Well, that happened.
A missed pick and many bad reaches, results in me going 5-9 for Week 9 in finishing last.. That means everyone who participated in Week 9 is going to be in the running to win concert tickets to a show in 2026. But only one could claim the $50 Gift Certificate to Bogie's Pub and Grill, and this week's top picker in the North Country is CHRIS BACON from Fort Edward.
Time to improve for Week 10. There's no where to go but up, right? Let's begin examining Week 10.
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos - Thursday, 8:15pm, Prime Video
I reached too deep on Sunday, thinking the Raiders would prevail at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Well, I was proven wrong and now those Raiders have to head to Denver to face one of the luckiest and persistent teams in the NFL this season. While divisional matchups are scary, the Raiders do not scare me.
Rick's Pick: Denver
Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts (from Berlin, Germany) - Sunday, 9:30am, NFL Network
Daniel Jones doubled his seasonal interceptions and fumbled another three times when the Colts fell hard to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Atlanta is steaming after losing to New England, but it really is a case why missed extra points will generally come back to hurt you. The Falcons have a run game, but Indianapolis now has Sauce Gardner making the trip with the Colts to Germany. He probably won't play much due to unfamiliarity with the Colts play book and the jet lag, but it gives the Colts another option.
Rick's Pick: Indianapolis
New York Giants at Chicago Bears - Sunday, 1:00pm, WXXA FOX 23
Two weeks the Giants looked alright with Jaxson Dart, but they have not shown they can be successful on the road. While Chicago may have had inflated numbers last week due to a turnstile Cincinnati defense, they have a more complete team than what the Giants have at this point.
Rick's Pick: NY Giants
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins - Sunday, 1:00pm, WRGB CBS 6
Don't circle the Buffalo Bills just yet, their trip to Southern Florida has been a trap in past years, especially when it's hot. On paper, the Bills are better set up for success compared to the Miami dysfunction, however ... divisional matchups have done weird things to the Buffalo Bills in the past. I'm pushing for Buffalo, but am very cautious here.
Rick's Pick: Buffalo
Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings - Sunday, 1:00pm
The Baltimore Ravens looked better last week when they lost the battle of two teams who have had rough seasons. I'm not fully trusting Baltimore yet, but I do like them over Minnesota. Yes, beating Detroit was nice, but 14/25 and 143 yards isn't a strong showing for J.J. McCarthy.
Rick's Pick: Baltimore
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets - Sunday, 1:00pm
Unless you are in the New York Metro area, the state of Ohio, or have the Sunday ticket, you won't get to see this game. The two teams are a combined 3-13. I'll root for the home team and write this off as a foundation for the #1 draft pick if I'm wrong.
Rick's Pick: NY Jets
New England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sunday, 1:00pm
Surprisingly the best game in the early window is between these two teams. Drake Maye may not be an earth-shattering quarterback just yet for New England, but he's getting close. Beating the Bills was nice, but if New England walks out of this with an 8-2 record, you bet more people will be talking about Maye and the Pats. But Baker Mayfield and company are a formidable foe and they could still use some marquee wins despite their 6-2 record.
Rick's Pick: Tampa Bay
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers - 1:00pm
The Carolina Panthers being above .500 after 9 weeks feels weird, and now they have a chance to improve on this. The coaching staff limited Bryce Young's usage to short passes against Green Bay, and just let Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard churn up yards on the ground. That strategy won't be sustainable, but it could help earn the Panthers another win against one of the worse teams in the NFC.
Rick's Pick: Carolina
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans - 1:00pm
This is a divisional trap for a Jacksonville team that has played well at times, but it really depends how well Trevor Lawrence plays. Against a defensive unit that knows Lawrence well, his 9 touchdown to 6 interception rate could be pushed. I don't think Houston's a great team, but a divisional match up means anything can happen.
Rick's Pick: Houston
[sun 4p/8p mon 8p coming soon]
