National Football League

NFL Week 10: Picks and predictions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) looks on during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL picks are going to be juicy this week, with the league finally giving us a really terrific slate of games to watch.

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-10)

The Ravens (4-4) are somehow in first place of the AFC North, and will stay there another week. The NFL mandates that each team get a primetime slot on Thursday night, so the Browns (0-9) are getting their obligatory cannon fodder effort out of the way early.

Pick: Baltimore 24, Cleveland 17

Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles (EVEN)

This is a huge game in the NFC playoff picture. Philadelphia (4-4) needs to win and Atlanta (6-3) is rolling toward a first-round bye. The difference here is in the quarterbacks.

Pick: Atlanta 31, Philadelphia 20

Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5)

The Bears. The Bucs. It’s the NFL, kind of, on FOX.

Pick: Tampa Bay 22, Chicago 20

Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins (-2.5)

Another really good NFC game. Minnesota (5-3) is reeling after three straight losses while the Redskins (4-3-1) are coming off their bye week with hopes of making a move in the NFC East. This could be a tremendous affair.

Pick: Washington 17, Minnesota 16

Nov 6, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) punts the ball to the crowd after recovering a fumble at the goal line against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs at Carolina Panthers (-3)

Great interconference game. Kansas City (6-2) has won four straight but goes on the road to play a desperate Panthers (3-5) team. The Chiefs allowed 205 rushing yards against Jacksonville, and that will be its undoing in this contest.

Pick: Carolina 20, Kansas City 16

Houston Texans (-1.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Texans (5-3) have to win this game coming off a bye. The Jaguars (2-6) are an unmitigated dumpster fire, begging to be beat every week.

Pick: Houston 27, Jacksonville 17

Green Bay Packers (-2.5) at Tennessee Titans

This is an intriguing game. The Packers (4-4) and Titans (4-5) both need this game if they want to stay in their respective playoff races. Tennessee is getting better, but can it pull this upset at home?

Pick: Green Bay 23, Tennessee 20

Los Angeles Rams at New York Jets (-2.5)

Listen to me … you don’t deserve this. You are worth more than this. Don’t allow people to tell you this is a viable option in your life. Rise above this.

Pick: New York 16, Los Angeles 14

Denver Broncos at New Orleans Saints (-1.5)

Another really solid game on the slate. Denver (6-3) is coming off a pasting in Oakland while the Saints (4-4) have won two straight to get back into the NFC race. New Orleans at home is very dangerous. Ultimately, hard to see Trevor Siemian and that offense winning in this spot.

Pick: New Orleans 26, Denver 20

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks downfield during the first quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers (-3.5)

Sneaky game here. Miami (4-4) is suddenly playing decent football while San Diego (4-5) tries to get to .500 for the first time since Week 2. Look for Philip Rivers to get the job done.

Pick: San Diego 30, Miami 27

Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5)

What the hell is wrong with the Steelers (4-4)? Pittsburgh has lost three straight and looks utterly in a fog. Dallas (7-1) has won seven consecutive games, but this is the biggest test yet. Can Big Ben pull out a win?

Pick: Pittsburgh 27, Dallas 23

San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (-13)

If the Cardinals (3-4-1) can’t beat the 49ers (1-7), at home, coming off a bye week, everyone should be fired/cut. Everyone.

Pick: Arizona 33, San Francisco 21

Seattle Seahawks at New England Patriots (-7)

Great game and a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX. Seattle (5-2-1) is struggling badly to block, but the defense remains elite. New England (7-1) continues to be the best team in football, and is a legitimate favorite at home.

Pick: New England 24, Seattle 19

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants (-2.5)

It’s not the best game, but it’s intriguing. Whoever wins is in good shape for a playoff push, albeit a short visit to the postseason. New York (5-3) is playing well and is at home, so give it the edge over Cincinnati (3-4-1).

Pick: New York 23, Cincinnati 21

Last Week: 9-4
Season: 75-56