NFL Week 10 picks and predictions: 49ers score huge win over Jaguars; Ravens edge Browns in AFC North battle

We have after all reached my least favourite week of the yr and it has not anything to do with the NFL.

The first week after turning the clock again is at all times a nightmare and that is most commonly as a result of I’ve a child who’s now waking up at 5:30 a.m. If I am getting all my picks flawed this week, that is why. The executive wishes to prohibit time adjustments and/or clocks.  

I’m going to have to speak to my infant about clock control, and to be fair, anyone almost definitely must also have that dialog with the Cowboys as a result of their clock control used to be lovely unsightly close to the top of the sport towards the Eagles. 

Alright, I’m finished speaking about clocks, let’s get to the picks. 

Actually, prior to we get to the Week 10 picks, here is a fast reminder that you’ll take a look at the weekly picks from each and every CBSSports.com NFL skilled through clicking right here. Also, I’m in rate of the NFL e-newsletter right here at CBSSports.com and if you need me invading your inbox 5 days every week, then you definitely will have to undoubtedly join. If you need to subscribe, all you must do is click on right here and input your electronic mail cope with. If you do this, it’s going to straight away make us ideally suited pals, and simply so you understand, I’ve already let all my present ideally suited pals know that they may well be changed this week.

OK, I’m going to forestall stalling, let’s get to the picks. 

NFL Week 10 picks

Carolina (1-7) at Chicago (2-7)

8:15 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime)

On paper, that is simply the worst recreation of Week 10 and most likely the worst recreation ever. I’m now not even certain who the target audience is meant to be right here: Panthers lovers do not wish to watch the Panthers play anymore, Bears lovers do not wish to watch the Bears play, and indisputably, nobody needs to look at them play each and every different. 

Actually, there’s one explanation why to look at and that is most commonly for the reason that Bears are in first win-win scenario in NFL historical past: They win in the event that they win and they even win in the event that they lose and that is all on account of the NFL Draft. 

The Bears will probably be getting Carolina’s first-round pick out in the 2024 NFL Draft, which means that if the Panthers lose on Thursday, then Chicago will take one step nearer towards most likely getting the primary general pick out. On the opposite hand, if the Panthers win, that is not the worst factor, both, for the reason that Bears even have their very own first-round pick out in 2024 and their draft positioning will reinforce in the event that they lose this recreation. 

The Bears can assist their draft place through successful and they are able to assist their draft place through dropping. 

So which one goes to occur?

After staring at Bryce Young play this yr, I’m now not certain I will pick out the Panthers to win every other recreation this season. Not handiest has he struggled, however he is been specifically dangerous at the street. In 3 street video games, the Panthers have long gone 0-3 and Young has thrown 4 interceptions whilst averaging simply 203.3 passing yards consistent with recreation. 

Also, I think like D.J. Moore goes to be out for revenge. The former Panthers receiver used to be traded to the Bears in the deal that gave Carolina the No. 1 general pick out, which allowed them to draft Young. Moore has already had 3 video games this yr the place he went over 100 yards and I may not be shocked if he provides every other one to the tally on Thursday. 

I’m now not certain who the Bears’ quarterback goes to be simply but — Tyson Bagent has been beginning, however Justin Fields lately returned to follow after lacking 3 video games because of a thumb harm — however I’m beginning to assume it would now not subject. The Panthers protection cannot prevent the run — they have got surrendered the 5th maximum speeding yards consistent with recreation this yr — and the Bears are working over everybody. They’re averaging 135.3 yards consistent with recreation at the floor, which is the fourth-best quantity in the NFL heading into Week 10. That turns out like a recipe for crisis for the Panthers. 

The pick out: Bears 20-13 over Panthers

If you need a extra analytical manner on your NFL picks, then I extremely recommend that you simply take a look at the SportsLine Projection Model, which has been on hearth this yr. Check it out if you wish to know which facet to guess for each and every recreation in Week 9.

