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An 8-6 week last week has my yearly record at 60-62-2. Here we go with what should be a tough week 10 around the NFL.

Atlanta at Carolina (-4)

The Panthers are playing for a share of first in this one, as a win will put them at 5-4, tied with the Bucs and likely the Saints after they dispose of the Rams. Carolina still has major offensive issues at the QB spot, and it looks as if Vinny Testaverde will be under center this week. Their defense should be able to hold down the Falcons enough to squeeze out a win here, as despite winning a week ago Joey Harrington is still Joey Harrington. Panthers win in a low-scoring affair. Carolina 17 Atlanta 10

Minnesota at Green Bay (-6)

The Pack continue to be on a roll, and they just wrapped up two tough road games vs AFC West teams. Now they come home for the Vikings, who have the leagues best back right now in Adrian Peterson, but not much else. The passing game is a mess, and the Pack should be able to hold Peterson down enough for a win here. Green Bay will do their usual 70-30 pass to run ratio, and against the solid Vikings run defense, that isn’t a bad thing. Green Bay 24 Minnesota 14

Jacksonville at Tennessee (-4)

The Jags are wrapping up a three-game road swing, while the Titans have played two straight and now three at LP Field. Tennessee shocked the Jags opening day, and should have enough defense here to hold down their running game and get to Quinn Gray. David Garrard has been trying to get back on the field, but Jack Del Rio should really sit him and wait another week before rushing him back in. Titans defense does it again in an ugly game. Tennessee 17 Jacksonville 7

St.Louis at New Orleans (-11)

Don’t look now, but the Saints are turning into one of the hotter teams in the NFC. They have won four straight, and are now right back in the race in the NFC South. They will use their passing game, which has been on fire the last few weeks, to race up and down the field and put up a lot of points on the weak Rams secondary. Look for Brees, Bush, Colston and Henderson to have big days. New Orleans 31 St.Louis 17

Cincinnati at Baltimore (-4)

Both these teams have been underachievers all season, and after their Monday night game to start the year in Cincy, neither team has really shown much. The Ravens have to make a change at QB soon, as Steve McNair simply cannot get the ball down the field anymore. Their offense will look good here since the Bengals D is awful. Look for a lot of points, and for the Ravens to have just enough to send Cincy to 2-7. Baltimore 31 Cincinnati 28

Philadelphia at Washington (-3)

Clinton Portis is back to dressing like a goof on Thursdays, as I guess his big day vs the Jets was the motivation he needed to go back to that skit each week. The Eagles are in the middle of a bad season in which they look like an old team that needs a lot of work. As for Washington, they need more from the passing game and Jason Campbell, and will look to work on that here in a game that should be dominated by their defense. Washington 21 Philadelphia 9

Buffalo (-3) at Miami

The Bills have clawed their way back to .500 after beating the Bengals at home last week, and their offense with J.P. Losman played well along with the first career 100+ yard day from Marshawn Lynch. Their defense is still banged up, but against an awful Dolphins offense, they should have more than enough. The Fins clearly look like they are on their way to one of the top two picks in the April 2008 NFL Draft. Buffalo 24 Miami 6

Denver at Kansas City (-3)

The loss of Larry Johnson is going to hurt the Chiefs, who don’t have a real solid offense even with Johnson in there. They are going to have to rely more on the passing game, and that means a lot of Tony Gonzalez and the wide outs having to make some plays. As for Denver, Jay Cutler should start, but this is not the same team we’ve seen the last two years that was in and last year challenged for a playoff spot. The Chiefs will slow down the Broncos enough to gain a big AFC West win. KC 20 Denver 10

Cleveland at Pittsburgh (-9.5)

The Steelers have won their home games this season by an average score of 30-6. They simply seem to dominate at home, creating havoc on defense and having all kinds of success on offense. Many have pointed out how the Browns are such a different team from when the Steelers beat them 34-7 opening day. Well, yes, their offense is much better, but their defense is still not very good. They allowed 30 at home to the Seahawks last week, who the Steelers shut out 21-0 a month ago at home. The Steelers have way too much offense to lose here. Pittsburgh 35 Cleveland 17

Chicago (-3.5) at Oakland

All I can say here is that the Raiders have declared they will kick to Devin Hester. That alone should account for 14 points for the Bears, which is about all they will need against a Raiders team that has gone in the tank since starting 2-2. Time to start getting JaMarcus Russell some snaps, as the future of this team is going nowhere with Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper. The Bears will get enough offense and a few turnovers to win easily. Chicago 26 Oakland 7

Dallas (-1) at New York Giants

A showdown for first in the NFC East. The Giants allowed a ton of points and yards in Dallas opening night, but after that and their week two loss to Green Bay, the defense has been solid. The Cowboys continue to roll through the conference, beating on the Eagles a week ago. This one won’t be nearly as easy, and the Giants will use their solid offense and improving defense to score a huge home win to draw even in the division. New York 30 Dallas 24

Detroit (-1) at Arizona

So much for the Cardinals taking the next step in 2007. They have been just awful on offense recently, and last week their running game was nowhere to be found. Kurt Warner has been bad since his elbow injury, and the Lions defense should get to him a few times and force some mistakes. I like where the Detroit offense is going, as they have been running the ball much better with a healthy Kevin Jones carrying the rock. Gotta like the Lions in the desert. Detroit 23 Arizona 17

Indianapolis (-3.5) at San Diego

You have to wonder about the effects of last weeks home loss to the Pats, and if there will be any carry over here. I don’t think so. This Colts team is mature enough to know that last week was just one game, and they will see the Pats again down the road. Indy will use a lot of Joseph Addai to soften up the passing game and shots down the field with Reggie Wayne. The Colts D will stop LT first, and then put the rush on Philip Rivers, forcing some errors on his part. The Colts win a dandy on Sunday night. Indianapolis 29 San Diego 20

San Francisco at Seattle (-10)

The Hawks blew another shot for a big win last week in Cleveland, and finally Mike Holmgren has said that the passing game will be the focus of the offense, and it should be. The running game can’t get it done, and Hasslebeck is getting some wide outs back that should open things up. As for the Niners, their QB, Alex Smith, has gone the wrong way in 2007, and it’s killing this team that had a promising start at 2-0. The Hawks should roll here at home. Seattle 27 SF 14