Broncos-Patriots Preview and Week 10 Picks!

The Broncos return to Denver with a 3-5 record, a four game losing streak, and a lot of issues as they embark on the second half of the season. Who is waiting for them on Sunday Night Football? The 6-2 Patriots. Normally, I would figure that the Broncos would be able to snap out of this funk, get a win at home, and get some confidence back, but with Tom Brady looming on Sunday night, I just can't see that happening. The Broncos are off to their worst start after eight games since 2011, and Tim Tebow saved that season, but I don't see Brock Osweiler or Paxton Lynch doing the same this year. The Broncos have lost four straight games by 10 or more points, which is the worst stretch since 1964! They have lost by a combined score of 31-13. It has been bad. The Patriots aren't sleeping on the Broncos at all, and I think they will be dialed in. Maybe Denver keeps it close for a little while, maybe they can frustrate Brady a little, and the defense should be better than it played last week in Philly. In the end, the Patriots will be too much for the Broncos to handle, and Denver will be handed their fifth straight defeat.

Prediction: New England (-7) over DENVER
Final Score: Patriots-26 Broncos-16

Now, onto the picks for Week 10 in the NFL.................

Last Week's Record: 4-7-2
Overall Record: 64-62-6
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

WASHINGTON (+2) over Minnesota: I'm in on the Vikings being a Super Bowl contender, but the obvious concern is QB Case Keenum. How about the possibility of Teddy Bridgewater returning to play for the Vikings this year? Wouldn't that be a nice addition for that team with Sam Bradford on IR? Anyway, it is Keenum again this week, and I think he will struggle for the 6-2 Vikings in Washington. The Redskins are 4-4 after a huge comeback win in Seattle. I think they will be too much for the Vikings in this game, and they will get to 5-4.

CHICAGO (-4) over Green Bay: The Packers are 4-4 and have lost three straight since Aaron Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone. They are pretty much finished with Brett Hundley at QB. I think their slide continues as they head to Soldier Field to take on the Bears. The Bears haven't had a lot of success against the Packers the past few years, but they will enjoy this one.

Pittsburgh (-9) over INDY: At 3-6, the Colts are struggling without Andrew Luck, and I think they will continue to struggle mightily against good teams like the Steelers. The Steelers have been known to lose these types of games against crappy teams, but I think they will break that trend this week in Indy.

JACKSONVILLE (-3) over LA Chargers: The Jags are 5-3 and in the thick of the playoff hunt in the AFC. Their defense is really good, and they are using that recipe to win games this year. I think this is a good matchup for them. The Chargers have to come all the way across the country and play an early game. The Jags crowd will be fired up at home, and I think the Jags defense rules the day once again.

TAMPA BAY (+3) over NY Jets: The Bucs are a major disappointment this year. At 2-6, they are basically out of the playoff race in the NFC, and now Jameis Winston is out at least two weeks with a shoulder injury. I know that Ryan Fitzpatrick is in at QB, but I have a feeling the Bucs will break out this week just enough to get the win. The Jets are playing well at 4-5, but I have a feeling they fall flat in TB on Sunday.

Cincy (+5) over TENNESSEE: I think that the Titans will win this game, but I don't love the line. I think the Bengals could be feisty in Tennessee on Sunday. I think the Titans are good, but I think that they are vulnerable at home in this spot. This feels like a 23-20 kind of game.

BUFFALO (+3) over New Orleans: How many people predicted that the top early game in Week 10 would be the Saints and Bills from Buffalo? The 6-2 Saints have won six in a row, and the Bills are 5-3, and they are on their way to a possible playoff berth in the AFC. The Bills are home and they are licking their wounds after a bad loss at the Jets last Thursday night. I think they turn back the Saints and end their six game winning streak, and the Bills get to 6-3.

DETROIT (-11) over Cleveland: Who cares about this game? The Lions will get to 5-4 and the Browns will suffer another defeat.

LA RAMS (-10) over Houston: Too many injuries (Deshaun Watson/J.J. Watt) for the Texans to overcome. Now, they have to head all the way to LA to take on the 6-2 red-hot Rams. I think the Rams continue their winning ways and they will move to 7-2 with a rather easy win at home.

ATLANTA (-3) over Dallas: The Falcons are 4-4 and need a win to keep their hopes alive for the playoffs. The Cowboys are playing well at 5-3, but now Zeke Elliot is finally serving his six game suspension, so they will have a very tough time on the road without him. I think too much of this game will fall on Dak Prescott, and I think the home crowd will make a difference.

SAN FRANCISCO (+3) over NY Giants: This is about as bad as it gets this year. The 1-7 Giants take on the 0-9 49ers. This game is a far cry from those classic 49er-Giants games in the 1980s.

Miami (+9) over CAROLINA: The Dolphins are 4-4, but with their offense you get the feeling that they are going nowhere this season. They head to Carolina to take on the 6-3 Panthers on Monday Night Football. I think the Panthers win, but I don't see them blowing out the Fish in this game.