By Matt Hewitt, Sports Writer
Week 10 of the 2012-13 National Football League season arrives with the majority of the teams still theoretically in the playoff hunt. This week’s slate of games features some key divisional match-ups, as well as some intriguing AFC-NFC games. Here are my predictions:
Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers
Carolina’s pass defense is not enough to stop Peyton Manning, who has loved his new home in Denver.
Broncos by 10
New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Dalton keeps his team close at home, but New York’s pass rush will prove to be too disruptive.
Giants by 6
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins
Chris Johnson has run the ball well this year against top-ranked run defenses like Miami, but the Dolphins’ Ryan Tannehill has a good game in sunny Florida to overcome Johnson’s game.
Dolphins by 7
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
The Lions’ offense has been clicking on all cylinders lately, and they continue to roll in Minnesota.
Lions by 14
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
The Bills’ offense will keep them in the game, but their defense will eventually falter in a high-scoring affair.
Patriots by 17
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
Falcons remain undefeated, despite Drew Brees extending his consecutive games with a passing touchdown streak.
Falcons by 9
San Diego Chargers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs continue their uncharacteristically-potent offensive play and down the inconsistent Chargers.
Buccaneers by 10
Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens
Carson Palmer and Darren McFadden (assuming he plays with his high-ankle sprain) have good games against a Ray Lewis-less Baltimore defense to upset the Ravens and hand them their first home loss.
Raiders by 3
New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks
Mark Sanchez struggles against a good Seattle defense, and Marshawn Lynch carries the Seahawks to a victory.
Seahawks by 7
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
The Cowboys capitalize on some Michael Vick turnovers and win a close game.
Cowboys by 4
St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco wins with ease as the Rams fail to put up double-digit points.
49ers by 20
Houston Texans at Chicago Bears
The game of the week on Sunday night will be won by whichever defense contains the opposing running back, and the Bears will step up at home.
Bears by 4
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers cruise to a victory at home over the Chiefs on Monday night.
Steelers by 13
Be sure to follow The Lions’ Pride N.F.L. “expert” on Twitter: @hewyhew22.
