Week 7 predictions
Sunday 1:00
Washington Redskins (3-2) [ 24-27 ] Carolina Panthers (1-5)
John Beck’s first start for the ‘Skins, replacing the Interceptosaurus Rex, could provide Cam Newton with the opportunity for his biggest win in the NFL. Washington will try to run the ball more, and balance the offense for Beck, but if Cam gets into his stride and connects with Steve Smith early, the run game will not be enough, and Beck will be under all sorts of pressure.
Seattle Seahawks (2-3) [ 20-23 OT ] Cleveland Browns (2-3)
I am finding this game absolutely impossible to call, Cleveland play efficient football and good defense, but the Seahawks have just started to hit their stride offensively, and if Charlie Whitehurst plays, I think he is an upgrade on Tavaris Jackson. This one could go into overtime, and from there, it’s a lottery. I’ll gamble on Cleveland as the Seahawks have a long way to travel.
Atlanta Falcons (3-3) [ 26-27 ] Detroit Lions (5-1)
Another difficult game to predict, as the status of Julio Jones and Jahvid Best are still up in the air, but as they aren’t practicing, I’ll presume they won’t play. This could be a preview of a playoff game, and one that the Lions’ lack of a running game could prove costly in. But it won’t. I’ll go with Matt Stafford and Megatron at Ford Field. Just.
Denver Broncos (1-4) [ 23-19 ] Miami Dolphins (0-5)
IT’S TEBOW TIME! And where better for Tim to start than in Florida where he was a Gator. Miami are 0-5, having serious problems on defense, and there for the taking. So I think the hysteria carries on and Tebow gets a win here, with 200+ passing yards, 50+ rushing yards and a touchdown. Willis McGahee and Daniel Thomas are the X-Factors here however, the running game will dominate.
San Diego Chargers (4-1) [ 20-16 ] New York Jets (3-3)
The Chargers (with Antonio Gates) are coming off a bye week, and they will have needed the rest for this hard fought encounter in New York. Rex will do his best to fire up the defense because the offense is poor, there’s no other way to describe it. But as they have done all season, the Chargers will sneak past, quietly building momentum.
Chicago Bears (3-3) [ 27-24 ] Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)
For once, the London game has some significance. Both teams need wins to stay in the playoff hunt, and the game will be very tight as a result. This could be another game where the run will be more important than the pass, and I can’t take Earnest Graham over Matt Forte, so Chicago edge it.
Houston Texans (3-3) [ 30-19 ] Tennessee Titans (4-2)
Losing Kenny Britt has hit the Titans hard, as has finding Chris Johnson in a poor vein of form, and while they may get to the tender Matt Schaub often, Arian Foster could find himself having a really big day in Tennessee.
Sunday 4:05
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) [ 28-17 ] Arizona Cardinals (1-4)
Pittsburgh were run a lot closer by Jacksonville than many thought, but they will learn from that, and when you have a defense as ugly as Arizona’s, you don’t win games, even if Beanie Wells and Larry Fitzgerald have good days.
Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) [ 16-28 ] Oakland Raiders (4-2)
Oakland weren’t a bad football team before Carson Palmer showed up; I think he makes the Raiders better. And it shows in this divisional matchup. Matt Cassel will not be able to keep up with the Raiders’ explosive offense. Darren McFadden and Darrius Heyward-Bey are in for a haul of fantasy points.
Sunday 4:15
St Louis Rams (0-5) [ 13-34 ] Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
Dallas will fire on offense at home, and a Rams side possibly without Sam Bradford will have to rely on Steven Jackson and AJ Feely… Jackson will produce, but Feely won’t. Dallas run away with it.
Green Bay Packers (6-0) [ 29-16 ] Minnesota Vikings (1-5)
Christian Ponder gets thrown to the wolves in his first start in the NFL, and has to contend with Clay Matthews running at him. Adrian Peterson will take most of the load off of the youngsters’ shoulders but the Vikes will have to rely on him at some point to start a comeback. Ponder isn’t that good yet. Aaron Rodgers throws 350+ yards in another Pack win.
Sunday 8:20
Indianapolis Colts (0-5) [ 17-41 ] New Orleans Saints
New Orleans’ defense is poor, but their offense makes up for it. Drew Brees is due a huge day, 400+ yards and three touchdowns in a big win. Indy are improving, but this is a step, if not two, too far.
MNF 8:30
Baltimore Ravens (4-1) [ 31-13 ] Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)
You can’t run on the Ravens, so Blaine Gabbert will have to throw. Unless he does something exceptional and amazing, this means the Jags lose. Baltimore are the real deal, I’ve said this before. Ray Rice runs for 100+ yards and two scores while Flacco piles up the yards in an efficient performance coming off their bye week.
