It’s kind of funny that the Seattle Seahawks have as many wins as the San Francisco 49ers six weeks into the 2015-16 NFL season. At the same time, both teams sharing the same 2-4 record is somewhat of an insult to the intellect of football experts, who predicted prior to the season that the Seahawks are going to be a much scarier group than the one that finished runner-up to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.
It just goes to show us that predicting football can sometimes be an act of futility. But of course, that won’t stop us from churning a lengthy Week 7 Picks and Prediction piece, which we encourage you to take a look at below.
Speaking of the Patriots, only them and four other teams—Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay, and Carolina—are the only remaining unbeaten teams. Will any in this group fall off the undefeated wagon in Week 7?
[sc:Football ]2015 NFL Week 7 Picks
Thursday, October 22
Seattle Seahawks (-6) at San Francisco 49ers (+6)
[sc:NFL240banner ]The Seahawks (2-4) are no longer the fearsome team that they were in previous seasons. At least that’s what a growing number of folks are thinking of today’s version of Seattle that has dropped to 2-4 following a 27-23 loss to Carolina in Week 7. Perhaps a game against a going-nowhere San Francisco could restore order in a suddenly struggling Seahawks squad.
That said, the 49ers (2-4) have shown they can pull off a surprise when they defeated Minnesota in Week 1 and Baltimore five weeks later. So will the Seahawks reach a new low-point with a loss to San Francisco? Or will Seattle vent all their frustrations this coming Sunday and blow out the 49ers into smithereens?
For Seattle, the answer largely depends on how well its offensive line will do its dang job. So far this season, Russell Wilson has been sacked 26 times—the most by anyone in the NFL. The 49ers have a lot to fix on their side to upset Seattle, but their offense is not a bad place to start.
For one, the 49ers average a league worst 16.7 points per game on a dismal 321.2 total yards per game. Seattle is 8-0 ATS in its last eight games against the 49ers. San Francisco, on the other hand, is 3-1 ATS in its last four games as an underdog by six points or less.
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: Seattle wins, 35-12. #micdrop
Sunday, October 25
Buffalo Bills (-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (+4)
Maybe a trip abroad will help the 1-5 Jaguars end their four-game skid. Playing in Wembley Stadium, however, won’t make the Jags look like a bunch of rock stars on the field so long as their offensive line plays exactly like the same unit that has allowed opponents sack Blake Bortles 17 times thus far this season.
It won’t also help the Jags if their wobbly defense that lets opponents score 29.3 points per game—the same defense that made Brian Hoyer look like a Pro Bowler in the Jags’ 31-20 loss to Houston last week—rears its ugly head again.
How the Bills will fare against Jacksonville’s punching bag defense mostly depends on the availability of the likes of Tyrod Taylor, Sammy Watkins, Percy Harvin, and Karlos Williams, who are all currently dealing with various health issues.
The Bills are 3-0 ATS in their last three road games. The Jags are 2-2 ATS in their last four games as the home team.
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: Buffalo wins, 25-17.
Sunday, October 25
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3.5) at Washington Redskins (-3.5)
Two 2-3 teams that have been playing as if they’re on a mission to drive their respective fanbases nuts meet on Sunday, as the Bucs pay Washington a visit. The Buccaneers are coming off a two-week rest following a 38-31 win over the Jaguars in Week 5. The Redskins, on the other hand, are looking to avoid a three-game slide after being handed a 34-20 loss last Sunday by the Jets.
Among the Bucs’ top priorities heading into this matchup is taking full advantage of Washington’s defense that has been weak against the run. With Doug Martin playing well of late (229 rushing yards and three touchdowns in last two games), the Bucs will certainly need him to cut through the Redskins’ defense that surrenders 118.2 rushing yards per game. As for Washington, reaching the end zone should be close to being an automatic score, as the Bucs have the second worst red-zone defense in the NFL.
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: Tampa Bay wins, 28-25.
Sunday, October 25
Atlanta Falcons (-4) at Tennessee Titans (+4)
As it turned out, it was the Falcons (5-1) who blinked first in their staring battle with Carolina—now the sole leader in the NFC South following Atlanta’s 31-21 loss in New Orleans on Sunday. A golden chance for the Falcons to get back in the win column, however, is there in Week 7 when they take on the tail-spinning Tennessee. The Titans (1-4) have apparently forgotten how it feels like to win a game, as they are on a four-game losing streak coming into the match against Atlanta.
