NFL WEEK 10 PRIMER
BYE WEEK: Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, N.Y. Jets
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 to QB Alex Smith, and he'll rely on WR Terry Mclaurin as his top option. 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.
– 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. Cleveland's offensive line is strong but can be susceptible to blitzes.
Browns’ keys: Out of a bye, RB Nick Chubb should return. Chubb and RB Kareem Hunt can dominate a Texans defense that has struggled against lesser offenses.
– 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.
– 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 ball while the defense puts consistent pressure on QB Carson Wentz, who is every bit as turnoverprone 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.
– 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 a threat. WRS Antonio Brown and Mike Evans are dangerous.
Panthers’ keys: Carolina did a solid job against the pass in in Week 1. The Panthers were totally unable to stop the Buccaneers' rushing attack, though.
– 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. The Dolphins faced third down only eight times in Week 9.
– Jess Root, Cards Wire
Broncos (3-5) at Raiders (5-3)
Sunday, 4:05 ET, CBS
Betmgm.com line: Raiders by 5
Broncos’ keys: If the Broncos limit turnovers on offense and control the line of scrimmage on defense, Las Vegas likely won't run away with this one. Raiders’ keys: Use the run, specifically RB Josh Jacobs, to control the line of scrimmage and then use WRS Henry Ruggs III and Nelson Agholor to take deep shots.
– 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. Dolphins’ keys: Assume coach Brian Flores has a few unusual blitz looks to show Herbert. Offensively, rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa should be expected to progress, so look for new wrinkles.
– 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. Steelers’ keys: 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.
– Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire
49ers (4-5) at Saints (6-2)
Sunday, 4:25 ET, Fox
Betmgm.com line: Saints by 9
49ers’ keys: Pressuring Saints QB Drew Brees without blitzing him will be vital, because it might require bracketed coverage to slow down Alvin Kamara. Saints’ keys: New Orleans needs to open up the field with passes down the seam to TE Jared Cook and WR Emmanuel Sanders, a run-after-catch threat.
– 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.
Rams’ keys: Los Angeles has to generate pressure on Russell Wilson from sources besides just DT Aaron Donald.
– Cameron Dasilva, Rams Wire
Ravens (6-2) at Patriots (3-5)
Sunday, 8:20 ET, NBC
Betmgm.com line: Ravens by 7
Ravens’ keys: Baltimore's defense 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.
Patriots’ keys: Figure out how to stop QB Lamar Jackson, both as a runner and as a passer.
– 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: Lean on RB Dalvin Cook against a Bears run defense that is far from the dominant front that it has been.
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 QB Kirk Cousins.
– Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire