NFL Week Ten predictions: Grant carries Pack to win over ‘Boys

Last week: 9-4

Season total: 87-42

Chicago at San Francisco

Both squads bring their A-game. Jay Cutler and Matt Forte turn loose a couple of big plays late to break away.

Bears 30, Niners 28

Detroit at Minnesota

This one turns into the Percy Harvin Expo early on.

Vikings 38, Lions 17

Denver at Washington

Upset special: the Redskins, able to contain the Broncos struggling rushing attack, rattle Kyle Orton and contain Brandon Marshall. 

Redskins 20, Broncos 17

Update: Considering the Clinton Portis concussion, I think Denver wins, 17-13.

Atlanta at Carolina

Tough to call. Both teams are looking to come back from tough losses to New Orleans. Carolina is trying to cure DeAngelo Williams of the dropsies. In the end I’ll go with the more bruising running back and psychologically-stable QB.

Falcons 27, Panthers 20

Tampa Bay at Miami

The Bucs are coming off a big win against Green Bay, while the Dolphins attempt to bounce back from a loss against New England. The Bucs’ D was able to pin its ears back and fly at (and into) Aaron Rodgers last week, but they won’t have the same liberty against Miami’s Wildcat.

Dolphins 24, Bucs 13

Jacksonville at New York Jets

This is going to be a season of what-ifs for the Jets, whose defense has felt the loss of larger than life DT Kris Jenkins. Maurice Jones-Drew shreds them, and frustration begins to set in the Big Apple.

Jags 24, Jets 20

New Orleans at St. Louis

This puts the easy in Big Easy.

Saints 49, Rams 14

Buffalo at Tennessee

This Tennessee game-plan of Vince Young doing just enough through the air to keep defenses from sitting on Chris Johnson is working just fine. It’s unlikely, but what if Tennessee actually does run the table the rest of the way? They would have to be the most dramatic playoff entry in recent memory. But let’s not get carried away.

Titans 31, Bills 16

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh

Hold the mustard Ochocinco. Mike Tomlin’s team isn’t losing such a crucial divisional game on their home turf in November. Cedric Benson meets reality.

Steelers 31, Bengals 17

Kansas City at Oakland

A lot of dysfunction on the field (and sidelines) for this one.

Chiefs 24, Raiders 23

Dallas at Green Bay

A lot of attention is going to New England-Indy and Cincy-Pittsburgh, but this battle in the Upper Midwest will have much to say about the outcome of the NFC East and North. The Packers can’t afford to fall another game behind Minnesota, plain and simple, while Dallas is trying to establish itself atop the East and in the highest echelon of teams league-wide. Expect a Green Bay effort to hold off the Dallas rush with a lot of Ryan Grant stunt runs. 

Packers 30, Cowboys 27

Seattle at Arizona

There is simply no way the Seattle secondary is going to contain Fitz and Co.

Cardinals 35, Seahawks 17

Philadelphia at San Diego

Two of the hottest teams in the league. Two offenses with plenty of weapons. I’ll go with the stronger defense to make a couple more plays down the stretch.

Eagles 28, Chargers 24

New England at Indianapolis

The Colts secondary is depleted. Peyton depletes all secondaries. The Colts will get more pressure on Tom Brady than the Pats can send to Peyton.

Colts 35, Patriots 31

Baltimore at Cleveland

Brady Quinn is back. It’s Monday Night in Cleveland. The Ravens get caught looking ahead just enough to make this game.

Ravens 27, Browns 23