Who Will Get Their Second Half Started Right? [NFL Week 10 Live Thread]

As we take time to honor our veterans, today we also watch the official start of the 2nd half of the NFL season. Every team playing today will be playing for at least the 9th time. At this point, we have a pretty good idea who the contenders are, but as we've seen in recent years, it's all about peaking in a few weeks time and into the playoffs. Today we get our first look at who might be ready to do just that.

Today's guest picker is kteacher, aka Becky, aka Teach, aka Insult the Kings and You Die (actually it's probably best not to mention hockey right now). Take it away with your opening remarks, Teach:

I want to preface this first by saying I suck at predicting games, giving analysis, and the following will probably be a boring read ........easily dismissed, but here goes. There is no rhyme or reason for any of my picks.

Eh, you say that like it's a bad thing. It's quite obvious at this point that no one knows how to pick football games. With that, let's get to it.

Oakland at Baltimore

Teach: My neighbors are Raiders fans. They make great carne asada and display a giant inflatable Raider in front of their home. I wish for a Raiders win; however, Ravens 31 Raiders 15----Go Sesame Street!

Eric: Mmmm...carne asada. What were we talking about again? Oh yeah, the Ravens. I don't think they're very good, and they'll look bad at times today, but Oakland going East is a recipe for failure, so Ravens are the pick.

Denver at Carolina

Teach: Eli's less "special" more talented bro's team takes this one. WAIT.....usually when I think a game will be easy the opposite happens. Hmmmmm......yep...the Broncos win by 10 or 3.

Eric: I think Carolina's not quite as bad as most think, and I'm rooting for Cam Newton just to shut up the scolds and moralists that make up the national football press. That said, I don't quite have the stones to pick the Panthers. Denver in a squeaker.

N.Y. Giants at Cincinnati

Teach: Doesn't the Bengals QB have red hair? I'm going with that over mouth breathing. Bengals by 10....in a "Surprise!"

Eric: Yes, Andy Dalton is the world's foremost Ginger Quarterback. No, I don't think that's enough for the Bengals to win, but there's a non-zero chance the Giants lay an egg.

Tennessee at Miami

Teach: Dolphins! NO reason. I just like them better. Dolphins by 5. Ha!

Eric: The Titans will play better than last week on pure dead cat bounce if nothing else. Still, Miami wins.

Detroit at Minnesota

Teach: Lions! No other reason than Woody likes them and well....he supported my Kings all year last season. I am loyal. Go Lions!....by 10

Eric: Holy Mediocrity Batman! I'll pick the Lions since Percy Harvin is out, and I don't like the Vikings. Yes, I'm petty like that.

Buffalo at New England

Teach: Same colors. USA! USA! I'm going with the Patriots....I guess.....Patriots by a lot

Eric: Patriots

Atlanta at New Orleans

Teach: I don't care what Cousin Sal says..........FALCONS all the way! Why? Because Beans wants it so and so it will be. Go Falcons! by at least 1 more.

Eric: People listen to Cousin Sal? Anyway, for some reason I smell an upset here, which is dumb because the Saints can't stop anyone. Still, I'll go with New Orleans, even though it means Ash will hate me now. If it's any consolation, Ash, it would've happened at some point anyway.

San Diego at Tampa Bay

Teach: I'd like to type----"Chargers!" for my "Qcast out friiind" but I can't. Buccaneers by a touchdown and a safety. Norv will bust more blood vessels.

Eric: I have no idea what that first sentence means. I'll agree on the Tampa pick though as Norv continues his long march to finally being fired.

N.Y. Jets at Seattle

Teach: Seahawks by 9. Go Jess and Thomas! (Hi Thomas!)

Eric: Between Sanchez, Tebow, and Wilson, will the media pay attention to the rest of the players in this game? The answer, of course, is no. Also, Seattle wins because that's what they do when at home, whether they get bailed out or not (/still bitter).

Dallas at Philadelphia

Teach: This pains me.....but I'm going with the boys who like cows. Do the Eagles even have an offensive line? Vick may die. Cowboys by 7.

Eric: In what can best be described as the Implosion Bowl, I'll pick the Cowboys because they'll probably have one last gasp to give their fans false hope. It's the Dallas Way. Given that this is the late afternoon national game, I think I'll go do something else at 4:25.

St. Louis at San Francisco

Teach: Rams! They will surprise all. (I just can't pick the other....I can't. My fingers can't type it.)

Eric: Given that the Rams moved from LA almost two decades ago, I'm surprised that's still your team, Teach. Unfortunately for you, I can pick the "other" and will. Niners easily.

Houston at Chicago

Teach: THIS is probably the only game I will watch.....a possible Super Bowl match up? I have the Bears D on my FF team, so I'm conflicted....not really. On Twitter, I follow way more people who either like the Texans or play for the Texans. It's fun. I'm going with the Texans by 7.

Eric: First, I want to point out that Chicago's best win is either home against Indy Week 1 or home against Detroit. Houston, by contrast, has a win at Denver and the blowout of Baltimore. Also, I hate the Bears so I'm picking the Texans, even if those resumes were reversed.

Bonus Monday Night Pick: Kansas City at Pittsburgh

Teach: I don't like this game. Steelers...I guess.

Eric: Ugh. I can't think of a more depressing national game. Steelers and 0 minutes I spend watching this game are my picks.

Thanks for the picks Teach. Everyone else, enjoy Week 10 and Q it up throughout the games.