Week Ten NFL Picks and Predictions for Your Office Pool!

As we enter our 10th week of NFL picks and predictions, we find ourselves quickly moving up the leaderboard of the AC sportswriter contest. Going into week 10, we currently are only one win out of second place and three wins out of first. That is not bad considering the horrible start to the season that we endured. During week nine we came in at 11-2 and tied for first place for the week. Let us continue that hot streak by providing you with all the winners and losers for week 10 of NFL football action.

Here are your week 10 NFL picks and predictions for your office pool:

THU, NOV 11

Baltimore at Atlanta

The Baltimore Ravens slide into Atlanta as one of the strongest teams in the AFC while the Atlanta Falcons seem to be the strongest in the NFC. It is not outside the realms of possibility that these two teams end up playing each other in the Super Bowl at the end of the season. One thing that is absolutely certain is that the game will be a good one. Michael Turner and the Atlanta running game will be the key to victory for the Falcons while Baltimore will need young quarterback, Joe Flacco to continue to perform under pressure. He has been impressive this season, and the Ravens are going to need to be able to move the ball through the air to have a chance against Atlanta. I do think that Baltimore will have enough to get the job done.

Winner -- Baltimore Ravens

SUN, NOV 14

Detroit at Buffalo

The Bills just keep on getting closer and closer, but they simply can not seem to get the job done. The Lions are also finding out how to win, only they are much farther along than the Bills in that process. I still think that Buffalo will finally get a win this week. Buffalo is not nearly as bad as they seem, and the Lions are ripe for the picking. If they take their time and can slow down Calvin Johnson, the Bills actually might just pull it off. Something tells me that they will do just that.

Winner - Buffalo Bills

Minnesota at Chicago

So, the mighty Vikings have righted their ship. Now with one less Moss and "one hit from being done" Favre, are they ready to take over? Traveling to Chicago to take on the Bears should give us a bit of insight. If they come out and rock the Bears, then the Vikings may be heading back in the right direction. The problem is, the Bears are in a similar position but with a better record. I think that the Bears are in better shape than the Vikings at this point in the season, but I do think that the Vikings will make it two in a row. Adrian Peterson is the reason why. I just do not think that Forte will be able to get anywhere against the Vikings run defense, in spite of their struggles this season.

Winner - Minnesota Vikings

NY Jets at Cleveland

The Jets are running into a very hot Cleveland team that just slapped the mighty New England Patriots around. The Jets also struggled to survive a game Lions squad, and nearly lost for the second game in a row. This seems like a simple pick if you only look on the surface. The key here is that the Browns are winning primarily with a heavy dose of Peyton Hillis on the ground. The Jets are not going to allow that. They stop the run better than most anyone, and they will limit Hillis this week. This means that Colt McCoy or whomever the Cleveland Browns put out there will have to win it through the air. While this could happen, the more likely scenario is that the Jets eke out a tight one again.

Winner - NY Jets

Tennessee at Miami

Randy Moss is set to make his Titan debut against the Dolphins and the game is sure to be a fun one. I expect that the momentum of signing Moss coupled with the fact that the Titans were already fairly strong will make this game a close one. The Dolphins are tough as nails at home, however. I think that the Dolphins will get a much needed home victory and ruin Moss' debut.

Winner - Miami Dolphins

Cincinnati at Indianapolis

This one will be ugly, especially after Peyton coming off the loss at Philly. He always wins after a loss.

Winner - Indianapolis Colts

Houston at Jacksonville

The Jaguars are the most infuriating team in the NFL when it comes to trying to predict them. Every time I pick them, they lose. If I do not, they win. This week, I am going to say that they lose simply because the talent on the Houston side of the ball is superior. Who knows what will happen really?

Winner - Houston Texans

Carolina at Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is certainly making Carolina look bad this season. They are in the middle of a youth movement that mirrors the Panthers, but they have Josh Freeman. Like the first game, that will be the difference.

Winner - Tampa Bay Bucs

Kansas City at Denver

The Kansas City Chiefs are smarting after a loss to the Raiders, and they will be out to prove that they are not sinking. The Broncos are another unpredictable team, especially at home. The game will be close, and the Chiefs will win in the end.

Winner - Kansas City Chiefs

Seattle at Arizona

This game could very well decide who wins the NFC West, though the Rams might have something to say about it. It certainly is a key matchup as far as positioning for the playoffs out of the West. The Cardinals showed some signs of life with Anderson back under center, but I think that the Seahawks will be too much for them.

Winner - Seattle Seahawks

Dallas at NY Giants

The NFC East used to be a powerhouse and this game used to mean so much. Now, it is a sad match up of two teams moving in opposite directions. Keep in mind that the Cowboys are loaded with talent and still could explode for a win. Nah. Not going to happen against the G-men at home.

Winner - New York Giants

St. Louis at San Francisco

Another key match up in the West, particularly for the Rams. The Rams actually find themselves right in the thick of it, and this game may go a long ways towards determining if they will hang around. I think they will play well, and actually pull out a road win.

Winner - St. Louis Rams

New England at Pittsburgh

The Patriots are smarting after being thrashed by the Browns, and they got revealed in some ways-- Particularly the running game.You can be sure that Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are thinking of one hundred ways to get the ball to Mendenhall, and that they will be ready. The Steelers are also at home.

Winner - Pittsburgh Steelers

MON, NOV 15

Philadelphia at Washington

The Eagles looked about as good as a team can look against the Colts, and now they are facing a team that is in turmoil. It is amazing how Daniel Snyder finds a way to put together a team that argues every single season. This will be a laugher in spite of the stakes.

Winner - Philadelphia Eagles

Bye: Green Bay, Oakland, New Orleans, San Diego

Week Nine Record - 11-2
Season Record - 76-54