NFL Week 10: picks, bets and predictions

We start the second half of the seasonwith more doubts than certainties, particularly in the AFC.

After the surprise defeat of the Bills Against the Jets, Buffalo and Kansas City are now 6-2, followed closely by Baltimore at 6-3. At the moment, those are the top three seeds in the AFC, in that order.

Tennessee (5-3) is the fourth division leader and then they come Jets (6-3), Miami (6-3), Chargers (5-3), Patriots (5-4) y Bengals (5-4).

Any one of these nine teams can finish as the top seed and play the entire postseason at home.

In the NFC, things seem a little clearer, with Philadelphia (8-0) at the wheel, followed by Minnesota (7-1), Seattle (6-3), Tampa Bay (4-5), Dallas (6-2). ), Giants (6-2) and San Francisco (4-4).

Any bump of Eagles and the race will get interesting, but the Philadelphia schedule does not demand much from the coach’s team Nick Sirianni, at least not in the next three games: Washington, Indianapolis and Green Bay. Then come ante games Titans, Giants y Cowboys in a period of four weeks.

Watch out for Dallas and Seattle in the nine weeks remaining on the regular schedule.

For now, let’s go to the picks:

GAME OF THE WEEK

Minnesota at Buffalo (-4)

It’s true, this game won’t be the same without Josh Allen.

The star quarterback of the Bills is evaluated “day by day” after suffering a ligament injury in his right elbow during the last offensive series of the game against the Jets.

If Allen can’t play, then Case Keenum he will make his starting debut with the Bills, his seventh team in 10 years in the NFL.

Facing the Vikings will be special for Keenum. In his only season in Minnesota, in 2017, he went 11-3 and led the Vikes to the NFC Championship Game.

His record as a starter, however, is an unimpressive 29-35, including 9-17 since leaving Minnesota.

Although Josh Allen is a big part of their running game (he leads the team with 392 yards and four touchdowns), to win this game the Bills have to run the ball and trust their defense to do the rest.

Minnesota is 7-1, but their wins are against Packers (3-6), Lions (2-6), Saints (3-6), Bears (3-6), Cardinals (3-6), Commanders ( 4-5) and Dolphins (6-3) without Tua Tagovailoa.

After the Bills game, the Vikes have to face the Cowboys, Patriots and Jets in consecutive weeks. So over the next four weekends we’re going to discover the true reaches of Minnesota.

El pick: I’m going to assume Josh Allen will miss this game and that means a more even matchup, but even without their QB1 the Bills have enough talent to win at home on a very special day for Case Keenum against his former team. Buffalo 24-21 Minnesota

SURE PICK

Indianapolis at Las Vegas (-6)

Unless Jeff Saturday be the real-life Ted Lasso, his only “mission” is to finish trashing the Indianapolis season. Raiders 24-17 Colts

UPSET

Seattle vs. Tampa Bay (-2.5) en Munich

Tom Brady it’s going to take another miracle to beat one of the best teams in the NFC. Seahawks 23-17 Bucs

TWO MINUTE DRIVE

Atlanta (-3) a Carolina

Just two weeks ago these two teams delivered the craziest and most entertaining game of the season. Something like this is just what they need on Thursdays. Falcons 31-28 Panthers

Detroit en Chicago (-2.5)

And in things that no one cares about… Bears 27-24 Lions

Jacksonville en Kansas City (-9.5)

The Jaguars aren’t intimidated by anyone, but they still don’t have the defense to deal with Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City 30-20 Jacksonville

Cleveland at Miami (-3.5)

The Dolphins gave up 252 rushing yards last week; If they don’t fix that right away, they’re going to suffer the whole game against Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Miami 27-24 Cleveland

Houston en New York Giants (-4.5)

Houston’s defense is the worst in the NFL against the run (allowing an average of 180.6 yards per game). Saquon Barkley likes this. Giants 31-21 Texans

New Orleans (-2.5) a Pittsburgh

The only argument here is gut feeling, and something tells me rookie Kenny Pickett will have a good game on Sunday. Steelers 23-20 Saints

Denver and Tennessee (-3)

In the past two weeks, Denver’s defense has allowed 346 rushing yards. Derrick Henry likes this. Titans 28-17 Broncos

Dallas (-5) at Green Bay

Welcome to the Cowboys party. There are Aaron Rodgers for all! Dallas 28-17 Green Bay

Arizona at Los Angeles Rams (-3)

The Cardinals play better on the road, but are 0-3 against division opponents. Rams 21-14 Cards

Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco (-7)

The 49ers have no margin for error. If they want to win the Western Division they can no longer lose a game the rest of the schedule. San Francisco 27-24 LA

Washington and Philadelphia (-11)

Washington’s defense has improved in recent weeks, but the Jalen Hurts makes him a candidate for MVP. Eagles 31-17 Commanders

Bye week: Baltimore, Cincinnati, New England, N.Y. Jets

In the past week: 9-4

Total in the season: 76-59-1

IN THE LINE OF PLAY