The Week 10 schedule already has begun, as the Carson Palmer turned back the clock and led the Oakland Raiders to a 24-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers Thursday night. That started us off here with an 0-1 record in our picks against the spread. Now we will look at the morning games for Sunday and give you our picks of the week, using the spread on the Yahoo Pick'em group we are in. You can join here (ID: 55411, PW: arizona). On the season, we are 58-54 against the spread.
Join the group and pit your wits against ours and the rest of the group. Read on for our morning picks.
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (Even): This is straight pick'em. The Falcons play traditionally well at home and the Saints are 2-3 on the road so far. However, New Orleans may have righted the ship against Tampa Bay after having lost to Rams for their only win this season. This game has the making of a barn burner, and in these games, there are not many QBs I trust more to win them than Drew Brees. Pick: Saints.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.0) at Cincinnati Bengals: This game is very important in the AFC North race. So far, the Bengals have been very surprising at 6-2, but their schedule has not been terribly strong. The Steelers will present their greatest test yet. Their young defense has been effective. But Ben Roethlisberger and company are 0-2 in the division. Does anyone else think they will fall to 0-3? We don't. They will be ready after their loss to the Ravens. Pick: Steelers -3.0.
St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns (-2.5): The Rams are fresh off of an overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals. It was Sam Bradford's first start since his ankle injury and he looked good. It took a blocked field goal at the end of regulation and a punt return for a touchdown to beat them. Cleveland has the number one pass defense in the league, but that is misleading because teams don't have to throw the ball. The Browns are 30th against the run. Steven Jackson, who gashed the Cardinals for 130 yards, will have his way with Cleveland. Pick: Rams, +2.5.
Buffalo Bills at Dallas Cowboys (-5.5): Buffalo's fourth ranked scoring offense takes on the Cowboys, who have found a gem in rookie RB DeMarco Murray. Dallas gets their leading tackler Sean Lee back from injury. Dallas is playing very well at home -- 3-1, while the Bills are 1-2 away from home. Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown six INTs in the last four games. Pick: Cowboys, -5.5.
Jacksonville Jaguars (-3.0) at Indianapolis Colts: At this point, even with Blaine Gabbert playing quarterback, can anyone pick the Colts to win or even cover any close line? They look like they are "sucking for Luck" in full force, although it might simply be because they can't win even if they try hard. Pick: Jaguars, -3.0.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (-3.0): Tim Tebow really has energized the Broncos. Last week's victory was in part because Denver surprised Oakland by running Tebow's comfort offense -- the option. KC's defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said they will be ready. The loss they suffered to the Dolphins ended a four-game winning streak. Expect a bounceback game. Pick: Chiefs, -3.0.
Washington Redskins at Miami Dolphins (-3.5): The key stat for this game? Miami has not won or covered at home this season. Do you need anything else? Pick: Redskins, +3.5.
Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles (no line): For some reason there is no line for this game. Knowing that, you have to figure that Philly is the favorite. John Skelton is likely starting, Beanie Wells is not 100 percent and Philly has mad speed on offense. Steven Jackson ran for 130 last week on the AZ defense. How well will LeSean McCoy do? Pick: Eagles.
Houston Texans (-3.0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Texans, without Andre Johnson, is riding a three-game winning streak. The running game has been dominating. Arian Foster and Ben Tate have been eating up yards. Tampa's defense is not that good -- 26th against the run. Expect more handoffs of Matt Schaub. Pick: Texans, -3.0.
Tennessee Titans at Carolina Panthers (-3.0): Tennessee has been very uneven in their play. Cam Newton has almost as many rushing yards as Chris Johnson. Carolina has been close in a lot of games. Carolina is a different team at home. Pick: Panthers -3.0.
Check back later for the picks for the afternoon, Sunday night and Monday night games.