We have hit the halfway point in the NFL season as Week 10 kicks off Sunday. Although the New England Patriots won’t play football Sunday, there are some important games to watch. Week 10 includes a classic matchup, like the Cowboys-Packers rivalry, and an AFC North matchup with the Lions and Bears. The NFL kicks off tomorrow in Munich, Germany, for the debut of NFL football in Germany. I take you through every game, note how it impacts the Patriots, and offer my game prediction. Let’s get into it.
Seattle (6-3) at Tampa Bay (4-5), 9:30
Time for football in Germany! Early Sunday morning, Tampa Bay and the Seattle Seahawks will square off for Germany’s first-ever NFL football game. Last week Tom Brady proved why he is the GOAT; you can never count him out. Seattle is on a four-game win streak, partly because of the career year Geno Smith is having. Smith has thrown for 2,199 passing yards and 15 touchdowns against four interceptions. This game doesn’t directly impact the Patriots, but I’d root for the quarterback who won the city of Boston six Super Bowls.
Prediction: 21-16 Bucs
Houston (1-6) at New York Giants (6-2), 1:00
The Giants may be the biggest surprise yet, and they’re well-rested off their bye week. Meanwhile, the Texans allow 180.6 yards per game, the worst in the league. The Giants and running back Saquon Barkley should exploit Houston’s run defense. New York is running for 161.5 ypg, fifth in the league. For the Patriots, Go Giants! It’s a classic AFC versus NFC matchup. Although the Texans may not make noise in the playoffs, you never know.
Prediction: 23-13 Giants
Minnesota (7-1) at Buffalo (6-2), 1:00
Patriots fans, you’ll want to keep an eye on this matchup for plenty of reasons. The Patriots are looking up at the Bills, who hold a two-game lead in the first place of the AFC east. The Vikings will have a tall task on their hands going to Buffalo. The Bill’s last home game lost came in the bizarre weather game against the Patriots. Meanwhile, the Patriots play the Vikings on Thanksgiving in two weeks. Go Vikings!
Prediction: 34-28 Bills
Detroit (2-6) at Chicago (3-6), 1:00
This classic NFC north matchup will take place in Week 10, and Patriots fans should be rooting for the Lions. Both teams have played the Patriots, but only one team beat New England. If the Lions can pull off an upset against Justin Fields and the Bears, it will help New England’s strength of schedule. Last week the Lions defeated the Packers, which allowed the Patriots, and the Lions may have a chance to help New England two weeks in a row.
Prediction 34-26 Bears
Denver (3-5) at Tennessee (5-3), 1:00
Two teams will face off who haven’t performed well thus far. However, the Titans look like they’re heading back to the playoffs in a terrible AFC south. Denver came into the season with high expectations, but with the poor quarterback play in Russell Wilson, their 3-5 record will be brutal to make the playoffs. Patriots fans will want to root for the Titans here, as the Broncos have a slight chance at making the wildcard round.
Prediction 23-16 Titans
Jacksonville (3-6) at Kansas City, (6-2) 1:00
The Cheifs will host the Jaguars, who have been on a downward spiral since Week 3. Trevor Lawernce led the Jaguars to a 2-1 start but has since lost four of the last five games. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are competing with the Bills for the number one seed in the playoffs and remain the top threat in the SFC west. This is a tough call, but I would go with the Jaguars, as the AFC west standing may get interesting later in the season. On the other hand, the Jaguars have very little chance of making the playoffs, but maybe they can pull off an upset in Kansas City.
Prediction: 34-21 Chiefs
Cleveland (3-5) at Miami (6-3), 1:00
If there was one game to watch Sunday, it would be this one. The Dolphins are in third place in the AFC east, and with a loss against Cleveland, the Patriots could move up in the standings. Furthermore, a win by Cleveland would help the Patriot’s strength of schedule. Go Cleveland!
Prediction 28-22 Dolphins
New Orleans (3-6) at Pittsburgh (2-6), 1:00
This is another challenging game to pick; a Saints win would help the Patriot’s strength of schedule. However, the Steelers aren’t giving up their season yet, as they will be getting a key player in T.J Watt. Therefore, the Steelers could theoretically make a push to the playoffs. Therefore, Patriots fans should take the NFC opponent, the New Orleans Saints.
Prediction 19 – 16 Saints
Indianapolis (3-5) at Las Vegas (2-6), 4:05
When Colts and Raiders fans circled this game on their Calender in May, they probably weren’t thinking that Jeff Saturday would be coaching the Colts and the Raiders would be 2-7. Well, that’s how crazy the 2022 season has been. The Colts fired their coach Frank Reiach and hired ESPN analyst and former football player Jeff Saturday who will be debuting as the head coach this Sunday. Although it’s tough to see Josh McDaniels fail as a head coach, root for the Colts here. With the Patriots playing the Raiders later in the season, a Colts win could help boost their strength of schedule if the Patriots beat the Raiders on Sunday night football.
Prediction: 27-20 Raiders
Dallas (6-2) at Green Bay (3-6), 4:25
Go, Cowboys! The only thing going for the Patriots is they played the Packers earlier in the season and lost. So if the Cowboys win, it will help boost… yep, you got it – New England’s strength of schedule.
Prediction: 27-24 Packers
Arizona (3-6) at LA Rams (3-5), 4:35
I don’t know who has been more disappointing this season, the Rams or the Cardinals. Both teams have struggled. The Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury could be on the hot seat, and Kyler Murray may be inactive. The Rams their coming off a bitter loss to Brady and will look to get their team back on track. Go Cardinals! The Patriots play the Cardinals later in the season, which could help the strength of victory. Furthermore, the Patriots own the Rams’ fourth-round pick given to them in the Sony Michel trade. If the Rams lose, it could help move their pickup.
Prediction: 21-17 Rams
LA Chargers (5-3) at San Francisco (4-4), 8:20
It’s time for Sunday night football and the classic inter-conference face-off with the Chargers and 49ers. Patriots fans root for Jimmy G and San Francisco. The Chargers are one spot ahead of the Patriots in the playoff picture, and with a loss, the Patriots could move into the playoff bracket.
Prediction: 28-16 49ers
Monday Night
Washington (4-5) at Philadelphia (8-0), 8:15
The only undefeated team in football, the Philadelphia Eagles take on the struggling Commanders. The NFC east rivalry game will take place on Monday Night Football. The only reason to root for the Commanders is to preserve the Patriots’ record as the only team to go 16-0 in the regular season.
Prediction: 31 -21 Eagles
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My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
