The NFL continues to deliver the unexpected, making Week 10 picks and predictions tough to judge coming off a topsy-turvy week around the league. The state of the NFL standings is equally as intriguing, with several teams fighting for position in the playoff picture. Let’s take a look at the NFL games for Week 10 and make our picks and predictions for what could be a fun slate of games.
NFL picks and predictions Week 10 | NFL lines and odds
There is so much to digest when we look at the NFL odds for Week 10 of the 2021 season. Statement wins coupled with shocking losses from teams over the past two weeks have left the sportsbooks with some intriguing lines. Will the best teams be able to separate themselves heading into the second half of the season, or will the league continue to twist and turn like a rollercoaster?
Let’s take a look at the Week 10 picks, predictions, and NFL odds from DraftKings sportsbook as of 5:30 AM ET on November 8, starting with Thursday’s game.
Thursday Night Football: Baltimore Ravens (-7) at Miami Dolphins
This game is somewhat complicated by the Ravens having to play an extended overtime game against the Vikings in Week 9. That extra time on the field is tough to account for week to week. Last week, we saw both the Titans and Colts succeed despite that extra time on the field. The Ravens should be able to follow suit against Miami.
The Dolphins are a bad football team. Defeating the lowly Houston Texans does nothing to alter that reality. The biggest danger in this game is that Baltimore loses focus thinking about the second half of the season and overlook Miami.
Ravens vs. Dolphins Prediction: Ravens 24, Dolphins 17
Sunday, Week 10: Free NFL picks and predictions
This Sunday has a fantastic slate of games in all three windows. With the playoffs now in sharp focus in both the AFC and NFC, which teams can grab the initiative? Will we see another handful of upsets, or will things begin to settle down and play out according to form and talent level?
Here are our Week 10 picks, predictions, and NFL odds for Sunday’s games as of 5:30 AM ET on November 8.
Buffalo Bills (-13) at New York Jets
The Bills must be kicking themselves after dropping what should have been an easy game against the Jaguars. Now, they head up to New Jersey desperate to put things right against their division rivals. We have no idea who will be starting at QB for the Jets, but really, it shouldn’t affect the outcome of the game if the Bills play to their talent level.
Bills vs. Jets Prediction: Bills 31, Jets 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-9.5) at Washington Football Team
We have seen teams come off their bye week a little sloppy, but that is negated in this matchup with both teams coming off a bye. In a rematch of last year’s playoff matchup, there should be little doubt as to the outcome of this one.
The Washington defense has been playing nowhere near well enough to stand up to the Buccaneers. Meanwhile, their offense should not give Tampa Bay too many problems either. Unless the Buccaneers shoot themselves in the foot, they should win this by a relatively wide margin.
Buccaneers vs. Washington Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Washington 20
Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys (-9)
What happened to the Cowboys in Week 9 is a complete mystery. However, they should bounce back against a Falcons team that has been showing plenty of fight. Atlanta is a tough team to work out. One week they fight hard and the next they seem to roll over and get their belly tickled. If the Cowboys do not win this convincingly, alarm bells might begin to sound.
Falcons vs. Cowboys Prediction: Cowboys 34, Falcons 23
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (-10.5)
The Colts have been another tough team to figure out. However, getting their full offensive line back healthy is crucial after injuries have marred that unit all year. They have shown up in a big way in a couple of games now, and the Colts need that dominance upfront to continue.
The Jaguars have won two of their last three and should be able to at least restrict the Colts on the ground. Nevertheless, Indianapolis’ options to attack this defense should be too much for Jacksonville’s defense to handle for an entire game.
Jaguars vs. Colts Prediction: Colts 27, Jaguars 20
Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers (-9)
With the AFC North very much in contention, this is a game the Steelers have to capitalize on. Hopefully, we see a more motivated Lions team after their disastrous outing before the bye. However, even the most motivated Detroit team should not be able to beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
Lions vs. Steelers Prediction: Steelers 26, Lions 17
Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots (-2.5)
This game has taken on huge importance in the AFC playoff picture. Both of these teams still have a shot to win their respective divisions, but games like this within the conference are vital for both with the potential for tiebreakers to split teams at the end.
