Who would have thought we'd be in week ten of the NFL season already?  It's mid November, the temperatures are starting to drop, and every game is that much more important to the contenders.  In a week and a half, it will be Thanksgiving, and for the first time in a long time, John Madden won't be around on television to have a turducken.  There is one massive matchup between top teams today along with a battle for supremacy in the AFC North.  

Of course, what would a week in the NFL be without a dud game or two.  It's the Toilet Bowl in Oakland as the Chiefs travel to take on the Raiders in a AFC West battle.  The Titans look to run their win streak to three against struggling Buffalo.  Then there are your potential blowouts:  Minnesota and Detroit, New Orleans and St. Louis, and on Monday night no less, the Browns and Ravens.  Plus you'll see a rematch of the Ice Bowl from so long ago when the Cowboys travel to Lambeau to face the struggling Packers.

There already was one game this week, as the 49ers stopped a four game losing skid by upending the Bears in a low scoring battle 10-6.  Jay Cutler threw five picks, raising his league leading total to 17 and putting a dent in the Bears playoff hopes.  That made me 0-1 so far this week, because I liked Chicago to win.  Last week I was 8-5, making my mark 85-43 going into this week, so 85-44 now.  
As usual, I feel compelled to put this disclaimer in:  I do not pick the games based on the point spread, nor do I wager money on any sporting contests.  I do not advocate doing so unless you actually have money to lose, because as in life, there are no certainties other than death and taxes.  If you choose to not listen to this advice and bet the mortgage and lose, then I am not responsible if you get your legs broken, pieces of your anatomy removed, divorced, dumped, or anything else.  I refuse to be held accountable for the stupidity of others.

That said, on with the games:

Jacksonville at NEW YORK JETS (-7):  Not sure about the line on this one, but David Garrard is streaky and Jacksonville is not necessarily a strong road team.

DENVER (-3.5) at Washington:  The Broncos are reeling a bit after getting walloped the last two weeks by Baltimore and Pittsburgh.  The Redskins have been beaten up, beaten down and kicked sideways.  Look for Denver to get back on track with a road win.

Cincinnati at PITTSBURGH (-7):  The Bengals beat the Steelers on a last minute touchdown earlier this season and by virtue of that, have the current tie breaker for the division lead.  The Steelers are on a five game win streak, and look to win at home.  Chad Ochocinco stirred up bulletin board material by saying he was going to send mustard to the Steelers because "once they fall behind at Heinz Field, they won't be able to ketchup," but Marvin Lewis dropped the hammer on that.  This will be a game full of animosity.

Buffalo at TENNESSEE (-8.5):  The Titans run game vs. the Bills run defense is the key factor.  Buffalo hasn't stopped anyone on the ground this season, and that is a losing proposition with Chris Johnson running the ball.  Trent Edwards returns under center for Buffalo after suffering a concussion last month against the Jets.

Detroit at MINNESOTA (-16.5):  If I was playing the line, I'd probably take DET with the points, because Minnesota always struggles against them.  However, this is a Lions team that blew a 17-0 lead on the road last week against Seattle.  Minnesota is much better than the Seahawks.

NEW ORLEANS (-14) at St. Louis:  Undefeated Saints vs. the one win Rams in a battle that will most likely be one sided.  The only way the Rams stay close is if they follow Carolina's lead and pound the ball with Steven Jackson and eat the clock.  Jackson has run for almost 800 yards despite the Rams being clobbered repeatedly.  I don't see much changing in that realm today, but he'll probably have a good game.

ATLANTA (-1.5) at Carolina:  Matt Ryan needs to step up with a better game than he's had the past three weeks.  Battle of top flight running backs as Michael Turner faces DeAngelo Williams in this one.  If it comes to the aerial game, I'm taking Ryan over Jake "Daylight Come and we wanna" Delhomme.

Tampa Bay at MIAMI (-10):  It's a battle of Florida and two young "QBs of the future" as Josh Freeman leads the surging (see: winners of one straight) Bucs take on the Dolphins and Chad Henne.  That said, I am glad that this game most likely will be nowhere on a TV near me barring a fluke.

Kansas City at OAKLAND (-2):  Hey you!  Tired of those dark circles under your eyes?  Can't get enough sleep because you're stressed because of work, your marriage, your kids, the fact that you want to batter your relatives with a crowbar, or your neighbors with a sledgehammer?  Tune into this game and GUARANTEE yourself three plus hours of peaceful sleep.  Plus, get the melodic tones of Gus Johnson calling the game absolutely FREE just for tuning in!  Call now and we'll DOUBLE the order!  All you have to do is TiVo or DVR this game and you'll be able to sleep WHENEVER you want!

Seattle at ARIZONA (-8.5):  This should put the Seahawks officially out of the race in the NFC West, provided the Cardinals actually learn to play at home.  They're 1-3 at University of Phoenix Stadium, and 4-0 on the road, including last week's thumping of the Bears at Soldier Field.

Philadelphia at SAN DIEGO (-1):  If this game is close in the final minutes, a huge edge goes to the Chargers.  Andy Reid has shown his inability to manage the clock late in games.  Meanwhile, Philip Rivers led the Chargers to a winning touchdown in the final minute last week to beat the Giants.  San Diego is on a roll again, and playing at home, while Philly has to go cross country, gives them the nod in my book.

DALLAS (-3) at Green Bay:  Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 37 times already this season.  That doesn't project to get any better with a hungry Dallas defense that loves to rush the passer.  Plus, it's not December, so Tony Romo should be good...this week.

New England at INDIANAPOLIS (-2.5):  The guru (Bill Belichick) vs. the rookie (Jim Caldwell).  Manning vs. Brady, Moss vs. Wayne.  Two of the powerhouses of the AFC collide in Indianapolis tonight in an all out war.  This could be one of those, whoever has the ball last wins kind of games.  Look for an offensive bonanza.

BALTIMORE (-11) at Cleveland:  The former Browns take on the current Browns on Monday night.  Brady Quinn is back at QB, mainly due to Derek Anderson's inability to do, well, just about anything outside of throwing interceptions.  No truth to the rumor that Vinny Testaverde was close to signing a deal before realizing that he would have had to face Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, among others.

There's week ten folks...enjoy the games and we'll be talking about Ochocinco's $20,000 fine for trying to bribe an official last week, among other things in the NFL as well.