Flanagan’s Week 10 NFL picks

Whew. I sure need to shake off last week’s dismal effort. One more bad week and I am going to resort to astrology charts or perhaps just plain darts.

Last week’s record straight up: 7-7

Season record straight up: 86-44

Last week’s record against the line: 5-9

Season record against the line: 68-58-4

Chiefs 17, Broncos 9: Let’s see: The Chiefs don’t run the ball well, but the Broncos couldn’t stop you or me if we were starting at tailback for the Chiefs. The guess here is that the Chiefs’ lame offense will spring to life against a Denver team in a tailspin. And if Jay Cutler doesn’t play, the Broncos’ offense will be as feeble as it was last week. Chiefs get well at home.

Line: No line

Cardinals 23, Lions 21: Could be a trap game for Detroit, coming off a blowout of the Broncos. The Lions are feeling confident but strange things happen in the desert. And Arizona isn’t that bad a team, especially with its playmakers on offense. The Cardinals also are only one game out of first and should have motivation.

Line: Cards by 1

Ravens 20, Bengals 13: The Bengals are an absolute mess and are moments away from just tanking the entire season. The Ravens, though they looked awful Monday night, should be able to move the ball against a pitiful Bengals defense.

Line: Ravens by 4

Bills 20, Dolphins 17: The Bills are one of the surprise teams at 4-4. Imagine if they knew how to recover an onside kick: They wouldn’t have let Dallas beat them at home and would be 5-3. But this won’t be easy for the Bills. The Dolphins match up well and are well rested. Don’t feel all that positive about this pick.

Line: Bills by 3

Bears 28, Raiders 17: Whatever slim hopes the Bears have of sneaking back into the playoff picture will end if they lose here. You have to believe Lovie Smith has inspired the troops. The Raiders are coming off an awful loss at home. Make it another awful loss at home.

Line: Bears by 3½

Giants 31, Cowboys 28: The game of the week for sure. Both teams are smoking hot and the Giants perhaps have two edges: First, they’re at home, and second, they are coming off a bye week and rested. The problem is, the Cowboys are playing as if they’re invincible, having not only survived a tester in Philly, but having turned it into a laugher.

Line: Cowboys by 1

Packers 16, Vikings 13: This won’t be the Packers romp that you might have expected a few weeks ago. The entire league is now petrified about the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson, and with good reason. Peterson is so big and so strong and so fast that it becomes too much work just trying to tackle him as the game wears on. He will test a Packers run defense that is good but not great. The Vikings should be able to play-action all day long. Don’t feel safe about this pick.

Line: Packers by 5½

Colts 30, Chargers 24: Hard to imagine how the Chargers got drilled by the Vikings. But it’s even harder to imagine the Colts losing two straight. The Chargers defense is now without its best defensive lineman and was already is suspect in pass coverage. After a sluggish start from a Patriots hangover, the Colts should bolt.

Line: Colts by 3½

Saints 34, Rams 17: The Saints are definitely marching right back into the playoff picture. The Saints are coming off an impressive win last week over a Jacksonville team that is tough and physical — two qualities the Rams don’t have. This one should be over quickly.

Line: Saints by 11½

Steelers 23, Browns 20: These 2007 Browns are a resilient bunch and one would think they could catch the Steelers napping, especially after the Steelers’ laugher on Monday night. This should be a hard-fought divisional game won with defense in the end, and the Steelers’ defense is better.

Line: Steelers by 9½

Panthers 13, Falcons 3: There’s no reason to believe the Falcons will rise up on the road here. But then again, the Panthers aren’t all that good. Still, Carolina should be able to take care of business at home.

Line: Panthers by 4

Titans 14, Jags 10: The Titans ran all over the Jags in the first meeting and that could happen again. But never assume anything with the Jags, who are one of the best road teams in the NFL. A tough divisional matchup and both teams need to win. Special teams or a crazy bounce could decide this one.

Line: off

Washington 24, Eagles 17: The Eagles are the NFC’s version of the Bengals: An absolute mess. That pasting by the Cowboys probably has the Eagles thinking about next year. Washington has playoff visions and should handle this one at home.

Line: Washington by 3

Seahawks 24, 49ers 13: Seattle blew a big one on the road at Cleveland while the 49ers put out a lethargic effort at Atlanta. The 49ers, though, for whatever reason, seem to play well against Seattle. The guess here, however, is that Mike Holmgren has mandated to his troops that this is a must-win, and they’ll get it at home.

Line: Seahawks by 10