NFL Week 10 Picks and Pizza Playbook: Scores, Deals and Halftime Food

The Pizza Box Playbook · Week 10

NFL Week 10 Picks: Munich Breakfast, a Sunday Night Showdown and a 13-1 Record I Have to Defend

Last week went almost too well, apart from one Cleveland heartbreak. Here’s every score for Week 10, my new MVP pick, this week’s deals and a halftime plan.

13-1my Week 9 record, and the season so far
14games, Thursday through Monday
9:30 AM ETPatriots vs. Lions in Munich
55.5highest total on the board: 49ers at Cowboys

I went 13-1 last week, and I’ve spent three days trying not to be insufferable about it. The one loss still stings: I called the Browns as an upset in New Orleans, and they lost by a single point in overtime. Cleveland and I have unfinished business, and the Browns are home on Sunday.

This week brings a 9:30 AM kickoff in Munich and the two AFC North leaders on Sunday night. First, though, the part where I own last week’s picks.

Report Card: Grading My Week 9 Picks

Week 9: 13-1 straight up, upsets 1-2, zero exact scores, and a 13-1 season record. That’s the whole series so far, since last week’s playbook was the first one. Every final below comes from Field Level Media’s Sunday roundup and the Fox Sports box score for Monday night.

Nailed it: the Monday night call

Last week I wrote that if Kyler Murray sat, the Bills pick would get “a lot more comfortable.” He sat, Carson Wentz started for Minnesota and went 8-for-25 for 81 yards and two interceptions, and Buffalo won 23-6. James Cook did the heavy lifting with 107 rushing yards and a touchdown. The score was way off, but the reasoning held.

The Burrow call, mostly right

I said Joe Burrow would put up four touchdowns at the Bernabéu. He threw three, ran for a fourth and went 24-for-29 for 271 yards in a 34-17 win. I even nailed Cincinnati’s 34 points. Atlanta’s 17 is all that kept me from an exact score.

The miss: Cleveland, of course

My Browns upset rested on one line: “I’ll take the better season anyway.” Shedeur Sanders stepped in for Deshaun Watson (concussion), threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns, and Andre Szmyt forced overtime with a 51-yard field goal with 8 seconds left. Then Tyler Shough hit Juwan Johnson for the winning touchdown in overtime, and the Saints won 23-22.

Right winner, wrong movie

I called the Packers over the Patriots as a one-possession game decided by “a late field goal.” Green Bay won 45-27. Jordan Love went 23-for-29 for 372 yards, three touchdown passes and a rushing score. My closest score of the week was Broncos 24-20 against a real 26-21, and my biggest miss on the margin was the Texans: I had a 20-16 grind, and Houston won 44-22.

Pizza fallout

My Deep Dish Award for the “heaviest win” went to the Bears. They needed a Cairo Santos field goal as time expired to beat Tampa Bay 27-24, while Caleb Williams threw four interceptions. The Burnt Crust Award (Chargers vs. Texans) held up. My Cold Slice pick, Gardner Minshew, went 21-for-30 for 166 yards in a 17-3 loss. He now faces a UCL injury that may need season-ending surgery, and I wish him well.

GameMy pickFinalVerdict
Bengals vs. Falcons (Madrid)CIN 34-24CIN 34-17Hit. Bengals’ 34 exact
Browns at SaintsCLE 23-20 (upset)NO 23-22 (OT)Miss, by one point
Cowboys at ColtsDAL 31-24DAL 27-23Hit
Broncos at PanthersDEN 24-20DEN 26-21Hit. Closest score
Lions at DolphinsDET 31-20DET 19-9Hit
Rams at CommandersLAR 27-20LAR 20-13Hit
Giants at EaglesNYG 23-13NYG 19-11Hit
Jets at ChiefsKC 30-17KC 35-12Hit
Texans at ChargersHOU 20-16HOU 44-22Hit. Biggest margin miss
Raiders at 49ersSF 34-24SF 38-17Hit
Cardinals at SeahawksSEA 27-20SEA 17-3Hit
Packers at PatriotsGB 24-23 (upset)GB 45-27Hit. Upset landed
Buccaneers at BearsCHI 30-20CHI 27-24Hit
Bills at VikingsBUF 27-24BUF 23-6Hit

Thursday’s Jaguars-Ravens game (Jacksonville won 33-10) wasn’t in last week’s playbook, so it isn’t graded.

