NFL Predictions Week 7: Final Odds Projections and Fantasy Stars to Watch

Lightning struck again in Week 7, as Thursday Night Football resulted in a close game for the second consecutive week. The New England Patriots and New York Jets produced a highly entertaining divisional battle—the first of many in store for us this week.

Fantasy owners of Shane Vereen certainly started the week on a high note, as the running back went off on an offense without the services of Stevan Ridley. While Tom Brady also delivered some nice fantasy numbers, owners of Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell were't rewarded.

The underdog Jets provided a better showing than many expected, besting a double-digit game line by a good margin. Ahead of the week's 14 remaining contests, let's pick each against the spread and determine which fantasy studs are likely to have big days.

Matchup	Odds	Pick ATS	Fantasy Stud
Panthers at Packers	GB -7	Panthers	Cam Newton
Saints at Lions	DET -1	Lions	Golden Tate
Dolphins at Bears	CHI -3.5	Bears	Alshon Jeffery
Seahawks at Rams	SEA -7.5	Rams	Russell Wilson
Titans at Redskins	WAS -5.5	Redskins	DeSean Jackson
Vikings at Bills	BUF -7	Bills	Bills D/ST
Browns at Jaguars	CLE -5.5	Browns	Ben Tate
Falcons at Ravens	BAL -7.5	Falcons	Julio Jones
Bengals at Colts	IND -3.5	Bengals	Giovani Bernard
Chiefs at Chargers	SD -4	Chiefs	Jamaal Charles
Giants at Cowboys	DAL -7	Cowboys	DeMarco Murray
Cardinals at Raiders	ARI -3.5	Cardinals	Michael Floyd
49ers at Broncos	DEN -7	Broncos	Julius Thomas
Texans at Steelers	PIT -3	Texans	Arian Foster

All game odds courtesy of Odds Shark and current as of October 17.

Fantasy Analysis

Cam Newton

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Here's the thing about this matchup: On paper, it really doesn't look favorable. After all, the Green Bay Packers have been very good against the pass this season, ranking fifth in the league. Even from a fantasy perspective, the team is only giving up an average of 13.5 points to opposing quarterbacks, via ESPN.com.

But there's a catch.

Anyone who happened to see Cam Newton perform against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6 knows full well that he is back to his old self. He rushed for 107 yards and a score in that game while putting up some big numbers through the air.

This tweet from the Panthers' official Twitter account relayed the biggest nightmare for opposing defenses:

Green Bay has the league's worst run defense, allowing an average of 154.5 yards per game on the ground. In fantasy football, the team is allowing an average of 19.7 points to opposing ball-carriers, via ESPN.com.

Since Carolina lacks any sort of a running game, expect the dual-threat quarterback to once again get it done on the ground and through the air for his fantasy owners.

Bills D/ST

Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Yes, it certainly is completely uncommon to have a defense ranked as a game's potential biggest fantasy performer, but that's exactly the case here.

In Week 6, rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was tormented by Detroit's pass rush. He was hit 13 times, sacked eight times and the constant pressure led to three interceptions. Here's a look at the signal-caller's rough day, via NFL on CBS:

The byproduct was a 20-point fantasy performance from the Lions defense. However, that was only the third-highest total against the Vikings offense this season, according to ESPN.com.

The Bills are set to face Minnesota's lackluster offense in Week 7. Buffalo has one of the most ferocious front sevens in the NFL. Currently the Bills are tied for third in the league with 19 sacks through six games—they've also accumulated six interceptions for good measure.

With a terrible offensive line in place for the Vikings—they rank 28th in pass protection, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required)—expect the Bills defense to put up some gaudy numbers on Sunday.

DeMarco Murray

Scott Eklund/Associated Press

Get ready for DeMarco Murrayto feast on the New York Giants in Week 7. New York delivered a horrible showing against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6, allowing a struggling LeSean McCoy to right the ship in a big way, ripping 149 yards on 22 carries en route to a nice fantasy performance.

On Sunday, the NFL's rushing leader gets a crack at this struggling run defense, which is this season allowing an average of 20.7 fantasy points to opposing running backs, via ESPN.com. In their last three contests, the Giants haven't given up fewer than 21 points to ball-carriers.

Meanwhile, Murray is on pace for an enormous season. He's rushed for at least 100 yards in all six games this year, most recently torching a stout Seattle Seahawks defense for 115 yards on 29 carries. Adding to his fantasy appeal, he's scored a rushing touchdown in all but one game in 2014.

SportsCenter tweeted an interesting graphic regarding the running back's increased usage this season:

There's no reason to believe that Murray won't continue his tear against a hapless Giants run defense in Week 7. Expect another game with a 100-plus-yard rushing total.