It’s lucky Week 7 in the NFL with 14 games on the schedule. Let’s take a closer look at each matchup.
Giants at Eagles (-4)
The Eagles have made losing close games a growing trend in the City of Brotherly Love, but now they have to deal with being favorites. With an abundance of injuries, Philadelphia is a flawed team, and the Giants are at least tough on defense. A straight-up PK might favor Philly, but that changes with a 4-point spread to cover.
Pick: Giants +4
Bills (-13.5) at Jets
The Bills probably aren’t as good as we thought they were after starting 4-0. The Jets are as bad as their 0-6 record indicates, especially with Joe Flacco still starting in place of Sam Darnold. After the Jets were shutout last week, Buffalo should find a way to win comfortably.
Pick: Bills -13.5
Panthers at Saints (-7.5)
Carolina didn’t fare well last week as a favorite, but the Panthers should be able to embrace the underdog role a little more this week. The Saints haven’t won by more than a touchdown since Week 1, largely because they’re giving up 30 points per game.
Pick: Panthers +7.5
Browns (-3.5) at Bengals
Cleveland’s defense hasn’t been much help this year and Baker Mayfield is typically unpredictable and unreliable. That makes a 3.5-point spread a lot for a road team, even with no fans. In fairness, the Bengals have struggled to win, but they don’t go down quietly.
Pick: Bengals +3.5
Cowboys at Washington (-1)
The Cowboys may have been embarrassed on Monday, but listing Washington as a favorite is too much of an overreaction. Andy Dalton will get on track and give the Cowboys an important bounce-back win.
Pick: Cowboys +1
Lions at Falcons (-2)
Look at the Falcons; one win and suddenly they’re favorites. Despite the 1-5 record, Matt Ryan is slinging it, and the Lions don’t seem like the team to stop him. Plus, we’re a little wary of Matthew Stafford keeping up in a shootout.
Pick: Falcons -2
Packers (-3.5) at Texans
Surely, last week’s beatdown against the Bucs was an aberration for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Then again, the Texans can also light up the scoreboard when their offensive line holds up. Houston has a chance to make this interesting.
Pick: Texans +3.5
Steelers (-2.5) at Titans
Forget the Chiefs and Ravens, this game could be a preview of the AFC Championship Game. While the Ryan Tannehill hype train is moving full steam ahead, he and the Titans haven’t faced anything like the Pittsburgh defense this year.
Pick: Steelers -2.5
Seahawks (-3.5) at Cardinals
The Seattle defense of old probably would have an answer for Kyler Murray, but the youngster’s confidence has to be sky-high after the Cards blew away the Cowboys on Monday. Arizona is no longer an easy place for road favorites.
Pick: Cardinals +3.5
Jaguars at Chargers (-7.5)
The Chargers might be one of the best 1-4 teams the NFL has seen in a while. Justin Herbert can play in this league, and Anthony Lynn has had an extra week to get his team ready for the lowly Jaguars, who have lost back-to-back games by double digits. Gardner Minshew may have a quick hook in this one.
Pick: Chargers -7.5
Chiefs (-9.5) at Broncos
Denver didn’t score a touchdown last week but still managed to beat the Patriots. However, that lack of offense is not going to fly against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Pick: Chiefs -9.5
49ers at Patriots (-2.5)
It’s homecoming time for Jimmy Garoppolo, who looked outstanding last week, not to mention healthy. Meanwhile, New England’s offense is so limited they used trick plays with Julian Edelman as a passer twice on the final drive last week. That’s a rare sign of desperation from Bill Belichick.
Pick: 49ers +2.5
Buccaneers (-3) at Raiders
Forget about Tom Brady, if the Tampa Bay defense that faced the Packers last week makes the trip to Las Vegas, Jon Gruden won’t know what hit him.
Pick: Buccaneers -3
Bears at Rams (-5.5)
The Bears are 4-1 this season when they’re the underdog. The Rams are the better team, but Jared Goff hasn’t been consistent enough this year to trust him against a quality defense.
Pick: Bears +5.5
