NFL Week 10 Picks!

In my last post, I referenced how every year teams that hit the midway point at 6-2 can hit a bad stretch, fall apart, and end up out of the playoffs. In addition, teams that are at 4-4 or in some cases 3-5 get on a hot streak and come out of nowhere to make the playoffs. With that said, here are this year's darkhorse candidates at the midway point:
AFC
1-Miami (4-4)
2-Cleveland (3-5)
3-San Diego (4-5) *Started 3-5
4-Oakland (5-4) *Started 4-4
5-Jacksonville (4-4)
6-Houston (4-4)
NFC
1-Washington (4-4)
2-Minnesota (3-5)
3-St.Louis (4-4)
4-Seattle (4-4)
5-Arizona (3-5)

Out of that group, the AFC has a lot more teams that could make a run. Easily, San Diego and Miami could jump up and snag a playoff spot. The Raiders now can make a case, as can Houston. Jacksonville looks like they won't make a run, but the real darkhorse could be Cleveland. They will probably fall short, but they could make things very interesting.

The NFC will have at least one team make a run and someone has to win the NFC West. Minnesota has the most talent, and they would be the most likely team out of the NFC group to make a run. Washington could do it, but all the Shanahan-McNabb controversy could kill any chance. Look out for the Vikings.

Here is the list of 6-2 teams that might fall apart in the second half:
AFC
1-Pittsburgh (6-2)
2-Baltimore (6-3)
3-NY Jets (6-2)
4-New England (6-2)
NFC
1-Atlanta (6-2)
2-NY Giants (6-2)
One of those teams could struggle down the stretch and miss the playoffs. Out of that group, you would have to think that the Jets would be the team most likely to have trouble in the second half. If I'm a Jet fan, then I am still worried about how my team has played and what could take place in the second half of the season.

Onto the picks.................

Last Week's Record (4-8-1)
This Week's Record (1-0-0)
Overall Record (76-52-4)
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Cincy (+7) over INDY: The Colts will win this game at home, but I just see it being closer than expected. The Colts will find a way to win their division, but with all their injuries, each week could be a stuggle. Look for a late win by Peyton and company.

Houston (+2) over JACKSONVILLE: I can't really figure these two teams out. I'm not ready to bury the Texans just yet, but you can't trust them. I'm going to go with them this week, but if they lose, then I'm done with the Texans. Big game for both franchises.

MIAMI (+3) over Tennessee: The Dolphins go back to Chad Pennington this week. Chad Henne was struggling and the Fish have trouble scoring touchdowns. I still believe Miami is a good team, and they will take care of business at home this week. It will be a good game to watch, and it will interesting to see how Randy Moss helps the Titans. Call this Miami-23 Tennessee-20.

BUFFALO (-2) over Detroit: This is the week the Bills finally pop their cherry. They get backup Shaun Hill starting in place of injured Matt Stafford, and the Lions aren't very good on the road. The Bills have been playing well, and they get their first win this week.

CLEVELAND (+3) over NY Jets: The upset of the week might not really be an upset. The Browns have played great the last three weeks, and they dismantled the Pats at home. The Jets haven't played well their last three games. The Jets are the better team, but I like the running game that I see out of the Browns. The Dawg Pound will be rocking again as the Browns pull off the stunner.

Carolina (+8) over TAMPA BAY: I know the Panthers stink, but the Bucs shouldn't be favored this much over anyone. The Bucs will win the game, but the Panthers will play hard and keep it tight.

St.Louis (+6) over SAN FRANCISCO: Now that the World Series is over, the SF fans can get back to watching the disgraceful Niners. Why would anyone assume that the 49ers are going to win this game easily? Sam Bradford pulls one out on the road to get the Rams to 5-4.

Seattle (+3) over ARIZONA: The Cards are just awful on offense. The Seahawks aren't very good on defense. This is a classic crappy cheap NFC West matchup. I'll take Seattle on the road.

Dallas (+14) over NY GIANTS: Classic trap game for the G-Men. Dallas will play with some spirit this week after Wade Phillips got canned. The Giants will win, but I see this game being a lot closer than expected. The Cowboys will put up a fight, but the Giants will get to 7-2.

PITTSBURGH (-3) over New England: Here is why I like the Steelers: 1) They are at home on Sunday Night. 2) Their offense will give the Pats defense problems. 3) The Pats are really good, but they aren't ready for the big-time. The Pats are going to play better this season when no one expects to. This game is a great SNF matchup, but it will be tough for the Pats to win it. Steelers win by a touchdown.

Philly (-3) over WASHINGTON: The Eagles could be a team that just takes off in the second half of the season. The Michael Vick situation just makes them a fun team to watch. The Eagles will go into DC and knock off the Redskins this week. The McNabb and Shanahan situation has thrown me off on what to expect from the Skins this year.

Minnesota (-1) over CHICAGO: Look, the Bears aren't any good, but they are still somehow 5-3. I could see the Bears winning this game at home, but the Vikings have more talent and they are the better team. I also picking Minnesota because at 3-5, they can't afford to lose another game, and it will be fun to have them fighting for playoff survival every week.

Kansas City (-1) over DENVER: Anyone who has watched football this year should know that this line is a joke. The Broncos simply aren't any good this year, and they don't matchup well with the Chiefs at all. The Chiefs are going to stuff it down Denver's throat with Jamal Charles and Thomas Jones. The Broncos don't have anyone to matchup with Tony Moeaki and Dexter McCluster. The Broncos homefield advantage doesn't matter anymore. When you are a bad team, it doesn't matter if you play at home. Bad teams struggle no matter where the game is played. This is a matchup nightmare for Denver. KC comes in a whips the Broncos.
Final Score: KC-27 Denver-13