NFL picks: Week 10 winners to include Colts, Patriots and Rams

As we reach week 10 of what has been an unpredictable NFL season, the play-off race is still wide open in both the AFC and NFC.

Many of those playoff-chasing teams face off against each other this weekend in what looks to be another crazy ride on this season’s rollercoaster.

So with that, Sports News Blitz writer Taylor Stephenson picks his winners from this week’s top match-ups.

Atlanta Falcons (3-5) at Indianapolis Colts (7-2) (in Germany)

Colts -6.5

Both teams suffered week 9 defeats on the road, with the Colts' offence struggling for the first time this season.

MVP candidate Jonathon Taylor was held to just 45 yards on the ground; coupled with Daniel Jones’ three interceptions, it made for a bad day.

The Falcons, on the other hand, only lost by a single point to the Patriots in a game that ended 24-23.

Bijan Robinson struggled against a superb New England run defence that held him for 46 yards, but unlike Jones, Michael Penix Jr threw three touchdowns to star wide receiver Drake London.

The Colts traded for cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets on deadline day and will be hoping he can lock up London in as the teams face off in Germany.

I think the Colts' offence will have a much better time against a Falcons’ defence that has conceded more than 20 points in all five of their losses.

Taylor’s pick – Indianapolis Colts

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New England Patriots (7-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)

Bucs -2.5

The game of the week. Two teams that at the start of the season, people did not predict to be where they are now. 

With two Quarterbacks who are heavily involved in the MVP conversation, this one has the potential to be special.

The Patriots head to Tampa on a six-game win streak, a run in which they have conceded 23 points or less in all those games.

The Bucs, on the other hand, are coming off a much-needed bye week as they look to recover a banged-up roster.

Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan, and Bucky Irving all look set to miss week 10, but Baker Mayfield will be pleased to see starting right tackle Luke Goedeke return to practice this week.

Drake Maye and the Patriots have their own injury problems with Rhamondre Stevenson and Kayshon Boutte Boutte both questionable on early injury reports.

Boutte has been one of Maye’s top receivers with 23 catches, 431 yards and five touchdowns. 

This game could come down to whether Boutte is healthy and suits up.

Mayfield has managed to keep the Bucs' offence rolling despite the injuries to his main weapons on offence.

The Patriots didn’t set the world alight in last week's win, but they won. 

Head Coach Mike Vrabel, after the game, said: “We’re gonna learn from winning so we don’t have to learn from losing.”

It’s a real chance for both teams to show the teams around the league they mean business and are real Super Bowl contenders.

I can see this coming down to which team takes care of the football better and wins the all-important turnover battle.

Taylor’s pick – New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers (6-3) vs Los Angeles Rams (6-2)

Rams -3.5

The Rams will be out for revenge in this enormous NFC West showdown after the 49ers beat them earlier in the season.

Matthew Stafford and the Rams might be the best team in the NFL right now, scoring with ease, drive after drive.

The 49ers are massively depleted due to injuries, but they were when they beat the Rams last time out.

With some key players missing on defence, it will be a long night for the 49ers against arguably the best offence in the NFL.

Mac Jones has done a great job filling in for Brock Purdy at Quarterback, and with George Kittle back from Injury and Christian McCaffrey, who has 1,222 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns, the 49ers have a chance.

I do, however, think Sean McVay will take this chance to show people the Rams are the true #1 seed in the NFC and win what is always a close affair against a division rival.

Taylor’s pick – Los Angeles Rams

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