Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens
Week 10 of the NFL season begins with a big AFC North clash on Thursday Night Football. The Baltimore Ravens (6-3) will host the Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) in a game that will impact not only the North, but also the AFC playoff picture. Baltimore has won 6-of-7 following an 0-2 start but currently trails the Steelers (6-2) in the division. Meanwhile, Cincinnati has won 3-of-4 since beginning the season with a 1-4 record. The Bengals are only one game out of the playoffs — trailing Denver and Indianapolis, respectively — so a loss Thursday night wouldn’t be insurmountable. Baltimore has won the last three head-to-head matchups and a fourth victory would keep the team firmly in the mix for a top-2 seed in the AFC.
Prediction: 38-30, Baltimore
San Francisco 49ers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is a big game for both teams. The San Francisco 49ers (4-4) have handled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) each of the past two seasons and they will look to make it three in a row over the NFC South hopefuls. The Niners have been decimated by injuries this season but they will receive a boost this week with the return of superstar Christian McCaffrey. Trailing Arizona by a half-game in the West, San Francisco is hoping that CMC’s return will turn its season around. Tampa Bay is currently without its two star wideouts — Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the latter is out for the season — but it has remained competitive in their absence. Losers of three in a row, the Bucs cannot afford to lose a fourth-straight game as their deficit in the South is already two games (with Atlanta also winning both head-to-head matchups).
Prediction: 27-17, San Francisco
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Washington Commanders
Before the season began, nobody could have predicted these two teams would meet in Week 10 with the records they have. The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) and Washington Commanders (7-2) lead their respective divisions and appear to be safe bets to reach the postseason — whether through winning the division or earning a Wild Card spot. Pittsburgh has won three games in a row and has improved offensively with Russell Wilson at quarterback. The Commanders have also won three in a row, but their last two victories haven’t been overly impressive. Pittsburgh’s defense will look to speed up rookie Jayden Daniels — if it accomplishes its goal, the Steelers have a good shot at winning.
Prediction: 20-18, Pittsburgh
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs
It’s time to see what Sean Payton’s team is about. Payton’s Denver Broncos (5-4) are coming off a 31-point drubbing in Baltimore, but had gone 5-1 ahead of the blowout. Now, the Broncos will try to hand the rival Kansas City Chiefs (8-0) their first loss of the season. Despite dealing with numerous injuries on offense, the Chiefs have found ways to win every week. Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been spectacular — 11 TDs, 9 INTs — but the defense has been great. With KC’s defense playing at the level it is and Denver trotting out a rookie quarterback, it is hard to imagine an upset at Arrowhead.
Prediction: 27-10, Kansas CityÂ
Detroit Lions @ Houston Texans
Could the game of the week be a Super Bowl preview? The Houston Texans (6-3) are hosting the Detroit Lions (7-1). Houston’s C.J. Stroud has struggled in lieu of injuries to top wideouts Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs. On the other side of the field, Jared Goff has been sensational for the loaded Lions. Detroit has won six games in a row and has knocked off fellow NFC contenders Green Bay and Minnesota in recent weeks. The Texans have dropped two-of-three and are staring at another loss this week. Detroit may be the best team in football and Houston is still battling to find its footing without Collins and Diggs. The Lions will continue to roll.
Prediction: 30-17, Detroit
