NFL WEEK 10 GAME PREVIEWS
Washington (2-6) at Lions (3-5)
Sunday, 1 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: NL
Washington’s keys: With QB Kyle Allen unavailable, coach Ron Rivera will turn back to QB Alex Smith, and he’ll rely on WR Terry McLaurin as his top option. Rookie RB Antonio Gibson needs more touches against a run defense that has been wildly inconsistent.
Lions’ keys: If WR Kenny Golladay is unavailable, the Lions will lean on TE T.J. Hockenson, who should be a mismatch against Washington’s safeties.
Who wins? Washington 20-17
– Erik Schlitt, Lions Wire
Texans (2-6) at Browns (5-3)
Sunday, 1 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Browns by 31⁄
2
Texans’ keys: QB Deshaun Watson needs to pread the ball around effectively. Cleveland’s offensive line is strong but can be susceptible to blitzes.
Browns’ keys: Out of a bye, RB Nick Chubb and TE Austin Hooper should return. Chubb and RB Kareem Hunt can dominate a Texans defense that has struggled against lesser offenses. DE Myles Garrett has been fantastic this year and he’ll need to continue making impact plays against Watson.
Who wins? Browns 33-27
– Jeff Risdon, Browns Wire
Jaguars (1-7) at Packers (6-2) Sunday, 1 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Packers by 14
Jaguars’ keys: Find ways of creating easy offense, disrupt Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers and win the time of possession and the turnover battle.
Packers’ keys: Feed RB Aaron Jones and WR Davante Adams, contain Robinson and turn up the heat on whomever is the Jaguars’ quarterback. The defensive strategy must revolve around keeping James Robinson wrapped up in the run game and avoiding big plays.
Who wins? Packers 31-17
– Zach Kruse, Packers Wire
Eagles (3-4-1) at Giants (2-7)
Sunday, 1 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Eagles by 3
Giants’ keys: Protect the football while the defense puts consistent pressure on QB Carson Wentz, who is every bit as turnover-prone as Daniel Jones.
Eagles’ keys: Get things moving on the ground. RB Miles Sanders, who has not played since Week 6, could be back to provide a spark.
Who wins? Giants 24-23
– Dan Benton, Giants Wire
Buccaneers (6-3) at Panthers (3-6)
Sunday, 1 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Buccaneers by 5
Buccaneers’ keys: WR Chris Godwin has been slowed by injuries but remains dangerous. WRs Antonio Brown and Mike Evans are dangerous.
Panthers’ keys: Outside of Evans (seven catches, 104 yards), Carolina did a solid job against the pass in in Week 1. The Panthers were totally unable to stop the Buccaneers’ rushing attack, though.
Who wins? Buccaneers 30-22
– Tim Weaver, Panthers Wire
Bills (7-2) at Cardinals (5-3)
Sunday, 4:05 ET, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Cardinals by 11⁄ 2
Bills’ keys: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has been sacked only 10 times this season, but if the Bills can get pressure on him, his turnovers have come under pressure.
Cardinals’ keys: Defensively, do better on first and second down.
Who wins? Cardinals 37-35
– Jess Root, Cards Wire
Broncos (3-5) at Raiders (5-3)
Sunday, 4:05 ET, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Raiders by 5
Broncos’ keys: Protect QB Drew Lock. If the Broncos limit turnovers on offense and control the line of scrimmage on defense, Las Vegas likely won’t run away with this game.
Raiders’ keys: Use the run, specifically RB Josh Jacobs, to control the line of scrimmage and then use players WRs Henry Ruggs III and Nelson Agholor to take shots down the field.
Who wins: Raiders 27-23
– Marcus Mosher, Raiders Wire
Chargers (2-6) at Dolphins (5-3)
Sunday, 4:05 ET, CBS
BetMGM.com line: Dolphins by 21⁄
2
Chargers’ keys: Rookie QB Justin Herbert will need to be selective with his approach against the Dolphins’ talented secondary. Defensively, LA needs to get its effective pass rush home despite Miami’s quick-passing game.
