NFL Week 10: Putting it on the Line

Last week went well, finishing 10-3. Doubt anyone picked the upset of Green Bay by Tampa Bay ( In hindsight: Bucs at home, new QB, bye week vs the Packers coming off a big loss to the Vikings. Yes it all makes sense now!). Still think the Eagles should have beaten the Cowboys as well as the 49ers over the Titans. Let's breakdown week 10:

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers
Pick - 49ers: Both teams are playing bad lately, but Frank Gore is heating up since his injury. Look for both teams to run the ball...it is not like they both have top notch Wide Receivers. Go with the 49ers at home.

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
Pick - Falcons (coin toss): Atlanta has won three of the past four meetings. When Ryan has a 100-plus passer rating, the Falcons are 8-0. Turner rushed for over 100 yards in both games against the Panthers last year. Delhomme has thrown for at least 294 yards in three straight games against the Falcons. Look for the Falcons to get it done on the road.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins
Pick - Dolphins: Tampa was lucky last week (although playing at home, and coming off a bye is always a good combination for a win) but don't look for lightning to strike twice. Tampa Bay has taken three in a row though against the Dolphins. Miami's Joey Porter has seven sacks in three career games against the Bucs (rumor is that Porter is not playing though). Still taking the Dolphins although fate is on the side of the Bucs.

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Pick - Vikings: Minnesota has won 14 of the past 15 meetings. Minnesota has scored in 29 of 32 quarters this season. Favre has beaten the Lions six times in a row. Vikings should handle the Lions easily.

Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets
Pick - Jets: Jacksonville has won four of the past five meetings. When Garrard has a 100-plus rating as a starter, the Jaguars are 15-4. The Jets lead the NFL in rushing. With one more sack, Shaun Ellis would become New York's all-time leader in sacks. Hate picking the Jets, but they will get it done at home.

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick - Steelers (coin toss): Most likely the game of the week! The Steelers have won five of the past six meetings and own a 48-30 overall series edge, including the playoffs. Pittsburgh was without its Pro Bowl safety in the first meeting between these teams (Steelers loss) and he was missed. The Bengals have not beaten the Steelers two consecutive times since 1998. When Cincinnati has at least 25 rushing attempts in a game under Marvin Lewis, it is 26-1. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is undefeated against the AFC North at home (7-0). Chris Henry is on IR. Have to take the Steelers at home.

New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams
Pick - Saints: The Rams have won three of the past four meetings. New Orleans rallied from an early 14-point deficit to knock off rival Carolina, 30-20. New Orleans is going for its first 8-0 start ever. The Saints average a league-high 37.9 points per game. Don't look for an upset here. Saints win on the road.

Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans
Pick - Titans (coin toss): The Titans have won five of the past six meetings. The Bills are 14-6 all-time after a bye. Buffalo ranks second in the NFL with 15 interceptions. Young has won six consecutive games as a starter. Titans RB Chris Johnson leads the NFL in rushing with 959 yards. Take the Titans at home.

Denver Broncos at Washington Redskins
Pick - Broncos: The Broncos have won three of the past four meetings. The Broncos have won five of six against NFC opponents. Denver is third in the NFL with 26 sacks. The Redskins are just 4-12 in their last 16 games. Portis is out, and Betts is banged up. Look for the Broncos to get back to their winning ways.

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders
Pick - Raiders (coin toss): Oakland has won three of the past four meetings. The Chiefs have won six consecutive games at Oakland. Kansas City QB Matt Cassel is 7-4 on the road as a starter in his career. Kansas City has surrendered an AFC-high 30 sacks this season and that has kept the offense from sustaining many drives. The Raiders have enough talented pass rushers (Richard Seymour, Greg Ellis, Tommy Kelly) to exploit the Chiefs' weakness. This game could go either way. Go with the home team.

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
Pick - Cardinals: The Cardinals have won four of the past five meetings. Seahawks DE Patrick Kerney has 11.5 sacks in his last six outings against the Cardinals. After playing extremely well at home last year and struggling on the road, the script has completely flipped this season for the Cardinals. They are just 1-3 in front of the home crowd, and have been outscored by 39 points in those three losses. Still taking the Cardinals at home.

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers
Pick - Cowboys (coin toss): The Cowboys have won three of the past four and own a 16-12 overall series edge, including the playoffs. Cowboys QB Tony Romo has won 13 consecutive November starts -- the longest such streak for a quarterback since 1950. When Ryan Grant has 22 or more rushing attempts, Green Bay is 10-1. Dallas is heating up, Green Bay is cooling off. Take the Cowboys on the road.

Philadelphia Eagles at San Diego Chargers
Pick - Chargers (coin toss): The Eagles have won two in a row, but trail the overall series, 5-4. Philadelphia's Brent Celek leads NFC tight ends with 486 receiving yards this year. Fourteen of Eagles CB Sheldon Brown's 18 career interceptions have led to scores. The Chargers have won four consecutive games against the Eagles at home. San Diego WR Vincent Jackson has a touchdown catch in four consecutive games. Eagles should struggle going to the west coast, so take the Chargers at home.

New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts
Pick - Patriots (coin toss): Another game of the week! Indianapolis has won four of the last five meetings, but has a decisive disadvantage in the overall series, 44-28, including the playoffs. Brady has thrown for at least 300 yards in three consecutive games. Patriots RB Laurence Maroney has a rushing TD in three consecutive games. Indianapolis has won 17 consecutive regular-season games. Manning leads the NFL with 222 completions this year. Manning vs Brady (and Belichick), I am going with the Patriots on the Road (a tall order to fill!)

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
Pick - Ravens: Baltimore has won five of the past seven and has a 14-7 overall series edge. Baltimore's Ed Reed has more interceptions vs. Cleveland (eight) than any other team. Even though Cleveland is coming off a bye week and are at home, it just will not be enough. Raven's win on the road.

Please note, nerangers picks are done for fun only!
Stat info from NFL.COM

wk1: 13-3, wk2: 8-8, wk3: 14-2, wk4: 14-0 wk5: 9-5 wk6: 9-5 wk7: 10-3 wk8: 8-5 wk9: 10-3