NFC South Week 10 predictions: The legend of Joshua Dobbs grows against Saints

The Panthers kick off the Week 10 action in the NFC South on Thursday night, while later in the week, the Saints try to move to 6-4 on the season with a third consecutive victory, and the Bucs and Falcons attempt to snap their current losing streaks.

Carolina Panthers (1-7) at Chicago Bears (2-7) | 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday)

Thursday's game could hinge on whether Bears quarterback Justin Fields starts or not. Considering the game is on a short week, and Fields has been listed day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's practice, it would seem likely that rookie Tyson Bagent will start. Carolina is bad enough against the run that Chicago should be able to move the ball effectively, but watch for the Panthers to force turnovers from Bagent. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young is coming off his worst performance and will likely need to beat the Bears with his arm. Chicago has one of the league's worst pass defenses. If the game comes down to which quarterback can make plays down the stretch, give us Young over Bagent.

PREDICTION: Panthers, 24-20 

New Orleans Saints (5-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-4) | 1 p.m. ET

The matchup between Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the Saints offense will be fascinating to watch. Flores blitzes a whopping 51.3 percent of the time, the most in the league. Saints quarterback Derek Carr struggled against the blitz from Weeks 1-7, when he was 50-of-84 (59.5 percent) for 523 yards (6.2 yards per attempt), one touchdown and two interceptions (h/t Pro Football Focus). He was better in Weeks 8-9, when he was 9-of-11 for 121 yards (11 yards per attempt) and one touchdown, although he was only blitzed on 19 percent of his drop-backs. That number might be tripled on Sunday.

Last week, New Orleans won because of its 5-0 turnover advantage. The defense struggled to contain Bears quarterback Bagent on the ground, who gained 70 rushing yards. Per RotoWire, the Saints allow the most yards per rush attempt to quarterbacks. Dobbs is a mobile threat, as he showed on his incredible fourth-and-7 run against the Falcons. He's also a veteran who will avoid the costly mistakes Bagent made in Week 9.

PREDICTION: Vikings, 20-17

Tennessee Titans (4-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) | 1 p.m. ET

This game between two mediocre teams could go either way. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, who's excelled at avoiding sacks this season, should have time to throw against a defense that has the fourth-lowest pressure rate in the league. Receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin should win one-on-one matchups against a secondary that is last in interceptions (two). 

On the other side, rookie quarterback Will Levis will likely have plenty of opportunities to expose a defense that allows the most fantasy points to quarterbacks and just let rookie C.J. Stroud march 75 yards in 40 seconds for a winning touchdown in Week 9. The Titans' middle-of-the-road rush defense should also get a boost by facing the league's worst rush offense. By the end of Sunday, the Bucs' losing streak will extend to five games.

PREDICTION: Titans, 23-15

Atlanta Falcons (4-5) at Arizona Cardinals (1-8) | 4:05 p.m. ET

Arthur Smith can't be trusted. The last two weeks have been a wreck for the Falcons, beginning with a loss to the Titans and rookie Will Levis in his first NFL start and ending with Vikings quarterback Dobbs gashing the defense five days after being traded to the organization. Will they have more luck against Kyler Murray, set to make his 2023 debut? We have our doubts.

Murray has a lot to prove over the next nine weeks. If the Cardinals continue to lose, they'll be in line to draft his successor at quarterback. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick could make the decision more difficult if he plays at his Pro Bowl level from 2020-21. Based on how the Falcons made Levis and Dobbs look the last two weeks, Murray should start 2023 on the right foot.

PREDICTION: Cardinals, 31-17