NFL Week 10 Preview: Temperature Rises Inside Pressure Cooker

I couldn’t help but think of the Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator when I was watching last weeks games. There was the big clashes between the Patriots and Packers, the fabled GOAT v GOAT battle between Brady and Rodgers, and we had Saints v Rams, the battle of the NFC powerhouses.  As I sat and watched all i could think about was Arnie’s quote – If it bleeds, we can kill it.

Now this may sound a bit dramatic but people were wondering if the Rams could follow in the 1972 Miami Dolphins footsteps and stay unbeaten. An incredibly loaded roster has aided them in becoming Superbowl favourites. However last week I pointed out the run of games they had coming up defining their season. Now we will see how they will react to the first defeat of the season.

What will be interesting also is to see how others react to the results. Will teams now realise that the Saints are the real deal?

However, every result now sends a shockwave through the NFL and as we have seen already with Hue Jackson their are careers as well as playoff hopes on the line. With this in mind I look ahead to the key games this week.

Lions @ Bears

A key game for both teams. They both have playoff hopes and a defeat here would surely end the Lions chances. For the Bears They are a surprise package. They have the lead in their division where many thought this would be a straight shoot out between the Vikings and the Packers. However they have a groove going which is working for them.

The Lions suffered a crushing defeat against the Vikings recently and need to be more competitive in this match if they hope to have any football in the post season. They have been a hard team to predict as they have beaten the Patriots and the Packers this season but have also lost games you would have expected them to win.

However with Khalil Mack still missing it has shown that the Bears can allow points. Their defense was magnificent against the Bills but beating the Bills is nothing to write home about. It is expected. So I can see both teams letting fly and I think this could be a shootout won by whoever is able to get the points in the first quarter.

Tarik Cohen to score a touchdown

Kerryon Johnson to score a touchdown

Saints @ Bengals

The dragon slayers return to action knowing that a win will give them breathing space in their division. They take on a Benglas side who have shown glimpses throught the season that they could challenge in their own division. however with AJ Green missing I don’t see them being able to pose a big enough threat to a team whose only loss was a surprise defeat to start the season.

Joe Mixon has been performing brilliantly for the Benglas but the Saints showed that they are more than capable of dealing with the run game having kept Todd Gurley relatively quiet last week. This is why I don’t see anything other than a Saints win here.

Saints to score in every quarter

Michael Thomas first touchdown scorer

Chargers @ Raiders

Whilst the Rams and Chiefs have been gaining all of the attention for their performances this season it is worth noting that they are also the only teams to have beaten the Chargers. An explosive and dynamic offense has been clicking of late

The Raiders seem to have given up on this season. To be fair the same could be said when the inexplicably gave away star defensive player Khalil Mack before the season began. It seems as though Jon Gruden, knowing he can’t be fired due to his mammoth contract, is prepared to gamble when they relocate to Las Vegas. He has been stockpiling draft picks by clearing out squad members. The irony is that he has filled his roster with older players to try and get success but is now happy to gamble on future youthful players. The plan has worked in the past for a few teams and the lure of Vegas may just help to get this over the line. But this is a few years away still and it can’t be easy to be a part of the black hole just now.

This is a divisional game but Oakland have only won once this season, and even that was a overtime victory against Cleveland which they should have lost. So expect another defeat here.

Tyrell Williams to score a touchdown

LA Chargers to win both halves

Seahawks @ Rams

The unbeaten start is over. But the Rams are still the team to catch. They have Todd Gurley in incredible form and he is on pace to equal the all time touchdowns in a season record. They have Jared Goff flourishing in this new look offense and they have plenty of weapons to hurt any team and very nearly overturned a 21 point deficit last week to keep the run going.

However, they did lose that game and Marcus Peters was exposed a bit as he struggled. He himself came out after the game to state that he played badly. People expect the Rams to walk this game and some handicaps are giving them a two touchdown cushion. However, their games recently have all been fairly close so I do not see that being the case. The Seahawks season may just be coasting along but they can still hurt teams. Russell Wilson is one of the best Quarterbacks in the NFL and his movement did cause the Rams problems when they met earlier in the season.

I expect the Rams to leave with the W though as the Seahawks have still not quite replaced the Legion of Boom and their defense will improve in time. Much rests on the impressive duo of the Griffin brothers. They have impressed at times but I think this will be a game too far as they face the Superbowl favourites. Add in that Todd gurley has scored a touchdown in 12 straight games and it could be a tough time for the Seattle defense.

Brandin Cooks to score a touchdown

Todd Gurley first touchdown scorer