Ramblin’ Fan’s NFL Picks and Predictions: Week 10

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NFL Picks
Nov 3, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Zac Stacy (30) attempts to break away from Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Akeem Ayers (56) and cornerback Jason McCourty (30) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Titans defeated the Rams 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

With week 9 in the books its time to review our NFL picks and look forward to week 10′s picks and predictions.  Week 9 was a terrible week for our picks here at Ramblin’ Fan.  We went an unimpressive 6-7 with our NFL picks in week 9, so hopefully we can get back to our week 8 pace and hit double digits again in week 10.  This week all of the NFC West teams will be in action with no matchups within the division.  The Washington Redskins will take on the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football to kick off the week, hopefully its at least half as entertaining a game as the Thursday Night Game last week.  Thanks for reading our weekly NFL picks article and as always Go Rams!!!

Washington Redskins @ Minnesota Vikings (TNF).  NFL Week 10 kicks off with a primetime matchup between the Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings.  The Redskins are surprisingly still in the hunt for the NFC East title at 3-5 while the Vikings only win of the season came against the Pittsburgh Steelers in London.  The Vikings have major issues at QB but for some reason I feel like taking them at home here.  It is only a matter of time before Adrian Peterson puts this team on his back and wills them to victory against a mediocre team.  Vikings win 21 – 16.

St. Louis Rams @ Indianapolis Colts.  The Rams will hit the road to take on the resilient Colts.  The Colts fell behind the Texans early last week but rallied to win it late, even without the services of Reggie Wayne.  The Colts struggled on both offense and defense in the first half against the Texans before settling in late.  If the Rams hope to win this game they will need to see the defense from their Monday Night game against Seattle as opposed to the one that showed up against the Titans.  If the Rams hope to spring the upset the defense will need to pressure Andrew Luck early and often while the offense leans on Zac Stacy again.  If the Rams can continue to get solid contributions from Stacy they may be able to hit on a big play and steal the victory.    Colts win 24 – 21.

Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons.  The Falcons have been a huge disappointment so far this season, having been decimated by injuries on both sides of the ball their lack of depth is clearly showing through.  The Seahawks on the other hand should be in the middle of a 2 game losing streak, but as it stands now they are in first place in the NFC at 8-1 and have been fairly successful on the road.  The Seahawks run defense has surrendered over 200 yards rushing in the past two games, is this the week Steven Jackson finally looks like SJ39 again?  If the Falcons are going to pull the upset they will need large contributions from SJax to bolster a sagging passing game.   Seahawks win 20 – 13.

Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears.   The Lions and Bears will meet up in a pivotal NFC North showdown.  With the Lions, Packers and Bears all tied for the division lead and Aaron Rodgers possibly sidelined for a month the winner of this game should have the inside track on the NFC North crown.  Jay Cutler may return for this game but even if he does I am leaning towards the Lions.  Megatron cannot be contained and if the Bears throw everything they can at stopping him it will mean big things for Reggie Bush.  If the Lions can avoid the turnover bug against one of the NFLs best turnover forcing defenses they could cruise to victory.  Lions win 31 – 20.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Green Bay Packers.  While the Packers running game was impressive in the loss to the Bears in week 9 the team will likely struggle longterm without Rodgers.  The best passer in the NFL could be out a month with a broken collarbone and backup Seneca Wallace wont strike fear in opposing defensive coordinators.  The Packers defense on the other hand has been struggling somewhat and could have a hard time slowing a sometimes dynamic Eagles offense.    Eagles win 35 – 28.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans.  Chris Johnson had somewhat of a revival against the Rams last week and will look to keep that going against one of the NFLs worst run defenses.  The Jaguars just don’t have much firepower on either side of the ball, and with Blackmon back on the suspension list the entire gameplan will flow through MJD again.  The Titans defense should have a solid day as they will likely stack the box and blitz virtually every passing down.  Titans win 20 – 10.

Oakland Raiders @ New York Giants.  Somehow the Giants are still in the playoff hunt at 2-6, and coming off the bye will look to be the second consecutive NFC East team to blowout the Raiders.  If the Raiders defense plays anything like it did against the Eagles this could be a career day for Eli Manning, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.  The Raiders have yet to win away from home and with injuries to Terrell Pryor and Darren McFadden possibly limiting their best offensive weapons it could be a long day for the Silver and Black.  Giants win 27 – 13.

