The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

rwells@tribunemedia.net

MY, oh my. As I write this week’s picks column I realise I have been away for two weeks on vacation, and arguably, mentally away for four of the last five weeks due to the circumstances associated with the passage of Hurricane Matthew.

Well, if our government can blame countless delays and obvious backtracking on the passage of that storm, I for one can certainly do the same; please don’t judge me.

Today, two things are clear. Donald Trump’s policies resonated with many Americans and the Patriots are well on their way to a fifth SuperBowl title. Here is to February.

In this world of know-it-all media outlets and outspoken prognosticators, I am a robust 73-55-2 after a commendable 8-5 Week 9.

Drawing off my “I refuse to notice the obvious” pick of the Buccaneers over the Falcons, my “I just have to help them, despite it being clear they are going down fast” pick of the Vikings over the Lions and my “I love the QB so they terrible nature of the team doesn’t matter” choice of the Eagles over the Giants ... in Week 10 I will look to right all of these wrongs and try to make up some ground in this tough, Tribune picks competition.

Here goes the often incorrect, but always slanted picks you all came to see:

Cleveland Browns (0-9)

@ Baltimore Ravens

(4-4)

As was the case with most Patriots fans, I too was devastated by the news that Jamie Collins, a player that I hold in high esteem, had been traded to the winless Browns.

I was irked at the thought that a player I was sure would help my Pats clinch a fifth title this winter had to spend the rest of the fall in lowly Cleveland. It breaks my heart and I feel for a guy I am certain will, at some point, claim the title of Defensive Player of the Year.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Ravens are division leaders after pummelling a battle-scared Steelers team last week. This week they are playing chalk and will look to prove that they are serious competitors in the AFC.

RAVENS

Green Bay Packers (4-4)

@ Tennessee Titans (4-5)

Let’s just call it now: the Packers are not who we thought they were. Their offence hasn’t produced at the level we have come to expect and that defence hasn’t done nearly enough to hold this team over.

Despite my apprehension with the Packers, I feel like they have enough to get by the Titans this week.

PACKERS

Minnesota Vikings (5-3)

@ Washington Redskins

(4-3)

The Vikings have been trending down the last three weeks. Norv Turner has resigned, but that offence still looks wounded and incapable of putting up the kind of numbers seen earlier this year. We overlooked these flaws because the defence was so spectacular. With a view to this week, I want to say the Vikings get it right.

VIKINGS

Chicago Bears (2-6)

@ Tampa Bay

Buccaneers (3-5)

If this game was in Chicago I would go with the Bears … but this game is in Tampa so I will go with the Bears. Ha - you see what I did there. Jay Cutler is on a mission and is looking to earn a contract this offseason.

BEARS

Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)

@ Panthers (3-5)

The Panthers have lost that mystique that they had for much of the 2015-2016 season. I don’t know if they lost it in last year’s SuperBowl or early this season, but it is gone and all that team has to hold on to is the sheer skill and prowess of Cam Newton. While Newton has had his struggles and issues with the way games are being called, he is still one of the game’s best and could put his team over in two to three games per year. This is one of those games. PANTHERS

Atlanta Falcons (6-3) @

Philadelphia Eagles

(4-4)

I am still on the fence with the Falcons. A win this week will go a long way in tilting my stance.

FALCONS

Los Angeles Rams (3-5)

@ New York Jets (3-6)

I can not say emphatically that any team in this matchup will win on Sunday. As of now, I am leaning toward the Rams … that could change by Saturday. For now let’s just say.

RAMS

Denver Broncos (6-3) @

New Orleans Saints (4-4)

Here is one of those games that my heart and mind gets torn on. Heart is with the Saints, mind is with the SuperBowl champs. I am going with logic.

BRONCOS

Houston Texans (5-3) @

Jacksonville Jags (2-6)

The Texans are back this week and are looking to firm up their hold on the AFC South.

TEXANS

Miami Dolphins (4-4) @

SD Chargers (4-5)

So Florida went Trump. The Dolphins have won three straight … something is afoot here.

CHARGERS

Dallas Cowboys (7-1) @

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-4)

Dak is great, but sorry Naughty, all good things come to a end.

STEELERS

San Francisco 49ers (1-7)

@ Arizona Cardinals

(3-4-1)

There is absolutely no reason to consider the 49ers in this matchup. The Cardinals are the better team and are at home.

CARDINALS

Seattle Seahawks (5-2) @

New England Patriots

(7-1)

SuperBowl rematch - check.

Doubt growing around the thought of Tom Brady winning season MVP - check.

Pats coming off of a bye, well rested - check

PATRIOTS (big)

Cincinnati Bengals (3-4)

@ New York Giants (5-3)

These two teams are mirror images of each other - inconsistent, unbalanced and at times, poorly coached. Toss up.

BENGALS

Teams on bye

Buffalo Bills (4-5)

Detroit Lions (5-4)

Indianpolis Colts (4-5)

Oakland Raiders (7-2)