Week 7 NFL Picks: Can the Vikings Topple the Defending Champs?
Well, at least it was another winning week.
After a great 10-4 record in Week 5, we went 8-7 in Week 6 to inch a little bit closer back to that elusive .500 mark. Now it’s time to get over that hump with our Week 7 NFL picks. Before we get into them, here is a look at how things went last weekend:
- Eagles -7.5 (L)
- Jets +6.5 (W)
- Colts -7.5 (L)
- Chargers -3.5 (L)
- Patriots -3.5 (W)
- Steelers -6.5 (W)
- Panthers +3.5 (W)
- Seahawks +1.5 (W)
- Rams -7.5 (W)
- Raiders -4.5 (W)
- Packers -14.5 (L)
- Buccaneers -2.5 (W)
- Lions +2.5 (L)
- Bills -4.5 (L)
- Commanders -4.5 (L)
Season Record: 45-48
Week 7 NFL Picks
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- Spread: Steelers -4.5
- O/U: 43.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Steelers -4.5
Thursday night games have trended towards underdogs covering so far this year, but the Bengals don’t have a lot working in their favor for this matchup. Their running game has not been good in part because of poor offensive line play, and that same offensive line does not bode well in a matchup against T.J. Watt with a 40-year-old Joe Flacco under center.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Spread: Rams -2.5
- O/U: 44.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Jaguars +2.5
Jacksonville’s offensive line got torched by the Seattle Seahawks last week, but the Rams will be without Puca Nacua this weekend, who has been responsible for nearly 40% of Matthew Stafford’s completions this season. What will LA’s offense look like without him?
New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears
- Spread: Bears -4.5
- O/U: 47.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Saints +4.5
The New Orleans Saints are 1-5, but they have had a knack for making games close in the end. The Bears are coming off a short week after playing on Monday Night Football in Week 6, and Spencer Rattler has quietly put together a pretty strong season despite the lack of team success. The Saints will keep this one close on the road.
Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns
- Spread: Browns -2.5
- O/U: 39.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Browns -2.5
This is going to be an ugly game, so it’s probably smart to take the team less prone to making back-breaking mistakes. Dillon Gabriel hasn’t set the world on fire with his play, but through two starts, he’s stayed poised and has not turned the ball over.
New England Patriots vs. Tennessee Titans
- Spread: Patriots -7.5
- O/U: 42.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Patriots -7.5
I may get burned by the interim coach boost for the Titans, but New England has been on a tear lately. Additionally, Mike Vrabel has reason to be extra motivated going into this game against his former team. Patriots win big.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- Spread: Chiefs -12.5
- O/U: 45.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Raiders +12.5
Kansas City has had Las Vegas’ number for over a decade, winning 20 of 24 matchups since 2013. However, before Sunday night against the Lions, we had yet to see a real explosive performance from this Chiefs team like we are accustomed to with Patrick Mahomes. Is this team really back for real this time? I guess we’ll find out on Sunday if they demolish this Raiders team like they should, but I have my doubts about this spread.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Spread: Eagles -1.5
- O/U: 43.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Vikings +1.5
Something is just off with this Eagles team, and it shouldn’t be. The finish to their game against the Buccaneers in Week 5 was ugly, and they just got pushed around by the New York Giants, who have been their little brother in the NFL world for years. The Vikings are starting to get healthy again, and it seems likely that Carson Wentz will be getting this start.
Carolina Panthers vs. New York Jets
- Spread: Panthers -1.5
- O/U: 41.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Panthers -1.5
Carolina has quietly improved to 3-3 this season with an explosive offense that has scored 27+ points in three of the past four games. Meanwhile, the Jets have averaged 20 points per game this season with a very disappointing defense in Aaron Glenn’s first year as head coach. Carolina gets the job done.
New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos
- Spread: Broncos -7.5
- O/U: 40.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Giants +7.5
I’m drinking the G-Men Kool-Aid right now. Cam Skattebo and Jaxson Dart seemingly have re-energized this group, and while they have a very difficult matchup against one of the best defenses in the NFL, they’ll find a way to keep this one close in the Mile High City.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Spread: Chargers -1.5
- O/U: 48.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Colts +1.5
The Indianapolis Colts have a top 10 defense with some great pass rushers, and that more than likely will come into play against a Chargers team that is without both of its elite offensive tackles. Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor will continue to lead this offense to points, and Indy gets the win.
Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Spread: Commanders -1.5
- O/U: 55.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Commanders -1.5
The Cowboys offense can hang with anybody, but their defense has been unable to allow this team to capitalize on that offensive success to turn games into wins. Jayden Daniels is back under center in Washington, and if he can have both Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin at his disposal this time around, the Commanders should win this fairly handedly.
Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals
- Spread: Packers -6.5
- O/U: 44.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Packers -6.5
Green Bay hasn’t been the most consistent team this year, but they have talent on both sides of the ball. With Kyler Murray possibly being sidelined again this weekend, the Packers should roll in this game.
Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Spread: 49ers -2.5
- O/U: 47.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Falcons +2.5
The Falcons seemingly came out of nowhere again and toppled the Buffalo Bills behind an elite offensive performance. The 49ers haven’t had the greatest defense so far this season either, and that will only be further complicated with Fred Warner going down for the season. Make it three in a row for Atlanta.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions
- Spread: Lions -5.5
- O/U: 52.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Lions -5.5
The Lions were sent home licking their wounds after being dominated on both sides of the ball in Kansas City. The Buccaneers are an equally strong team, but Detroit doesn’t go down quietly. They take this win at home.
Houston Texans vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Spread: Seahawks -3.5
- O/U: 41.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Texans +3.5
The Texans have allowed 27 total points in their past three games, and their potentially historic defense has been overshadowed by the team’s offensive struggles from early in the season. Those struggles have been figured out to the tune of 70 points in their past two games. The Seahawks are a tough test on the road, but coming off a bye week, Houston gets the job done and gets back to .500.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via ESPN and Pro Football Reference.
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