NFL Week 10 Preview
Colts @ Titans
This was written before the Thursday Night Football Game
This game should be very close. The Colts are the most underrated team in the NFL and Frank Reich knows the Titans very well. However, the Titans have one of the best offenses in the NFL and are super fun to watch. Ryan Tannehill has continued to prove people wrong and Mike Vrabel is one of the best head coaches in the entire league. AJ Brown knows how to get open and Derrick Henry is... well he's Derrick Henry. The king... a force... He's a god damn cement truck. If there is one player to stop Henry it would be Colts linebacker, Darius Leonard. The Colts have a top three defense and Deforest Buckner is having another all pro season. I think this is going to be a really close game, but I expect the Titans to come out on top on a late game Philip Rivers turnover.
What to Watch For: Derrick Henry vs Darius Leonard
Player of the Game: Kevin Byard FS TItans
Final Score: Colts 24 Titans 27
Texans @ Browns
Both of these teams love to frustrate me. I am a big fan of a lot of players on the Browns including Baker Mayfield, but he continues to let me down. Every time I start to buy into the hype of the Browns, I get an awful reminder that they aren't the team I want them to be. The Texans on the other hand frustrate me in terms of coaching and management. Deshaun Watson is one of the best players in the entire NFL but the environment that he's in hurts him. It is like he is stuck in quicksand, his team is gradually getting worse and he can't get out. Watson is a magical player, but Myles Garrett is going to be in his face all game long. The Browns are also getting Nick Chubb back who will open up this offense and put less pressure on Mayfield. The Browns should win this game, in a high scoring affair.
What to Watch For: Nick Chubb's role in his first game back
Player of the Game: Myles Garrett DE Browns
Final Score: Texans 24 Browns 31
WFT @ Lions
The Lions are a tricky team. It seems like every week they are in the game no matter who they're playing, but more often than not they end up losing the game. TJ Hockenson has put together a strong sophomore campaign and has emerged as Matthew Stafford's favorite target. D'Andre Swift has also had a solid rookie season and is getting more carries each and every week. The Washington Football Team has had a really bumpy season. On the bright side, Alex Smith is 5-0 against the Lions in his career and seems to always do well against Detroit. I don't expect his undefeated record to continue after this week. The Lions should be able to shutdown Washington's offense and win in a low scoring game.
What to Watch For: An Ohio State Matchup: Jeff Okudah vs Terry McLaurin
Player of the Game: Matthew Stafford QB Lions
Final Score: WFT 13 Lions 20
Buccaneers @ Panthers
Both of these teams are coming off of two very different losses. Tom Brady suffered the worst loss of his career last week, while the Panthers put up a strong fight against the Patrick Mahomes led Chiefs. Teddy Bridgewater is super fun to watch even without Christian McCaffrey. This week, we get to see the return of Mike Davis. Davis has been a fan favorite and has been having a career season. That being said, Davis and the Panthers offense has to play against one of the best defenses in the NFL. I can't see Tom Brady losing back to back divisional games, even though they have to play with just a few hours of rest. The Buccaneers didn't get to Carolina until 11:30 PM on Saturday and we know how routine based Brady is. I expect the Bucs to win this week, but it will be close.
What to Watch For: Robby Anderson vs Carlton Davis
Player of the Game: Devin White LB Buccaneers
Final Score: Buccaneers 23 Panthers 22
Eagles @ Giants
The Eagles are coming off of a bye week and their players are getting healthy at the right time. The NFC East is the worst division I have ever seen and it's as simple as that. Even though the Giants are coming off of a big win, I expect Carson Wentz to dominate in this game. The Eagles are getting Miles Sanders back and Dallas Goedert's role on the offense should increase. I like the Eagles to win big this week and take a firm grasp of this division.
