Let's get to the picks...!
Week 10 Picks
Baltimore (-9.5) vs. Cleveland
Wayyyy too many points for a Thursday nighter. These games are either awful because nobody can do anything, or they're awful because one team runs up the score. The Ravens aren't quite that run-up-the-score-on-em type of crew.
Pick: Browns
Washington (-2.5) vs. Minnesota
The Vikings are reeling, and every week I keep finding a reason to back them. Washington is a team that nobody really likes, but they somehow just keep getting it done. I'm sure I'm buying low on the "Vikings are bad now" angle and they'll probably win this game by 45. But until I actually see them play well again, I'm out.
Pick: Washington
New Orleans (-1.5) vs. Denver
I wanted to take Denver here. I wanted to say that their defense was too stout for the New Orleans offense, that they would keep Drew Brees and company in check for the most part, and that the offense would do just enough against the porous Saints defense. But none of that is true. The Saints might be good. We'll find out this week I suppose.
Pick: Saints
Houston (-0.5) at Jacksonville
The Texans are much better than Jacksonville (duh), but since when does a Brock Osweiler-led team get to be favorites in a road game? Nah that's not how this works. Look, if we're not rolling with the Jags now...then when ARE we?!?
Pick: Jaguars
New York Jets (-2.5) vs. Los Angeles
Sort of a personal rule I've made for myself this season that I'm not taking the Jets and laying points against anyone. Seems like a solid plan.
Pick: Rams
Tampa Bay (-1.5) vs. Chicago
Wow, what a bunch of crappy crap. Coin flip time.
Pick: Bears
Green Bay (-2.5) at Tennessee
The Packers are obviously the superior team, but they've been so wildly inconsistent that it's not right to lay points on the road with these guys. Plus, Tennessee hung with San Diego for awhile there last week and the Chargers are obviously the best team in the league, sooo...
Pick: Titans
Carolina (-2.5) vs. Kansas City
The Panthers are on a little bit of a mini-run here, but the Chiefs are in my opinion the most complete team in the best division in football. So I think they keep the train moving this week, and set Carolina's season back about a month.
Pick: Chiefs
Philadelphia (-0.5) vs. Atlanta
This is probably the hardest game of the week for me. On the one hand, you have a team who I expected to stink coming into the season, started off like gangbusters, and then cooled off considerably. On the other hand, you have the exact same team. So yeah I suppose a line that's close to a pick em makes a ton of sense. Philly is home which obviously helps, but the rookie may be hitting a bit of a wall while Matt Ryan continues to dominate.
Pick: Falcons
San Diego (-3.5) vs. Miami
The San Diego defense has been very effective with its bend-and-then-break-and-then-break-more-but-then-win-anyway defense over the past month or so. What they lack in ability to prevent points, they make up for with big plays. Joey Bosa is a real man, and changes everything for them. And with the offense as explosive as ever (somehow), they are a load for anyone in the AFC. Once again, they're the sneaky team that nobody wants to see get into the playoffs. And yes, the Dolphins give them trouble all the time. But this one is in San Diego, and this Charger team MUST do just enough to give their fans hope before careening off the cliff. Taking a .500 record into the bye week would accomplish just that.
Pick: Chargers
Arizona (-13.5) vs. San Francisco
This Arizona team hasn't been worth of being favored against anyone by two touchdowns, so clearly Vegas is out of their minds right? That's just what they want us to think, so that we take San Francisco and all these points. Don't fall for it. This is blowout city.
Pick: Cardinals
Pittsburgh (-2.5) vs. Dallas
This is another line that seems to make no sense. I was on a conference call at work earlier this week. One man was from Pittsburgh and was a Steelers fan. The other was a Cowboys fan from Texas. Neither could understand why the Steelers were favored in this game. Sure it's anecdotal, but it triggered the same response in my brain. The line makes no sense to think the Steelers would win. So...
Pick: Steelers
New England (-7.5) vs. Seattle
That extra half point probably won't be needed, but it's a welcome gift all the same!
Pick: Seahawks
New York Giants (-2.5) vs. Cincinnati
As we all know, Eli Manning plays his best under the bright lights. Maybe not really, but it certainly seems that way. If nothing else, we know Andy Dalton does NOT play his best under the bright lights.
Pick: Giants
BEST BETS: Chiefs, Chargers, Falcons, Seahawks
LOCK: Seattle Seahawks
LAST WEEK
Overall: 3-10
Best Bets: 1-3
Lock of the Week: 0-1
YEAR TO DATE
Overall: 72-61 (54%)
Best Bets: 16-20 (44%)
Lock of the Week: 3-6 (33%)
POWER RANKINGS
Team Name W/L (Prv)
1. Patriots 7-1 (1)
2. Cowboys 7-1 (2)
3. Falcons 6-3 (4)
4. Seahawks 5-2-1 (6)
5. Chiefs 6-2 (9)
6. Raiders 7-2 (10)
7. Broncos 6-3 (3)
8. Vikings 5-3 (5)
9. Packers 4-4 (7)
10. Steelers 4-4 (8)
11. Giants 5-3 (16)
12. Texans 5-3 (12)
13. Redskins 4-3-1 (13)
14. Bengals 3-4-1 (14)
15. Cardinals 3-4-1 (15)
16. Eagles 4-4 (11)
17. Saints 4-4 (17)
18. Chargers 4-5 (18)
19. Lions 5-4 (19)
20. Ravens 4-4 (20)
21. Panthers 3-5 (21)
22. Rams 3-5 (22)
23. Bills 4-5 (23)
24. Bears 2-6 (24)
25. Colts 4-5 (25)
26. Dolphins 4-4 (26)
27. Jets 3-6 (27)
28. Titans 4-5 (28)
29. Bucs 3-5 (29)
30. Jaguars 2-6 (30)
31. 49ers 1-7 (31)
32. Browns 0-9 (32)