Key Takeaways

  • Game of the week: Steelers at Bengals on Sunday night, with both teams 6-2 and tied atop the AFC North. I have Cincinnati, 28-23.
  • Upset calls: Panthers over Saints and Raiders over Seahawks.
  • MVP: Brock Purdy is my weekend pick, and I’m switching my season MVP from Josh Allen to Joe Burrow.
  • Best deal: Pizza Hut’s $10 large three-topping. Casey’s PAN code covers Thursday night with a $12 pan pizza.
  • Halftime rule: order at the end of the first quarter. Halftime is when you eat, not when you start.

NFL Week 10 Score Predictions and Pizza Pairings

Week 10 starts Thursday, November 12, with the Commanders at the Giants on Prime Video, and ends Monday night in Baltimore. Times are Eastern, taken from CBS Sports’ Week 10 schedule. The Bears, Broncos, Eagles and Buccaneers are on bye, which gives Philadelphia a week off from a seven-game losing streak.

GameKickoffLineMy scoreEat this
Commanders at GiantsThu 8:15 PMNYG -2.5Giants 23-20A New York slice, or settle New York vs. Neapolitan
Patriots vs. Lions (Munich)Sun 9:30 AMDET -2.5Lions 30-24Flammkuchen, for German brunch
Panthers at SaintsSun 1:00 PMNO -1.5Panthers 27-24
UPSET
Italian sub calzone, a nod to the muffuletta
Bills at JetsSun 1:00 PMBUF -8.5Bills 30-16Calabrian chili pizza for wing-sauce heat
Texans at BrownsSun 1:00 PMHOU -4.5Texans 24-17Pizza quesadillas
Jaguars at TitansSun 1:00 PMJAX -10.5Jaguars 31-13Hot honey pizza, Nashville-adjacent
Chiefs at FalconsSun 1:00 PMKC -3.5Chiefs 26-20Gourmet BBQ chicken pizza
Dolphins at ColtsSun 1:00 PMIND -2.5Colts 20-17White clam pizza for the coastal crowd
Vikings at PackersSun 1:00 PMGB -5.5Packers 24-17Wisconsin-worthy cheese blend
Rams at CardinalsSun 4:05 PMLAR -9.5Rams 24-13Flatbread pizzas
Seahawks at RaidersSun 4:05 PMSEA -3.5Raiders 20-17
UPSET
Vegas-level toppings that taste expensive
49ers at CowboysSun 4:25 PMSF -4.549ers 31-27Sourdough crust, San Francisco’s home team
Steelers at BengalsSun 8:20 PMCIN -3.5Bengals 28-23Sicilian squares for a crowd
Chargers at RavensMon 8:15 PMBAL -5.5Ravens 20-16Cup-and-char pepperoni

Lines come from VegasInsider’s Week 10 board (updated November 10), and the favorites match Covers in every game. Lines move during the week. My scores are opinions for bragging rights and group chats, not betting advice. If betting stops being fun, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

My Two Upset Calls

Last week’s upsets went 1-2, which is a better average than my smoke detector has against my oven. This week I’m calling two more and leaving the Browns alone.

Panthers over Saints. Both teams are 3-5, and New Orleans is only a 1.5-point favorite at home. Bryce Young threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns against Denver last week, while the Saints needed overtime to beat a Browns team on its backup quarterback. With a line that close, I’ll take the quarterback who’s playing better.

Raiders over Seahawks. Sam Darnold is out for Week 10 with quad and rib injuries, so Drew Lock starts in Las Vegas. Lock went 19-for-28 for 175 yards against Arizona. Seattle’s defense is good, but a home team catching 3.5 points against a backup is my kind of gamble.

About the Browns. ESPN reports Deshaun Watson will start for Cleveland, but the Texans just scored 44 behind C.J. Stroud’s 384 yards and five touchdowns. I’m taking Houston, and if Cleveland wins, it goes in next week’s Report Card.

Three Games Worth Planning Dinner Around

Steelers at Bengals: the Sunday night main event

Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are both 6-2 and tied at the top of the AFC North. The Bengals have won four straight, and Ja’Marr Chase just caught 10 passes for 155 yards in Madrid. The Bengals are 3.5-point favorites at home, and I see a one-score game that Burrow closes out late.

Sunday night is no time for one-at-a-time pies. Bake a Sicilian pan during the late games, cut it into squares, and nobody waits for round two.

49ers at Cowboys: the shootout

This game has a 55.5 total, the highest on the board, and the matchup explains why. San Francisco is 7-1, and Brock Purdy went 17-for-25 for 232 yards with two touchdown passes and a rushing score against the Raiders. Dallas is 4-5, but Dak Prescott just threw for 335 yards and CeeDee Lamb caught 10 passes for 195 yards.

