That seems to be the prevailing question around the NFL lately as (sigh) COVID-19 continues to dominate across the United States of America. This week, the Pittsburgh Steelers are waiting to see if their star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be able to play after being placed on the COVID-19/IR list along with three other teammates.
There is also a possibility of the league expanding the playoffs yet again if the full schedule of games cannot be reached by Week Seventeen. The NFL approved plans to go from 12 to 14 teams for the post-season this year and that might go up even higher (to 16 teams) due to circumstances beyond their control.
As for the action in Week Ten, the premier games look to be the Seattle Seahawks (6-2) facing the Los Angeles Rams (5-3) and the Arizona Cardinals (5-3) playing host to the surging Buffalo Bills. The Rams, like the Cardinals, are just one game behind the first-place Seahawks in the NFC West division. So that is a huge matchup for sure. The Bills (7-2) lead the AFC East by one game in the loss column over the Miami Dolphins and will be in for a shootout with Big Red in the desert.
The "prime time" games on Sunday and Monday night will have the Baltimore Ravens at the New England Patriots (on Sunday) and the Minnesota Vikings, who have been heating up thanks in large part to running back Dalvin Cook, taking on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago in the Monday Night Football game.
Here is a look at all the games this weekend with the capsule style previews and then the predictions for each game.
Tampa Bay (6-3) at Carolina (3-6) - The Buccaneers got crushed at home last week and will be looking to get back on track against a Panthers team that continues to play hard each week. This game should be a close one.
Houston (2-6) at Cleveland (5-3) - The Browns need a win to stay close in the AFC playoff chase.
Washington (2-6) at Detroit (3-5) - Lions should win this game, but then again neither of these teams has been inspiring this season.
Jacksonville (1-7) at Green Bay (6-2) - Packers roll !
Philadelphia (3-4-1) at N.Y. Giants (2-7) - Look for a close one here, but the Eagles should pull it out.
L.A. Chargers (2-6) at Miami (5-3) - How will the Chargers lose this week?
Buffalo (7-2) at Arizona (5-3) - This game should be a shootout with two young, exciting quarterbacks lead the offenses.
Denver (3-5) at Las Vegas (5-3) - This game could be tighter than most might think. Raiders have the better offense and that should be the difference.
Seattle (6-2) at L.A. Rams (5-3) - Seahawks defense is terrible, but will the Rams score enough points to win this game?
San Francisco (4-5) at New Orleans (6-2) - Saints have been on a roll with five straight wins, but the 49ers won't just roll over in this one.
Cincinnati (2-5-1) at Pittsburgh (8-0) - Steelers might not have starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in this game (COVID-19/IR list), but it might not matter because their defense is one of the best in the NFL.
Baltimore (6-2) at New England (3-5) - Ravens looking to get the "magic" back into their offense this season. Patriots looking to get back-to-back wins for first time this season. Take the Ravens.
Minnesota (3-5) at Chicago (5-4) - Bears looking to end three-game skid. Vikings are heating up after a 1-5 start.
The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Ten . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Indianapolis over Tennessee
Tampa Bay over Carolina
Cleveland over Houston
Detroit over Washington
GREEN BAY over Jacksonville
Philadelphia over N.Y. Giants
Miami over L.A. Chargers
Arizona over Buffalo
Las Vegas over Denver
L.A. Rams over Seattle
New Orleans over San Francisco
Pittsburgh over Cincinnati
Baltimore over New England
Minnesota over Chicago
Last Week's Record - 10-4
SEASON RECORD - 90-42-1
Lock of the Week Record - 7-2
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