With a 10-3 performance in Week Nine, MDS chewed into my five-game lead, cutting it to four. This week, he has a chance to wipe the deficit out completely.
We disagree on six of 14 games in Week 10.
For our thoughts on all of the upcoming games, keep scrolling.
Browns at Ravens
MDS’s take: I don’t think the Browns are quite as bad a team as their winless record suggests, but I have a hard time finding a game I think they’ll win. I certainly won’t pick them to win at Baltimore, where the Ravens are looking to take a firmer grasp on first place in the AFC North.
MDS’s pick: Ravens 30, Browns 17.
Florio’s take: The Browns have seven more chances to avoid going winless. Make that six.
Florio’s pick: Ravens 24, Browns 13.
Packers at Titans
MDS’s take: The Packers haven’t played particularly well this year, but I’m just not convinced they’re the mediocre team they’ve looked like. I think over the second half of the season they’re going to show themselves to be a playoff team, and that starts Sunday.
MDS’s pick: Packers 34, Titans 14.
Florio’s take: Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy are at odds over whether the team has enough energy. They’ll need it on Sunday against a Tennessee team that remains very relevant in the AFC South.
Florio’s pick: Titans 27, Packers 24.
Vikings at Washington
MDS’s take: The Vikings are coming apart at the seams. It’s hard to believe this was the only undefeated team in the NFL a few weeks ago.
MDS’s pick: Washington 23, Vikings 20.
Florio’s take: The team that couldn’t find its first loss now can’t find its sixth win. Washington probably isn’t the place to get it, given that Minnesota has fallen behind by at least 10 points in each of its four 2016 road games.
Florio’s pick: Washington 20, Vikings 16.
Bears at Buccaneers
MDS’s take: The Bears are a better team than their record suggests, while the Buccaneers have some pretty big flaws. I like Chicago to go to Tampa and take this one.
MDS’s pick: Bears 17, Buccaneers 13.
Florio’s take: The Bucs are 0-4 at home. If they lose this one, they may go 0-8 for the year. Which could get the itchy-trigger-fingered ownership to pull, again.
Florio’s pick: Buccaneers 24, Bears 20.
Chiefs at Panthers
MDS’s take: With Alex Smith back in the lineup, the Chiefs’ offense should move the ball effectively against a mediocre Panthers defense and pull an upset in Carolina.
MDS’s pick: Chiefs 28, Panthers 20.
Florio’s take: The Panthers can still do in 2016 what they failed do in 2015. One more win, and they’re only one win from .500.
Florio’s pick: Panthers 27, Chiefs 20.
Falcons at Eagles
MDS’s take: The Eagles’ defense is playing great but their offense is suspect. The Falcons’ offense is playing great but their defense is suspect. What makes the difference? I’ll say special teams, where the Eagles will get a big play that turns the game.
MDS’s pick: Eagles 24, Falcons 21.
Florio’s take: The Eagles have lost four of five games since starting 3-0. They simply don’t have the firepower to outscore the Falcons, Philly’s fourth straight opponent that had extra time to prepare.
Florio’s pick: Falcons 30, Eagles 21.
Rams at Jets
MDS’s take: With Ryan Fitzpatrick and Case Keenum first and second in the NFL in interceptions, this one could feature some ugly offensive football. I think the Jets will find a way to win ugly.
MDS’s pick: Jets 13, Rams 10.
Florio’s take: Case Keenum versus Bryce Petty or Ryan Fitzpatrick would be the fifth or sixth fight on Saturday night’s UFC event at Madison Square Garden. As Sunday matchups go, it’s even lower.
Florio’s pick: Jets 20, Rams 10.
Broncos at Saints
MDS’s take: The Broncos’ defense showed some cracks last week against the Raiders, and I think the Saints will expose a few more cracks. The Broncos’ offense, meanwhile, won’t be able to keep up.
MDS’s pick: Saints 27, Broncos 20.
Florio’s take: The defense isn’t good enough to keep the Saints’ offense from scoring more points than Trevor Siemian and company can muster.
Florio’s pick: Saints 30, Broncos 24.
Texans at Jaguars
MDS’s take: I don’t think the Texans are a very good team, but someone has to win the AFC South, and I think Houston will win in Jacksonville and take a big step toward winning the division.
MDS’s pick: Texans 24, Jaguars 16.
Florio’s take: Any given Sunday over the balance of the season could end up being Gus Bradley’s last stand. With the Texans rested and ready to try to hold off the Colts and Titans, this could be the weekend that becomes the final straw, if the Jaguars aren’t competitive. I think they will be, but not enough to prevail.
Florio’s pick: Texans 27, Jaguars 23.
Dolphins at Chargers
MDS’s take: Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill struggles under pressure, and Chargers rookie pass rusher Joey Bosa is going to make Tannehill’s life miserable on Sunday.
MDS’s pick: Chargers 20, Dolphins 13.
Florio’s take: It’s the biggest test yet for the new-look Dolphins, who have won three in a row at home and now play two games in Southern California. Between the two, Miami has a more realistic path to the postseason, which gives them an edge.
Florio’s pick: Dolphins 27, Chargers 24.
Cowboys at Steelers
MDS’s take: I went back and forth on this one. I think the Cowboys are the better team, but I just have a hunch that they’re due for a letdown while the Steelers are due for a better effort than they showed last week.
MDS’s pick: Steelers 23, Cowboys 21.
Florio’s take: Living most of my life in and around Pittsburgh, I’ve learned three things about the Steelers: (1) when expected to be great, they usually underachieve; (2) when expected to be bad, they typically overachieve; and (3) when facing a quality team at home while wounded, they are dangerous.
Florio’s pick: Steelers 24, Cowboys 21.
49ers at Cardinals
MDS’s take: The 49ers’ run defense is a mess, and the Cardinals have a good running back in David Johnson. He’ll have a big day on Sunday.
MDS’s pick: Cardinals 30, 49ers 16.
Florio’s take: Jim Tomsula won five games. Chip Kelly will have a hard time winning three.
Florio’s pick: Cardinals 38, 49ers 14.
Seahawks at Patriots
MDS’s take: In the best game of the week, I look for New England to make a statement that it’s the best team in the NFL.
MDS’s pick: Patriots 33, Seahawks 20.
Florio’s take: The Seahawks are finding their groove, and a win over the Patriots would be symbolic and potent and potentially the catalyst for another Super Bowl run. The only problem is that the Patriots are too good, too consistent, too relentless to fall victim to a team that may see again in Houston.
Florio’s pick: Patriots 27, Seahawks 20.
Bengals at Giants
MDS’s take: The Bengals are still right in the mix in the AFC North, but that’s mostly because the AFC North stinks. I think the Giants, contenders in a much better division, are going to put a beatdown on the Bengals.
MDS’s pick: Giants 28, Bengals 13.
Florio’s take: A wild-card berth for the Giants remains possible. For the Bengals. it’s win the division or go home. With an extra week to get ready and a more talented overall team, Cincinnati gets it done.
Florio’s pick: Bengals 23, Giants 17.