What to Watch For: Miles Sanders and Dallas Goedert's Production
Player of the Game: Carson Wentz QB Eagles
Final Score: Eagles 24 Giants 13
Jaguars @ Packers
Jake Luton put up a really solid first career game for the Jaguars last week and he genuinely surprised me. Luton wasn't afraid to sling the ball and put a spark in the Jags offense. I don't think that spark will be bright enough to beat the Packers. Aaron Rodgers is having another all-pro caliber season and Aaron Jones is healthy once again. Davante Adams is playing like the best receiver in football and he's going to welcome CJ Henderson to the NFL this Sunday. James Robinson should have success running on the Packers defense and the Jags offense will be able to put up some type of points. The Packers are just on a different level. They had a long week to prepare for this game and should be able to run up the score against the Jaguars.
What to Watch For: Can the Packers defense stop James Robinson
Player of the Game: Davante Adams WR Packers
Final Score: Jaguars 17 Packers 33
Bills @ Cardinals
This is my game of the day. The Bills and Cardinals are both having playoff caliber seasons led by their quarterbacks who are each in contention for MVP. I love the way Kyler Murray has been playing. The Cardinals offense has been putting up points week after week, but their defense just hasn't been the same since Chandler Jones went down. The Bills on the other hand just came up with a huge victory against the Seahawks. The Bills starting linebackers, Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano are finally healthy and their offense has been dominant all season long. Stefon Diggs is playing on another level right now and is having a career year. Speaking of receivers playing on another level, Deandre Hopkins has been balling and has a huge matchup against Tre'Davious White this week. I expect this game to be a shoot out between two of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL. I think the Cardinals defense is going to really hurt them this week. Zack Moss and Devin Singletary should be able to do what ever they want and I also expect big days from the receivers on the other side of Patrick Peterson. This should be close, but the Bills will edge Arizona out.
What to Watch For: Diggs vs Patrick Peterson, Hopkins vs White
Player of the Game: John Brown WR Bills
Final Score: Bills 30 Cardinals 26
Chargers @ Dolphins
The rookie showdown, the number five against the number six pick, Tua Tagovailoa vs Justin Herbert. Herbert has been the best rookie in the NFL this year and the Chargers have found their franchise quarterback. Tagovailoa has been getting his feet wet and is undefeated as a starter for the Dolphins. The Dolphins are in a very good position to make the playoffs this season and they are actually hitting on all cylinders right now. Their defense is playing at a different level and Brian Flores is my choice for coach of the year. There hasn't been a Chargers game this year that wasn't close. I expect this game to come down to the final drive. I really like what both quarterbacks have been doing, but I think this will finally be the week Herbert is on the other side of a close game. The Chargers are getting running back, Austin Ekeler, back which should give a huge spark for this team. I like LA in a close contest.
What to Watch For: The competition of Herbert vs Tagovailoa
Player of the Game: Justin Herbert QB Chargers
Final Score: Chargers 27 Dolphins 26
Broncos @ Raiders
Drew Lock hasn't found his footing all season. Every game he shows spurts of what he's capable of, but that will be after he gets his team into a hole. He constantly makes bone-headed decisions, but a few plays later he will make this remarkable throw. I love Drew Lock as a person, but I don't think he is the franchise quarterback every Broncos fan is rooting for. The Raiders on the other hand are having a sneaky good season. Derek Carr is finally letting it rip and the overall team carries good energy with them. The Raiders are going to put up points and will have the ball for the majority of the game. I don't expect the Broncos offense to keep up with Las Vegas. If I had to guess, the Raiders will come out the game with a good game plan and get up early. After they get up, Drew Lock is going to start making plays but it won't be enough as the Raiders win by one score.
What to Watch For: Drew Lock's consistency
Player of the Game: Darren Waller TE Raiders
Final Score: Broncos 23 Raiders 28
Seahawks @ Rams
There is nothing like a good old fashion NFC West rivalry game. The Seahawks are coming off of a brutal loss to the Bills where Russell Wilson had four turnovers and Josh Allen was able to do whatever he wants against Seattle's secondary. As much as I love Jamal Adams, the Seahawks' pass defense is god awful. Jared Goff should have a good game, but he is going to have to outplay Russell Wilson. Wilson is the leading MVP candidate right now and has mastered the deep ball. The matchup I can't wait to watch is DK Metcalf against Jalen Ramsey. Two of the best in the league going head to head. There is nothing better than that. I expect both sides to have victories, but the game won't be decided on that matchup. The game will be decided by either the Seahawks defense or the Rams offense. All Seahawks games are close, but I think Jamal Adams makes a play late in the game to give Seattle the win.
