NFL Game Picks: Week 7
This is the time of season where teams prove where they should be amongst the league, capturing crucial wins that will give them momentum heading towards their respective bye weeks.
Primetime games this week will be highly competitive consisting of teams that are trying to keep up with division leaders.
Cleveland Browns (3-3) @ Denver Broncos (3-3)
The Browns disappointed last week against Arizona and aren’t the same team they were heading into the season.
Teddy Bridgewater kept the Broncos in the game last week, even when throwing three interceptions. The Broncos can limit whoever ends up in the backfield and under center for the Browns to pull out a win.
Prediction: Broncos 20, Browns 16
Kansas City Chiefs (3-3) @ Tennessee Titans (4-2)
Derrick Henry looks to take advantage of a soft Chiefs rushing defense, but the Titans are struggling to throw the ball. The Chiefs’ offense is not functioning as efficiently as it has prior but can outscore the Titans’ offense.
Prediction: Chiefs 30, Titans 21
New York Jets (1-4) @ New England Patriots (2-4)
The Jets are hoping to get Marcus Maye and Jarrad Davis back to help on defense. Although the Jets have improved since their last matchup, the Patriots picked off Zach Wilson four times last game and have proved to still be the better team.
Prediction: Patriots 21, Jets 10
Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-1)
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are coming off a rout against the Chargers and are only improving. The Bengals are a well improved team on both sides of the ball, but the Ravens still will slip out with a win.
Prediction: Ravens 23, Bengals 16
Washington Football Team (2-4) @ Packers (5-1)
Many thought the Chiefs were going to put over 50 points on the Football Team, however they only ended up with a one score lead halfway through the third quarter.
Washington will have a negative game script but score in garbage time. Green Bay will have the control in this one.
Prediction: Packers 42, Football Team 22
Atlanta Falcons (2-3) @ Miami Dolphins (1-5)
The spark of Kyle Pitts and the return of Calvin Ridley should give the offense some juice against a Miami Dolphins team that is coming off a trip to London.
The Dolphins defense will keep this one a nail biter, but the Falcons get the edge.
Prediction: Falcons 24, Dolphins 20
Carolina Panthers (3-3) @ New York Giants (1-5)
The Giants are injury riddled and just lost starting left tackle Andrew Thomas to IR with an ankle injury. The Panthers defense looks to feast off a struggling Daniel Jones and bounce back after an OT loss to the Vikings.
Prediction: Panthers 24, Giants 9
Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) @ Las Vegas Raiders (4-2)
The days of the Raiders playing down to their competition is over, the Raiders are looking to ride the win against the Broncos into this matchup with Rich Bisaccia leading the charge.
Prediction: Raiders 28, Eagles 17
Detroit Lions (0-6) @ Los Angeles Rams (5-1)
As if the Rams hadn’t already proved they had won the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade, they will win this game.
Goff will get a crack at the Rams defense but cannot keep up with the Rams offense that has unlocked a new gear by utilizing both Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods.
Prediction: Rams 34, Lions 14
Houston Texans (1-5) @ Arizona Cardinals (6-0)
The Cardinals high-flying offense has figured it out in the air and on the ground. Look for the pressure to be less on Kyler Murray as the James Conner and Chase Edmonds duo look to do some damage.
Prediction: Cardinals 41, Texans 6
Chicago Bears (3-3) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)
The Bears are a defense that prevent games from getting out of hand, but not good enough to win football games. Tom Brady and the Buccaneers look to take care of business heading into their divisional matchup in the Saints the following week.
Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Bears 13
Indianapolis Colts (2-4) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
San Francisco has proved it can hang tough with its defense but will have to contest the hot hand of Jonathan Taylor. Recently signed veteran kicker Michael Badgley will be the late game hero with a game winning field goal to beat the favored 49ers.
Prediction: Colts 20, 49ers 17
New Orleans Saints (3-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-4)
With the injuries of Russell Wilson and Chris Carson, the Seahawks offense has fared well with backups Geno Smith and Alex Collins. The Saints’ defense will fall short and provide the Seahawks with a win at home on primetime television.
Prediction: Seahawks 21, Saints 17
Matthew Gelhard is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mgg5264@psu.edu.