I have the 49ers 31-27, and I expect both defenses to look tired by the fourth quarter. Make the dough Saturday night with an overnight dough, and the 4:25 PM kickoff becomes stretch, top, bake and sit down.

Patriots vs. Lions: breakfast in Munich

Detroit is 6-2 after four straight wins, while New England comes in at 5-4. The Patriots’ backfield is also short: Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to miss a few weeks with a knee injury, and TreVeyon Henderson’s status is unclear. Drake Maye threw three first-half interceptions in Green Bay last week, so I like the Lions, 30-24.

A 9:30 AM kickoff calls for eggs on a crust. Pick from my lazy Sunday breakfast pizzas, or go German with a thin, crackly flammkuchen. It’s the one game all season where coffee counts as a pairing.

I went 13-1. The one game I missed is the one I keep thinking about.

The Pizza Box Awards: Week 10

The MVP race changed hands on Monday. DraftKings’ latest MVP odds have Burrow at +210, Allen at +240, Purdy at +425 and Jordan Love at +650. Here’s who gets my hardware this week.

Extra Cheese Award: Weekend MVP

Brock Purdy. He’s third in the MVP odds and gets the highest-total game of the week in Dallas. I expect three touchdown passes and a lot of yards after the catch.

Season MVP: I’m Changing My Pick

Joe Burrow. Last week I called the race “still Josh Allen’s to lose.” Allen didn’t lose it so much as Burrow took it, and the oddsmakers agree.

Garlic Knot Award: Best Supporting Player

Ja’Marr Chase. His 10 catches for 155 yards in Madrid made Burrow’s day easy.

Deep Dish Award: Heaviest Win

Jacksonville Jaguars. They’re 6-2, they’re 10.5-point favorites, and they’ve won their last two by 20-plus. Tennessee is 1-7. I’m learning from the Bears debacle and picking a team that can win big.

Burnt Crust Award: Toughest Watch

Chargers at Ravens. That’s an 0-8 team against a 4-5 team on a five-game losing streak, with a 38.5 total. Jacoby Brissett is expected to start for Baltimore after this week’s trade.

Cold Slice Award: Better Than You’d Expect

Bryce Young. I’m backing him to win in New Orleans after a three-touchdown week. If that reads like a stretch, so did the Packers last week.

Pizza Deals and Coupon Codes for Week 10

These deals come from The Krazy Coupon Lady’s food deals tracker, updated November 10, and each one covers this week’s games. Prices and participation vary by store, so check your local app before you promise the group chat anything.

ChainDealCode or howBest for
Pizza HutBig Hut Deal: large three-topping for $10In restaurant, online or appThe easy all-rounder
Pizza HutTriple Treat Box Gameday Edition: two medium one-toppings, breadsticks and cinnamon sticks from $21.99, plus a 2-liter Pepsi for $2In restaurant, online or appA small watch party
Casey’s$12 pan-crust pizzas, Thursdays through Dec. 31PAN in the appThursday Night Football
Casey’s40% off any size whole pizza, Saturdays through Jan. 2TOUCHDOWN online or appSaturday college games
Marco’sMedium one-topping pizzas for $8.99 eachEM1T899 onlineFeeding a crowd cheaply
Marco’sLarge Margherita Magnifico for $12.99ETRYMARG online or appThe vegetarian at the party
Marco’s$3 off any size specialty pizzaESP3OFF onlineA loaded pie
Papa JohnsFree large one-topping for Papa Rewards members through Nov. 22: opt in to texts, place a $15+ order, submit an approved photo and review, then redeem on a $5+ orderOnline or appPatient planners
Papa JohnsThe Works: medium from $10.99, large from $13.99Online, limited timeTopping lovers
Domino’s$7.99 one-topping pizzas, 8-piece wings or Dips & Twists (excludes XL and specialty)CarryoutPizza and wings in one stop
PopeyesFree 6-piece wings with a $10+ online or app order, Mondays through Jan. 4Online or appMonday Night Football
Penn StationFree small sub or half sandwich with an entree, every Tuesday after a Bengals game, win or loseBENGALS26 online, app or in Bengals-market storesCincinnati fans after Sunday night
Mountain Mike’s49% off a large after a 49ers win, for Bay Area and Northern California rewards members. Claim the following Tuesday or WednesdayNINERSWIN1 in the appNiners fans if Dallas goes their way

Casey’s pan pizza has a loyal following, and I dug into what makes it tick in my Casey’s pan pizza post. Wings people get a good week too: Wingstop lists $0.70 boneless wings on Mondays, and Buffalo Wild Wings runs buy-one-get-one boneless wings on Thursdays.

