Rating: (1 votes - 5.00 average)

Showdown in the Big Easy: The San Francisco 49’ers visit the Saints in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Don’t think for one moment that this will be an easy game… IT WON’T! The 49’ers are spitting nails based on three factors: 1) They snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by fumbling at the goal line last week vs. the Rams; a game that would have left them with a 5-3 record. 2) They still remember the game last season where the defense was called for roughing Drew Brees (and preventing a game-changing turnover). 3) The 49’ers are desperate for a win. Their defense is built to stop the run, and the Saints cannot afford to lose the battle in the trenches.

It should be a hard-fought game with a close margin of victory for the winner. With that, let’s take a look at the other NFL games that will have a bearing on the NFC playoff picture.

Teams on a bye: Chargers, Colts, Patriots, Redskins, Texans, and Vikings.


Thursday November 6th

Week 10, Game 1: Browns (6-3) @ Bengals (5-3-1)

N/A: AFC opponents. The Browns shocked the NFL universe by beating the Bengals 24-3 on the road, and captured a share of first place in the AFC North in the process. Now, I don’t feel so bad about the loss the Saints had to the Browns earlier this year. The Browns are for real!

Vegas odds on this game were: Bengals by 7.


Sunday November 9th


Week 10, Game 2: Titans (2-6) @ Ravens (5-4)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Ravens by 10.


Week 10, Game 3: Chiefs (5-3) @ Bills (5-3)

N/A: AFC opponents. This game will have HUGE playoff implications in the AFC.

Vegas odds on this game: Chiefs by 1- ½.


Week 10, Game 4: Dolphins (5-3) @ Lions (6-2)

a. Why it is important: The Lions are an NFC opponent. Calvin “Megatron” Johnson is due to return to action in this game. Couple that with Golden Tate and Reggie Bush coming out of the backfield, and the Dolphins will have their hands full.

b. Desired outcome: Interconference game; pull for the Dolphins. Lions hold the tiebreaker with the Saints by virtue of their head-to-head earlier this season. Detroit is due for a slide right about now, and the Dolphins may be the team that makes it happen.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome (Dolphins’ win): 4 of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Lions by 2- ½.


Week 10, Game 5: Cowboys (6-3) @ Jaguars (1-8) in London

a. Why it is important: Cowboys are an NFC rival, and are in the thick of it in the NFC East race.

b. Desired outcome: Interconference game: Pull for the Jaguars. The Jags have nothing to lose in this one, and may pull all the stops for an upset. Hey… anything’s possible with a turnover or two.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 3.5 of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Cowboys by 7.


Week 10, Game 6: 49’ers (4-4) @ Saints (4-4)

a. Why it is important: 49’ers are an NFC rival. This game has serious playoff implications. Both teams can make a huge step forward (or take a major step backwards), depending on the outcome.

b. Desired outcome: Of course, we want to pull for our boys in the Black and Gold. The Saints need to have their best game going, and cannot afford to lose in the turnover battle. San Francisco’s defense is among the best in the NFL, and they will be bringing their smashmouth style on the field in the Superdome. The Saints MUST match the 49’ers intensity, or they will be playing back on their heels. The game is likely going to come down to the last possession of the game.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Saints by 5.


Week 10, Game 7: Steelers (6-3) @ Jets (1-8)

N/A: AFC opponents. This is likely a trap game for the Steelers. This is my “Upset Special” this week.

Vegas odds on this game: Steelers by 4.


Week 10, Game 8: Falcons (2-6) @ Buccaneers (1-7)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC South rivals. Both are fighting to salvage their fading playoff hopes. The fat lady has already cleared her throat, and will SING to the loser of this one.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Buccaneers, and have the Falcons slide into a tie for last place.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Falcons by 2- ½.


Week 10: Game 9: Broncos (6-2) @ Raiders (0-8)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Broncos by 11. Buddy D. would’ve taken the Raiders & the points!


Week 10: Game 10: Rams (3-5) @ Cardinals (7-1)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. The Cardinals are flying high atop the NFC West, and in the driver’s seat for the 1 seed. Arizona’s defense is arguably the best in the NFL, and Carson Palmer just signed a fat $50M contract. If the Cardinals overlook this game, they could be ambushed by the Rams, who always play NFC West opponents tough.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Rams.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4 of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Cardinals by 6- ½.


Week 10, Game 11: Giants (3-5) @ Seahawks (5-3)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Both are still very much in the thick of the playoff hunt, but the Giants’ hopes will be dealt a serious blow should they lose at Seattle.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Giants, who have the tools necessary to pull off the mild upset. Another factor to consider is the inner turmoil with the Seahawks. Rumor has it that Marshawn Lynch has already made the decision to leave Seattle after this season, and he is NOT talking to Pete Carroll. The rift seems to be growing, and it may be enough of a distraction to prevent the Seahawks from adequately game planning for Eli Manning and the Giants. We will see how that goes, won’t we?

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Seahawks by 9.


(SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)


Week 10, Game 12: Bears (3-5) @ Packers (5-3)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Saints own the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Packers. This should be a medium to low scoring, but very PHYSICAL game.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Bears.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Packers by 7.


Monday November 10th


Week 10, Game 13: Panthers (3-5-1) @ Eagles (6-2)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals; Panthers are also an NFC South rival.

b. Desired outcome: Tough call. The first priority is to win your division, so pull for the Eagles. There are also good arguments for pulling for the Eagles to lose the game. But then again, we need to take care of NFC South business, then go for more if possible.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 6 of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Eagles by 6- ½.


News from Enemy Camps (Week 10):

NFC East Leader:
(Eagles): Philadelphia Eagles Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC North Leader:
(Lions): Detroit Lions Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC West Leader:
(Cardinals): Arizona Cardinals Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily