Week 10 NFL Picks and Projections: Saints Sweep 49ers and More
By Paul Novak
Each week our panel of Editors, Paul Novak and Mitch Quesada, and Writers Richard Riley, Colin Floyd, Kenny Jackson and Thomas Oide give their NFL picks and projections for the upcoming week of the regular season. Continue on to find out why each staff member picked the way they did.
Paul Novak
Prediction: Lions defeat Dolphins
Why: The Lions pass offense is one of the better units in the NFL. And that’s without Calvin Johnson. The Dolphins are playing well but I can’t see them stealing a win against a better team, especially on the road.
Prediction: Packers defeat Bears
Why: This is one of the better rivalries in the NFL and the Packers will sweep the series this season as the Bears are way too inconsistent offensively. The Packers have found their groove the past few weeks and they’ll show the blowout win in Chicago wasn’t a fluke.
Mitch Quesada
Prediction: Miami beats Detroit
Why: It’s simple, the Dolphins are the hottest team in football. They absolutely blew out the Chargers last week and have won four of their last five utilizing a great defense, excellent run game and a coming-of-age quarterback in Ryan Tannehill. All cylinders are clicking — Miami may not be the better team, but they are the hotter one.
Prediction: New Orleans beats San Francisco
Why: The 49ers haven’t won in nearly a month (two losses and a bye week) and the Saints, winners of three of their last four, are finally playing like a team that could win the NFC South. Playing in the Big Easy won’t be easy for San Francisco who, with a loss, would be 4-5 when the weekend is over.
Richard Riley
Prediction: Saints defeat 49ers
Why: The 49ers offense is not executing as it has in the past. The Saints are at home which is almost a lock.
Prediction: Jaguars defeat Dallas
Why: Gus Bradley is an excellent coach whose team is ready for a big win.
Colin Floyd
Prediction: Cleveland defeats Cincinnati
Why: Cincinnati has been the better team for more than a decade, and while the Bengals are far from a mediocre team, I like what Cleveland is doing this year with their defense. For all the talk of Johnny Manziel starting, Brian Hoyer has demanded the attention of his teammates through his exceptional play and leadership. This should be a great AFC North matchup.
Prediction: Miami defeats Detroit
Why: Miami is coming off a 37-0 thrashing of the once-powerful Chargers. Ryan Tannehill is starting to find his rhythm and the defense is playing lights out. I don’t know just how far this Miami team can go but am excited to see if they are for real.
Kenny Jackson
Prediction: Dolphins defeat Lions
Why: I’m not certain what we have in either the Dolphins or the Lions. One game they look great, the next, not so much. Right now I believe the Dolphins are picking up momentum and will get a win on the road.
Prediction: Saints defeat 49ers
Why: The 49ers have looked like a shell of themselves this year. The Saints only play well at home. Add them together and you get a Saints victory!
Thomas Oide
Prediction: CIN over CLE
Why: This kid Jeremy Hill can flat out BALL. Gio Bernard should be nervously looking over his shoulder right now because he could very well lose his job to the rookie.
Prediction: MIA over DET
Why: Ryan Tannehill is finally living up to the high draft pick the Dolphins spent on him and the Dolphins defense is really looking formidable.