NFL - Week Ten Preview

The calendar is now in November and the NFL season is in Week Ten as the contenders are separating from the pretenders around the league. This weekend will see two of the top teams from each conference go at it as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) host the New England Patriots, who are 7-2 and have won six games in a row. Pats quarterback Drake Maye has been a pleasant surprise so far and if the Buccaneers don't get pressure on him, he can carve up their secondary. The Buccaneers lead the NFC South division and are coming off their bye week and QB Baker Mayfield has been solid through the first eight games. 

In San Francisco on Sunday, the 49ers (6-3) will take on the Los Angeles Rams (6-2), who right now share the NFC West lead with the Seattle Seahawks. San Francisco has been getting it done in spite of so many injuries, including going with backup QB Mac Jones in place of injured starter Brock Purdy. Both teams have solid defenses and the big factor in this game will be whether Rams QB Matthew Stafford (2,147 passing yards with 21 touchdowns and only two interceptions) can continue to lead the offense on a torrid pace. 

The Sunday night game will have the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) taking on the Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) in a road tilt. The Steelers defense finally had a big game last week as they thrashed the Indianapolis Colts, getting five quarterback sacks and forcing six turnovers. The Chargers have been banged up all season long and will be without All-Pro (left) tackle Joe Alt (ankle surgery) for the remainder of the season. The key to this game will be protecting the football and whether the Chargers defense will get after Pittsburgh QB Aaron Rodgers. 

The biggest game (on paper) for Week Ten is the Monday night game in Green Bay between the Packers (5-2-1) and the Philadelphia Eagles (6-2). The Packers were shocked at home last week by the Carolina Panthers as they managed just 13 points. The Eagles cruised past the New York Giants two weeks ago and are coming off their bye. The Packers defense needs to contain the Eagles O-line and if they do, they will have success. The Eagles will look to get after Packers QB Jordan Love and force mistakes. This game should be close and the call here is the Eagles will soar yet again. 

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

Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) at Denver Broncos (7-2) - The Broncos shouldn't have to pull off another fourth quarter comeback in this Thursday night home game. 

Atlanta Falcons (3-5) at Indianapolis Colts (7-2) - Both of these teams traveled to Berlin, Germany to play this game. Take the Colts. 

New York Giants (2-7) at Chicago Bears (5-3) - Possible wintry conditions could be a factor in this game in Chicago. The Bears should get the win against a team that has too many injuries on offense. 

Buffalo Bills (6-2) at Miami Dolphins (2-7) - The Bills are coming into this one after a big win against the Chiefs. The Dolphins have been a mess all season long. Take the Bills. 

Baltimore Ravens (3-5) at Minnesota Vikings (4-4) - The Ravens seem to be back on track with players getting healthy, especially QB Lamar Jackson. The Vikings beat the Detroit Lions on the road last week with a healthy (QB) J.J. McCarthy back on the field. Toss up in this game. 

Cleveland Browns (2-6) at New York Jets (1-7) - Who cares?

New Orleans Saints (1-8) at Carolina Panthers (5-4) - Panthers better be ready in this one. The Saints have lost four in a row and their pattern so far this season says they should get the win this week. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3) at Houston Texans (3-5) - The Texans will be without starting QB C.J. Stroud for this game, so it will be up to their defense to keep it close. The Jaguars finally got off the schnide last week, but barely, against the lowly Las Vegas Raiders. Toss up here. 

Arizona Cardinals (3-5) at Seattle Seahawks (6-2) - The Cardinals have been playing better with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. The Seahawks just added a big time wide receiver (Rashid Shaheed) to their offense at the trade deadline. Take the Seahawks in what should be a high scoring game. 

Detroit Lions (5-3) at Washington Commanders (3-6) - The Lions will look to rebound after a disappointing loss to Minnesota last week. The Commanders will be without starting QB Jayden Daniels (elbow injury) for perhaps the rest of the season. 

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

DENVER over Las Vegas 

Indianapolis over Atlanta (Game being played in Berlin, Germany) 

Chicago over N.Y. Giants 

Buffalo over Miami 

Minnesota over Baltimore 

Cleveland over N.Y. Jets 

Tampa Bay over New England 

New Orleans over Carolina

Jacksonville over Houston 

Seattle over Arizona 

L.A. Rams over San Francisco 

Detroit over Washington 

L.A. Chargers over Pittsburgh 

Philadelphia over Green Bay  

  

Last Week's Record - 9-5 

SEASON RECORD - 86-48-1 

Lock of the Week Record - 8-1