Welcome back to the tenth installment of Hart’s Picks for the 2026 NFL regular season. For Week 9, I did extremely well. I was 14-1 with my picks, with the only loss being from choosing the New England Patriots who wound up getting obliterated by the Green Bay Packers.
In all my years of doing this, the perfect slate of games remains elusive. With last week’s picks, I’m up to a 90-47 record on the season. That helped boost my pick accuracy up to 66-percent. This week there are just 14 games with the Denver
Broncos, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all on their bye weeks.
Washington Commanders at New York Giants — Thursday Night Football
This week kicks off with an NFC East rivalry game on Thursday Night Football. The Giants have a multi-lead game in the NFC East with a 5-2-1 record. The Commanders are third place in the division at 2-5-1. This is a huge game for the Giants, who have a huge shot at extending their division lead with a victory. I feel confident they can take care of business at home.
Winner: Giants
New England Patriots at Detroit Lions — Sunday (Morning Game)
The Patriots were walloped by the Packers in Week 9 and the Lions were able to defeat the lowly Miami Dolphins. I have a feeling this will be a close game, but Detroit needs to find a way to rattle Drake Maye who is coming off a three-interception performance. I like the Lions in this one. They need this win to keep pace in an ultra-competitive NFC North.
Winner: Lions
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints — Sunday (Early Game)
The Panthers had the Broncos on the ropes last Sunday but faltered in the fourth quarter and came up with a loss. Meanwhile, the Saints were able to squeak out an overtime victory over the Browns. Both of these teams sport a 3-5 record. Oddly enough, it’s a gridiron affair whose winner will become the top team in the division. I’m going to roll the dice and take the Panthers on the road. I liked what I saw from them against the Broncos and feel they will find a way to rebound in Week 10.
Winner: Panthers
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennesee Titans — Sunday (Early Game)
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone went all in trading a bounty of picks to land multiple players to improve their defense in pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy. At 6-2, they have a commanding lead in the AFC South and have a chance to strengthen that with a win over the 1-7 Titans. I expect that to happen.
Winner: Jaguars
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets — Sunday (Early Game)
The Bills are riding a four-game winning streak, and the Jets have dropped four in a row. I don’t think this AFC East battle will be close at all. I fully expect Josh Allen and Buffalo to take care of business on the road and hold onto the top seed in the AFC playoff race.
Winner: Bills
Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons — Sunday (Early Game)
The Chiefs have a chance to pull to 7-2 alongside the Broncos in the AFC West if they can take care of business on the road against the Falcons. They made a trade for wide receiver Josh Downs to bolster their passing offense which has been hit-or-miss throughout the season. I like the Chiefs here, but their defense will have to play well and slow down Bijan Robinson in order to win on the road.
Winner: Chiefs
Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts — Sunday (Early Game)
The Colts were clearly sellers before and at the deadline and will be certainly looking to rebuild their team and identity this season. However, they did choose to keep running back Jonathan Taylor, who was pursued hard by multiple teams before the trade deadline. Neither of these teams are playing well, but I’m feeling like the Dolphins can find a way to win this one. I’d imagine the pulse in the Colts’ locker room right now is a bit vacant given the departure of so many players.
Winner: Dolphins
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers — Sunday (Early Game)
The Vikings have dropped two in a row, and their quarterback play is a big reason for it. On Tuesday, they sent off a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders to bring back a familiar face—Kirk Cousins. Whether that addition will be good enough for them to compete in the NFC North down the stretch remains to be seen. I bet against the Packers last week but won’t be doing that this weekend. Jordan Love is on a heater right now. I’m anxious to see how he does against a great Vikings defense.
Winner: Packers
Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns — Sunday (Early Game)
CJ Stroud and the Texans were able to ignite on offense against the woeful Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9. Stroud had an incredible game throwing for nearly 400 yards and torched the Chargers’ defense for five touchdowns. I don’t expect as much success against Cleveland, but they need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. I believe they’ll pull through with a big road victory here.
Winner: Texans
Seattle Seahawks at Las Vegas Raiders — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
With Kirk Cousins in Minnesota, top pick Fernando Mendoza now will now be the man to lead their team the rest of the way out. His first NFL start won’t be easy going up against a top-tier Seahawks defense. I expect him to struggle in his first outing given such. I’ll be taking the Seahawks on the road here.
Winners: Seahawks
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
The Rams are now 5-4 on the season after winning three in a row. Their last loss was in mid-October versus the Cardinals. Even though they are banged up, I don’t expect the same result this time. Myles Garrett was phenomenal last week, and I think their defense will be able to hold down rookie Carson Beck, who will get his first NFL start on Sunday.
Winner: Rams
San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
The 49ers added veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen at the trade deadline Brock Purdy another weapon on offense. Their wide receiver corps is incredibly banged up. Even though the 49ers have endured a ton of injuries this season, they are still 7-1 and one of the best teams in the NFL. Dallas has really struggled this year and are underperforming preseason expectations. I like San Francisco on the road in this one.
Winner: 49ers
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals — Sunday Night Football
This AFC North rivalry game on Sunday Night Football will decide who is the top team in the division. Both are riding four game winning streaks, and the Steelers have had an extra week to prepare for this matchup. Even so, I’ll be taking the Bengals here due to their elite offense that has already posted 240 points this season. I don’t think the Steelers can keep up with that.
Winner: Bengals
Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens — Monday Night Football
The Chargers continue to scrape the bottom of the barrel and are still winless on the season. It’s uncertain whether or not Justin Herbert will play on Monday Night Football due to a hand injury suffered in last week’s loss to the Texans. It’ll be up to Jacoby Brissett to lead the Ravens to victory in primetime with Lamar Jackson being on injured reserve. This will probably be a messy game, but I expect the home team to win. I’ll take Baltimore here.
Winner: Ravens
