National Football League Weeek 10
Capsule previews for Week 10 around the NFL.
Bengals (6-2) at Steelers (6-2), 1 p.m.
Sweeping the Ravens and the Steelers in the same season?
It’s certainly possible for the upstart Bengals, who are unbeaten on the road (3-0) and in the division (4-0).
On second thought? Nah!
Prediction: Steelers, 27-13
Falcons (5-3) at Panthers (3-5), 1.
The Panthers need to come up with another performance like they had a couple weeks ago in Arizona.
Of course, to do that, they will need Falcons QB Matt Ryan to have six turnovers.
Prediction: Falcons, 31-24
Buccaneers (1-7) at Dolphins (3-5), 1.
If the Bucs knew rookie Josh Freeman would throw three TDs in his NFL debut, they wouldn’t have waited eight games to start him.
It will be a little different in Miami, even if the climate is the same.
Prediction: Dolphins, 24-10
Lions (1-7) at Vikings (7-1), 1.
The bye week was a good thing for Brett Favre because it gave him a chance to rest his 40-year-old throwing arm.
But it was also a bad thing because it’s the last time this season he will get a chance to do so.
Prediction: Vikings, 34-10
Jaguars (4-4) at Jets (4-4), 1.
In the past three games, the Jets’ Thomas Jones (433) and Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew (407) have combined for 840 rushing yards. They should also bill the showdown — “ToJo’’ versus “MoJo.’’
Prediction: Jets, 21-17
Saints (8-0) at Rams (1-7), 1.
What happens when the NFL’s highest scoring offense faces the NFC’s second-worst scoring defense? The same thing that Clubber Lang predicted for Rocky Balboa in “Rocky III:” Pain.
Prediction: Saints, 40-13
Bills (3-5) at Titans (2-6), 1.
Despite his many critics, all Vince Young has done is win six consecutive games as a starter, dating to the 2007 season.
Of course, the last two have had simple game plans: Hand the ball to Chris Johnson.
Prediction: Titans, 27-7
Broncos (6-2) at Redskins (2-6), 1.
After back-to-back losses to AFC North teams, the Broncos will be glad to face the Redskins.
At least the Monday night crowd at Invesco Field got them accustomed to playing on the road.
Prediction: Broncos, 16-10
Chiefs (1-7) at Raiders (2-6), 4:05 p.m.
The Steelers didn’t want Larry Johnson in 2003 when they bypassed him in the draft to select Troy Polamalu. Why would they want him now?
For the Chiefs, it might be addition by subtraction.
Prediction: Chiefs, 13-10
Seahawks (3-5) at Cardinals (5-3), 4:15.
Ken Whisenhunt called Arizona’s 27-3 victory against the Seahawks last month “the most complete game of the season.” Last week’s 41-21 victory against the Bears was the easiest.
Prediction: Cardinals, 34-14
Cowboys (6-2) at Packers (4-4), 4:15.
The Cowboys have won four in a row and are coming off a big victory in Philadelphia. The Packers have lost two in a row and are coming off a humbling loss to previously winless Tampa Bay.
Prediction: Cowboys, 31-23
Eagles (5-3) at Chargers (5-3), 4:15.
The Chargers are closing in fast on the Broncos, thanks to a last-second victory against the Giants. The Eagles, who lost in Oakland last month, don’t appear to travel well to the West Coast.
Prediction: Chargers, 31-21
Patriots (6-2) at Colts (8-0), 8:20.
The Colts have squeaked out their past two victories by a combined seven points to stretch their regular-season win streak to 17 games. They may not be as fortunate against the Patriots, who have won three in a row.
Prediction: Patriots, 24-23
MONDAY
Ravens (4-4) at Browns (1-7), 8:30
It was a Monday night game in November, when the Browns blew a 14-point lead to the Ravens that marked the beginning of the end for Cleveland last season. The collapse came sooner this year.
Prediction: Ravens, 31-7
