Past the midway point of the NFL season, the Detroit Lions return from a bye looking to build on their lead in the NFC North. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings look to maintain pace and keep the good vibes going while the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears aim to stay out of the division basement. Here are our predictions for Week 10:
Carolina Panthers (1-7) at Chicago Bears (2-7): The Bears and Panthers matchup on “Thursday Night Football” has draft ramifications, but a loss doesn’t do either team any good. So, even in a game between two teams with a combined three wins, it should be a competitive contest despite groans from the national audience.
Head coach Matt Eberflus wasn’t entirely clear when giving his update on the status of QB Justin Fields for Sunday. Still, the team officially listed Fields as questionable, which likely means another game for undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent. Since an adequate debut in a Week 7 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Bagent has come back down to earth, completing 64 percent of his passes (43-of-67) for 452 yards (6.76 YPA) with two touchdowns and five interceptions. After giving up an average of 342 yards over their first six games, Carolina’s defense has played well in recent weeks, holding their previous two opponents – the Houston Texans (229) and Indianapolis Colts (198) – to an average of 213.5 yards. Furthermore, accounting for rookie QB Bryce Young’s two pick-sixes, the Panther defense has allowed only 13 points a game over the last two weeks.
Young may have struggled a week ago, throwing three interceptions against the Colts, but he’ll have an opportunity to rebound against a porous Bears pass defense that is improving but still ranks 28th in the NFL (256 YPG). The 2022 first-overall pick will do just enough while the Panther defense will silence Bagent and company in a close one.
PREDICTION: Panthers, 20-13
Green Bay Packers (3-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3): The Packers broke a four-game losing streak in Week 9, earning a much-needed win against the Matthew Stafford-less Los Angeles Rams. Kenny Pickett may not be a gigantic leap from Brett Rypien, but the Steelers offer plenty of problems for the Packers. Pittsburgh is far from the perfect team, but they boast a solid defense, ranked 13th in points allowed (20.4) and an offense that comes around at the right time, posting four come-from-behind wins. Furthermore, the Steelers are stout on both lines, recording the seventh-most sacks in the AFC (26) and seventh-fewest against in the conference (19).
The Steelers are riding high following their most recent late fourth-quarter comeback in Week 9 over the Tennessee Titans. They might not want to wait that long against a Packers team that’s allowed, on average, the ninth-fewest points in the final stanza this year (4.5). However, they will have opportunities. No team in the NFC allows more offensive plays against than the Packers (65.5) which should give Pickett and company a chance to find a rhythm.
The Packers earned a nice victory last week, but inconsistency has been an issue all season and it will continue to be on Sunday. While it won’t be as dramatic, the Steelers will simply overpower the Packers throughout the game and enjoy a more laid-back win in Week 10.
PREDICTION: Steelers, 26-16
New Orleans Saints (5-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-4): As improbable as it might be, the Vikings remain undefeated without QB Kirk Cousins and WR Justin Jefferson. Riding a four-game win streak thanks to a heroic effort from Josh Dobbs this past Sunday, the Vikings will look to keep it going against a Saints team that’s won two in a row.
The Saints’ 17th-ranked rushing defense offers an opportunity for the Vikings’ dismal run game to get going (81 YPG, 29th). However, led by cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo, they have the seventh-ranked passing defense in the NFL (192.0) and lead the league with 12 interceptions. Meanwhile, jack-of-all-trades Taysom Hill could be a factor on the other side of the ball. Over the last three games, Hill has rushed for 133 yards (5.32 YPA), caught nine passes for 77 yards and completed three passes for 47 yards with four total touchdowns.
The Vikings are now on their third QB, but the wins keep coming. Entering in relief of an injured Jaren Hall, Dobbs finished with 123 total yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner to WR Brandon Powell with 22 seconds to go to lift the Vikings over the Atlanta Falcons 31-28. In Week 10, Dobbs will keep the positive vibes going
PREDICTION: Vikings, 24-21
Detriot Lions (6-2) at Los Angeles Chargers (4-4): The Lions battle with the Chargers has potential to be a shootout. Both teams will be looking to throw the ball, led by Jared Goff and Justin Herbert, respectively. However, the difference on Sunday might come down to health.
With the return of left guard Jonah Jackson and center Frank Ragnow, the Lions O-line is finally whole for the first time since Week 1 heading into their matchup with the Chargers. Furthermore, running back David Montgomery is also on track to be on the field after missing two games with a rib injury. The Chargers have allowed the ninth-highest passer rating (96.6) in the NFL and are 32nd against the pass (239 YPG). With an o-line at full strength, a returning Montgomery and a loaded group of pass catchers, the Lions are primed for a big game.
Conversely, the Chargers have posted the second-most sacks (31) in the NFL and rank 11th against the pass (239 YPG). They’re coming off an impressive Week 9 performance (8 sacks, 3 turnovers), but the Lions aren’t the New York Jets. In four games against top-15 offenses, the Chargers allowed 459 yards per contest on average. Look for the Lions’offense to pounce on the Chargers early and not look back.
PREDICTION: Lions, 33-20