A Super Bowl XLIX rematch highlights the Week 10 schedule in the NFL, but there are a number of other intriguing matchups. You can click here for the complete list of odds, or you can continue reading for my favorite picks against the spread.
New England Patriots
Opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Line: NE (-7.5)
In two games with Michael Bennett on the sideline, the Seahawks have given up 50 points, 58 first downs(!) and 800 yards against the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills. Now, still without Bennett, they're on a short week on the road (where they're 1-2-1 this season) against the Patriots, who are coming off a bye week and have won four games by an average of 16.25 points since Tom Brady returned from suspension. The Seahawks haven't lost a game by eight points or more since Week 2 of last season, but this really couldn't set up any worse for them. The Patriots roll on national television. (Getty)
You can click through the gallery for the rest of the picks and predictions.
Atlanta Falcons
Opponent: at Philadelphia Eagles
Line: ATL (Pick 'Em)
In a game that is pegged as a toss-up, I turn to quarterback. On one side, we have a veteran playing at an MVP level this season, ranking first in passing yards per game and touchdowns, and second in touchdown percentage, yards per attempt, adjusted yards per attempt, and QB rating. On the other side, a rookie who has shown promising glimpses but has also thrown for 220.75 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions over his last four games. Philadelphia has the better defense, but as we've seen the past two weeks, it's still beatable. And it's certainly not nearly dominant enough to overcome the advantage Matt Ryan and Julio Jones give the Falcons on offense. (Getty)
Denver Broncos
Opponent: at New Orleans Saints
Line: DEN (+2.5)
It's a game of strength vs. strength and weakness vs. weakness, as the Broncos boast the league's No. 1 defense (in terms of yards per play) and No. 26 offense, while the Saints boast the No. 3 offense and No. 31 defense. Usually I'll bet on the better quarterback in this kind of situation, but there are exceptions when he's up against a pass defense that is playing at a historically good level. The Broncos have held Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers and Derek Carr (that's six players in the Top 17 of QBR plus last year's MVP) to 54.7 percent passing, 189.9 yards per game, 5.5 yards per attempt and a 6:8 TD:INT ratio in eight games, so they should be able to slow down Drew Brees--even in New Orleans--enough to win. (Getty)
Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Line: ARI (-14)
About a month ago, the Cardinals--on a short week in San Francisco with Drew Stanton under center--beat the 49ers by 12 points. Now, the Cardinals are coming off a bye, they're at home, and they have Carson Palmer under center. That should be good enough for a three-point improvement, especially when you consider the 'Niners have lost three games since then by 29, 17 and 18 points. Also, there's the fact that David Johnson is really good, and the 49ers can't stop getting gashed by even average running backs. This has blowout written all over it. (Getty)
Washington Redskins
Opponent: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Line: WAS (-3)
After a fantastic start to the season, Minnesota has dropped three games in a row. During that stretch, the Vikes have averaged 12.0 points and 292.3 yards per game, tallied an atrocious 4.36 yards per play (the Texans, the NFL's worst team in that department, are at 4.72), and been sacked 13 times. A shoddy offensive line has been at the heart of the problem, and now they go on the road to face a Washington team that ranks sixth in adjusted sack rate and has had an extra week of preparation. The Vikings' stout defense will keep them in the game, but that hasn't been enough to make up for the ongoing offensive woes, and that will again be the case in Week 10. (Getty)
NFL Week 10 Predictions: Best Picks Against the Spread