NFL Week 10
Bye week: Broncos, Eagles, Jaguars, Patriots, Redskins, Texans
LIONS (3-4-1) AT BEARS (3-5)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Bears by 21⁄2
Lions’ keys: QB Matthew Stafford has deep threats in Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay, who he can use against a Bears secondary that plays far off receivers.
Bears’ keys: Run the football with RB David Montgomery and open up the passing game with play-action. He has shown he can be a presence both in the run and the pass game.
Who wins? The Bears are the worst team in the NFC North until they prove otherwise, and they won’t turn it around this week. Lions, 21-17
RAVENS (6-2) AT BENGALS (0-8) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Ravens by 91⁄2
Ravens’ keys: Turn QB Lamar Jackson loose. The Ravens haven’t lost this season when Jackson has attempted double-digit rushes, and he has averaged 100 rushing yards per game during their four-game winning streak.
Bengals’ keys: Rookie QB Ryan Finley gets his first start, but they need to get RB Joe Mixon going on the ground. Last year’s AFC rushing leader has just 320 yards and no TDs.
Who wins? The Bengals have entered evaluation mode; Baltimore is in the thick of the AFC playoff race and has numerous matchup advantages to exploit. Ravens, 30-14
BILLS (6-2) AT BROWNS (2-6)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Browns by 21⁄2
Bills’ keys: They are built to play with a lead, running behind a bruising offensive line and relying on the 1-2 punch of RBs Frank Gore and Devin Singletary.
Browns’ keys: Stop the self-destructive mistakes. QB Baker Mayfield is tied for the league lead in interceptions, and RB Nick Chubb has had too many careless fumbles. Cleveland also leads the league in penalties per game and ranks last in penalty yardage differential.
Who wins? The Bills are the better allaround team but the Browns’ improved special teams should give them a slight edge at home. Browns, 26-21
FALCONS (1-7) AT SAINTS (7-1)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Saints by 111⁄2
Falcons’ keys: They have to do a better job protecting QB Matt Ryan and establishing the run with Devonta Freeman.
Saints’ keys: The defense has to start forcing turnovers without getting penalized. Five of New Orleans’ interceptions have been wiped out by penalties.
Who wins? The Falcons do more than enough to put themselves in a hole every week. Meanwhile, the Saints have survived key injuries at multiple positions. Saints, 28-3
GIANTS (2-7) AT JETS (1-7)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Giants by 21⁄2
Giants’ keys: QB Daniel Jones and his receivers will have to target Gang Green’s secondary, which should be a treat for the 2019 rookie. The Jets haven’t defended the pass with any consistency.
Jets’ keys: Like the Jets, the Giants have a lot of room for improvement when it comes to pass blocking and pass rushing. If the Jets can keep their own quarterback, Sam Darnold, upright and get after Jones, they might surprise their stadium roommates.
Who wins? With so many holes on both rosters, don’t expect this to be a clean game. The Giants will win, but it won’t be pretty. Giants, 14-10
CARDINALS (3-5-1) AT BUCS (2-6) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Buccaneers by 41⁄2
Cardinals’ keys: Attack the Buccaneers’ secondary. QB Kyler Murray has the arm and athleticism to pick Tampa Bay apart.
Buccaneers’ keys: Limit turnovers. Tampa Bay is playing at home for the first time since Week 3, which should rejuvenate this team after a grueling fivegame stretch on the road.
Who wins? The Bucs traveled to Los Angeles, London and Seattle during their five-game road trip. A game in front of their home crowd will give them just enough of an edge to pull out a win at the wire. Buccaneers, 31-28
CHIEFS (6-3) AT TITANS (4-5)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Chiefs by 61⁄2
Chiefs’ keys: The biggest question will be whether QB Patrick Mahomes returns from a dislocated kneecap. His fill-in, Matt Moore, has yet to throw an interception since he replaced Mahomes against the Broncos in Week 7. The Tennessee secondary has eight interceptions, which ranks among the NFL leaders.
