Week 10 Preview

Believe it or not, there are just seven weeks left in the National Football League season and for many teams, this could be the last stretch of football they can really enjoy for at least a year with the impending lockout coming.

So, I decided to turn back the clock a bit. Last year, I started doing previews for each week and ranking each matchup in the remaining weeks. I didn't do the games for the first 10 weeks because those are almost impossible to predict. (Example: Did you see the Cowboys going 1-7 to start the year?)

FIVE STAR GAMES
Baltimore Ravens (6-2) at Atlanta Falcons (6-2) 7:20 Thursday; NFL Network
One of two games between six win teams in Week 10. The Ravens just seem to do just enough to win every week. Very rarely will they blow someone out, but they usually come out on top. Their last two wins against Buffalo and Miami are fair examples of that. But then there's the Atlanta Falcons who have one of the best home field advantages in the league. The Falcons are heating up and so is Michael Turner, who has posted back to back multiple touchdown games. The Ravens defense is starting to come together with the return of Ed Reed, so it will be interesting if the Ravens can stop the Falcons rushing attack on the road.
PREDICTION: Falcons
New England Patriots (6-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) 7:20 Sunday; NBC
A battle for the early season lead in the AFC takes place Sunday as two of the better teams in the entire league go head to head. For Pittsburgh, they held on for dear life against Cincinnati, but they dominated for almost the entire game. In my mind, they're the hottest team in the league right now and the best team in the NFL. The Patriots meanwhile have had significant personnel turnover the past couple of weeks, with the subtraction of Randy Moss, but the addition of Logan Mankins. They've had to go back to the same style of offense that was used during their three Super Bowl titles, and that's not a bad thing. However, when you're up against a Pittsburgh defense, you need all the help you can get. Expect a low scoring game.
PREDICTION: Steelers

FOUR STAR GAMES Philadelphia Eagles (5-3) at Washington Redskins (4-4) 7:30 Monday; ESPN
If it weren't for the Vikings, the Redskins may have the most drama in the NFL. The Redskins started the season with Albert Haynesworth showing up fat and unhappy to work. That carried on for a couple weeks, but then it died down. But now we have quarterback controversy. Mike Shanahan has apparently turned his back on Donovan McNabb. He pulled McNabb out their last game with 2 minutes to go and a chance to win because McNabb had fitness issues. So...Rex Grossman is better? Things are unraveling, but a win for the Skins would help. Too bad their facing one of the most potent offenses in the NFL Monday night. Vick lasted about 7 minutes in the last meeting before injuring his ribcage, but I don't think he's going to try and make up for that. If the Eagles can score against a mediocre Redskin defense, they'll win the game.
PREDICTION: Eagles

Minnesota Vikings (3-5) at Chicago Bears (5-3) 12:00 Sunday; FOX
There might be a little bit of home cooking with this ranking, but it's a little bit intriguing. This is another win-or-die game for the Vikings and if they look flat as they did in the first 55 minutes of last Sunday's win over Arizona, it could still be the end of Brad Childress' tenure in Minnesota. The Vikings could get Sidney Rice back, but Chili is keeping a tight lid on that one. For Chicago, they win ugly, but they win. The Soldier Field magic may be enough to keep the Vikings at bay, but I think it's an important game for both teams as the Packers are on bye this week.
PREDICTION: Bears

THREE STAR GAMES Houston Texans (4-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4) 12:00 Sunday; CBS
The Texans were the toast of football early in the season, and suddenly, they find themselves in a 1-3 slump after a 3-1 start. Don't blame it on Arian Foster, who has lead the Texans to multiple victories on his own this year, it may be in the passing game. Kyle Shanahan left for Washington last offseason and it's showing. Mix in injuries to Owen Daniels and Andre Johnson, and the Texans are suddenly a one dimensional team again except on the opposite end of the spectrum. Mix in the dire need for secondary help, and it's not a good time to be facing a hot quarterback such as David Garrard. The crazy thing about this matchup? The loser will be in last place of the AFC South...
PREDICTION: Jaguars