With prized rookie Marcus Mariota’s status for Week 7 up in the air as of this writing, the Titans may have to ask Zach Mettenberger to stop taking selfies for a while and start under center on Sunday. The Titans will have to tighten their pathetic run defense that allows 129.6 rushing yards per game. Otherwise, Devonta Freeman and crew that average 130.0yards on the ground per contest will burn rubber all night long in LP Field. The Falcons are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games, while the Titans are 4-1 SU in their last five meetings with Atlanta.
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: Atlanta wins, 31-24.
Sunday, October 25
New Orleans Saints (+5.5) at Indianapolis Colts (-5.5)
Drew Brees was straight up dealing last Thursday, as the Super Bowl-winning quarterback torched Atlanta’s defense for 312 yards and a touchdown on 30 of 39 passing. But of course, that’s the kind of numbers you’d expect from Brees when facing a weak pass defense such as Atlanta’s.
Indianapolis isn’t that great against the pass either so Brees can dream of precisely slicing through another defense this coming Sunday. After all, the Colts are coming off a deflating 34-27 loss to New England, in which they allowed Tom Brady to pass for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Andrew Luck, however, could also capitalize on New Orleans’ defense that ranks worst in the NFL in total defense (409.7 yards allowed per game) and 28th in scoring defense (27.3).
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: New Orleans wins, 34-31.
Sunday, October 25
Minnesota Vikings (-3) at Detroit Lions (+3)
Detroit (1-5) finally landed on the win column after beating the Bears on Sunday. That said, there is little to glean from winning over a fellow dumpster on fire that is Chicago. If anything, the Lions have partially changed the course of their ship that is still on track to hitting an iceberg.
A win over Minnesota (3-2), however, would get Detroit a step closer into getting out of the cellars of the NFC North division. As for the Vikings, they are looking to notch their fourth win of the season. Minnesota beat Kansas City last Sunday in a game where Adrian Peterson was held down to only 60 rushing yards, his fewest output since Week 1.
Purple Jesus may have a big game against Detroit, though, as the Lions possess the seventh worst run defense in the NFL. The Vikings are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games, while the Lions are 4-1 SU in their last five home games against Minnesota.
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: Detroit wins, 27-21.
Sunday, October 25
Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs
The Steelers (4-2) are doing a fine job of holding on to the second spot in the AFC North while Big Ben waits for his knee to heal completely. But with backup quarterback Mike Vick hurting his hamstring in the Steelers’ 25-13 Week 6 win over Arizona, the Steelers might have to put Landry Jones under center against Kansas City.
Landry played in that game, though, passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns without an interception on 8 of 12 throws. The Chiefs, on the other hand, would prefer facing a fourth-rounder draftee quarterback than Big Ben when they try to end their five-game slump at home. Kansas City might also be without a key cog in the offense in Jeremy Maclin, who went down with a concussion in the team’s 16-10 loss to Minnesota on Sunday.
The Steelers are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five road games, while the Chiefs are 3-0 ATS in their last three home games against Pittsburgh.
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: Pittsburgh wins, 23-17.
Sunday, October 25
Cleveland Browns (+4.5) at St. Louis Rams (-4.5)
Once again, the Browns (2-4) snatched a defeat from the jaws of victory, as Cleveland fell to Denver on Sunday, 26-23. The Broncos’ defense was simply too much for Cleveland to handle, as quarterback Josh McCown had two interceptions and absorbed two sacks from Denver’s monster pass rush. It won’t get any easier for the Browns next Sunday with a well-rested Rams (2-3) team awaiting them in St. Louis. The Rams are third in the NFL in sacks (19.0) and 12th in interceptions (5).
St. Louis’ offense can be stagnant at times, but Cleveland’s defense offers an opportunity for Nick Foles and company to look like world-beaters. The Browns are 23rd in the league in scoring defense (26.3 points allowed per game) and 30th in total defense (407.3 total yards allowed per game).
The Browns are 2-0-1 ATS in their last three games. The Rams, meanwhile, are 4-3 ATS in their last seven home games.
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: Cleveland wins, 23-18.
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Sunday, October 25
Houston Texans (+4.5) at Miami Dolphins (-4.5)
The Texans (2-4) prevented a three-game skid on Sunday, as Houston beat the Jaguars on the road, 31-20. More than that, the Texans also managed to keep Indianapolis within sight, as they’re just one game behind of the Colts in the AFC South standings. Getting to three wins, however, should be a challenge, as they’re up against an inspired Miami (2-3) that pulverized the hapless Titans in Week 6, 38-10.
In their first game under new coach Dan Campbell, the Fins held Tennessee to only 299 total yards and forced the Titans to four turnovers. That doesn’t sound good for Houston, which continues to immerse itself in a pathetic quarterback quandary involving Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer. Hoyer, though, played well against Jacksonville, as he passed for 293 yards and three touchdowns with no interception on 24 of 36 throws. Houston is 4-2-1 ATS in its last seven road games, while the over is 3-1 in Miami’s last four at home.
