NFL Top Games to Watch: Week 10

Oct 30, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) dives over the top for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Saints defeated the Panthers 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Well fans, here we are at Week 10 in the National Football League and the divisional and conference races are really heating up as we get a good look at the true contenders and pretenders in each conference. With several big injuries over the weekend things are going to get shaken up across the league as we head into the final stretch. Sorry fans for missing the last few weeks but its back! Here are the top three games to watch with your friends and family this weekend if you’re looking for some good games.

Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions

A few seasons ago this would have been one of the worst games to watch, but in the last two seasons both teams have started to come on strong, particularly this year and are looking to make a statement heading towards the playoffs. Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been on a tear as of late coming fresh off a whooping of the San Diego Chargers and is looking to manipulate a pretty talented defense in Detroit. That task will not come easy against a very talented defensive front seven so expect the Dolphins to mix up the schemes in this one to throw Detroit off guard. The defense in Miami has more than enough talent to rattle the cage of Lions signal caller Matt Stafford, the question is can they contain Golden Tate and the now healthy Calvin Johnson. The Dolphins have played great defense all year so it should be a great match up. For the Lions in this one its all about playing up to their highest level and not shooting themselves in the foot. This offense has been productive even without Johnson, and the only way that continues is with an impressive performance from Stafford. Reggie Bush is back but who knows at what capacity, so the Lions are likely to heavily rely on making plays through the air. Stafford must continue to spread the ball around and not focus on Calvin in his return to the field, he needs to limit his mistakes in this contest or the Dolphins will capitalize. Defensively in Detroit its all about pressuring the quarterback and throwing him off his rythm. If the Lions can shake, rattle, and roll Tannehill they can effectively shut down this offense. However they have to contain the speed of Mike Wallace, Lamar Miller, and rookie Jarvis Landry who has been blossoming as of late. These two teams are among the best in their respective conferences right now and neither of them can truly afford a loss heading into the crunch time of the season. This is going to be an incredibly exciting game with a ton of blood guts and glory ready to spilled all over the field.

Prediction: This is going to be a heck of a game, Miami 28 Detroit 24

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

Typically seen as a clash of the NFC’s elite teams, this year were seeing two teams that are just on the cusp of a playoff chance in what has been a very competitive conference race in the NFC this season. The 49ers find themselves in third place in the NFC West at 4-4 while the Saints find themselves barely atop the NFC South with the very same record. Overall these teams are good for the seventh best record in the conference, not what were used to seeing. Colin Kaepernick really needs to find his groove in the passing game or the Niners could be in serious trouble. The Saints run defense is the tenth best in the league meaning the 49ers likely will need to air it out in this one to keep up. Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis need to step up and be the weapons they are supposed to be for this guy and start making some plays against a depleted secondary. The Saints on the other hand also have a tough task taking on a tough 49er defense that is second in the league in total yards allowed. The running trio in New Orleans is going to have a tough time getting anything going on the ground but quarterback Drew Brees could put on a clinic in this one with all the weapons at his disposal. The Saints need Jimmy Graham to finally come back to true form to give the Saints that “X” factor to put them over the top. In what is usually a race for the top spot in the conference, were seeing these two teams fighting for a playoff chance after the midway point in the season. These teams are desperate, and that means they’re willing to go the distance in order to secure a win in this one which should make for an excellent contest.

Prediction: New Orleans takes down the Niners, continue their resurgence  while looking to land the NFC South. New Orleans 31 San Francisco 27

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

These NFC North match ups are always great contests to watch and this classic rivalry always provides a great game. The Bears have been struggling mightily for weeks and are coming into this prime time match up against the Packers looking dysfunctional. Jay Cutler needs to take his play to a higher level or this team will be finished quickly. The all star running back Matt Forte should be the focal point of this offense to alleviate pressure from Cutler and the passing game. The combination of Forte, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Martellus Bennett is more than enough to take advantage of this Packer secondary, they just have to finish drives and prevent mental mistakes. This game is crucial for Cutler, who has struggled his entire career against Green Bay. The Bears and Jay Cutler need this win. On the flip side, the Packers are looking to keep their roll going as they look to stay elite in the NFC. The key to success against the Bears has been to score quickly, and fluster Cutler into making early mistakes that this team struggles to come back from. That coupled with offensive efficiency should be more than enough as the Packers look to continue their big brother beat down on Cutler and the Bears.

Prediction: Green Bay continues its excellence over Chicago, but in a better than expected game. Green Bay 31 Chicago 24

There you have it folks the top games to watch in a bye week laden week 10. There are several key match ups throughout the league but not many exciting ones to flip through as you enjoy football this Sunday. These are gonna be the best ones to watch so grab some snacks, your family, and enjoy these great games!

 Joe Kleine is also co-host of the finsradio.com show The Direct Snap, alongside fellow host Tyler McMullen.  Please check out our Facebook(click) and Twitter(click) pages! Our free to listen show about the NFL is on Saturday October 18th at 7:30 PM Eastern time! Check out our show here, give us a call, or e-mail us at officialdirectsnap@gmail.com! Also be sure to check out OntheFinside, another great finsradio program!