NFL Week 10 Predictions Against the Spread

I haven't picked games via the spread since working in a construction office years ago. I figured I would give it a shot. These are early point spread predictions for week 10 games for the 2009 NFL season. The spreads were taken from footballocks.com as of the night of November 9, 2009.

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (-3)
NFL Network kicks off their Thursday night schedule in San Francisco as Mike Singletary coaches against his former team, the Chicago Bears. Both teams have struggled as of late and need a victory to remain in the playoff race.

The Bears tend to struggle against prestigious quarterbacks like Carson Palmer and Kurt Warner. The 49ers have the twenty-second ranked passing offense and quarterback controversy. The game should come down to Jay Cutler and the 49ers defense. As the Bears are getting points and they have more offensive firepower, I am going with Chicago.

Against the Spread: Chicago Bears (+3)
Straight Up: Chicago Bears

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets (-6.5)
The Jaguars have struggled on the road at 1-3 on the season. The Jets have had two weeks to prepare. Don't expect a high scoring game from the Jets as Mark Sanchez continues to mature as a rookie. I like the Jets to win the game, but I like the Jaguars to cover.

Against the Spread: Jacksonville Jaguars (+6.5)
Straight Up: New York Jets

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Denver Broncos (-5) at Washington Redskins
As much criticism as the Redskins receive, they have the #5 defense in the NFL. The Redskins defense, the Broncos offense, and a Broncos team who look prone to another late season collapse? I recommend taking the Redskins to cover the spread, and I personally am going with the Redskins as my upset pick of the week. They have to win sometime, don't they?

Against the Spread: Washington Redskins (+5)
Straight Up: Washington Redskins

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5)
Despite winning the first game, the Bengals are large underdogs against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals are already 3-0 on the road, so it seems hard to believe they can continue this trend. The Steelers will also have Troy Polamalu in this game. While I see the Steelers winning, I expect this to be like nearly any other Steelers game.

Against the Spread: Cincinnati Bengals (+6.5)
Straight Up: Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans (-6.5)
The Tennessee Titans have returned to their winning ways. The Buffalo Bills are coming off a bye week. With two weeks to prepare and a defense that managed to hold the Saints to 24 points, I see the Bills in a close game with the Titans. Titans win, but Bills cover.

Against the Spread: Buffalo Bills (+6.5)
Straight Up: Tennessee Titans

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-16.5)
The Minnesota Vikings against the Detroit Lions in the Metrodome coming off a bye. Good luck if you pick Detroit.

Against the Spread: Minnesota Vikings (-16.5)
Straight Up: Minnesota Vikings

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: New Orleans Saints (-13.5) at St. Louis Rams
Saints.

Against the Spread: New Orleans Saints (-13.5)
Straight Up: New Orleans Saints

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Atlanta Falcons (-1.5) at Carolina Panthers
The Falcons are 1-3 on the road as opposed to 4-0 at home. This is a divisional game against a needy Panthers team that has underachieved all season. The spread isn't enough to consider a factor, but I like the Panthers to upset the Falcons in a close game.

Against the Spread: Carolina Panthers (+1.5)
Straight Up: Carolina Panthers

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins (-9.5)
The Buccaneers won their first game of the 2009 NFL season last week. Is Josh Freeman the real deal, or are the Packers horrible? I think it's the latter. The Dolphins must win this game to have any chance at the playoffs. I expect the Dolphins to win by double digits.

Against the Spread: Miami Dolphins (-9.5)
Straight Up: Miami Dolphins

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders (-1.5)
The Raiders have had two weeks to prepare and have home field advantage. The Raiders won the week two match-up 13-10. I'd go with the Raiders.

Against the Spread: Oakland Raiders (-1.5)
Straight Up: Oakland Raiders

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (-8.5)
The Cardinals are 4-0 on the road, yet they are 1-3 at home. The Seahawks are 0-3 on the road in a must win game. I expect the Cardinals to prevail, but seeing this is a divisional match-up and the Seahawks are desperate, I expect them to give a good fight. Take the Cardinals to win, but consider the Seahawks to cover the spread.

Against the Spread: Seattle Seahawks (+8.5)
Straight Up: Arizona Cardinals

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Philadelphia Eagles at San Diego Chargers (-2.5)
The last west coast trip for the Eagles resulted in a 13-9 loss to the Oakland Raiders. Cross country trips can be tiresome and hard on NFL teams. The San Diego Chargers have played better football the past few weeks, and I expect them to take advantage of the home field situation against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Against the Spread: San Diego Chargers (-2.5)
Straight Up: San Diego Chargers

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) at Green Bay Packers
How can anyone pick the Packers after their humiliation against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week? The Cowboys have won four in a row, and weather should not be a factor in Green Bay. Albeit 4-4, the Packers have wins against the Rams, Lions, and Browns. Unless the Buccaneers serve as a wakeup call for the Packers, expect them to get outmanned by the Dallas Cowboys.

Against the Spread: Dallas Cowboys (-2.5)
Straight Up: Dallas Cowboys

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts (-3)
How many times has this been the game of the week this decade? The New England Patriots come into Indianapolis as the Colts have lost Marlin Jackson, Bob Sanders, and Kelvin Hayden. The Colts defense is vulnerable and their rushing offense is amongst the league's worst. The Patriots should hand the Colts their first loss of the season, leaving the Saints as the league's only undefeated team.

Against the Spread: New England Patriots (+3)
Straight Up: New England Patriots

NFL Week 10 Predictions against the Spread: Baltimore Ravens (-10.5) at Cleveland Browns
The Ravens should need to score no more than twenty to cover this spread. Take the Ravens.

Against the Spread: Baltimore Ravens (-10.5)
Straight Up: Baltimore Ravens

REFERENCES:
Football Locks, Point Spreads are from footballlocks.com