Broncos-Chiefs Preview and Week 10 Picks!

The Broncos are 7-1 and they host their division rival Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday at home. The Broncos have not lost to the Chiefs in the Peyton Manning era in Denver. Manning is 7-0 against the Chiefs including Week 2 and the wild, crazy ending that saw the Broncos win the game on a Bradley Roby fumble return with only seconds left. Now, in Week 10, the Broncos are in control of the AFC West at 7-1, and the Chiefs have stumbled to a 3-5 mark. The things that worry me about this game is that fact that Denver's defense is going to be without Demarcus Ware and Aqib Talib. Also, the Broncos are very banged up and they are coming off a physical contest in Indy. Plus, are the Broncos due to lose a game to Chiefs with Manning at the helm? KC almost got them in Week 2, but somehow Denver escaped with the win. This game could be a lot closer than people anticipate. I smell an upset here. Before I get to my pick of the Broncos-Chiefs and my other Week 10 picks, I wanted just to look at some stats now that the Broncos are halfway through their 2015 season:

1) The Broncos are on pace to score 384 points on offense. The most points they have scored as an offense is 27 in the win over the Packers two weeks ago.

2) The Broncos are on pace to give up on 278 points on defense.

3) Peyton Manning is on pace for 18 touchdowns and 26 interceptions with 4,250 yards passing.

4) Denver's leading rusher Ronnie Hillman is on pace for only 768 yards rushing for the year.

5) Demaryius Thomas is on pace for 102 receptions for 1,490 yards and only 2 touchdowns.

6) Emmanuel Sanders is on pace for 92 catches for 1,278 yards and 8 touchdowns.

7) As a team, the Broncos are on pace for 60 sacks. Demarcus Ware is on pace for 13 sacks, and Von Miller is on pace for 8 sacks.

We'll see how those numbers change over the course of the second half of the season.

Now, onto the picks for Week 10...

Kansas City (+7) over DENVER
Final Score: Chiefs-24 Broncos-20

Last Week's Record: 6-5-2
Overall Record: 61-65-6
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

GREEN BAY (-10) over Detroit: The Packers will get things back on track after losing two straight games to the Broncos and the Panthers. Now, they get to come home and take out their frustrations on the Lions. The Lions have lost 24 straight games in Green Bay. That is pretty astonishing. I don't see a reason why they will end their streak there this week.

Dallas (+2) over TAMPA BAY:  I don't have a lot of confidence in this pick, but I'm taking the Cowboys because I want them to be somewhat relevant when Tony Romo returns from his broken collarbone. If the Cowboys can somehow win this week, then they would be 3-6 with Romo coming back, and then maybe they could get on a little run and make the NFC East more interesting.

TENNESSEE (+7) over Carolina: The Titans somehow beat the Saints in New Orleans last week, and the Panthers come to town undefeated. The Panthers will win this game, but I see it closer than people will think. Two things to look at in this game: First, you have to admire what Cam Newton has done for the Panthers. He has my MVP vote so far this year. Secondly, you have to like the future in Tennessee with Marcus Mariota at QB. Last week's win over New Orleans proved to Mariota has a bright future in this league.

ST. LOUIS (-7) over Chicago: The Rams are 4-4, but I feel like they should have a better record. If they can any kind of consistent play from Nick Foles, then they will be a playoff team. The Bears are 3-5 after winning on the road in San Diego last Monday night. You have to give John Fox credit for the Bears and their ability to fight back after starting the season 0-3. They have won three of five, and Jay Cutler is actually playing solid and turnover free football. I think this will be a tall order for them in St. Louis this week though.

WASHINGTON (+2) over New Orleans: I don't know what to make of the Saints after they blew that game at home to the Titans. They were 4-4, and had the lowly Titans in their building on a week when the Titans fired their head coach. They blew multiple leads and lost in overtime to fall to 4-5. That could be the backbreaker of their season. Now, they have to go on the road and take on the Redskins, and I like how the Skins play at home this year. The Skins aren't very good at 3-5, but they have shown some signs at times this year. I'll take them at home as an underdog.

PHILLY (-5) over Miami: This game is the toughest to call in my opinion. The Dolphins looked like they were on the verge of turning around their season after winning the first two games under interim head coach Dan Campbell, but they got blown out two games in a row to the Pats and the Bills and are now at 3-5. The Eagles are 4-4 after winning an overtime thriller in Dallas last Sunday night. I can't get a read on the Eagles, but you would think that they will be able to handle the Fish at home. Miami has talent, so if they play up to their potential they can win this game, but I'll stick with my gut and the Eagles.

Cleveland (+6) over PITTSBURGH: I think the Steelers will win this game with Landry Jones at quarterback filling in for Big Ben, but I also think the Browns will make it a close game because Landry Jones is starting at quarterback in place of Big Ben. It sounds like Johnny Manziel will get the start, and although he hasn't been spectacular when he has played this year, I have this feeling that he will somehow win a game on his own for the Browns. Maybe this is the week?

Jacksonville (+6) overt BALTIMORE: Do you really have confidence in the Ravens this year? Now, Joe Flacco's only offensive weapon, Steve Smith, is out for the year with an Achilles injury. They just don't have the firepower on offense. The Jaguars aren't good but at least they have shown some flashes the last few weeks. They beat Buffalo in London, and gave the Jets all they could handle last week. I'll take them to be feisty in Baltimore this week.

OAKLAND (-3) over Minnesota: The Vikings come in at 6-2, and the Raiders come in at 4-4, but Oakland is definitely improved and they are a legitimate playoff contender. This is a good matchup, but I think the Raiders will be too much for the Vikings-especially with Teddy Bridgewater being a question mark due to a concussion.

New England (-7) over NY GIANTS: Here in New York this week, the talk is how the Giants are the one team that isn't afraid of the Patriots. They are a team that has beaten them on the biggest stage before, and they have their number. I don't buy it this year in this game. The Giants defense could very well get carved up by the Patriots and Tom Brady. I'm sure the Giants will be pumped up and ready to throw everything they have into this game, but I just don't think it will be enough to overtake the Pats.

SEATTLE (-3) over Arizona: This is a very intriguing Sunday night game. The Cardinals lead the NFC West at 6-2, and Seattle is currently 4-4. You would have to think that the Seahawks will play one of their best games of the year this week-especially at home in front of the 12th man, but give Arizona credit because they are a very good team, and I could see them pulling an upset. I'll take Seattle at home to get the win and setup a very interesting race down the stretch in the NFC West.

CINCY (-9) over Houston: What a crummy game for Monday Night Football. The Bengals remain undefeated at 8-0, and I don't see anyway that they screw this one up at home to the Texans. They will get to 9-0 in pretty easy fashion.