20 Dec 10 NFL Week 10 Picks: Atlanta Given Slight Edge Over Baltimore on Thursday

Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesThe NFL is back on Thursday nights, as the Baltimore Ravens get ready to go on the road to take on the Atlanta Falcons.The Ravens remained tied for the AFC North lead after beating the Dolphins 26-10 at home this past Sunday. The Falcons sit all alone on top the NFC South after Reebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
holding on to beat the Buccaneers 27-21.The oddsmakers don’t seem to think there is a whole lot that separates these two teams, as the current NFL odds have the Falcons favored by one point over the Ravens at home.Baltimore (6-2)While the Ravens had no trouble beating the Dolphins last week, the score could have been much worse than the final outcome.After giving the Dolphins a little bit of life going into half up just 13-10, the Ravens defense shutdown the Miami offense the rest of the game. The Ravens outgained the Dolphins 402 to 289, dominated time of possession and forced three turnovers while not turning it over once.Quarterback Joe Flacco completed 20-of-27 for 266 yards and two touchdowns, and Ray Rice finished with 190 yards of total offense, leading the Ravens in both rushing and receiving. The Falcons have been great against the run this season, allowing just under 96 yards a game, so Rice may have to do more of his damage in the passing game than on the ground.The Ravens defense is playing at a very high level again this season, as they come in ninth in the NFL allowing just 310 yards per game, but could have their hands full this weekend against a Falcons team that always plays wellReebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
at home.Atlanta (6-2)The Falcons are a perfect 4-0 at home this season, and the offense is really coming along after a disappointing performance at Philadelphia in week 6 when they scored just 17 points.The Falcons got another solid performance from running back Michael Turner, who had 107 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, and has now rushed for 228 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games.Quarterback Matt Ryan completed 24-of-36 for 235 yards and a touchdown. The big concern for the Falcons has to be the health of wide out Roddy White, who came in and out of the game with a knee injury. White is listed as questionable for Thursday, and without him, it is going to be very tough for Atlanta to win this game.Defensively the Falcons held LaGarrette Blount to just 46 yards on 13 carries, just one week after Blount rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinals. Atlanta also forced Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman into two interceptions and allowed Tampa Bay just 278 yards of total offense.Looking at the OddsBoth teams are going to be tired with only three days to recover, but both teams did receive a bye the previous week.This will be the third straight home game for the Falcons, who Reebok Minnesota Vikings 28 Adrian Peterson Realtree camo Jersey
haven’t had to travel since Week 6, and they will also get an extra day of preparation while the Ravens must waste a day to travel.Still, Baltimore is an elite football team and there is no question that a veteran team like the Ravens can come in and win with little time to prepare.If you are looking to make some money this NFL season, check out what our expert NFL handicappers have to offer in their weekly NFL picks.