Cardinals, 28-25 last week as QB Jimmy Garoppolo fired four touchdown strikes to lead the way. The story this season for San Francisco's success has been their suffocating defense, which has been right at the top of the league as far as yardage and points allowed are concerned.
The rest of the games are featured below in the capsule style previews and the Heftyinfo predictions follow.
L.A. Chargers (4-5) at Oakland (4-4) - The winner of this one will be in decent shape in the AFC playoff chase. The loser, not so much.
Detroit (3-4-1) at Chicago (3-5) - The Bears are looking to snap a four-game losing streak. The Lions need this one to stay in the wild card chase in the NFC.
Baltimore (6-2) at Cincinnati (0-8) - The Ravens are rolling right now and the Bengals are a mess.
Buffalo (6-2) at Cleveland (2-6) - Two teams going in opposite directions. Browns are due for a win while Bills look to keep a good thing going.
Carolina (5-3) at Green Bay (7-2) - The Packers got smoked last week while the Panthers rolled to a win. Packers will be tough to beat at home.
Kansas City (6-3) at Tennessee (4-5) - Will Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes play this weekend?
Atlanta (1-7) at New Orleans (7-1) - Saints roll !
N.Y. Giants (2-7) at N.Y. Jets (1-7) - Is this really a home game for the Jets? Is it really a road game for the Giants? Who cares? These two teams stink.
Arizona (3-5-1) at Tampa Bay (2-6) - Both of these teams need a win bad. Toss up in this one.
Miami (1-7) at Indianapolis (5-3) - Colts lost a tough game last week and their starting QB to a knee injury as well. Dolphins finally won a game. Take the Colts.
L.A. Rams (5-3) at Pittsburgh (4-4) - Two teams riding modest winning streaks go at it in this one. Toss up.
Minnesota (6-3) at Dallas (5-3) - The Sunday night game between two solid teams. This game will likely go down to the wire.
Seattle (7-2) at San Francisco (8-0) - Can the Seahawks knock the 49ers from the ranks of the unbeaten?
The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Ten . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
L.A. Chargers over Oakland
Chicago over Detroit
BALTIMORE over Cincinnati
Cleveland over Buffalo
Green Bay over Carolina
Tennessee over Kansas City
New Orleans over Atlanta
N.Y. Giants over N.Y. Jets
Arizona over Tampa Bay
Indianapolis over Miami
Pittsburgh over L.A. Rams
Dallas over Minnesota
Seattle over San Francisco
Last Week's Record - 8-6
SEASON RECORD - 89-45-1
Lock of the Week Record - 9-0
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