Mattie T’s Week 10 NFL Predictions

I love this time of the year! Thursday night Football officially kicks off tonight, plus we have a huge Brady vs. Manning showdown on tap for Sunday night. I know the NBA season is only a few weeks in the books (Bulls look “OK” so far), but this is what i live for.

Week 9: 6-7

Overall: 81-48 (.628)

Chicago at San Francisco.

The war of words has already started, as 49ers tight end Vernon Davis is already trash talking with the Bears’ defensive line after they got lit up by Kurt Warner on Sunday during a 41-21 home loss to Arizona.

Well, not like San Francisco has been all that impressive either these days.

Mike Singletary’s team has lost 4 straight & only has 1 quality win this season, which was their Week 1 road victory over Arizona.

Alex Smith is now behind center for the 49ers, but he’s lost his last seven starts & hasn’t won since September 16th, 2007 at St. Louis.

Nate Clements will also be missed in the secondary, as i think Devin Hester will have a big game without the All-Pro cornerback lurking him on every pass attempt.

This is a game that the Bears absolutely need to win & i think they will play with a sense of urgency after their embarassing home loss on Sunday. I’m taking Chicago to win & spoil Mike Singletary’s chances of beating his old team.

Atlanta at Carolina.

I liked the way Carolina battled before falling late to New Orleans last week, while Atlanta seemed to have no problem beating up on Washington.

Outside of a Week 5 blowout win over San Francisco, Atlanta has struggled on the road this season.

Matt Ryan is a big reason for that, as he is completing just 56.2% of his passes while throwing for 5 touchdowns & 6 interceptions for a 73.7 rating in 4 road games this season.

Michael Turner is finally showing the explosiveness that made him one of football’s top backs last season, as he’s ripped off back-to-back 150 yard games on the ground for the first time in his career.

Look for the Panthers to win at home & pull within one game of Atlanta in the NFC South.

Tampa Bay at Miami.

Congrats to Raheem Morris’ Buccaneers, who finally got into the win column with a stunning 38-28 victory over Green Bay on Sunday.

Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman might have his biggest game yet against Miami’s 29th ranked pass defense in just his 2nd pro start.

But you know whenever Miami has the ball, there will be a lot of Wildcat. Unless Tampa Bay’s 30th ranked run defense can stop it, then i think the Dolphins hold on for a close win.

Detroit at Minnesota.

Minnesota is in the driver’s seat in the NFC North, as they hold a 3-game lead over both Chicago & Green Bay in the division.

Brett Favre admitted recently that he has a groin injury, but he doesn’t think it will be a problem come Sunday. Being that the Vikings just came off a bye week, i’d pay extra close attention to how Brett plays.

Favre should have no problems carving up Detroit’s 31st ranked secondary, who blew a 17-point lead in Sunday’s loss at Seattle.

Minnesota rolls in this one to improve to 8-1.

Jacksonville at N.Y. Jets.

Two roller-coaster teams meet up Sunday at the Meadowlands, but Rex Ryan’s defense will be ready to try & handle Maurice Jones-Drew with an extra week of preparation.

Jones-Drew’s numbers have been very impressive away from Alltel Stadium, as the 5’7 back is averaging 106.8 yards per game & 6 rushing touchdowns in 4 road starts this season.

The same cannot be said for quarterback David Garrard, who has yet to throw a touchdown pass in 4 road starts this season.

Look for the Jets to slow down the Jaguars’ offense a bit, while their defense will record at least one takeaway in a close home win.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh.

HUGE battle here, as the winner stays atop the AFC North standings.

Both teams come in red hot, as Cincinnati has won 6 of their last 7 while Pittsburgh has reeled off 5 straight wins.

I know that Troy Polamalu missed the first meeting of the season between these two teams, but i wouldn’t give Pittsburgh the edge just because of his presence.

The Bengals have surprised a lot of people this season, and i think the Cinderella season continues on Sunday afternoon against a Steeler team playing on short rest. Look for Cincinnati to go into Heinz Field & stun Pittsburgh to remain in 1st place.

New Orleans at St. Louis.

The Rams could very well give up their 5th game defensively of 30 points or more on Sunday, when the high-flyin’ Saints come into town with an 8-0 record.

Marc Bulger will need to keep up his good career numbers against New Orleans for St. Louis to have a fighting chance on Sunday, as he’s thrown for 330 yards per game with 3 touchdowns & no picks for a 107.8 quarterback rating.

Drew Brees’ numbers have not been so hot career-wise against the Rams, as he has thrown for just 205.5 yards per game with 2 touchdowns & 4 interceptions for a 69.9 rating.

St. Louis might keep it interesting coming off a bye, but New Orleans will put on a late surge to remain undefeated.

Buffalo at Tennessee.

The Titans are finally showing some positive signs since making the switch from Kerry Collins to Vince Young at quarterback.