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: Miami wins, 21-17.
Sunday, October 25
New York Jets (+9) at New England Patriots (-9)
Tom Brady’s Revenge Tour 2015 continues to be a smash hit, as the Patriots defeated Indianapolis, 34-27, in the Deflategate rematch on Sunday.
Now 5-0, the Pats fly back to Foxborough, where their run defense (114.2 rushing yards allowed per game) will be put to a litmus test against the hard-charging 4-1 Jets. In their 34-20 win over Washington on Sunday, the Jets—No. 1 in the NFL in rushing— relied on Chris Ivory’s booster-laced cleats, as the running back rumbled through the Redskins’ defense for 146 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
All hands should be on deck for the Jets’ defense too, as the team’s stop unit that is statistically the best in the NFL (269.2 total yards allowed per game) are about to taste the Pats’ Brady-led offense that generates 20.6 points per game on 355.8 total yards average.
The Jets are 3-0 ATS in their last three games at Gillette Stadium, while the Pats are 3-1 ATS in their last four games overall.
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: New York wins, 26-24.
Sunday, October 25
Oakland Raiders (+4) at San Diego Chargers (-4)
Maybe an extra week of rest is all the Raiders (2-3) need to get back in the win column after suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of Chicago and Denver. Hopefully for the Raiders, they have a solid defensive game plan when they pay the Chargers a visit in Week 7, as San Diego is the proud owner of the league’s No. 1 passing offense.
Behind Philip Rivers, the Chargers (2-4) are electrifying opponents for 346.3 passing yards per game. Juxtapose that figure with Oakland’s 30th-ranked 299.2 passing yards allowed per game average and you get the idea that Rivers would light up the sky again just like he did in Week 6 when he passed for 503 yards, albeit in a 27-20 loss to Green Bay.
The Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings with San Diego, while the Chargers are 8-2 SU in their last 10 home games against Oakland.
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: San Diego wins, 31-25.
Sunday, October 25
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
The fall from the top of the NFC East just won’t stop for Dallas, who took a 30-6 beating at the hands of the all-powerful Patriots on October 11—the Cowboys’ third-straight loss. Fresh off a bye week, the Cowboys look to get their first win since Week 2, as they take on Eli Manning and company at MetLife Stadium. Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last five games against the Giants.
Apparently done with Brandon Weeden, the Cowboys will start Matt Cassel under center in Week 7. A Dez Bryant-less receiving corps might hold down Dallas’s air attack that averages just 348.2 passing yards per game, but could be enough for the Cowboys to get by the Giants’ toothless defense against the pass.
The Giants, who allow a 30th-ranked 298.5 passing yards per game, are pressured to bounce back after being annihilated by a resurgent Eagles team on Sunday. The Giants are 2-0 ATS in their last two home games against Dallas.
Writer’s Prediction: New York wins, 28-24.
Sunday, October 25
Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers
Well, what do you know! The Eagles (3-3) are suddenly No. 1 in the topsy-turvy NFC East that seems to have a carousel running atop its standings. After demolishing erstwhile division leader New York on Sunday, 27-7, the Eagles go up against undefeated Carolina—one that recently dropped Seattle (at CenturyLink Field no less), 27-23.
The Eagles’ defense carried the team in the New York game, as the unit made life extremely hard for the Giants, who only mustered 247 total yards. Defense also is the name of the Panthers’ game. Carolina is seventh in scoring defense (18.8 points allowed per game) and seventh in total defense (338.0). The Eagles are 2-0 ATS in their last two games, while the Panthers are 5-0 SU in their last five at home.
Writer’s Prediction: Carolina wins, 25-21.
Sunday, October 26
Baltimore Ravens (+7.5) at Arizona Cardinals (-7.5)
Only one team has made it to the playoffs after starting the regular season with a 1-5 record. But even the most optimistic Ravens fan can’t deny that Baltimore (1-5) won’t be even close enough to take a whiff of the postseason with the way they’re playing right now.
The Ravens’ 25-20 loss to San Francisco on Sunday was a reflection of how bad it has been for the team, as they made Colin Kaepernick look decent again, committed two turnovers, and had several miscues on defense.
Those symptoms of a crappy team will have to go away for Baltimore if they are to beat the high-scoring Cardinals next Sunday. The Cards (4-2), who lost to Pittsburgh in Week 6, 25-13, are averaging 33.8 points and 405.7 total yards per game thus far this season.
You can read a comprehensive preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction: Arizona wins, 31-23.
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