Week 7 is here and there are several key match-ups on the docket for this weekend. The Giants play the Rams in London, while the Patriots and Steelers meet in what could be an AFC Championship game preview.
Here is our Week 7 preview and predictions.
New York Giants (3-3) vs. Los Angeles Rams (3-3): The Giants got back on track last week with a big win over the Ravens but now that win is being overshadowed by kicker Josh Brown’s domestic violence issues coming to light again.
Brown’s issues will be a distraction but I don’t think they’ll be enough of a distraction to cost the Giants this game. I think New York will rally and beat the Rams.
Prediction: Giants 28 Rams 24
Cleveland Browns (0-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-4): The Bengals needed a winnable game at this point on their schedule and they got it with the Browns coming to town.
It’ll be a reunion for Hue Jackson but it won’t be a pleasant one. Despite being competitive, the Browns just don’t have enough on either side of the ball to win a game like this. I am going to take the Stripes in this one. It’ll be close, but the Bengals are better.
Prediction: Bengals 24 Browns 17
Washington Redskins (4-2) at Detroit Lions (3-3): The Redskins are rolling right now. Winners of four in a row, the Skins are primed to make a run in the NFC East.
The Lions are playing much better and they are coming off of a shootout win against the Rams.
I think this game will be tight early, but the Redskins are playing well in all three phases and they will be able to pull out a win in the Motor City.
Prediction: Redskins 31 Lions 28
Indianapolis Colts (2-4) at Tennessee Titans (3-3): Last Sunday’s night loss to the Texans was a devastating blow to the Colts playoff chances. They face a must win this week. If Indy loses this game and goes to 2-5, their season would effectively be over.
The Titans have played well, especially at home. With a win this week, Marcus Mariota and the Titans would win their fourth game of the season and keep themselves in contention for the AFC South.
I am picking the Titans to win this game. Tennessee is better than you might think and they’ll prove it this week.
Prediction: Titans 20 Colts 17
New Orleans Saints (2-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-3): The Chiefs proved last week that they are still going to be a factor in the AFC by handling the up and coming Raiders.
It was an impressive win for a Chiefs team that has struggled with consistency thus far this season.
For the Saints, they are playing better offensively but the defense is still awful. New Orleans is last in the NFL in points against at 33.6 points per game. If the Saints are going to win this game, they are going to need to get more out of their defense.
I am not holding my breath. I think this game will be a high scoring with the home standing Chiefs winning it.
Prediction: Chiefs 31 Saints 27
Buffalo Bills (4-2) at Miami Dolphins (2-4): The Dolphins beating the Steelers was a big program win for first year coach Adam Gase last week. Miami has a chance to make it two in a row against a Bills team that has won four in a row but will be without starting running back LeSean McCoy.
If Ryan Tannehill plays well and the defense rises to the occasion again like they last week, the Fish can win this game.
The heck with it! I am taking the Dolphins in a quasi upset over the Bills.
Prediction: Dolphins 20 Bills 17
Baltimore Ravens (3-3) at New York Jets (1-5): The Ravens visit Metlife Stadium for the second week in a row looking to end a three game losing streak. Baltimore has been wildly inconsistent of late and will look to turn their fortunes around against a Jets team that’s a mess right now.
New York is starting Geno Smith in place of the ineffective Ryan Fitzpatrick but its not going to matter. Smith is worse than Fitzpatrick.
Baltimore is getting the Jets at the right time. The ravens needed a winnable game to turn things around and they got it. I am taking the Black Birds in what could be a bad game.
Prediction: Ravens 20 Jets 14
Minnesota Vikings (5-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-2): The shine has come off the Eagles baseball card the last two weeks as a suspect defense and Carson Wentz have been exposed.
Philly will face a stiff test today against the league’s number one defense. Minnesota can stop the run, rush the passer and cover. Wentz and the Eagles offense could be in for a long day.
I like the Vikings in this game. Sam Bradford plays well in his return to Philly and the Vikings defense will shut down Wentz and the Eagles offense.
Prediction: Vikings 31 Eagles 17
Oakland Raiders (4-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4): The Raiders and Jaguars are two of the most exciting young teams in the league. Both have explosive offenses that can score a lot of points.
The offenses will score a bunch of points today because neither team plays good defense. Oakland is last in the league in total defense so look for Blake Bortles and the Jaguars receivers to have a big day.
Unfortunately for Jacksonville, it won’t be enough because their defense hasn’t stopped anyone either.
Derek Carr will go off today and the Raiders will win by ten points.
Prediction: Raiders 42 Jaguars 28
San Diego Chargers (2-4) at Atlanta Falcons (5-1): The Dirty Birds will face a stiff challenge from the ultra competitive Phillip Rivers and the Chargers today.
The attention has been on the offense thus far but the 5-1 Falcons are playing pretty good defense as well. It appears that the defense is finally buying into Quinn’s philosophy.
I think the defense will represent today and rise to the occasion against Rivers and the Bolts.
I like the Falcons in what could be a highly entertaining game.
Prediction: Falcons 34 Chargers 24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) at San Francisco 49ers (1-5): The Buccaneers have been a disappointment thus far this season but they did pick up a big win against the Panthers on MNF.
Tampa Bay should win today. Chip Kelly Kelly’s Niners are lifeless on offense and the defense is putrid.
Look for Jameis Winston to have a big day despite missing Vincent Jackson and lead the Bucs to a big win.
Prediction: Bucs 35 49ers 17
New England Patriots (5-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2): The Steelers will be without Big Ben, which means they have no chance.
Landry Jones is the worst back up quarterback in the league. The fact that he is in the league, is a joke!
The Patriots will move the ball effectively all afternoon on offense and the defense will shut down the Roethlisberger-less Steelers.
I like the Patriots big in this game.
Prediction: Patriots 38 Steelers 20
Seattle Seahawks (4-1) at Arizona Cardinals (3-3): Cardinals, Seahawks is becoming one of the better rivalries in the league. The two teams have played some good games in recent years. I expect tonight’s game to be another good one.
The Cardinals have had success in Seattle in recent years so they don’t fear the Seahawks defense or the 12th Man. That is half the battle when playing Seattle.
The Seahawks are quietly 4-1 and they are being overlooked. They need a signature win. I think they’ll get it tonight. Seattle is back and they’ll prove it tonight.
Prediction: Seahawks 31 Cardinals 20
Houston Texans (4-2) at Denver Broncos (4-2): The Texans have been good at home, awful on the road. They are on the road this week which means they’ll probably lose.
Denver has lost two in a row and desperately needs a win if they want to keep pace with the Patriots in the AFC for the number one seed.
The Broncos will snap their losing streak in this one. Look for Trevor Siemien and company to bounce back and get a much needed win.
Prediction: Broncos 28 Texans 17