NFL Week 10 - Sunday Preview Part 2

Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)  @ Carolina Panthers (3-5) - Bank Of America Stadium

The defending NFC Champions will be looking to continue their mini revival when they host the surging Chiefs on Sunday. The Panthers were looked dead in the water at 1-5, however have rallied the past two weeks with impressive victories against the Cardinals and Rams. The Chiefs are a team that are flying right under the radar again this year sitting at 6-2 and on a 4-game winning streak.

Verdict - Panthers 20 Chiefs 19

This game will be a cracker I feel and I think the Panthers can pull it off at home. This is a team that is capable of making a late run at the playoffs. I expect this game to very, very physical and relatively low scoring as both defences assert their authority. 

Houston Texans (5-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) - EverBank Field

The Texans are leading a muddling AFC South this year and they potentially extend that lead with another win on the road against the reeling Jaguars. The Texans are a perfect 5-0 at home this year, however they are yet to win on the road and with a struggling offense this game is not the gimme it looks on paper. The Jaguars were tipped by many to be a big improver this year, however they have stunk it up pretty much the whole year. The Jaguars had 200 yards more offense than the Chiefs last week, however still found a way to lose with 4 turnovers.

Verdict - Jaguars 26 Texans 21

Maybe I am a complete mad man, but I am going with the Jaguars here to cause a boil over. I really don't rate this Texans team despite them sitting relatively pretty at the top of the division. They are yet to win on the road and I think the Jaguars, despite being awful this year, can throw this division wide open with a victory here. 

Miami Dolphins (4-4) @ San Diego Chargers (4-5) - Qualcomm Stadium

The Chargers go in search of back-to-back home victories as they host the Dolphins on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium. Despite a last start 43-35 victory over the Titans, the Chargers remain two games back in last spot in the best division in football this year, the AFC West. The Dolphins are surging and looking for a 4th straight victory after impressive triumphs against the Steelers, Bills and Jets. 

Verdict - Chargers 33 Dolphins 23

I like the Chargers and their high powered offense at home here. San Diego have been highly competitive in every game this year and I think they are a better football team than the Dolphins, particularly at home. The Dolphins' Jay Ajayi has been the star the past few weeks, however I expect Phillip Rivers to pile up the points for the Chargers. 

San Fransisco 49ers (1-7) @ Arizona Cardinals (3-4-1) - University of Phoenix Stadium

The 49ers face an uphill task to halt their 7-game losing streak as they take on divisional rivals, the Cardinals, in Arizona on Sunday. The 49ers defence has been atrocious these last four weeks, giving up over 30 points in each of their last 4 losses including 41 at home to the Saints last week. Arizona have failed to get any momentum going this season and this game is a must win if they are to stay in touch in the NFC. After making the NFC Championship game last year, the Cardinals have been one of the disappointments of the year to date. 

Verdict - Cardinals 34 49ers 0

I'm going for an ugly shut out here of the reeling 49ers. The 49ers are looking horrible right now and Arizona is no easy road trip. The Cardinals are not playing playing great offense at all this year, however I can still see them having a picnic against the 49ers.

Dallas Cowboys (7-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-4) - Heinz Field

We get the matchup of the day here as the high flying Cowboys face an acid test of their title credentials as they head to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. The Cowboys have won 7 games in a row and looked every bit a Super Bowl contender in their dismantling of the hapless Browns 35-10 in Cleveland last week. The Steelers are suddenly a team in desperate need of a win after an ugly 3-game losing streak against the Dolphins, Patriots and Ravens. 

Verdict - Steelers 29 Cowboys 28

The Steelers are known for circling the wagons and coming out with a good old fashioned ambush at home after poor road defeats. The Cowboys look like the better team, however I feel they might be due for a loss and the Steelers might come out firing here. Still I expect this game to be extremely tight and high scoring. If the Cowboys can win this they will confirm their status as the best team currently in the NFC.

Seattle Seahawks (5-2-1) @ New England Patriots (7-1) - Gillette Stadium

If the Steelers and Cowboys was the match up of the day, this is surely the match of the round on Sunday Night football as the Seahawks and Patriots lock horns at Gillette Stadium. No one will ever forget that famous Super Bowl 21 months ago when Malcolm Butler picked off a Russell Wilson pass on the goal line to deny certain back-to-back championships for the Seahawks. The Seahawks escaped with a 31-25 victory against the Bills at home last week despite the Bills offence dominating time in possession. The Patriots are flying high at 7-1 with Tom Brady playing seemingly the best football of his career at age 38.

Verdict - Patriots 24 Seahawks 21

I think the Seahawks will rise up for this game and make it a real cracker. Their defence is still elite and they will still be burning about that unbelievably heartbreaking Super Bowl loss 21 months ago. Despite all that, I think New England's offense can call out enough plays to win a thriller here at home.