Indianapolis (4-5) vs. New England (2-7) in Germany

9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)

I by no means idea I’d kind those phrases, however I believe Bill Belichick may in truth be at the scorching seat. His training tree is on hearth, his staff cannot win video games and “The Patriot Way” is fading into oblivion. His resolution to transport on from Tom Brady has confirmed to be one of the most worst workforce choices in NFL historical past, the staff cannot draft and the only factor that has at all times been excellent underneath Belichick — his protection — is even failing him. 

In Week 9, they misplaced to a staff that wasn’t even looking to win. The Commanders waved the white flag at the season on the business time limit once they made up our minds to business away two in their defensive stars, however they nonetheless controlled to overcome the Patriots. 

Things are so dangerous in New England that Patriots lovers are satisfied that Robert Kraft and his son may well be able to make a transfer and I’m now not certain I disagree, as a result of they undoubtedly appeared disgusted all through the second one part of the staff’s loss to the Commanders. 

I’m now not certain what they mentioned there, however here is what they wish to inform Belichick, “You either retire a hero or you coach long enough to see yourself get fired.”

If you might be questioning whether or not I took a quote from Harvey Dent and changed in order that it have compatibility Belichick’s scenario, the solution is sure.

The excellent news for Belichick is that I don’t believe he’ll have to fret about getting fired this week. He has two large issues running in his prefer heading into this recreation. For one, it is being performed in Germany and I believe that in truth provides the Patriots a bonus. Belichick hasn’t ever misplaced in Europe (He’s 3-0) and I’m guessing that is as a result of his inflexible scheduling in truth comes in at hand when the Patriots play in a foreign country. 

The different benefit for Belichick is that the Colts may have Gardner Minshew at quarterback. Although Minshew has began 41 video games in his profession, he is by no means confronted Belichick. No one is healthier than Belichick at complicated opposing quarterbacks and it is by no means simple to stand him for the primary time. This can be like asking anyone who is performed 3 video games of chess in their lifestyles to overcome Garry Kasparov (I promised the chess neighborhood I’d make one chess reference this yr, so there you cross guys). 

The Colts are the staff that began the Deflategate controversy, so it will be virtually becoming in the event that they have been the staff to finish Belichick’s reign in New England, however I don’t believe his reign goes to finish. At least now not this week. 

The pick out: Patriots 20-17 over Colts

San Francisco (5-3) at Jacksonville (6-2)

1 p.m. ET (Fox)

I’m now not pronouncing the NFL will have to be put me in rate of flexing video games, however I’m beginning to assume the NFL will have to put me in rate of flexing video games. For some explanation why, the league made up our minds to stay Jets-Raiders on Sunday night time this week when they might have had this recreation as a substitute.  

I’d record all of the explanation why this recreation is healthier, however that may take me 9 hours to write down and it will take you seven hours to learn and we shouldn’t have time for that. Let’s simply all agree that this recreation would had been the most suitable option for “Sunday Night Football.”

On one hand, we have now the most up to date staff in the NFL and that is the Jaguars, who’re recently on a five-game successful streak, which is the longest streak in the league at this time. On the opposite hand, we have now the 49ers, who have not received a recreation since Week 5 (Reminder: It’s Week 10). 

The 49ers’ greatest factor all through their three-game dropping streak has been accidents. Every time it seems like issues cannot most likely get any worse, they come what may worsen. Left take on Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel each overlooked more than one video games all through the dropping streak. Also, Brock Purdy suffered a concussion in Week 7 and he hasn’t been the similar quarterback since then. 

The Jaguars and 49ers are each coming off a bye, however San Francisco undoubtedly wanted the off week extra. Williams and Samuel will each most probably be enjoying on Sunday and Purdy will have to be again to 100%. With the ones 3 at the box, that would provide numerous issues for a Jaguars protection that hasn’t been ready to forestall the move this yr. The Jags are surrendering 263.5 passing yards consistent with recreation this season, which ranks thirtieth in the NFL. 