Long-shot codes worth 10 seconds of your time

These come from community-reported listings at DealsFinders, last checked November 9, not from the chains. I haven’t confirmed any of them, and big percentage-off codes like these are often limited to certain stores or menu prices. Paste one at checkout, and if it fails, move on.

  • Papa Johns: 51ISBETTER, listed as 51% off regular menu-priced pizzas
  • Papa Johns: MT50, listed as 50% off select orders
  • Domino’s: APP50, listed as 50% off eligible app orders
  • Domino’s: DOMNEW3, listed as 50% off your first three app orders

Order or Make It? Your Halftime Plan

Halftime lasts about as long as it takes me to realize I never preheated the stone. Choose your play before kickoff, based on how much work you actually want to do.

The Hail Mary: order delivery

Order at the end of the first quarter, not when the second quarter ends. Every pizza shop in town gets slammed at the same moment, and you want to be ahead of that rush. For the Thursday game, the Casey’s pan deal or Pizza Hut’s $10 large keeps it cheap.

The Two-Minute Drill: fast and homemade-ish

No dough, no stress, and still better than a sad slice:

The Long Drive: real dough, real bragging rights

Mix the overnight dough on Saturday, then bake a cast iron skillet pizza during the late window for a crust that crunches. For a full house, set up a DIY pizza bar and let guests build their own while you watch the game. My guide to throwing a pizza party like a pro covers the timing.

The Game-Day Pizza Clock

Run this play for any kickoff window

PregameLock your picks, prep the toppings, oven on
1st QuarterPlace the order or slide in the first pie
HalftimeHot pizza on the table. Eat. Blame the refs.
3rd QuarterSecond round of sides. Refill the drinks.
4th QuarterDessert pizza. Check your picks against the scoreboard.

The Best Sides and Drinks for Game Day

Sides that buy your pizza more time

If you’ve got extra dough, turn it into a copycat of Domino’s stuffed cheesy bread or a tray of pizza bites that disappear before the first commercial break. If you ordered in, homemade Crazy Bread is the cheapest way to look like you tried.

Want something green on the table? My list of what to serve with pizza has salads that hold up on a buffet, and mini fruit pizzas make a lighter fourth-quarter finish.

What to drink with what

If you’re eatingTryNo-alcohol option
Flammkuchen at 9:30 AMA German-style hefeweizen, if it’s that kind of SundayCoffee or apple juice spritzer
Cup-and-char pepperoniCrisp pilsnerCola
Hot honey or Calabrian chiliLight lagerGinger ale
BBQ chickenAmber aleRoot beer
Sicilian squaresChianti or another light redSparkling water with lemon

Pace yourself, especially on a day that starts at 9:30 AM. Drink responsibly, and line up a ride if you’re watching away from home.

Check injuries Sunday morning

Patrick Mahomes is day-to-day with an elbow injury. Read the latest NFL news roundup before you lock in your group-chat picks.

Bake in shifts

Serve one pie at a time. The fourth pizza under foil never recovers.

Plan for leftovers

Know how long pizza keeps in the fridge, so Monday night’s leftover slice is still safe.

Think about Thanksgiving

Week 12 includes Thanksgiving. My Thanksgiving pizza ideas will get you through the leftovers.

Game-Day Pizza FAQ

What time is the Munich game, and what should I eat?

Patriots vs. Lions kicks off at 9:30 AM Eastern on Sunday, November 15, on FOX. That’s breakfast for most of the country, so go with a breakfast pizza or a thin German flammkuchen with onions and bacon.

How many pizzas do I need for a watch party?

Count your guests honestly, then round up. The dough calculator below handles the dough math, and my adult pizza party guide covers the rest of the planning.

Which teams are on bye in Week 10?

The Bears, Broncos, Eagles and Buccaneers. If your team is one of them, pick a game from the table and adopt a pizza for the afternoon.

Do these coupon codes work at every location?

No. Chains set many offers store by store, and codes expire without warning. The main table comes from a tracker updated this week. The long-shot codes are community-reported and unconfirmed.

What I’ll Have to Answer For Next Week

I’ve changed my season MVP to Burrow and picked against Cleveland. I’ve also backed a Raiders team getting 3.5 points against a Seattle defense that just held Arizona to 3. If Drew Lock beats me, you’ll read about it here first.

Whatever happens, get the food moving before the second quarter ends. If you want more ideas for a crowd, my look at why football Sunday is pizza night and my Super Bowl pizza ideas are ready when you are.

Making dough for Sunday night?

Tell the calculator your style and how many pizzas you need, and it gives you the numbers.

Open the Pizza Dough Calculator

Sources

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Zach Miller

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