Week 7 NFL Picks

Houston at Cincinnati (-4 1/2).

Cincinnati is back home and pumped up after two consecutive divisional road wins and three straight wins within the division. Remember, though, that Cincinnati barely avoided an overtime tie against Cleveland and squeaked out their victories over Pittsburgh and Baltimore in the fourth quarters. These are still quality wins, but their win streak will come to an end soon. Not this week, though. Houston, though able to put up some points, is coming off a road loss to Arizona in which they made it respectable in the end but were trailing the entire game. Their two wins come against tow teams in the NFL with one combined win (Oakland and Tennessee). Houston has a high-powered offense that can put up points, so they will compete. Look for Cincinnati to come out with the win, and cover. The Bengals take this one 31-21.

Detroit (+14) at Green Bay

The Packers are decent this year, nothing special though. When their offense is clicking, they can put up some points. They are coming off a bye and playing in Lambeau, which would normally guarantee a victory. The fact that they are playing the Lions solidifies that guarantee. The Lions are struggling to get their act together, their youth is showing through, and the injuries to Johnson and Stafford are coming a little too early in the season. Detroit will go into their bye week 1-5 after losing to Green Bay this week. The Packers will open it up early, but Detroit will make a late run to make the score respectable. Green Bay wins this one 38-26.

St. Louis @ Jacksonville (-10)

The Jags could not get anything going last week against Seattle and they couldn't keep Seattle from doing whatever they wanted. Jacksonville comes home this week with a poor record and really needs to go into their bye week at .500. Their post bye-week schedule includes several games that they should win and, if you throw in a couple upsets, they are still a playoff contender. They need to treat last week as a fluke get back on track beginning this week. Look for the Jags to open up the run game against the Rams, who are pitiful. Jacksonville bounces back from last week's shutout by shutting out the woeful Rams. Jags 24-0.

Baltimore @ Minnesota (-3)

This is a big game and a big test for the Vikings. We have seen how competitive and tought the Ravens have been this season, even in their losses. They did struggle to get clicking last week against the Bengals and it cost them, but this is still a great team. Two straight tough losses have hurt their record. They will come back fighting this week, but, unfortunately, they will be going up against a hot, undefeated team with a tough defense. The Vikings are good. Some of their wins have been against teams that are mediocre at best. That doesn't make the Vikings mediocre. They didn't struggle in most of their wins, although a little miraculous luck at the end against the 49ers didn't hurt either. The Vikings win this game in a low scoring affair and a beautiful matchup to watch. Vikings 17-16

New York Giants (+3 1/2) @ New Orleans

Could there be a more interesting matchup this week? The Saints are undefeated, coming off a bye week, and ready to get back to their explosive ways. The Giants are undefeated, a disciplined team on the road, and well rested after a bye week of their own dominating the Oakland Raiders. Eli Manning will not need to throw too much, as this game is decided between the tackles. The Giants will run Brandon Jacobs until the Saints defense is bruised and battered. Then they will send Ahmad Bradshaw in to finish them off. Manning will make some key passes when it counts and the Giants offense will click as usual. The Saints are creative on offense, and Brees knows how to utilize every weapon. Their running game (regardless of the back) and short quick passes over the middle will keep this interesting. This game has the making of a shootout, but I think the score ends up being much lower than expected. Giants take a close one on the road, 19-17.

Cleveland @ Pittsburgh (-14)

Pittsburgh is tough at home but needs to learn to stop squandering their leads in the fourth quarter. Cleveland is flimsy on the road at best and needs to go back to the drawing board in many respects. Playing a huge divisional rivalry on the road is not going to be pretty. Pittsburgh runs all over Cleveland, and Rothlisberger has another stellar game. And the defense, well, they remember what it's like to play four quarters of Steeler football. Pittsburgh owns the Browns, 30-10.

Carolina @ Tampa Bay (+3 ½)

The Bucs got a raw deal last week going against the Eagles 1) after a bye week (see Andy Reid) and 2) the week McNabb is healthy again. The Bucs are having trouble with their offense, but josh Johnson has shown some spark and needs to be utilized with some more designed running plays. Carolina is not as bad as their record, but Tampa Bay is getting desperate and will step up this week to earn their first win and upset the visiting Panthers. Tampa Bay 17-14.

Kansas City +7 @ Washington

KC has lost a couple close games which they could have won. Washington has won a couple close games which they could have lost. Kansas City is a bad team but they are not terrible. Washington is a decent team, but they are not good. Kansas City covers and wins this one on the road as Jason Campbell and the Redskins leave the field this week to a chorus of boos. KC 35-31

Philadelphia (-14) @ Oakland

This is how this game transpires. Philly goes up by two or three touchdowns. Oakland's one hope, controlling the game and clock with its running game, thereby vanishes. Oakland is forced to try to make up ground with their passing game. Philadelphia takes advantage of Russell's poor accuracy and wins this game before halftime. It will be similar to the Eagles' performance against the Bucs last week and similar to Oakland's performance against the Giants. Philly smokes 'em, 42-9.

Arizona @ Seattle

Good game here, but Seattle is clicking now that Hasselback is back. Arizona is not too shabby either, decent on the road, but will not be able to match the points. Seattle takes it 31-28.

Tennessee @ N.E. (-9 ½)

The Patriots will come back from Denver recharged and looking for blood. Their fans and coach will demand it. The Patriots leave the Titans wondering what the hell happened between last season and this one. Patriots take it easily, but do not open up the score too much. 24-10

Buffalo (+9 1/2) @ the Jets

Jets win this one by a field goal. The Jets are good, but not that great. Braylon Edwards helps, but they were exposed a little last week. Buffalo is not very good, but they can compete with the Jets. The Jets take it 20-17.

Bears @ Falcons (-3 ½)

This is an interesting matchup. Falcons coming home after a stomping of the 49ers and the Bears coming off a bye week. The Bears need to get their offense a little more mixed- up and get Forte some more pass receptions. They need a top grade receiver as well. Their receiving corps is good, but young and they may need another year before Cutler really clicks with them. The Falcons are going to roll over the Bears only if Matt Ryan gets in synch early. The Bears will disrupt the Falcons offense, but they will still find a way to win. They win, and barely cover. 27-23.

Denver @ San Diego (-4)

This is the week the Broncos collapse. A divisional rivalry in beautiful San Diego will make for a perfect setting for the hangover loss after defeating the Cowboys and the Patriots at home. The Chargers finally got it together late against the Steelers and know how to play the Broncos, even if they do have a new coach. The teams give us a great game on Monday night, but the Chargers get to Orton and McDaniels suffers his first loss. 20-10.