"The Sports Block" 11-11-16

It’s another Football Friday and The Stack is here with a preview of week 10 in the NFL and predictions we hope come through.  Hopefully you were requesting all of that.  Not to brag, but going 12-1 last week was pretty sweet.  I do not foresee that happening this week even though the Ravens helped us out by keeping the Browns winless on the season with a 28-7 victory.  Let’s get right to the preview and picks for week 10 in the NFL in “the stack” for today, Friday, November 11th:

 

Kansas City Chiefs @ Carolina Panthers 1 PM ET CBS

 

The Chiefs may get linebacker Justin Houston back for this one.  The Chiefs defense is tremendous and it will take a team effort to take down Cam Newton and the Panthers.  Playing at home though, I think Carolina does just enough to get by the Chiefs.

 

Prediction: Panthers 20 Chiefs 16

 

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars 1 PM ET CBS

 

I don’t like this game.  I picked the Jaguars at the beginning of the season to win the AFC South, but they have burned me.  Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler is terrible away from Houston.  Yet I think I have more faith that the Texans find a way to win this game.  I’m staying far away from this one though.

 

Prediction: Texans 20 Jaguars 17

 

Denver Broncos @ New Orleans Saints 1 PM ET CBS

 

The Saints have started to play really well.  They have won four of their last five games right?  Well against a Broncos team that isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire with their offense, the Saints offense will be able to crack the Broncos defense just a little bit more and Drew Brees and company will have another victory.

 

Prediction: Saints 27 Broncos 19

 

Los Angeles Rams @ New York Jets 1 PM ET FOX

 

If Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t starting for the Jets I don’t feel the most confident in them, but then I will look across to the Rams sideline and see Case Keenum and feel better about the Jets chances of winning.  Matt Forte will have a good game and the Jets will find a way to get the win.

 

Prediction: Jets 20 Rams 13

 

Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles 1 PM ET FOX

 

This game is for the birds.  The Falcons high-flying offense is going to have to be prepared for the Eagles defense.  They have more fire power than the Eagles offense does though.  The Falcons defense won’t be consistent, but they will do enough against Carson Wentz and company while Matt Ryan and Falcons “rise up” and grab victory.

 

Prediction: Falcons 34 Eagles 27

 

Chicago Bears @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 PM ET FOX

 

The Bears have been playing better as of late yet still find themselves at 2-6.  Do the Buccaneers even have a healthy running back?  No worries. Jameis Winston has had to answer questions this week about if he is a winner.  His record may be 9-15 coming in, but he will be 10-15 after this one with a strong day.

 

Prediction: Buccaneers 27 Bears 20

 

Green Bay Packers @ Tennessee Titans 1 PM ET FOX

 

Aaron Rodgers said after last week’s loss the Packers weren’t playing with the “juice.”  Maybe that was the just the kick they need for this week’s game.  The Titans are no pushover, but if DeMarco Murray isn’t one hundred percent, I’m not sure if the Titans are able to find a way to hold off the Packers.

 

Prediction: Packers 27 Titans 24

 

Washington @ Minnesota Vikings 1 PM ET FOX

 

Have the Vikings gotten over the shock of that stinging defeat last week?  I might have called what would happen during the game, but I’ll be bold before they kick off and say that the Vikings offense once again fails to keep the pressure off of their defense and the Vikings lose a close one.  OK, that wasn’t so bold was it?

 

Prediction: Washington 20 Vikings 13

 

Miami Dolphins @ San Diego Chargers 4:05 PM ET CBS

 

I wonder if the Chargers will come out flat after the vote on Tuesday to raise taxes for a new stadium failed.  Shame on you citizens of San Diego who voted against that.  Just look at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.  That’s what you need.  For shame, for shame.  The Chargers are better than their record indicates and despite a slow start will come through with a win.

 

Prediction: Chargers 27 Dolphins 17

 

San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals 4:25 PM ET FOX

 

The 49ers are a very bad team.  They have worst run defense in the league and guess what?  They get to go to Arizona to take on a Cardinals team coming off of a bye and one of the best running backs in the game in David Johnson.  He is going to run all over them in this one.

 

Prediction: Cardinals 38 49ers 17

 

Dallas Cowboys @ Pittsburgh Steelers 4:25 PM ET FOX

 

Ben Roethlisberger didn’t exactly light the world on fire last week against the Ravens.  It’s safe to say he will be better this week, but the Steelers haven’t been very good the last few weeks themselves.  They need to get Le’Veon Bell involved more.  Ezekiel Elliott is coming to town.  Who will have more total yards of offense?  That is a fascinating question.  Dak Prescott and the Cowboys are going to make this a close and tremendous game, but the Steelers find a way late to get the win late.

 

Prediction: Steelers 31 Cowboys 27

 

Seattle Seahawks @ New England Patriots 8:30 PM ET NBC

 

A rematch of Super Bowl XLIX.  The Seahawks should have won that game, but Malcolm Butler became the star of the game and Marshawn Lynch and Seahawks were left wondering WTF just happened?  Seahawks are a little banged up and having to fly across the country on a short week while the Patriots are looking phenomenal and are coming off of a bye.  I thought Seattle would win this game before the season began, but I am switching my pick right now.  Don’t see it happening that way.

 

Prediction: Patriots 24 Seahawks 20

 

Before we go, thank you to all of the veterans and members of our armed forces serving local and abroad.  Thank you to those currently serving and those who have served.  Your sacrifice is greatly appreciated.  We live in trying and very uncertain times ahead.  Our armed forces will need to be there for us.

 

Coming up Monday: Week 10 NFL reaction plus MNF preview


Listen to this week's "The Sports Block" podcast here.