Buffalo Bills @ Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Bills just couldn’t get out of their own way against the Chiefs and fumbled a great opportunity for a huge upset.  The Steelers meanwhile were absolutely torched by Tom Brady and the Patriots surrendering franchise records for points and yards against.  The Bills may be getting EJ Manuel back for this game.  Of course the Steelers defensive coordinator has a history of feasting on rookie QBs so if the Bills have to go with Tuel or Manuel they may be in some trouble.  Still the Steelers have looked downright awful in virtually every game so far this season.   Bills win 24-21.

Carolina Panthers @ San Francisco 49ers.  The Panthers and 49ers are both riding winning streaks heading into this game, with the 49ers fresh off their bye week.  The 49ers have rediscovered the power running game and it has led to 5 straight victories and the title of the league’s hottest team.  The Panthers are on a 4 game winning streak, but those victories have come against teams with a combined total of 6 victories (3 by the Rams).  Patrick Willis and the 49ers defense should cool off the red-hot Cam Newton as the offensive line imposes its will on the Panthers front 7.   49ers win 28 – 14.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens.  The Ravens will try to get back into the playoff hunt against the division rival Bengals.  The Bengals will try to maintain their AFC North lead and bounce back from a wild loss to the Dolphins on Thursday Night.  The Ravens haven’t looked much like a playoff contender so far this season and the Bengals should be able to cement their position as the new leader of the AFC North.    Bengals win 20 -16.

Houston Texans @ Arizona Cardinals.  The Texans looked like the Super Bowl contender everyone expected them to be the first half against the Colts in week 9.  Unfortunately they squandered an impressive first half performance from Case Keenum and Andre Johnson.  The Cardinals are coming off their bye week and are sitting at 4-4 with big wins over the Falcons and Panthers on their resume.  So far the NFC West hasn’t been kind to the Texans and I don’t expect that to change much this week.   Cardinals win 28 – 17.

Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers.  Peyton Manning and the rest of the Broncos are fresh off the bye week and looking to continue their dominant run towards the playoffs.  The Chargers somehow failed to beat the Redskins in week 9 drawing the ire of Rams fans everywhere.  If the Broncos somehow remembered what defense meant during the bye week they should cruise over their division rival.    Broncos win 27 – 17.

Dallas Cowboys @ New Orleans Saints (SNF). The Cowboys rallied to beat the Minnesota Vikings last week and somehow squeak back above .500.  The Saints on the other hand fell to the New York Jets and will be looking to get back on track at home in primetime.  Remember the shootout between Manning and Romo that ended with a Broncos victory?  Well imagine a similarly potent offense against that Cowboys defense, but with the Cowboys offense facing an actual NFL caliber defense.  Yeah that scenario turns from shootout to blowout in a hurry doesn’t it?  Well I don’t really expect a blowout I can’t imagine the Cowboys getting more than a game over .500 against one of the best teams in the NFL with one of the best homefield advantages.  Saints win 35 – 21.

Miami Dolphins @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (MNF).  Last weekend I was very conflicted as I watched the Seahawks slowly crawl back into the game against the lowly Bucs.  On one hand I hoped that the Seahawks would choke against a clearly inferior team at home and quell some of the hype, while on the other hand I want to see Greg Schiano lose every single NFL game he coaches.  The Dolphins on the other hand are coming off an extended rest after winning the week 9 Thursday Night football game in dramatic fashion.  The Dolphins should win this one comfortably.  Dolphins win 24 – 10.

NFL Week 10 Matchups

Pick

Redskins @ Vikings (TNF)

Vikings

Rams @ Colts

Colts

Seahawks @ Falcons

Seahawks

Lions @ Bears

Lions

Eagles @ Packers

Eagles

Jaguars @ Titans

Titans

Raiders @ Giants

Giants

Bills @ Steelers

Bills

Panthers @ 49ers

49ers

Bengals @ Ravens

Bengals

Texans @ Cardinals

Cardinals

Broncos @ Chargers

Broncos

Cowboys @ Saints (SNF)

Saints

Dolphins @ Bucs (MNF)

Dolphins

Last Week

6-7

Overall Record

81-52