Entering week seven of the NFL season, the parity remains high, and a 6-8 week six record is proof of that. This week’s slate of games feels straightforward, meaning the chaos is just getting started. With that said, let’s pick some games.
Byes: Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles
Thursday, October 20th (8:15 PM)
New Orleans Saints (2-4) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
Another week, another uninspiring Thursday night matchup between floundering teams. The Saints have struggled with injuries on offense but are getting Chris Olave back for this game. The Cardinals are getting their top weapon, DeAndre Hopkins, back from his six-game suspension. With a short week, the Saints’ lack of weaponry catches up to them as Kyler Murray and company get back on track at home.
Prediction: Cardinals win 17-10
Sunday, October 23rd (1:00 PM)
Cleveland Browns (2-4) @ Baltimore Ravens (3-3)
The Browns are floundering, coming off three straight losses to the Falcons, Chargers, and Patriots. The Ravens have struggled to close out games, holding late leads in all three losses this season. In a hard-fought division matchup, the Ravens take advantage of poor defensive play-calling from Cleveland to win their fourth game of the year.
Prediction: Ravens win 26-17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) @ Carolina Panthers (1-5)
Coming off a terrible loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, an angry Buccaneers team travels to Carolina to take on one of the worst teams in the NFL. Simply put, Tom Brady and company aren’t losing this game. Tampa gets back on track as Carolina continues to tank for Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 37-14 (Lock of the Week)
Atlanta Falcons (3-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)
The Falcons have been a pleasant surprise to start the season, sitting at .500 through six weeks and coming off a big win against the 49ers. The Bengals have been the opposite, sitting at .500 despite reaching the Super Bowl a season ago. The Falcons’ defense has been solid but should struggle against the vaunted Bengals’ receiving corps in this one.
Prediction: Bengals win 24-20
Detroit Lions (1-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-2)
Detroit has struggled defensively this season, leading to a 1-4 record despite impressive production on offense. Their first test off the bye week is a returning Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys. With Prescott back at the helm, Dallas’s offense should show improvement from the word go to match their outstanding defense. Detroit is a better team than their record shows, but this isn’t the week for them to show it.
Prediction: Cowboys win 33-14
New York Giants (5-1) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4)
Of every crazy surprise we have seen in the early season, the New York Giants finding this much success wasn’t on anyone’s radar. At 5-1, new head coach Brian Daboll has this team firing on every cylinder. On the other side, the Jaguars have played better than their 2-4 record but haven’t been able to finish the close games on the winning side. At home, an impressive defensive performance helps the Jaguars steal an upset to knock New York down a peg.
Prediction: Jaguars win 20-16 (Upset of the Week)
Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1) @ Tennessee Titans (3-2)
For the second week in a row, the Colts are playing a division rival for the second time in the early season. Last week, they avenged their week two loss to Jacksonville behind an impressive performance from quarterback Matt Ryan. This week, they hope to have two superstars back on the field, with Jonathan Taylor and Shaquille Leonard practicing. With reinforcements on the way, Indianapolis wins their third straight game.
Prediction: Colts win 24-17
Green Bay Packers (3-3) @ Washington Commanders (2-4)
The Packers have dropped their last two games and have struggled to get anything going offensively. Week seven is a chance for them to bounce back against a bad Washington Commanders team, who is starting Taylor Heinicke at quarterback for the injured Carson Wentz. Despite their struggles, Green Bay gets it done here.
Prediction: Packers win 28-13
Sunday, October 23rd (4:05 PM)
New York Jets (4-2) @ Denver Broncos (2-4)
After what looks to be a fantastic 2022 NFL draft class, the New York Jets look very good on both sides of the ball. They have won their last two games by a combined 40 points and were outstanding defensively in both contests. This week, they take on a Denver team that ranks dead last in points per game this season. New York wins in a low-scoring game.
Prediction: Jets win 24-10
Houston Texans (1-3-1) @ Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
Houston and Las Vegas are coming off their bye week after opening the season with just one win through five games. The Raiders are a much better team than their 1-4 record indicates, as they started with a brutal opening schedule. The Texans’ record is far more indicative of their overall talent. Despite both teams having the same number of wins, this game shouldn’t be close, as the Raiders’ offensive firepower is too much to overcome.
Prediction: Raiders win 30-10
Sunday, October 23rd (4:25 PM)
Seattle Seahawks (3-3) @ Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)
The Seahawks are .500 on the season due to the surprising resurgence from quarterback Geno Smith. The Chargers are 4-2 despite a lackluster on-field product and injury problems. Justin Herbert is the best quarterback Seattle has faced up to this point and will be able to exploit holes across this defense. The Chargers’ defense could struggle to stop rookie running back Kenneth Walker, but it won’t be enough to keep up with Herbert.
Prediction: Chargers win 27-21
Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-3)
Kansas City’s offense against San Francisco’s defense is one of the top matchups this week. While San Francisco’s entire defense has been elite this year, they have to try and stop Patrick Mahomes, who, once again, has been otherworldly this season. Coming off a loss to the Atlanta Falcons, it’s tough to see a scenario where the 49ers bounce back against Mahomes.
Prediction: Chiefs win 24-14
Sunday, October 23rd (8:20 PM)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) @ Miami Dolphins (3-3)
The Steelers shocked everyone in week six, holding Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to 18 points and stealing their second win of the year. They travel to Miami on Sunday night to take on a Dolphins team that has lost its last three games. However, Miami gets their quarterback back on the field this week. With Tua at the helm, the Dolphins are 3-0 this season and are the only team to beat the Super Bowl favorite Buffalo Bills.
Prediction: Dolphins win 31-20
Monday, October 24th (6:15 PM)
Chicago Bears (2-4) @ New England Patriots (3-3)
The Bears’ offense is anemic. They have run the ball well but have no balance because they refuse to let Justin Fields develop as a passer, as he is averaging just under 20 attempts a game which is unheard of in the modern NFL. With the Patriots performing well and getting their starting quarterback back from injury, this game favors New England. Two strong defenses keep the score low, and New England wins in the final seconds.
Prediction: Patriots win 17-14