Another factor running in the 49ers prefer is that they only ADDED CHASE YOUNG. The 49ers pass-rush have been suffering some this yr, however it will have to undoubtedly get a spice up this week with Young at the box. To recap: The 49ers offense will have to thrive towards the Jags’ secondary and the 49ers protection is almost definitely going to devour Trevor Lawrence alive. 

The Jaguars have now not overwhelmed the 49ers in 18 years and I don’t believe that drought ends this yr. 

The pick out: 49ers 30-23 over Jaguars

Houston (4-4) at Cincinnati (5-3)

1 p.m. ET (CBS)

After beating the Bills on Sunday night time, the Bengals will now be webhosting the Texans, which will probably be adopted through a Thursday night time showdown with the Ravens in Week 11. I do not wish to say enjoying Houston is a entice recreation, but when your staff goes to go to sleep on the wheel all through a type of 3 video games, it is undoubtedly going to be the only towards the Texans. 

That being mentioned, I believe C.J. Stroud may have ruined any probability the Texans had of unusual the Bengals this week. In Houston’s Week 9 win over Tampa Bay, the Texans rookie quarterback re-wrote the NFL report ebook. Not handiest did he set the rookie report for essentially the most passing yards in a single-game with 470, however he additionally set the report for the perfect QB score through a rookie in a single-game (147.8). After turning again the clock an hour this week, I’m guessing the Panthers would love if shall we flip the clock all of the as far back as the draft so they might take Stroud as a substitute of Bryce Young. 

I do not know the way relaxed the NFL would really feel about handing out the rookie of the yr award in Week 10, however they may as smartly and simply cross forward and give it to Stroud now. 

The one drawback for the Texans in this recreation is if there may be been one QB who is been warmer than Stroud over the previous few weeks, it is Joe Burrow. 

The Bengals QB has arguably been the most productive quarterback in the NFL over the previous 5 weeks. Not handiest does he have the perfect passer score in the league since Week 5, however he is additionally thrown 10 landing passes with a 75% final touch proportion over his previous 4 video games. 

Is that even spectacular? The solution is sure. Only one different participant has ever finished that and that used to be Peyton Manning who did it all through his MVP season in 2013. If the Texans cannot get any drive on Burrow, then this generally is a lengthy day for a Houston staff that is struggled to sack the quarterback. The Texans handiest have 17 sacks at the season and six of the ones got here in one recreation towards Bryce Young (Their 17 sacks are the fourth-worst quantity in the NFL). 

If the Texans sack Burrow six occasions, they may win, however I don’t believe that is going to occur. 

The pick out: Bengals 27-20 over Texans

Cleveland (5-3) at Baltimore (7-2) 

1 p.m. ET (Fox)

If you have appeared the NFL standings at any level over the previous 24 hours, you will have spotted that the AFC North is formally the most productive department in soccer. And to be fair, pronouncing this department is the “best” may well be an underestimation. Heading into Week 10, all 4 groups are a minimum of two video games above .500, which marks the primary time that is ever came about this past due in the season because the divisions have been realigned in 2002. 

Also, the AFC North is heading in the right direction to ship ALL FOUR TEAMS TO THE PLAYOFFS. 

No four-team department has ever despatched all 4 of its groups to the playoffs. 

Oh, and did I point out that the 4 groups in the AFC North are a mixed 17-6 towards non-divisional fighters? The handiest explanation why I’m pointing all of this out is as a result of my plan this week used to be to pick out each and every AFC North staff to win, however I will’t do this on account of this recreation. 

These two groups performed again in Week 4 with the Ravens successful 28-3, however I’m going to fail to remember that recreation came about for the reason that Browns needed to play with a rookie QB who used to be making his first profession get started. They’ll have Deshaun Watson this week and it doesn’t matter what you call to mind Watson, he is undoubtedly a step up from a rookie QB who is by no means began a recreation prior to. 

