NFL Office Pool Picks - Week 10

Presented by Dale Sims

The Crystal Ball

I broke even at 7 - 7 for the past week.  So I am now 75 – 53 on the year straight up.  I did manage to come up positive against the spread and went 8 – 6 and am 62 – 61 against the spread to get back almost mediocre there.

I pick the weeks games as preliminary choices for a pick’em league I am in.  This is the early week version; I make changes based on injury reports and other information that comes out after this is submitted.  (Oddly I am only one game better there than here though.)  These choices are made without discussion with anyone else at Football Forecasters and are uniquely mine.  If you are thinking of using this for any purpose other than entertainment you are not paying attention.

Week 10

Baltimore at Tennessee – Tennessee has improved over the course of the season but they are not ready for this test.  The Baltimore defense will be giving Young looks he has never dreamed of and they have the speed to attack Young all over the field, Ravens win 20 – 10.

Buffalo at Indianapolis – Buffalo travels to Indianapolis; they will be able to run but they cannot keep up with the Indianapolis offense.  The Colts return after two very big road games but while there may be some let down they will still be playing too well for Buffalo, Colts win 28 – 14.

Cleveland at Atlanta – Cleveland returns from a road trip to the west coast to the east coast; this is a bad combination for a team that is already at a talent disadvantage.  Last week Atlanta stunk it up in Detroit, which should have them focused for this one, Falcons win 24 – 14.

Green Bay at Minnesota – Green Bay has been playing better on both sides of the ball and have a tough match up waiting in Minneapolis.  This game will turn on defense and turnovers, or the lack thereof, the Vikings win 24 – 17.

Houston at Jacksonville – Houston has shown some signs that they have an offense but have been inconsistent on both sides of the ball.  Jacksonville has been struggling with injuries but seem to be on track, the trend continues here, Jaguars 24 – 10.

Kansas City at Miami – Kansas City travels to Miami who is coming off an unexpected win last week.  While that game is obviously a big lift for them their essential weaknesses remain, Kansas City has worked through their own problems and are further along, Chiefs win 20 – 14.

N.Y. Jets at New England – New England seldom plays two bad games in a row and face a division game at home.  The Jets are playing inspired football but New England is the class of the division and should have no trouble, Patriots win 28 – 17.

San Diego at Cincinnati – San Diego has been playing well but will need their defense to be playing well on this road trip.  For Cincinnati the offensive line injuries and the susceptibility of the Cincinnati defense to the run are not good signs; Chargers win 28 – 24.

San Francisco at Detroit – Detroit is vulnerable to the run while San Francisco has one of the worse passing defenses in the NFL; each team plays to the others weakness, which gives the home team the advantage, Detroit wins 24 – 17.

Washington at Philadelphia – Washington has talent they just cannot seem to get it all on the field at the same time.  Philadelphia is coming off of their bye week and should be healthier on both sides of the ball, Eagles win 24 – 20.

Denver at Oakland – In their earlier meeting Oakland played remarkably well on defense.  Denver is a very good team and will assert themselves in this long-standing rivalry.  Oakland does not seem to have the tools to challenge offensively; Broncos win 24 – 10.

Dallas at Arizona – Arizona has offensive line problems that make Leinart’s quick release a requirement but without a running game, they are too one-dimensional.  Dallas can ill afford to lose a game like this, Cowboys win 24 – 10.

New Orleans at Pittsburgh – Both teams need a win, Pittsburgh has had its share of bad play and bad luck, they are probably better than their record.  New Orleans may not be as good as their record and this will be a test but they are better than many think, Steelers win 24 – 21.

St. Louis at Seattle – Seattle generally plays very well at home and they better be ready for what is a very important game in their division.  They will need their inconsistent defense to hold down a potent St. Louis offense, Rams win 24 – 20.

Chicago at N.Y. Giants – The Giants are playing well but their defense has a variety of injuries.  The soft part of the Chicago schedule is over, a tough road trip begins, and while they are not a great road team last week’s game should have them focused, Bears win 21 – 20.

Tampa Bay at Carolina – This game probably looked like a top match up before the season started, injuries have hurt both teams and they are both playing with patched together lineups.  Both are starting to come around but Carolina is better placed, Panthers win 28 – 20.