Dolphins’ keys: Assume coach Brian Flores has a few unusual blitz looks to show Herbert. Offensively, rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa should be expected to steadily progress, so look for new wrinkles.
Who wins? Dolphins 27-24
– Kyle Crabbs, Dolphins Wire
Bengals (2-5-1) at Steelers (8-0)
Sunday, 4:25 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Steelers by 71⁄
2
Bengals’ keys: Protect rookie Joe Burrow and allow him to make plays. They are coming off their bye week and should be prepared to play spoiler. On defense, the Bengals have to unravel the mystery of which wide receiver will QB Ben Roethlisberger highlight.
Steelers’ keys: DT Isaiah Buggs has a ton of potential but must be better, especially against the run. Same for LB Robert Spillane. Offensively, be more consistent running. RB James Conner is a talented player but is the first option to be sidelined when the team goes pass-heavy.
Who wins? Steelers 28-21
– Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire
49ers (4-5) at Saints (6-2)
Sunday, 4:25 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Saints by 9
49ers’ keys: Push the ball down the field against a Saints team that has struggled to defend deep shots. That’s good news for QB Nick Mullens, who completed passes of 36, 41, 43 and 47 yards against Green Bay. Pressuring Saints QB Drew Brees without blitzing him will be vital, because it might require bracketed coverage to slow down RB Alvin Kamara.
Saints’ keys: Limit big plays, but it’s just as important, step up in the red zone. When New Orleans has the ball, it needs to open up the field with passes down the seam to TE Jared Cook and WR Emmanuel Sanders, a run-after-catch threat.
Who wins? Saints 30-20
– John Sigler, Saints Wire
Seahawks (6-2) at Rams (5-3)
Sunday, 4:25 ET, Fox
BetMGM.com line: Rams by 11⁄ 2
Seahawks’ keys: They will most likely find ways to score against a quality defense, but this one will come down to whether Seattle can pressure QB Jared Goff and contain LA’s receivers. Seattle’s pass rush has been lacking, but it must come alive.
Rams’ keys: Seattle’s defense ranks among the worst in the league, so the Rams shouldn’t have much trouble moving the ball down the field and finding the end zone. However, the Seahawks are scoring points in bunches, and Wilson is having an MVP-caliber season. Los Angeles has to generate pressure on Wilson from sources besides just DT Aaron Donald. OLB Leonard Floyd needs to contain Wilson in the pocket, and ILB Micah Kiser must not let him pick up big yardage when he does scramble.
Who wins? Rams 31-28
– Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire
Ravens (6-2) at Patriots (3-5)
Sunday, 8:20 ET, NBC
BetMGM.com line: Ravens by 7
Ravens’ keys: They should have no problem powering through New England’s rush defense even if RB Mark Ingram returns from injury. Baltimore’s defense, meanwhile, needs to limit the Patriots’ ability to throw the ball. When QB Cam Newton is one-dimensional as a runner, New England has struggled to score, and LB Patrick Queen and S Chuck Clark should be a good match for Newton and the Patriots’ running back committee.
Patriots’ keys: Figure out how to stop QB Lamar Jackson, both as a runner and as a passer. Perhaps versatile safeties Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips can help New England keep Jackson from making explosive running and passing plays. On offense, New England needs to help Newton get comfortable as a passer. Who wins? Ravens 31-17
– Henry McKenna, Patriots Wire
Vikings (3-5) at Bears (5-4)
Monday, 8:15 ET, ESPN
BetMGM.com line: Vikings by 21⁄ 2
Vikings’ keys: Get back to basics with a heavy dose of RB Dalvin Cook against a Bears run defense that is a far cry from the dominant front that it has been over the last couple of years. The Vikings are a different team when the focus is running the ball and taking the pressure off QB Kirk Cousins. On defense, Minnesota should take advantage of the turnstile that is the Bears’ offensive line, which is down several starters.
Bears’ keys: This feels like a game where the defense can take over and help its offense score. That starts with containing Cook and putting the pressure on Cousins to beat the Bears through the air. Chicago will depend on its pass rush, including OLB Khalil Mack and DT Akiem Hicks.
Who wins? Vikings 20-13
– Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire