Durkin: Week 10 NFL Picks
By Dan Durkin--
(CBS) For the first time in NFL history, three 8-0 teams remain heading into Week 10 -- the Panthers, Patriots and Bengals.
The Sunday night battle between the Cardinals and Seahawks in Seattle is the most intriguing matchup. Can the Seahawks get back into the playoff hunt?
Here's my take on how this weekend's action will play out.
(Home team in CAPS.)
RAVENS 30, Jaguars 23 -- noon
The Ravens are one of the league's biggest disappointments. Injuries have certainly played a part in their offensive woes, but it's the defense that's suffered the biggest drop-off. The Jaguars offense is for real. Blake Bortles has taken a step forward in his development, and their passing game will have success against an awful Ravens secondary. Even so, with an extra week to prepare, I like the Ravens at home.
PACKERS 34, Lions 20 -- noon
Raise your hand if you were alive the last time the Lions won a game at Lambeau. If you were born in 1992 or thereafter, you're lying. Matthew Stafford was three years old the last time Detroit won in Green Bay, back in 1991. The Lions are a lost cause, while the Packers are reeling. I expect Aaron Rodgers to get the Pack back on track in convincing fashion.
EAGLES 31, Dolphins 24 -- noon
Since picking up back-to-back wins against lowly AFC South teams, Miami has been pantsed the last two weeks against its AFC East counterparts in New England and Buffalo. The Eagles stumbled out of the gates to a 1-3 start but have since won three of four, thanks in large part to their run game. The Dolphins have struggled to stop the run and will again in Philadelphia.
STEELERS 27, Browns 13 -- noon
Ben Roethlisberger has had rotten luck with injuries this season. While he practiced in a limited fashion, Landry Jones is likely to get the start against the Browns. In reality, it doesn't matter. All the Steelers need to go is find someone who can put the ball into DeAngelo Williams' hands and watch him wipe his feet on the Browns defense, as the rest of the NFL has done all season.
RAMS 23, Bears 20 -- noon
The Bears are playing their second game on the road in six days, as they travel to St. Louis to take on a physical Rams team. St. Louis is winning ugly with a tried-and-true formula of defense and running the ball. I expect the Rams' defensive line to control the line of scrimmage and their running game to control the clock en route to a win.
BUCS 24, Cowboys 20 -- noon
There's just a dark cloud hovering over the Cowboys, who simply can't get out of their own way both on and off the field this season. The Bucs are better than their record indicates, and Jameis Winston is learning well on the job. The Cowboys will drop their seventh straight game.
Panthers 31, TITANS 17 -- noon
Yes, the Panthers defense is suffocating opponents, but it's time to give Cam Newton the proper credit he deserves. His accuracy wanes and he doesn't modulate all of his throws, but considering his supporting cast, he's in the midst of an MVP-caliber season. He'll lead the Panthers to their ninth win of the season in Tennessee against the overmatched Titans.
Saints 34, REDSKINS 27 -- noon
Get your fantasy players going in this game, in which defense will certainly be optional. The Saints offense is firing on all cylinders, but they're an entirely different team outside of the dome. Nonetheless, their playmakers on offense should make the difference in this high-scoring affair.
RAIDERS 27, Vikings 23 -- 3:05 p.m.
Prior to the season starting, not many people thought this game would have playoff implications, yet it certainly does. The Raiders offense is for real. They have a stout offensive line, and Derek Carr is playing like a top-10 quarterback this season. The Vikings defense will throw a lot of pressure at Carr, but I expect the line to hold up as he makes good decisions with the ball and leads the Raiders to their fifth win of the season.
BRONCOS 24, Chiefs 17 -- 3:25 p.m.
The stars were lined up for Peyton Manning to coincidentally break the all-time passing record against his former team, yet he came up short. He'll obviously get it done this weekend, but Denver won't win because of Manning. Once again, the Broncos will get it done with their lights-out defense against a bad Chiefs team.
Patriots 42, GIANTS 27 -- 3:25 p.m.
I'm sure you know by now that the Giants have beaten the Patriots in their last three meetings. In each game, the Giants have won with lesser talent, but it's not happening this Sunday. The Patriots are by far the best team in the league and will pick apart a porous Giants secondary.
SEAHAWKS 24, Cardinals 23 -- 7:30 p.m.
The Seahawks had an extra week to do some soul searching and figure out why they've underachieved this season. Much of their struggles fall onto Russell Wilson, who has been subpar all season long. In the Cardinals' two losses, both teams rushed for more than 110 yards. I think Marshawn Lynch is the difference in Sunday night's game.
BENGALS 34, Texans 20 -- 7:30 p.m., Monday night
It's time to put to rest the Andy Dalton-struggles-on-the-big-stage narrative. The Texans' pass defense has been lit up by lesser outfits in two of the past three weeks, and Dalton will get his turn on Monday night as the Bengals go to 9-0.
Season record through Week 9: 83-50 (Last week: 7-6)
Dan Durkin covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @djdurkin.