While the Patriots have been playing well, this is a tough game for them. The Browns’ defense is extremely good against the run, and we have seen that rookie QB Mac Jones can be an inconsistent passer. This game has the feeling of a Browns statement road win.
Browns vs. Patriots Prediction: Browns 24, Patriots 20
New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans (-2.5)
The Titans have now beaten the Bills, Chiefs, and Rams in a four-game stretch. They nearly dropped the ball against the Colts, but divisional games can be odd. Meanwhile, the Saints struggled with Trevor Siemian starting and undid the good work they had done the week before.
The Titans should win this game, but this has the feeling of a defensive battle. In those games, it is usually a turnover or big play that makes all the difference. If Tennessee’s defense shows up in the same way it did against the Rams, they should add a sixth-straight win to their résumé.
Titans vs. Saints Prediction: Titans 24, Saints 21
Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals (-10)
The assumption is that Kyler Murray will be back. But honestly, it probably does not matter either way to the result. Colt McCoy played well in reserve, and the Panthers are a complete mess right now. Arizona simply cannot afford to drop this game.
Panthers vs. Cardinals Prediction: Cardinals 31, Giants 13
Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5)
This game is huge for both teams. The AFC West is so tight that the Chargers need to win every game against low-to-middling teams. However, the Vikings will present a tough test and simply cannot afford to slip to 3-6. This should be a matchup played with plenty of intensity in Los Angeles.
Vikings vs. Chargers Prediction: Chargers 27, Vikings 24
Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos (-2.5)
For what the Broncos did in Dallas to be meaningful, they have to back it up with a convincing win against the Eagles. In the space of two weeks, the Broncos have turned themselves from a laughingstock into an AFC playoff contender. The Eagles are a tough team to read, but this feels like a game where they ultimately fall short.
Eagles vs. Broncos Prediction: Broncos 24, Eagles 21
[bet-promo id=”160605″ ]Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers (-5.5)
This game has a wide range of outcomes. Depending on COVID protocols and a return from injury, this could be Aaron Rodgers vs. Russell Wilson in a truly magnificent showdown in Lambeau. It could also be Geno Smith vs. Jordan Love or some other combination of those four quarterbacks.
With uncertainty over who will be under center for each team, it’s hard to make a prediction for this Week 10 NFL game. The Packers are the better team, so let’s work on the assumption it will be Rodgers vs. either Smith or Wilson, and Green Bay comes out on top either way.
Seahawks vs. Packers Prediction: Packers 27, Seahawks 21
Sunday Night Football: Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5) at Las Vegas Raiders
Despite everything, the Chiefs are back in the midst of the AFC playoff race. Even though they are just marginally outside the playoff picture in the AFC as it stands, they are still in the running for everything from the division title to the No. 1 seed.
The Raiders had a tough game against the Giants, but frankly, that can be forgiven. Now, they need to come out and make a statement against a Chiefs team that is there to be beaten. This game is huge for both sides. Yet, for the Raiders it could be the start of a resurgent playoff push or the beginning of a potential spiral to another forgettable season.
Chiefs vs. Raiders Prediction: Raiders 30, Chiefs 26
Monday Night Football: Week 10 picks and predictions
Primetime NFC West matches are seemingly never dull affairs. The four teams always play each other hard, and it makes for entertaining football. There are a number of subplots to this game that makes for a fascinating situation heading into Week 10.
Rounding out our Week 10 NFL picks and predictions is a prime-time game that could have lasting consequences for the playoffs as well as the future of one of these head coaches.
Los Angeles Rams (-4.5) at San Francisco 49ers
In the last two years, the 49ers have had the Rams’ number, defeating them in all four matchups. However, despite their loss against the Titans last week, it’s the Rams that come into this game as the clear favorites.
The 49ers were frankly embarrassing against a Cardinals team without two of their star players. If they put up another performance like that, could we see Kyle Shanahan’s seat warming up heading towards Week 11?
Rams vs. 49ers Prediction: Rams 28, 49ers 24