Seattle Seahawks (4-4) at Arizona Cardinals (3-5) 3:15 Sunday; FOX
...while if they were in the NFC West, they would be in second place regardless of this matchups outcome. If Seattle and St. Louis both lose, there will be a under .500 division leader in the division. Yuck. And that would also bring a three way tie between three 4-5 teams with the 49ers being A GAME OUT OF FIRST PLACE AT 3-6!!! I think the Vikings would love to be a part of this division. But, the Seahawks have surprised as I didn't think they'd be close to having four wins at this point of the year. The Cardinals also played the Vikings tough, but we aren't talking about last week's matchup. So how do we determine a winner. Home field advantage. The NFC West is a combined 2-14 on the road this season. Ouch.
PREDICTION: Cardinals

Tennesee Titans (5-3) at Miami Dolphins (4-4) 12:00 Sunday; CBS
They say to make the playoffs, you need to win your home games and go .500 on the road. Well, Tony Sparano must have flipped the script. The Dolphins are 4-1 on the road this season, but 0-3 at home. To make matters worse, they seem to be declining. Chad Henne has regressed since a strong week 3 showing against the Jets and Brandon Marshall has scored one touchdown all season. The running game isn't much better, as Ronnie Brown is averaging about 56 yards a game. For the Titans, chapter 3 of Randy Moss' 2010 season begins. My Uncle Timm had a very interesting point. In 1976, the New York Yankees acquired a loud mouthed, self absorbed all-star that lead them to the World Series. Reggie Jackson infamously referred to himself as "the straw that stirs the drink." angering players such as Therman Munson, who were mainstays on the Yankees. The Yankees won a World Championship, while Moss continues to have no rings on his fingers. Why is this? Well, the Yankees had Billy Martin. Simply put, Moss needs to find his Billy Martin to channel his shananigans. Bill Belicheck came close, but after a terrible experience with Brad Childress, the ball is now in Jeff Fisher's court.
PREDICTION: Titans

TWO STAR GAMES Cincinnati Bengals (2-6) at Indianapolis Colts (5-3) 12:00 Sunday; CBS
It hasn't been a pretty season, but the Colts have been themselves. No matter who is on the field offensively, the Colts win because of Peyton Manning. They've also struggled on the road, but are 3-0 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mix in the fact that Carson Palmer is not himself and Chad Ochocinco is pouting, and you may see this one turn ugly.
PREDICTION: Colts
New York Jets (6-2) at Cleveland Browns (3-5) 12:00 Sunday; CBS
Eric Mangini got revenge against one former employer, now he may be gearing up for his second slice in two weeks. While the Jets have a good record, they barely got past Detroit and Denver on the road. Not to mention that Mangini might know a thing or two about the personnel on the Jets. I smell an upset.
PREDICTION: Browns

St. Louis Rams (4-4) at San Francisco 49ers (2-6) 3:15 Sunday; FOX
I talked about the ridiculousness of the NFC West earlier, and here's another example of it. The Rams could pick up a victory and, with a Seattle loss, could find themselves in first place after picking first overall in the draft last year! The numbers say to go with the 49ers, but I have a hard time trusting Troy Smith to get the job done.
PREDICTION: Rams

ONE STAR GAMES Detroit Lions (2-6) at Buffalo Bills (0-8) 12:00 Sunday; FOX
Bad and worse. Matthew Stafford is now out for the season after hurting his shoulder again. Is this franchise truly cursed? This is also the time where the winds start to swirl in Buffalo and that means that the running game will be important. Another upset coming here.
PREDICTION: Bills

Carolina Panthers (1-7) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3) 12:00 Sunday; FOX
The Panthers are in trouble. Matt Moore is out for the season, and Jimmy Claussen looks like he's being thrown into the fire. Also DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are both hurt, which leaves Mike Goodson to man the running game. Oh boy.
PREDICTION: Bucs

Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) at Denver Broncos (2-6) 3:15 Sunday; CBS
The Chiefs were a freak play and 20 seconds away from becoming 6-2. Their pass defense is spectacular, and that's all Denver seems to want to do with Josh McDaniels at the helm. This is also the team that gave up 180 yards and 4 TD to Darren McFadden earlier this year. The Chiefs have a better rushing attack. Uh oh.
PREDICTION: Chiefs

Dallas Cowboys (1-7) at New York Giants (6-2) 3:15 Sunday; FOX
"America's Game of the Week" huh? Not only do we get to see this massacre on national television, we have to hear Joe Buck's monotonous voice and Troy Aikman's non-sensical reasons on how the Cowboys could still reach the Super Bowl. You thought last Sunday was bad? Welcome to the head coaching profession, Mr. Jason Garrett.
PREDICTION: Giants