Titans’ keys: Starting fast and strong. They still seem hesitant to give the ball to RB Derrick Henry, who only had two touches in the first half last weekend. The Titans remain solid on defense but give up too many big plays.
Who wins? Sitting atop the AFC West, the Chiefs have the momentum and are the stronger team overall. Chiefs, 23-16
DOLPHINS (1-7) AT COLTS (5-3)
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Colts by 91⁄2
Dolphins’ keys: Coming off their first win, they will need their passing game, led by QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and WR DeVante Parker, to keep connecting.
Colts’ keys: They will have to limit their turnovers after committing three against the Steelers in Week 9. If Indy is without QB Jacoby Brissett (knee), it will be Brian Hoyer under center.
Who wins? In desperate need of a win to stay in the playoff hunt, the Colts are back at home. Even without WR T.Y. Hilton and potentially Brissett, Indy still wins. Colts, 24-18
PANTHERS (5-3) AT PACKERS (7-2) TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Packers by 41⁄2
Panthers’ keys: Feed the ball to RB Christian McCaffrey, make the Packers one-dimensional on offense and create turnovers. McCaffrey can take pressure off QB Kyle Allen by making the most out of a favorable matchup against Green Bay’s run defense and linebackers. His quickness and pass-catching ability could give the Packers trouble.
Packers’ keys: Get RB Aaron Jones going, keep QB Aaron Rodgers protected and pressure Panthers QB Allen. Carolina has struggled to stop opposing running backs, and Jones has been effective as a runner and as a receiver. Keeping Rodgers upright will be a challenge; the Panthers have one of the best sack percentages in the NFL this season.
Who wins? The Packers take care of business against another backup quarterback and win their third consecutive home game. Packers, 27-23
RAMS (5-3) AT STEELERS (4-4)
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Rams by 31⁄2
Rams’ keys: They have to get the run game going with RB Todd Gurley because they don’t want to get onedimensional against the Steelers, who have two pass rushers in LBs Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt who can terrorize an opposing quarterback.
Steelers’ keys: They need to get healthy. With injuries all over the offense, the Steelers continue to struggle to find ways to manufacture points. Defensively, the pass rush is doing its job but there is still too much lazy coverage on the back end.
Who wins? Unless Pittsburgh suddenly discovers some offense, it’s hard to see the Steelers keeping up. Rams, 28-17
VIKINGS (6-3) AT COWBOYS (5-3)
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC Line: Cowboys by 21⁄2
Vikings’ keys: Minnesota has to get receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs involved early along with RB Dalvin Cook for a dual attack on offense. Minnesota’s defense needs to force Dallas to win with its passing, which is still a 50-50 proposition.
Cowboys’ keys: In four wins, the offense was able to get off to quick starts and build leads with great execution from QB Dak Prescott and early involvement of RB Ezekiel Elliott.
Who wins? Prescott and the Cowboys seemed to have improved their execution issues from earlier in the year, and the offensive line is healthier than it was then. The Vikings’ pass rush gets neutralized by the Cowboys’ run game.
Cowboys, 28-26
SEAHAWKS (7-2) AT 49ERS (8-0)
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN Line: 49ers by 61⁄2
Seahawks’ keys: QB Russell Wilson is capable of frustrating the San Francisco pass rush and extending plays. The Seahawks also can spread the 49ers’ defense horizontally and go with a nohuddle attack. On defense, staying disciplined with assignments is key to stopping the 49ers’ offense.
49ers’ keys: QB Jimmy Garoppolo is coming off his best game as a 49er, and the offense should be healthier with LT Joe Staley, RT Mike McGlinchey and FB Kyle Juszczyk expected to be back.
Who wins? Seattle has a smart defense and an unorthodox offense that can create problems. But a few extra days off, improving health and a couple of extra wrinkles on both sides of the ball should be enough for San Francisco. 49ers, 27-24