NFL Picks, Week 10: Bengals-Steelers, Jets-Patriots, And A Breath Of Fresh Air

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 06: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on November 6, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bengals won 24-17. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Steelers and Bengals, the Jets and Patriots, and slew of other close games (and close lines) highlight Week 10. Thank the lord. The NFL is back and here to save us from the most depressing sports week of all time.

It's Week 10, and good GOD is it nice to be talking about actual sports after this week... We've had a baseball player get kidnapped, the NBA lockout is on the verge of collapsing into anarchy, and we barely even noticed thanks to the most horrifying college football scandal in history.

So yes, I think I'm definitely ready for some actual football this week. And even better, it's the best weekend of football we've seen in a month. You've got the Bengals looking to prove themselves at home against the Steelers, the Saints and Falcons rivalry game in Atlanta, the Cowboys and Bills, and then at the end of the day, the Jets and Patriots try to kill each other on NBC. Just a great weekend all-around. Even the Colts game could be kinda close.

We're running behind, so let's get straight to the picks. We went 8-6 last week AND got off to a 1-0 start this week with Thursday night's Raiders pick, so things are lookin' up!

As usual, take these picks seriously at your own risk. All picks in BOLD.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (+3) ... I was all set to point to this stat and pick the Steelers.

But wait wait wait. If you think about it, those are all games the Bengals LIVED to lose over the past few years. In general, it's not that Cincinnati's had horrible teams under Marvin Lewis, it's that they never win the games they're supposed to win. And this year they have, so they can come into a game with Pittsburgh with A) more momentum and B) Less pressure, since everybody expects them to fall apart, anyway.

So I'm taking A.J. Green and the Bengals.

Houston at Tampa Bay (+3) ... We're due for the Kubiak letdown game.

Washington at Miami (-4) ... From the D.C. Sports Bog:

"Oh yeah," Davis said. "I believe in John Beck. I mean, whoever the coach puts out there, I’m gonna believe in. ... It’s my job just to go out there and perform."

A ringing endorsement for Sh*t Romney!

Arizona at Philadelphia (OFF) ... It's too bad that Kevin Kolb will likely be out for this game, because watching Kolb crap all over himself in a Cardinals uniform might be some of the only consolation Eagles fans will get from this season. Related: the Cards should really just throw Patrick Peterson at QB and see what happens.

Jacksonville at Indianapolis (+3) ... Both these teams are so awful that their fans can't possibly fathom losing to the other team. Like Jags fans: "We're bad, but we're not Colts bad, are we?" Maybe!

St. Louis at Cleveland (-1.5) ... Both of these are so inconsistent that their fans wouldn't be surprised by anything at this point. How does a Rams fan even watch football after the Arizona loss last week? And how does a Browns fan watch after... everything, basically.

Buffalo at Dallas (-5.5) ... Another potentially awesome game, particularly if the Dallas offense gets going. On another note, that may not happen, and... from Ta-Nehisi Coates at Deadspin, here's a devastating passage about my (and his) favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys:

The Cowboys, themselves, are perpetual secular Tim Tebows. What you have is a team with enough history to create a narrative and expectations, a self-congratulatory nom de plume as "America's Team," and a record of sticking right in that 5-11 to 11-5 range where you never really win shit, but prognosticators still take you seriously.

Last Sunday's game against the Seahawks was the epitome of that last sentence. Did Dallas look like a good team? Not really. Were they a bad team? Not really. That's exactly what Dallas has been for 10 years--just good enough for people to hype them up as darkhorses, and just medicore enough to drive me insane.

Denver at Kansas City (-3) ... Via Jon Bois, here's Prince Fielder, Adam Jones, Dexter Fowler and Bobby Bonilla Tebowing in Prague.

Now we know: When black guys "Tebow" in public, it just looks like a Boyz 2 Men video.

Tennessee at Carolina (-3.5) ... CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM CAM. #ANALYSIS

New Orleans at Atlanta (PK) ... Tough to bet against Drew Brees in a pick 'em.

Baltimore at Seattle (+7) ... Scary to bet on Joe Flacco to cover seven points.

New York Giants at San Francisco (-3) ... You know how everyone says "it's a long year" every time teams look unbeatable in the first month or two? Well the Niners didn't even look unbeatable, but they're sitting at 7-1 with ~~the best record~~ second-best record in the NFL. It's a long year.

Detroit at Chicago (-1.5) ... Jonathan Papelbon going to the Phillies on Friday was so great. Nothing like watching an entire fanbase throw up in their mouth over a free agent signing. Not because they had a rivalry with him or anything, but just because everyone hates him and nobody respects him.

All of which is to say, I hope Jay Cutler ends up on the Eagles someday.

New England at New York Jets (PK) ... As average as they've looked the past two weeks, I'm not totally ready to write off Bill Belichick's Evil Empire. I'm also not ready to bet against Rex. So according to a scientific gambling formula, frustrated Tom Brady breaks the tie here.