Week 10 of the 2008 NFL season has already begun. Brady Quinn was a strong performer in his first career start, but the Cleveland Browns had hands of stone at both ends of the field, dropping the ball and losing 34-30 to the visiting Denver Broncos (+3). Unless the NFL repeals the Lester Hayes Rule and allows Stickum back into the dressing room, Cleveland (3-6 SU, 5-4 ATS) is staring at another losing season.

Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears (+3)
Sunday, Nov 9, 1:00 p.m. (ET) CBS
The Titans (8-0 SU, 7-1 ATS) have finally tasted the sting of defeat – against the betting odds, that is. Now Tennessee is putting its perfect SU record on the line at Soldier Field against the Bears (5-3 SU, 4-3-1 ATS). Their only loss at home this year was a 27-24 overtime war against Tampa Bay (+3). Chicago upset the Eagles 24-20 as 3-point home dogs in Week 4. The total for that game was 40 points; it’s 38½ for Sunday’s contest.

The big question with the Bears is whether Kyle Orton or Rex Grossman will start at quarterback. After missing Thursday’s practice, it’s fair to presume Orton will be on the sidelines this Sunday. Orton’s consistency (10 TDs, four INTs, 90.8 passer rating) has been a strong fit with Chicago’s run-and-defend approach. Grossman (70.5 career QB rating) is known for being unpredictable from one week to the next – and that’s when he’s healthy.

Orton hasn’t just been an efficient game manager, though. Chicago’s defense is No. 8 in the league in efficiency (down from No. 2 two years ago) and the special teams haven’t produced much of anything – Devin Hester has yet to take a return into the end zone this season. The Titans have the best pass defense in the league; Orton’s no Sid Luckman, but Chicago needs him in the lineup on Sunday.

Indianapolis at Pittsburgh (NL)
Sunday, Nov 9, 4:15 p.m. (ET) CBS
This game was off the board as we went to press. For some reason, it doesn’t matter whom Chicago has under center, but oddsmakers are hesitant to post a line until the Steelers (6-2 SU, 4-4 ATS) decide whether Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) or Byron Leftwich will start against the Colts (4-4 SU, 3-5 ATS). Like Orton, Roethlisberger didn’t practice on Thursday, but Big Ben’s chances of starting appear brighter.

The Steelers have the same win-ugly philosophy as the Bears, but in this case Leftwich (46 starts, 38 INTs) promises a steadier hand on the tiller than Roethlisberger (55 starts, 62 INTs). Big Ben usually makes up for it with his outstanding arm; however, he’s getting very poor pass protection this year (26 sacks already) and has thrown eight picks to go with his 10 TDs. Those are not difficult numbers for Leftwich to replace.

The Colts also won’t put up that much of a hassle. Even with the return of safety Bob Sanders, their defense is a patchwork version of the one that went to the Super Bowl two years ago. Indianapolis has forced only 10 sacks; the defensive line is ranked No. 22 in run blocking. The Colts were hammered in each of their last two road games, 34-14 at Green Bay (+1) and 31-21 at Tennessee (-4).

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-3)
Sunday, Nov 9, 8:15 p.m. (ET) NBC
The Eagles are having another one of those weird seasons. They are statistically very evenly matched against the Giants, and the NFC East rivals have both had their share of injuries this season. New York has the division lead at 7-1 SU (6-2 ATS), two games up on Philly (5-3 SU, 6-2 ATS). The Eagles lost their three games by a combined 14 points. New York’s single loss was by 21 points in Cleveland.

Philadelphia is getting healthy at the right time. Wide receivers Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis are back in the lineup, and the Eagles are 3-0 SU and ATS in their last three games, as are the Giants. The betting public is heavily on New York’s side according to market reports; Big Blue is 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS in its last five games against Philly, winning all three games as small underdogs.