Minnesota Star Tribune

NFL Week 10: Gameday predictions

By Mark Craig

November 8, 2008 at 11:40PM

gameday predictions

BEST HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP

Colts QB Peyton Manning vs. Steelers defense The Colts have lost their past 12 games at Pittsburgh, and it would appear Manning is in deep you-know-what today. The Colts have the NFL's worst rushing attack (70.1 yards per game) and will be asking Manning to beat a defense that ranks first in total defense and pass defense, and is second in sacks per pass play. (MC)

HERO OF THE DAY JUSTIN TUCK, GIANTS DEFENSIVE END THE GIANTS ARE UNDERDOGS AT PHILADELPHIA TODAY. YES, THE EAGLES HAVE WON THREE CONSECUTIVE GAMES AND ARE PLAYING WELL. BUT THE GIANTS LEAD THE LEAGUE IN SACKS PER PASS PLAY. TUCK HAS 8 1/2. THE EAGLES DO A FINE JOB PROTECTING DONOVAN MCNABB, WHO IS BEING SACKED ONLY ONCE PER 23.2 ATTEMPTS. (MC)

COACHING MATCHUP OF THE WEEK

VIKINGS COACH BRAD CHILDRESS VS. PACKERS COACH MIKE MCCARTHY IF CHILDRESS LOSES THIS ONE, HE FALLS TO 0-6 AGAINST MCCARTHY. YEAH, MCCARTHY HAD BRETT FAVRE FOR FOUR OF THOSE WINS. BUT CHILDRESS NEEDS TO WIN THIS ONE. HE HAS HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE AND A VETERAN QUARTERBACK (GUS FREROTTE) WHO IS BEGINNING TO PLAY WELL. (MC)

FANTASY REALITY THREE "INTERESTING" FACTS ABOUT THE STAR TRIBUNE LEAGUE (JUST PRETEND YOU CARE): 1. OUR LEAGUE MVP SO FAR: PHILIP RIVERS, QB OF THE FIRST-PLACE TEAM, AND THE 54TH OVERALL PICK. 2. THE LAST PICK OF THE DRAFT (L.J. SMITH) WILL OUTSCORE THE FIRST PICK (TOM BRADY). 3. AND SOME FANTASY WRITER USED HIS FIRST THREE PICKS TO TAKE LARRY JOHNSON (15TH OVERALL), REGGIE WAYNE (18TH) AND TORRY HOLT (47TH). OUCH. (CC)

about the writer

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

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