NFL Week 10 best bets: Lions can hang around vs. mediocre Steelers

We stumbled to an 0-3 record against the spread in the craziest week of the NFL season. Let's hope common sense prevails in the Week 10 slate.

At some point, we may have to fully give up on Washington, which entered the season with moderate hopes but has played like one of the league's worst teams. The club has posted an NFL-worst 1-7 ATS record, and it's slogged to a combined 33 points across its last three games amid injuries to top offensive players.

Conversely, the Buccaneers lead the league in points per game (32.5) and per play (0.48) and have had two weeks to prepare for Washington's talented but ineffective defense. That extra time should help Tom Brady, who is a remarkable 12-2 ATS in his last 14 contests with an extra week to prepare.

Pick: Buccaneers -9.5

Injuries have torpedoed the appeal of what would otherwise be an exciting offensive matchup, as both teams enter this game without their all-world running back and other key contributors.

The impact of the Titans' absences was obvious a week ago, as they managed just 194 total yards in their first game without Derrick Henry and were essentially gifted two touchdowns thanks to the defense's stellar play. If the defense performs like that again, it'll make life difficult for Saints backup quarterback Trevor Siemian, whose team scored just three points until a furious (yet unsuccessful) fourth-quarter rally.

This time around, he'll be without superstar back Alvin Kamara, who leads the team in carries (146), targets (44), receptions (32), and touchdowns (seven) and has accounted for nearly a third of New Orleans' total yardage this season. The Saints' defense has been this team's saving grace with top-five marks by most metrics, and it should be able to limit the damage against an ill Ryan Tannehill and his banged-up supporting cast.

Pick: Under 43.5

Through eight games, the Steelers have clearly been better than the Lions. But are they this much better? Pittsburgh ranks among the league's worst in PFF grades and net yards per play and barely escaped the lowly Bears in last week's 29-27 win.

That's been the story of these Steelers all season long, as they simply don't have the offensive rhythm to blow out lesser opponents. All five of Pittsburgh's wins came by eight points or fewer, and this team is 2-6 ATS in its last eight contests giving 8.5 or more points dating back to 2018.

Detroit was the recipient of a 38-point drubbing a week ago versus the Eagles, but it was just the fourth double-digit loss for this group amid its 0-8 start. If Pittsburgh plays down to its competition as it has all year, this one will stay within the number.

Pick: Lions +8.5

C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.

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