NFL Week 10 Tips: Lions faithful ready to worship Amon-Ra in Los Angeles

We have officially entered the second half of the NFL season and a clear divide between Super Bowl calibre teams and those who look likely to miss the playoffs is beginning to be formed.

With three of the better sides (Chiefs, Dolphins and Eagles) on a bye this week, NFL fans should be treated to a selection of competitive and tight affairs. I have lined up a treble from the remaining fixtures, so let's get into it. 

Green Bay Packers (+3) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-3)

Kick-off: 6pm Sunday BST

Opposing my beloved Green Bay Packers has proved pretty successful so far this season. As much as I want the Cheeseheads to succeed, it just doesn’t seem possible right now given the playcalling, injuries, and lack of trust in quarterback Jordan Love. Last week’s victory over the Rams was a step in the right direction but every team in this league should be able to stop Brett Rypien marching down the field, especially with Royce Freeman running the rock.

Matt LaFleur’s men travel to a cold Pittsburgh this weekend and will find this task much tougher. Not only have the Steelers had three extra days to recover since their Thursday Night Football success over the Titans, but they have also taken the notable scalps of the Browns and Ravens on their home patch this season. It’s perennially difficult to win at Heinz Field.

George Pickens and the now-fit Diontae Johnson provide Kenny Pickett with two good spots to throw the ball out wide, while Jaylen Warren’s ever-growing role out of the backfield has given this team a new dimension. I don’t expect this to be a high-scoring game - far from it, in fact - but the Steelers should edge it by more than a field goal.

Prediction: Steelers -3 @ 10/11

San Francisco 49ers (-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (+3)

Kick-off: 6pm Sunday BST

If you asked me who the best NFL team was after week five, I would have told you it was the San Francisco 49ers. However, three consecutive defeats to the Browns, Vikings and Bengals have pushed them right down the rankings. With Deebo Samuel set to come back and an extra week to prepare following their bye, they are favoured to bounce back against the Jaguars on Sunday.

That is perhaps a little surprising given they are playing on the east coast, in the early 6pm window, and face a Jaguars side riding a five-game win streak. The point spread is a little over the top - perhaps ±1.5 is a little more accurate - but I’d rather look at the anytime touchdown market for this game and Brandon Aiyuk stands out as a good wager.

The fourth-year pro is the most used receiver on this 49ers team with at least six targets in each game this season. Although he’s only caught two touchdowns, the fact that Samuel is back in the mix will allow him to face one-on-one coverage against Jaguars corners who have regularly struggled to stop elite wideouts. With all the focus on Christian McCaffrey, expect Aiyuk to provide a big threat in the redzone.

Prediction: Brandon Aiyuk anytime touchdown @ 13/8

Detroit Lions (-2.5) @ Los Angeles Chargers (+2.5)

Kick-off: 9.25pm Sunday BST

Another exciting game, another wide receiver anytime touchdown bet. The LA Chargers defence allows the most passing yards per game (286) in the league and, although they held the New York Jets to just three points on Monday, they now face a much stronger offensive unit.

Amon-Ra St Brown is the best player on Detroit’s offence and he’s racked up 102 or more receiving yards in five of his last six games. Not only is he a deep threat, especially on deep crossing routes, but he also has seven redzone targets to his name so far this season. Jared Goff always seems to look his way first.

This could easily become a shootout given LA’s offensive threat and St Brown should get his chances to rack up a fourth touchdown this season.

Prediction: Amon-Ra St Brown anytime touchdown @ 11/10

NFL Week 10 Tips

Packers @ Steelers: Steelers -3 @ 10/11
49ers @ Jaguars: Brandon Aiyuk anytime touchdown @ 13/8
Lions @ Chargers: Amon-Ra St Brown anytime touchdown @ 11/10

Accumulator pays: 9.52/1