NFL 2008 Week 10 picks

On the heels of an historic Presidential election, let's take a look at the division races and see who the candidates might be for this season's playoff field.

The AFC East is the tightest division in the league. With Brett Favre's arrival, Tom Brady's departure, and the surprising upsurge of Buffalo and Miami, the balance of power is no longer encompassing Gillette Stadium. Considering the firepower in the other divisions, I doubt this division produces a wild card team.

In the AFC North, there are two races going on: one is for the division crown between Pittsburgh and Baltimore while Cleveland and Cincinnati duke it out for the cellar position. The Steelers and Ravens both possess bruising defenses and like to run it down your throat, but Pitt has 5 of the next 8 games at home while their road record is 4-1.

In the AFC South, Tennessee appears to be in control with a four-game lead over Indy and five games over Jacksonville and Houston. I think it's safe to say that they'll be playing in January if they can stay healthy.

The AFC West is the weakest division in the league with Denver leading the way at 4-4. San Diego's defense is porous thanks to a horrendous secondary at is now at 3-5. Oakland and Kansas City are probably the two worst franchises in the league when it comes to talent level, chemistry, and motivation.

When the last place team is the 5-4 Dallas Cowboys, I'd say that that division is pretty strong. The NFC East is led by the defending champion Giants while Washington and Philly are right on their tails. The chances of both wild card teams coming from this division are excellent.

In the NFC North, the Windy City has seen a winning attitude blow into Soldier Field thanks to a productive running attack and sound play at QB. Their defense isn't bad either as they sit at 5-3. Green Bay and Minnesota are 4-4 and very much a threat to take over this division too. Detroit needs to play like their life depended on it in order to reach .500.

The NFC South is also quite strong with Carolina (6-2) and Tampa Bay (6-3) headlining the show. Atlanta is 5-3 and in a perfect place to strike a death blow with five of their next eight at home including the next three in a row. Most of their opponents are very feeble vs. the run, and the Falcons are #1 in rushing. And don't count out New Orleans at 4-4.

If you would have told me when the season began that Arizona would be leading the NFC West by three games at 5-3 at the Week 10 mark, I would have recommended that you have a CAT scan. The Cardinals, especially Kurt Warner, are looking very good right now while Seattle, San Francisco, and St. Louis are on life support at 2-6.

There are some match-ups in Week 10 that could provide a nice twist to this division landscape. Let's take a look.

• Denver Broncos (4-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-5): NFL Network, 8:15pm, Thursday Night - Huge night for Brady Quinn. The 2nd-year QB gets his first NFL start vs. a bitter rival on the national stage in front of his hometown fans.

• New Orleans Saints (4-4) at Atlanta Falcons (5-3): FOX, 1pm EST - The Saints are 0-3 on the road while the Falcons are undefeated at home. QB Matt Ryan and RB Michael Turner should have a big day.

• Seattle Seahawks (2-6) at Miami Dolphins (4-4): FOX, 1pm EST - QB Chad Pennington is probably having the best season of his career. Miami is clicking right now on both sides of the ball...Seattle isn't.

• Green Bay Packers (4-4) at Minnesota Vikings (4-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Excellent showdown between two quality RB's in Ryan Grant and Adrian Peterson. The Vikings are #2 in stopping the run, and the crowd should be charged vs. a division rival.

• St. Louis Rams (2-6) at NY Jets (5-3): FOX, 1pm EST - The table has been set for a NY ripping. The Rams' defense is just awful while the Jets' 4th-ranked run defense shouldn't have a problem stopping the Rams who might be without Steven Jackson.

• Tennessee Titans (8-0) at Chicago Bears (5-3): CBS, 1pm EST - Both coaches are doing fantastic jobs this year. They each lack a superstar QB, possess a nice running attack, and are anchored by stringent defenses. You may not see any TD's in this one.

• Jacksonville Jaguars (3-5) at Detroit Lions (0-8): CBS, 1pm EST - Daunte Culpepper is more than likely getting the start vs. a Jags team that is pretty bitter after losing to a former winless team in Cincy last week.

• Buffalo Bills (5-3) at New England Patriots (5-3): CBS, 1pm EST - Statistically, these two teams are pretty even on both sides of the ball. Buffalo has yet to win a game vs. a division opponent and that will be hard to change vs. the Pats at home.

• Baltimore Ravens (5-3) at Houston Texans (3-5): CBS, 1pm EST - This will actually be a fun game to watch. Sage Rosenfels gets the nod at QB for Houston and he's solid. The Ravens' defense, running game, and QB play from rookie Joe Flacco is very effective right now.

• Carolina Panthers (6-2) at Oakland Raiders (2-6): FOX, 4:05pm EST - Last week, Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell was 6 of 19 for 31 yards and an interception vs. Atlanta. Yes, 31 yards...Bart Starr could suit up today and throw for 31 yards.

• Indianapolis Colts (4-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2): CBS, 4:15pm EST - The last time these two teams met, the Colts K Mike Vanderjagt missed a 46-yard field goal in the closing seconds in the AFC Championship Game in 2005. Pittsburgh has won 14 of the last 16 meetings. A sub-par Peyton Manning and limp Colts offense vs. this suffocating Steelers defense is a disaster waiting to happen.

• Kansas City Chiefs (1-7) at San Diego Chargers (3-5): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Trust me, Facebook is much more entertaining.

• NY Giants (7-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-3): NBC, 8:15pm EST, Sunday Night - Nothing like a good old-fashioned NFC battle to cap off the day. Both teams are dangerous on both sides of the ball. NY has won five of the past six encounters.

• San Francisco 49ers (2-6) at Arizona Cardinals (5-3): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - During halftime of the October 26th contest vs. Seattle, interim coach Mike Singletary dropped his pants in front of his players to prove the point that they were getting their tails whipped. Expect more exposure in the desert against Kurt Warner.

BYE: DALLAS, WASHINGTON, TAMPA BAY, CINCINNATI

STANDINGS

Chris Mortensen: 9-5, 87-43

Mark Schlereth: 10-4, 80-50

Eddie Chinn: 11-3, 79-51

Ron Jaworski: 7-6, 75-46

Mike Golic: 7-7, 75-54