The Browns may also be bringing the NFL’s ideally suited protection to this recreation. Through 9 weeks, the Browns have surrendered simply 234.8 yards consistent with recreation, which ranks first in the NFL. 

Actually, now that I’m excited about it, you have to almost definitely make the argument that the Browns shouldn’t have the most productive protection in this recreation and that the RAVENS do. Baltimore’s protection has given up the fewest issues in the NFL this yr … You know what? Forget the defenses. They cancel each and every different out. This is all going to return all the way down to who performs higher between Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson and I’ll take Jackson in that discuss. 

The Ravens QB is enjoying at an MVP stage and thru 9 weeks, he leads the NFL in final touch proportion (71.5%) AND QB speeding yards, which is one thing that has handiest been achieved through one different QB in NFL historical past (Steve Young in 1994). Steve Young received the MVP and the Super Bowl in 1994 and I’m beginning to really feel like Lamar may do the similar. 

The Ravens generally tend to combat in divisional video games — they are simply 6-9 because the get started of the 2021 season — however I believe they pull this one out on Sunday. 

The pick out: Ravens 19-16 over Browns

NFL Week 10 picks: All the remaining

Saints 24-17 over Vikings
Steelers 24-16 over Packers
Titans 19-16 over Buccaneers
Falcons 20-16 over Cardinals
Lions 27-23 over Chargers
Cowboys 27-13 over Giants
Seahawks 31-20 over Commanders
Raiders 23-20 over Jets
Bills 23-16 over Broncos

BYES: Chiefs, Dolphins, Rams, Eagles

Last Week

Best pick out: It took 9 weeks, however it after all came about: I were given a Titans pick out proper! I used to be beginning to assume that I used to be going to head all the season with out hitting a unmarried Titans’ pick out however the streak after all ended. I will after all glance my relations in the face once more. On the opposite hand, I want to ask for forgiveness to everybody who picked the other of what I picked since you assumed I’d be flawed. That used to be an excellent technique and I’m sorry it did not paintings. 

Thanks for the use of the previous double opposite jinx, guys. You took one for the staff and I respect it. 

Worst pick out: If I’ve discovered something about making NFL picks over the previous 10 years, it is that you simply will have to by no means pick out the Cowboys to win in a large recreation, as a result of they at all times choke. Well, bet what? I picked the Cowboys to win a large recreation and in the least sudden news in human historical past, they choked. They had 103 other probabilities to overcome the Eagles on Sunday and they choked away each and every unmarried considered one of them. It used to be virtually spectacular how a lot choking there used to be. 

The Cowboys had a primary down at Philadelphia’s SIX-YARD LINE with 27 seconds left and I believed needless to say they have been going to score, however as a substitute, they come what may controlled to head BACKWARDS 21 yards in a span of 2 performs. The Cowboys are the Dolphins of the NFC: They cannot beat a excellent staff and I will be able to now not be choosing them to overcome any excellent groups till I in truth see them beat a excellent staff. 

Finally, in the event you guys have ever puzzled which groups I’m in truth excellent at choosing, here is a fast have a look at my ideally suited and worst groups relating to picks this yr. 

Teams I’m 8-1 choosing this yr (Straight up): Cardinals, Giants, Panthers (7-1), Packers (7-1), Jets (7-1)
Longest successful streak: Cardinals (Six instantly wins)

Teams I’m 1-7 choosing this yr (Straight up): Titans (1-7), Texans (1-7). 
Longest dropping streak: Texans (Seven instantly losses)

Every different staff is someplace in the center. 

Picks Record

Straight up in Week 9: 10-4
SU general: 83-54 (2-14 choosing the Titans and Texans, 81-40 choosing everybody else)

Against the unfold in Week 9: 9-5
ATS general: 66-66-4

You can in finding John Breech on Facebook or Twitter and if he is not doing a type of issues, he is probaby celebrating his Week 9 Titans’ pick out with a family-size bag of Funyons.