What to Watch For: DK Metcalf vs Jalen Ramsey
Player of the Game: Jamal Adams SS Seahawks
Final Score: Seahawks 31 Rams 27
Bengals @ Steelers
Whenever these two teams play I think back to JuJu Smith-Schuster's rookie year. Monday Night Football, where it was one dirty hit after the other. This year, the Bengals have Joe Burrow and the Steelers have the best team in the NFL. This could very well be a trap game for Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger has been on the COVID-19 list all weeklong and wasn't able to practice with the team. Burrow is coming off of his first bye week where he could finally take a step back and evaluate how he's played in his rookie season. This should be another really good game, but the Steelers defense is the difference maker. The Steelers are playing at another level right now and I expect TJ Watt to be all up in Burrow's face. The Bengals offensive line won't be able to keep up with the Steelers defensive line. The Bengals will give the Steelers a run for their money, but the Steelers defense should close it out.
What to Watch For: How Big Ben plays without any practice
Player of the Game: Minkah Fitzpatrick FS Steelers
Final Score: Bengals 23 Steelers 27
49ers @ Saints
No team has been affected by injuries more than the San Francisco 49ers this season. If both teams were at full health and they're playing this game, I'm taking San Francisco, but that isn't the case. The Saints are the hottest team in the NFC and just beheaded Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Michael Thomas is finally back and both Emmanuel Sanders and Kwon Alexander are going to be playing revenge games. While Drew Brees hasn't been "the same" this year, Alvin Kamara is playing lights out. For the 49ers, their best player this year has been Fred Warner. He should do a good job limiting Kamara in the passing game, but that's not going to be enough to stop the Saints offense. The Saints should be able to beat a beaten up 49ers team pretty handedly on Sunday.
What to Watch For: Emmanuel Sanders and Kwon Alexander revenge games
Player of the Game: Michael Thomas WR Saints
Final Score: 49ers 20 Saints 30
Ravens @ Patriots
Everybody is hating on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense right now. I expect the Ravens to play this game with a chip on their shoulder and prove their doubters wrong. As much as I love Cam Newton, the Patriots almost loss to the Jets last week. The Patriots didn't keep the momentum that they had early in the year and will most likely end up with a top ten pick in the NFL Draft this year. The Ravens should be able to run all over New England on Sunday Night Football and dominate this game. I expect the Ravens to win big on Sunday.
What to Watch For: Who runs more Cam or Lamar?
Player of the Game: Lamar Jackson QB Ravens
Final Score: Ravens 31 Patriots 16
Vikings @ Bears
I believe that the Vikings are the best "bad" team and the Bears are the worst "good" team. Justin Jefferson is the best rookie receiver and Dalvin Cook is playing at an MVP level... from the running back position. The Bears on the other hand just look like pretenders. They have no spark on offense and I still think this defense can be thrown on. I'm looking forward to seeing two matchups in this game. The first one is Jefferson vs Jaylon Johnson in a rookie showdown. Both rookies have been promising, but I'm picking Jefferson in this matchup. The other matchup I'm watching is Dalvin Cook vs the Bears run defense. Surprisingly, I expect Dalvin Cook to be limited as a runner. I think he will be most effective as a receiver out of the backfield on Monday Night. It's also important to remember that we are watching Kirk Cousins on Monday Night Football. With all that being said, I still like the Vikings in a close game.
What to Watch For: Dalvin Cook vs Roquan Smith
Player of the Game: Kirk Cousins QB Vikings
Final Score: Vikings 26 Bears 23
