Week 10: 4 Games with Playoff Implications

NFL: Four Games with Playoff Implications in Week 10

Atlanta Falcons (8-0) vs. New Orleans Saints (3-5)

The Falcons head to the Superdome possessing the only undefeated record in the NFL. The Saints head into today’s matchup in a must win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Falcons are playing at a high level with Matt Ryan having a career year passing to Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, each player having over 40 receptions. Drew Brees must have an MVP type performance for the Saints to have any chance to win this game. The Saints will have to limit mistakes and create turnovers on defense. If the Saints lose this game today it will hamper their chances of making the playoffs and the Falcons are playing to be the top seed in the NFC. The Falcons are currently leading the NFC but the Bears are just one game away from taking that spot and the 49ers are just two games out.

Prediction: 24-21 Falcons

Seattle Seahawks (5-4) vs. New York Jets (3-5)

This game is crucial for both team’s playoff chances and would eliminate the Jets from the playoffs if they lose. The Jets enter this game with a sense of urgency and hope to salvage their season. The Seahawks are still finding their offensive identity with rookie Quarterback Russell Wilson and they have a chance to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the playoff hopefuls in the NFC with a win today. The Jets are a team in disarray and can stop the bleeding with a big win today. Mark Sanchez has struggled this season and the Seahawks have one of the best defenses in the league and should create havoc all day in Met Life Stadium. The Seahawks will win this game because of

Marshawn Lynch and the fact that the Jets are ranked 29^th in stopping the rush, which gives the Seahawks the upper hand.

Prediction: 23-10 Seahawks

Detroit Lions (4-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (5-4)

This divisional game is crucial for the Lions, since they already lost to the Vikings earlier in the year. The Vikings will have the tie-breaker over the Lions in a highly contested wildcard playoff race if they win. The Vikings will be without their leading receiver Percy Harvin and that will hurt their balanced act against the Lions. Harvin created matchup problems for the Lions, so his absence will require a big game out of Adrian Peterson. The Lions are the winners of two straight games and will need to continue their momentum on offense to counteract the rushing attack of Adrian Peterson. This game will truly come down to which Quarterback performs the best and leads their team. Ponder and Stafford have struggled at different times throughout the season and if one plays better it will probably be the reason their team wins.

Prediction: 21-17 Lions

San Diego Chargers (4-4) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)

The Buccaneers are an interesting team on defense; they are one of the best teams against the rush but are the worst team in the league in defending the pass. Phillip Rivers will definitely try to take advantage of this fact and since his team does not have a solid rushing attack, they will depend on Rivers to make all the big plays. The Buccaneers have Doug Martin quickly emerging as lethal threat coming out of their backfield. The Chargers are one of the best at defending the run, so it will be interesting to see the battle in the trenches. The team that has the most rushing yards will probably win this game. The Buccaneers and Chargers are both fighting for a wildcard playoff spot and I assume today will feel more like a playoff game.

Prediction: 17-10 Chargers

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