NFL Week 10 Betting Previews and Spread Picks: Bears-49ers, Colts-Patriots, Cowboys-Packers

From the Pacquiao Cotto odds to the NFL to UFC 105, we have quite the sports weekend ahead of us. Though boxing threatens to take center stage, there are some serious NFL matchups to watch this week.

First, we have Chicago visiting San Francisco for the season’s first Thursday night football game on the NFL Network. Then Sunday afternoon gives us a pivotal NFC battle between the reeling Packers and the streaking Giants.

And finally, on Sunday night, we get the game everyone is always waiting for: Colts-Patriots, which will not doubt be another great one.

Let’s run down the particulars of each game and then make a few picks:

[Editor's note: Schedule and announcer information via MSF's weekly NFL TV schedule and announcer lineup post.]

Chicago Bears @ San Francisco 49ers

• Bears-49ers Date: Thursday Nov. 12
• Bears-49ers Kickoff Time: 8:20
• Bears-49ers TV Network: NFL Network
• Bears-49ers Announcers: Bob Papa and Matt Millen
• Bears-49ers Point Spread: 49ers -3
• Bears-49ers Over-Under: 43.5
• Bears-49ers Spread Pick by Jerod: About a month ago, this looked like it was going to be a pretty good game. Then October happened…and the Bears and 49ers quickly slid down the NFC standings. The 49ers sit at 3-5 and haven’t won since they signed Michael Crabtree. Still, they are only two games behind Arizona, and I feel like they are playing better overall than the Bears, who are 4-4 and coming off of a shellacking against Arizona. I just can’t see Mike Singletary allowing Jay Cutler to come into his house and get a win. I like a fired up, back-against-the-wall, this-is-our-house 49ers team to grind out a win…but I’m betting it’s closer than three points. Bears-49ers free pick: Bears +3

Bears-49ers prediction by BetOnline:

Two desperate teams clash in the 2009 debut of Thursday night football this week.

Let’s face it: the Bears’ defense isn’t good anymore. They stop the run reasonably well, even without Brian Urlacher, but they regularly get beaten for big plays. In Weeks 7 and 9, Carson Palmer and Kurt Warner combined for 10 touchdown passes against a sagging Chicago secondary.

The 49ers may move the ball reasonably well against the Bears, but there’s a problem: their pass “D” is worse than Chicago’s, allowing 241 yards per game. Unlike Alex Smith, Jay Cutler can really stretch the field. He’ll likely connect with Devin Hester and/or Johnny Knox for a big play or three as the Bears win what should be a surprisingly high-scoring game.

Go with the minor NFL betting upset. Bears-49ers spread pick: Bears +3

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Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers

• Cowboys-Packers Date: Sunday, November 15
• Cowboys-Packers Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Cowboys-Packers TV Network:FOX
• Cowboys-Packers Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
• Cowboys-Packers Point Spread: Cowboys -3
• Cowboys-Packers Over-Under: 47
• Cowboys-Packers Spread Pick by Jerod: This a game between two teams going in totally opposite directions. The Packers, losers to the Bucs on Sunday, are reeling as their O-line struggles to protect QB Aaron Rodgers and as Rodgers refuses to throw the ball away. Dallas, on the other hand, is red hot, coming off of a road win against Philly. So let’s see, Dallas just had a HUGE win and people are talking about them as Super Bowl contenders. GB just had a huge loss and everyone is writing them off. And Dallas is giving points in Lambeau. This just smells like a home cover to me. Cowboys-Packers free pick: Packers +3

Cowboys-Packers prediction by BetOnline:

The sportsbook favorite is the Cowboys -3 heading to this Sunday’s game and oh boy are the Packers catching the Cowboys at the worst possible time.

After Green Bay allowed six sacks to Tampa Bay of all teams, it’s frightening to imagine what DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff will do to Aaron Rodgers. Not only is Rodgers getting horrible protection, he’s holding onto the ball too long and not taking as many shots down field as he used to (and that’s a shame since Dallas’ secondary can be had).

Tony Romo won’t have an easy task against Green Bay’s usually-solid pass defense but the Cowboys can hand off to Marion Barber if need be. They’ll overpower the slumping Packers, who look more like 2010 contenders than 2009 contenders. Packers-Cowboys spread pick: Cowboys -3

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New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts

• Patriots-Colts Date: Sunday, November 15
• Patriots-Colts Kickoff Time: 8:20
• Patriots-Colts TV Network:NBC
• Patriots-Colts Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Patriots-Colts Point Spread: Colts -3
• Patriots-Colts Over-Under: 50
• Patriots-Colts Spread Pick by Jerod: There is still a Monday night game to play tonight and I am already giddy with excitement for this game. The two best QBs in the league go at it, and there is never any more entertaining drama in football than when two great QBs are duking it out. Here is the problem for the Colts as I see it: they were able to somewhat contain Houston’s passing game without Marlin Jackson and Bob Sanders, but can they do the same to Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and Randy Moss? I would definitely take the over on this one, and I would also take the Patriots. I think their offense, especially with Laurence Maroney now providing a legit running threat again, is going to be too good for the Colts next Sunday night. Patriots-Colts free pick: Patriots +3

Colts-Patriots prediction by BetOnline:

Make no mistake; the Colts are legitimate Super Bowl odds hopefuls. But that doesn’t mean they’ll win this week.

Indy’s schedule has been soft. Unless you count Arizona or the slumping 49ers, the Colts haven’t faced an elite defense this season. The Pats aren’t necessarily an elite defense but they know how to overcome a good passing attack; they found a way to win against Atlanta and Baltimore.

Offensively, the Pats are playing with as much confidence as they’ve had all year (even if they’ve had easy matchups of late). Tom Brady’s line is protecting him; it allowed just one sack against the Jets and Broncos’ tough pass rushes. Brady should exploit a Colts secondary missing two key starters due to injury.

Peyton Manning will still do plenty to keep the Colts in the game but I like New England to win a close one. Colts-Patriots spread pick: Patriots +3

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* – Mike Singletary photo credit: MyNorthwest.com

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