They have reeled off back-to-back wins, while Chris Johnson has exploded for 463 yards in the past 2 games.

With the Bills’ worst-ranked run defense coming into town, Johnson could have another monster day as i think Buffalo might struggle to move the football minus Terrell Owens, who could miss Sunday’s game with a hip injury.

Look for the Titans to pull off their 3rd straight win here.

Denver at Washington.

The Broncos have struggled in back-to-back weeks against AFC North powerhouses Baltimore & Pittsburgh, but they should have no trouble against a Redskins team that has yet to score 20 points at all this season.

It is unsure whether DeAngelo Hall will start on Sunday, as the Washington cornerback was involved in a sideline scuffle with Falcons head coach Mike Smith.

Clinton Portis will not get to face his former team, as he suffered a concussion last weekend & will be replaced by Ladell Betts, who is prepared to make his 1st start since December of 2006.

Champ Bailey will make his return to FedEx Field & will most likely be matched up against Santana Moss, who is averaging just 62.5 yards per game with no touchdowns in 2 career starts against Denver.

Look for the Broncos to win on the road here & keep the pressure on San Diego in the AFC west.

Kansas City at Oakland.

In a matchup between two terrible teams, i think the Raiders have the slight edge coming off a bye week.

Oakland defensive back Chris Johnson is already “predicting” that his team will have a perfect 2nd half to reach the playoffs, but difficult games loom against upcoming opponents such as Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Dallas & Denver among others.

Todd Haley’s team has struggled heavily this season, and look for that to continue on Sunday as Oakland gets a home win.

Seattle at Arizona.

Arizona proved on Sunday why they’re still class of their division, as they scored on 6 straight possessions during their 41-21 rout over Chicago.

Kurt Warner does need to improve his play at home, as he has thrown just 6 touchdowns compared to 9 interceptions for a 69.8 rating despite completing 291 passing yards per game.

Since that 41-0 blowout win over Jacksonville three weeks ago, Seattle’s defense has allowed 58 points in the last two weeks. I think this is the game Warner finally gets it going at home, as the Cardinals will win to increase their NFC West lead.

Dallas at Green Bay.

Packer fans are going through tough times right now.

First they got torched by Brett Favre as Minnesota swept the season series from them. Then, they go down to Tampa Bay against a winless team with a rookie quarterback making his 1st pro start, and lose.

Now, they’ll have to return to Lambeau & face a Dallas team who recorded an impressive road win over Philadelphia to jump into 1st place in the NFC East.

Tony Romo has been both very good on the road this season & against Green Bay for his career, as he’s averaging 284.5 passing yards per game with 5 touchdowns & 2 interceptions in 2 starts with a 105.5 rating.

Aaron Rodgers has had good numbers at home this season with 272.5 yards per game with 7 touchdowns & just 1 interception, but he’s taken 37 sacks so far, which is higher than his entire 2008 total (34).

Unless Greg Jennings doesn’t get more involved in the pass game, i think the Cowboys will have enough to squeak out a road win in what could become a shootout.

Philadelphia at San Diego.

Another possible shootout on tap here, as both teams are definitely involved in their respective division races.

Philadephia’s secondary has taken some hits, as Joselio Hanson has been suspended 4 games for violating the league’s drug policy & Ellis Hobbs is done for the season with a neck injury.

I think this is something Philip Rivers can take advantage of, as San Diego will win a close game to remain just 1 back of Denver in the AFC West.

New England at Indianapolis.

The best rivalry in the NFL continues on Sunday evening, where Tom Brady & the Patriots will try to ruin Indianapolis’ perfect season.

Brady hasn’t lost at Indianapolis since the memorable 2006 AFC Championship Game, where New England blew a 21-3 lead & wound up losing 38-34, as the Colts advanced to Super Bowl XLI & beat the Bears for their first ever Vince Lombardi trophy.

Brady has been OK on the road this season, but has very solid numbers career-wise against the Colts with 237.4 yards per game with 14 touchdowns & 9 interceptions in 7 career starts for a 93.9 rating.

Peyton Manning has played better on the road this season, as he’s tossed just 4 of his 16 touchdown passes at Lucas Oil Stadium.

You know that Bill Belichick will come up with a scheme to slow down Manning & the Colts’ offense, which will be done once again as New England becomes the first team to beat Indianapolis this season.

Baltimore at Cleveland.

A classic AFC rivalry will be played on Monday night, but it’s the Ravens who are the angry ones.

Baltimore lost 17-7 at Cincinnati on Sunday & now is at 4-4, so they will need a very strong 2nd half to get back into the division race.

The Browns will once again switch to Brady Quinn at quarterback, who is set to make his 1st career start against the Ravens.

Baltimore will look to put pressure all night on Quinn, while all-purpose back Ray Rice should explode for a huge game against Cleveland’s 31st ranked run defense.

Look for the Ravens to pound the Browns on Monday night.