NFL Week 10 last-minute picks, best bets: Chiefs, Steelers take advantage of schedule quirk

Key Points:

• Week 10 of the NFL features notable quarterback storylines, including three rookies (Fernando Mendoza, Carson Beck) and second-year QB Kyle McCord making their first starts, plus Kirk Cousins returning to Minnesota and Jacoby Brissett starting for Baltimore.
• Key matchups include the Steelers vs. Bengals, where the Steelers defense may slow down the Bengals’ high-scoring offense, and the Panthers vs. Saints, with first place in the NFC South at stake and Bryce Young seeking a rare win over New Orleans.
• The Chiefs face the Falcons, with Patrick Mahomes returning from an elbow injury and new wide receiver Josh Downs expected to boost the offense against a weakened Falcons secondary; Jacksonville is favored heavily over Tennessee after bolstering their defense at the trade deadline.
• Rookie QB Fernando Mendoza will start for the Raiders against a top-ranked Seattle defense, facing a tough debut as the Raiders defense struggles and Seattle’s offense looks strong despite injuries.
• Other notable picks include the Lions over the Patriots in Munich, the Bills over the Jets, and the 49ers favored against the Cowboys, with several games impacted by recent trades and injury updates.