NFL Picks: Week 10 

We had a brutal week at NFLSoup.com in trying to pick you some upset specials, and in our defense we were actually pretty close. We were a Kris Brown field goal from possibly seeing our Texans over Colts pick ring true, while we narrowly missed our Giants pick.

How about those Green Bay Packers killing everyone’s season in Survivor Pick’Em leagues? Ouch.

Overall record: 16-10

We promise to bounce back from last week’s debacle.

Chicago Bears @ San Francisco 49ers

Both teams are reeling and are praying their defenses get their act together. I don’t think Mike Singletary will allow a fifth loss in a row for the 49ers, and Alex Smith needs a big game (and a win) to get this team behind him again.

49ers 24, Bears 20

Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers

Did you see how difficult it was for Drew Brees to pass on Carolina’s stingy pass defense in the first half? Don’t expect better production from Ryan, who has been struggling. DeAngelo Williams could have a field day against a fairly porous Atlanta front line.

Panthers 17, Falcons 14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Miami Dolphins

Josh Freeman looked great in his debut, but we just don’t trust that Tampa Bay defense enough to see them winning two weeks in a row after dropping seven straight. Besides, if it weren’t for some bad luck and stiff competition, this Miami team could seriously be talking playoffs right now.

Dolphins 31, Buccaneers 21

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings

Matthew Stafford threw five picks against the Seattle Seahawks and the Lions still had a chance at the end of the game. That shows they have some fight in them, but if he doesn’t play a heck of a lot better against the Vikings, the Lions are toast.

Vikings 37, Lions 20

Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Both teams are 6-2, run the ball well, and stop the run with the best of them. Cincy’s pass defense has gotten to an almost elite status, but it’s hard to go against Big Ben and a Steelers team that has now won five straight.

Steelers 20, Bengals 13

Buffalo Bills @ Tennessee Titans

The Bills play hard and stop the pass at a high level, so if they can get to Vince Young, they could easily run away with this one. Trouble is, Chris Johnson can’t be stopped by decent run-stopping defenses, and Buffalo ranks among the league’s worst. Regardless, what we really want to know, is can we see another catch like this out of Justin gage?

Titans 30, Bills 17

Denver Broncos @ Washington Redskins

Washington is just the gift-wrapped victory Denver needs to get off the schneid and convince people they aren’t the AFC’s version of the New York Giants.

Broncos 27, Redskins 10

New Orleans Saints @ St. Louis Rams

The Saints will have no trouble with the Rams, as their offense is too sophisticated and fast for St. Louis to match-up and keep up with either their run or pass offense. However, if Steven Jackson gets going against the Saints suddenly porous run defense, the Rams could hang around until half-time.

Saints 44, Rams 17

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Jets

The Jaguars won’t go away, while the Jets are trying to get back up over .500 and stay there. Mark Sanchez has looked terrific lately as his rush offense has led the way. Don’t expect that to stop against Jacksonville, as the Jaguars have had trouble stopping any offense with any competence.

Jets 34, Jaguars 21

Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders

Matt Cassel finally has some nice receiving option to work with (we think), but he’s still going up against a solid Raiders pass defense. Can Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith work together to exploit Oakland’s weak run defense? It’d be hard not to improve on Larry Johnson’s numbers.

Chiefs 16, Raiders 10

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals

Seattle got whipped by Arizona the last time these teams faced because Matt Hasselbeck’s protection was horrid and Seattle couldn’t run the ball. His protection still isn’t great, and Julius Jones is still the starter, so you do the math.

Cardinals 35, Seahawks 21

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers

The Cowboys have turned their offense around full circle and Tony Romo is playing smart, controlled football. If the Packers can’t stop Josh Freeman, what kind of a chance do they have against Miles Austin and Romo?

Cowboys 34, Packers 27

Philadelphia Eagles @ San Diego Chargers

Donovan McNabb gets another tough test against a solid San Diego pass defense, and if Brian Westbrook is out again, Philly could struggle with the run, despite the Chargers ranking near the bottom. Phillip Rivers is a man on a mission, and the Chargers are out to prove they’re for real.

Chargers 26, Eagles 17

New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts

Tom Brady and his revitalized offense get their first true test since falling to the Denver Broncos, and after seeing what the Colts did to Matt Schaub and the Texans defensively, it’s hard to like their chances. Still, the Colts have to lose sometime, and who better to hand them their first loss than New England?

Patriots 31, Colts 30

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns

How is this a Monday night game? This will be a sad display on both sides of the ball for Cleveland, who is once again playing the “guess our starting quarterback” game. Eric Mangini should be ashamed of himself.

Ravens 40, Browns 9