NFL Picks Week 7: Scratch and Claw

The New Orleans Saints face the Carolina Panthers in a huge NFC South showdown in the Superdome. Both teams, along with Tampa, are jockeying for position atop the competitive NFC South. With the small room for error in the division, every win, and every loss, is magnified. The Saints now come out of their bye week with an opportunity to take hold of their place atop the division, but could see that all unravel if they fail to seize the opportunity to keep Carolina off their tails.

The fight for the NFC South title began in Week 1 and has only grown more fierce since then. The Saints fight continues here against the Panthers, and New Orleans will need to scratch and claw their way through in order to claim the NFC South crown once again. Although there are many more weeks to go in order to get there, a win this week will go very far towards that goal.

Now let’s take a look at this and all of the matchups in Week 7.

Last week I went 9-5

I told you so: Bucs over Packers.

What do I know: Bears over Panthers?

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WEEK 7

Thursday, October 22nd - Thursday Night Football

Giants(1-5) at Eagles(1-4-1)

Philly’s ground game will be too much for the Giants to overcome. Philadelphia wins 28-17.

Pick: Eagles

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Sunday, October 25th - Early Games

Steelers(5-0) at Titans(5-0) - Game of the Week

This will be a physical, grind-it-out game between two undefeated teams fighting to be the team with the lone first round bye in the AFC playoffs. Pittsburgh’s defense against Derrick Henry will be the matchup to watch, but ultimately, this game will come down to the arm of Ben Roethlisberger, who will make the big plays in the end to lead Pittsburgh to a narrow victory in a massive game. Pittsburgh wins 20-17.

Pick: Steelers

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Cowboys(2-4) at Washington FT(1-5)

Dallas may not have much at this point, but they have something Washington does not, a strong rushing attack. Dallas wins 20-19.

Pick: Cowboys

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Bills(4-2) at Jets(0-6)

This will be Buffalo’s “get right” game, just like every team that faces the Jets. Buffalo wins 32-14.

Pick: Bills

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Packers(4-1) at Texans(1-5)

Houston has the arm of Deshaun Watson, and that’s it. Green Bay will get back to their winning ways by dismantling the Texans in Houston. Green Bay wins 42-13.

Pick: Packers

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Browns(4-2) at Bengals(1-4-1)

Cincinnati will keep this game much closer than expected, but Cleveland will run with ease on Cincy’s weak defense. Cleveland wins 31-28.

Pick: Browns

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Lions(2-3) at Falcons(1-5)

Atlanta’s passing attack will outlast Detroit at home. Atlanta wins 26-21.

Pick: Falcons

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Panthers(3-3) at Saints(3-2)

The margin for error for the Saints is extremely thin here, and they have to know it. With a win, the Saints are sitting in first place in the NFC South, with a loss, they find themselves third in the division. The Saints will play up to the occasion coming off their bye, looking the best they have since Week 1. The key to victory will be an electric performance from Alvin Kamara, who will have a huge day under the lights in the Superdome. Saints win 31-27.

Pick: Saints

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Sunday, October 25th - Late Games

Buccaneers(4-2) at Raiders(3-2)

Both teams are coming off their biggest wins of the season, and this game will be sneaky good. This game will be extremely close all the way through, but it will be the Tampa defense that comes up with a huge play in the end to secure victory for the Bucs. Tampa wins 33-31.

Pick: Buccaneers

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Jaguars(1-5) at Chargers(1-4)

Gardner Minshew will struggle against the underrated Los Angeles defense, while Justin Herbert earns his first win of the season. Los Angeles wins 31-14.

Pick: Chargers

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49ers(3-3) at Patriots(2-3)

New England hit a rock-bottom moment last week in a stunning loss to Denver, while San Francisco found new life in a home win last Sunday night. That being acknowledged, Bill Belichick will keep his team’s season from falling into a downward spiral by picking up a huge rebound win over the up-and-down Niners. New England wins 29-26.

Pick: Patriots

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Chiefs(5-1) at Broncos(2-3)

Denver is coming off a stunning victory over the Pats, but they will fall back to Earth against Kansas City. Kansas City wins 27-9.

Pick: Chiefs

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Sunday Night Football

Seahawks(5-0) at Cardinals(4-2)

This one will be great and Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray will be the breakout star of the game, leading his team to a massive primetime victory over the undefeated Seahawks. Arizona wins 27-20.

Pick: Cardinals

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Monday, October 26th - Monday Night Football

Bears(5-1) at Rams(4-2)

This will be one of those ugly, defensive affairs that comes down to which kicker makes the most kicks. Los Angeles makes the most kicks at home in this one. Los Angeles wins 16-10.

Pick: Rams

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That’s how I see Week 7 shaping up. Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!