NFL Week 7 game picks: Expert predictions for every matchup
By Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY,
3 hours ago
The NFL contenders have begun to emerge now that many teams are more than one-third of the way through the 2024 season . The way the standings are shaking out means Week 7 will feature a number of intriguing matchups between teams with lofty ambitions this year.
But there's also a battle pitting two of the league's best young quarterbacks (Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans signal caller C.J. Stroud) against one another on Sunday, as well as a crucial NFC North game between the undefeated Minnesota Vikings and the defending NFC North champion Detroit Lions . And don't forget that two defending division champions capable of offensive fireworks will wrap up Week 7 when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for "Monday Night Football."
It looks like a potentially impactful slate of games, and there are already NFL analysts weighing in on what might happen. Here is an early look at picks and predictions for the games that make up the Week 7 schedule :
"Denver ranks in the bottom quarter in the NFL in both run and passing offense and was shut out at home against the Chargers in Week 6 until the fourth quarter. New Orleans' offensive numbers, meanwhile, actually look good, but I have my doubts with the injuries to Derek Carr, Chris Olave and most of its O-line."
"The Broncos got off to a solid start and stand 3-3 overall and 4-2 against the spread after Sunday's loss to the Chargers. A solid defense helped the development of rookie Bo Nix (making just his 7th NFL start) and turned him into a serviceable QB. The Saints counter Nix with Spencer Rattler, who was rattled by the Bucs in the second half of Sunday's 51-27 (loss). The Saints traditionally struggle on Thursday nights, having lost 5 straight TNF games at home and failed to cover in each of them."
"This NFL game in London features struggling 1-5 teams. It is Jacksonville's second straight game there. It will go better than their first, a loss to the Chicago Bears."
"The Patriots demonstrated signs of life offensively this week with Drake Maye, which means they have a chance in Week 7. However, they are dealing with the travel issues of heading to London, while the Jaguars are spending the entire week in England."
"The Falcons should chirp at home. The Seahawks are coming off a mini-bye and rough loss to the 49ers at home. But they head to the East Coast for an early kickoff. Seattle has lost 6 straight as road underdogs. And they've missed on the line in 8 of their past 9 games."
"The Buffalo Bills have struggled the last two weeks but have faced very good teams. ... Tennessee’s defense has been good at keeping games close. Only one of the Titans’ four losses has been by more than seven points. Still, there’s no chance I am backing them while their offense looks so inept."
"The Cleveland Browns threw everything at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. They still didn’t look good, but they at least fought hard in the face of adversity. Nevertheless, this is still the team with the worst offense in the NFL and, at best, a league-average defense. The Bengals should win this game. If they don’t, then we’ll likely be talking about Zac Taylor’s future this time next week."
"These are two very evenly matched teams, which is why the weather becomes a potentially important factor. The Packers will be more comfortable in their climate, and the Texans will have to adjust. ... By no means is this likely to be a blowout, and the biggest concern in backing Green Bay is that rookie kicker Brayden Narveson is not all that reliable."
"Miami has experienced its fair share of struggles, but it has mostly come against strong rushing outfits. All three of Miami’s losses this season came against teams 10th or better in PFF’s rushing grades. Currently, the Colts are 30th in that category. ... Miami’s offense, which has looked anemic to start the year, also could get DeVon Achane back from a concussion in Week 7."
"Miami’s offense has largely been stagnant in recent weeks, scoring a total of 27 points in its last two games. However, a bye week will have allowed Mike McDaniel to tailor things a little more to Huntley, so they should be a bit more competitive. The defense is a top-10 unit, so if they can hold the Indianapolis Colts to around 20 points, Huntley should give the Dolphins a chance to at least be in it when we get to the fourth quarter. The Colts’ result in Week 6 was perfect. They won, and Joe Flacco looked league-average at best against a competent defense. Anthony Richardson is a terrifying wild card from a betting perspective.
"Detroit lost its best defensive player, edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, and is dealing with other significant injuries on defense. The Vikings are coming off a bye week after a trip to London and look to stay undefeated at home. They have had plenty of time to game plan for this important division showdown."
"The Minnesota Vikings had a bye in Week 6 after improving to 5-0 with a victory over the New York Jets in London last Sunday. That’s given the Vikings two weeks to plan and prep for what will be the biggest game of the season. Minnesota entered Week 6 as the top defense in EPA allowed per play and Defensive DVOA. If you believe in Minnesota, then snatch the shortest spread you can right now."
"The Eagles have failed to cover in 10 of their past 12 games and they've lost 5 of 7 straight up as favorites. The Eagles barely beat the woeful Browns, 20-16, as nine-point favorites. The Giants caught the resurgent Bengals on the upswing."
"Buy it now before it moves to a full touchdown spread in the Rams favor. Why might it move L.A.'s way? Well, they're coming off a bye and it's completely possible that we get news this week that Cooper Kupp is ready to return to action. ... L.A. is 1-4, but outside of the Week 2 blowout in Arizona, all of its games have come down to the final possession. The Raiders, meanwhile, are struggling with losses of 16 and 19 points so far in October."
"None of the Panthers' losses have been by less than 10 points, and only one of their losses has been by less than 18. The Panthers allow the most points in the NFL (33.8 PPG allowed, 32nd) while scoring among the fewest (17.8 PPG, 27th). Meanwhile, the Commanders have one of the most prolific offenses in the league, scoring 29.7 PPG (T-2nd) and will be playing at home. This has all the hallmarks of a game the Commanders should win by double figures."
"Rookie QB Jayden Daniels is productive and elusive. He hung tough against the Ravens on Sunday in a 30-23 loss. He’ll have time to throw here, and the Red Rifle won’t be able to keep pace. He (Andy Dalton) threw two picks in Carolina's latest loss to the Falcons in Week 6. And the Panthers are 1-7 against the spread in their last eight games."
"The 49ers finally congealed in Week 6, dominating the Seahawks on Thursday night. But the Chiefs have been winning with defense and Patrick Mahomes is 12-1-1 against the spread as a betting underdog. The last time he and the Chiefs were betting underdogs? Super Bowl 58. Final Score: Chiefs 25, 49ers 22.
"We can only hope this rematch is as interesting as the last game between these two teams, the Super Bowl. We think it will be with Brock Purdy and the 49ers getting some revenge."
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs against San Francisco 49ers safety Logan Ryan (33) during overtime in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
"Aaron Rodgers has a new head coach and a new play caller. He’s running out of excuses. The Steelers just keep covering. They're 4-2 straight up and against the spread."
"This could be the game of the week when all is said and done. We could easily see 60+ points scored as two good offenses take on defenses that have wobbled this season. The Ravens laying 4.5 points feels too much, especially on the road."
"Entering (Week 6), the Cardinals had played the hardest strength of schedule in the NFL, per FPI (and then faced the Green Bay Packers ). The Chargers, meanwhile, had faced the 29th-hardest schedule before squaring off against the Denver Broncos. The bet here is that the sharp contrast in opponents faced affects the general view of both teams. Plus, it's pretty great to get a home underdog that has been the better offensive team this season."
"(Arizona WR) Marvin Harrison Jr. left Sunday's loss to the Packers with a concussion. This number swung 4 points in the interim, meaning oddsmakers are doubtful about his availability against the Bolts."
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