Week 10 kicked off on Thursday Night Football with an exhilarating matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens won the narrow shoot-out by a narrow 36-35 margin, with both quarterbacks showcasing their brilliance in the matchup. Lamar Jackson continued his MVP-worthy season by completing 25 of his 33 passes, 290 yards and four touchdowns. However, Joe Burrow was equally impressive with 34 of 56 completions for 428 yards and four touchdowns. The Ravens rallied from a 21-7 deficit to score on three straight touchdown drives to lead 28-21. However, Burrow erased the deficit with just one play, a 70-yard bomb to Ja’Marr Chase to tie the game 28-28. The Ravens responded with an 11-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to go up by 7 points. Yet, Burrow marched down the length of the field to get his team in the end zone. However, Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor rolled the dice and decided to go for two instead of kicking the extra-point field goal. However, Burrow could not connect on a pass with Tanner Hudson despite the referees failing to call an illegal hit to the quarterback on the helmet.
The Ravens have won both matchups against the Bengals, while Cincinnati will be fighting for survival against the Chargers next week. However, more teams are fighting for survival in Week 10, and in this article, we predict the five hottest games in Week 10.
Last week’s record: 5-0
Overall Record: 31-14
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) at Washington Commanders (7-2)-Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
This will be an interesting matchup of teams with unlikely aspirations. The Steelers are coming off their bye week with difficult divisional fixtures ahead, while the Commanders were able to handle the Giants last week. Jayden Daniels remains the front runner for Rookie of the Year with another two touchdowns and zero interception performance in the win against the Giants. However, I think the Steelers’ defense is one of the best and will throw more wrinkles at him after an extra week to prepare. Najee Harris will be the key to taking the pressure off Russell Wilson playing his first road game. However, I think they sneak by and win this close matchup for the upset.
Steelers 23-Commanders 20
2. San Francisco 49ers (4-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)-1 p.m. ET, Fox
This is a matchup of teams fighting for survival as playoff contenders. The Bucs had a heartbreaking loss on Monday Night Football in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the injuries, Baker Mayfield put in a valiant performance because he completed 23 of 31 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Mayfield led the team down the field to tie the game and force overtime. However, the defense failed to stop Mahomes and company from getting a touchdown to seal the win in the extra period. The 49ers will be the more rested team after coming off their bye-week while the Bucs play on a short week. The 49ers might have a healthy Christian McCaffery in the lineup, and I think his return will make life better for Brock Purdy. I have the 49ers winning on the road.
49ers 27-Bucs 23
3. Denver Broncos (5-4) at Chiefs (8-0)-Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The schedule makers did not make life easy for the Broncos by making them face the Ravens and Chiefs in back-to-back road games. Last week, the Broncos were dismantled by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in a 41-10 mauling. The Broncos entered as a top-rated defense and struggled to slow down Jackson who enjoyed a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix struggled to throw a touchdown, getting sacked 4 times and intercepted once. It gets tougher this week when they face the perfect Chiefs. Kansas City will be playing on a short week but they had their best showing offensively this season with DeAndre Hopkins grabbing 8 catches, 86 yards, and two touchdowns. I think Nix will struggle against the Chiefs’ defense and Mahomes will continue to evolve with Hopkins in the fold. The Chiefs will win comfortably.
Chiefs 30-Broncos 17
4. New York Jets (3-6) at Arizona Cardinals (5-4)-Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The Jets playoff chances are on life support and they will be fighting for survival when they head to the desert to face the Cardinals. Last week, I think Aaron Rodgers finally showed some life in an anemic offense against the Texans headlined by Garret Wilson’s highlight reeling catch. However, the Cardinals have won three straight games to be in the mix in a tough NFC West division. It will be an interesting matchup of the Jet offense against a Cardinals defense that has allowed 17 points per game in the win streak. I think Rodgers will find a way to win this game to preserve their season and look for former Ohio State teammates Garrett Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr to shine.
Jets 24-Cardinals 23
5. Detroit Lions (7-1) at Houston Texans (6-3)-Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
The Lions face another disadvantage this week of facing a team that has enjoyed more rest for the second straight week. However, I think they are equal to this challenge because during their six-game winning streak, he is completing a league-best 74.9 of his passes and is on pace to beat the regular season record by Drew Brees. The running game is dominant, led by a massive offensive line and two elite running backs, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. On the other hand, the Lions struggled last week to hold on to their early lead against the Jets. Stroud struggled without top Wide Receivers Neco Collins and Stefon Diggs, which will make this week difficult for the sophomore quarterback. I think Stroud will play better in a home primetime matchup, but I think the Lions will prevail to win.
Lions 31-Texans 27