NFL Week 7 Picks: Bengals, Cowboys Look To Bounce Back With Wins
NFL Week 7 is now approaching, which means it's time to publish my picks for this weekend's games.
This week is a little different than most, in my opinion. We have quite a few teams that were marked as contenders, yet have been nothing but disappointments through the first six weeks of the season.
We also see contenders going on the road to face teams who are in must need of a win.
After last week's performance and looking at the schedule this week, I can't say for a fact there are any no-brain picks on the schedule.
Any team can win on a given week and Week 7 shouldn't be any different.
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Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons
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My first selection of this week begins with an upset.
For the Cincinnati Bengals, it's all or nothing this week. Coming off a bye and a two-game losing streak, we are going to find out if the Bengals have figured out themselves over the bye week.
And for the time being, I believe they find it in a win against an inconsistent Falcons team. Cedric Benson is looking for more carries, and he is going to get that opportunity against this Falcons defense.
When Benson finds success running the ball, Carson Palmer will be able to use the play action to find his weapons that more easily.
Mike Zimmer will have his defense ready to play, who will contain Michael Turner and put all the pressure on Matt Ryan to win the game for them.
I give the Bengals the edge in a six-point win.
St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Two of league's surprises battle it out in Tampa Bay.
Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams come into town having upset the San Diego Chargers the previous week before.
However, despite being blown out by the two good opponents they faced, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to get back on track.
Josh Freeman and his young group of receivers should bounce back against a young Rams secondary.
Steven Jackson will have a big day as well, but it won't be enough to carry the team to a victory.
Buccaneers: 23, Rams: 20.
Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens
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I feel bad for the winless Buffalo Bills, who are coming off a bye week this week.
They are facing a Baltimore Ravens team that is not in a good mood after the loss at New England last week.
Couple that with the possible return of Ed Reed to the lineup and this Ravens defense should have no problem against Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills offense.
What I am going to look for is whether or not the Ravens game plan has changed in any way this week, as Joe Flacco and Cam Cameron had reportedly met about Joe's role in the offense.
Ravens by at least 17 points.
Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears
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Are the Bears finally being exposed to the rest of the NFC? I think so, as the Washington Redskins will pull out the win at Chicago.
The Redskins defense is sure to bounce back after the loss against the Colts and faces Jay Cutler and one of the worst offensive lines in the league.
Donovan McNabb will be able to make a couple of big plays throughout the game that gives the Redskins a big win on the road, 24-17.
San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers
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The battle of bottom feeders of the NFC. Winless Carolina is home after the bye week to take on a San Francisco 49ers team that has been nothing but disappointing.
In the end, I see the Panthers getting in the win column for the first time this year.
Carolina will look to establish the running game with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart against a 49ers defense that has been disappointing.
Look for Matt Moore to finally connect with Steve Smith for a touchdown pass in the win.
As for the 49ers offense, Alex Smith has struggled mightily this season, and I don't see anything new out of him that convinces me his lack of success will continue.
Panthers by a field goal: 17-14.
Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans
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One of the more interesting games of the weekend focuses on the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tennessee Titans.
Multiple reports believe Vince Young won't be able to play after being injured in the Monday night win against the Jaguars.
However, being at home and with Chris Johnson running the football, it gives me confidence in the Titans pulling out the victory.
No team can shut down Chris Johnson for an entire game and that won't change this coming week with an Eagles defense that can be exploited.
Kerry Collins is a veteran quarterback who has been in this system for quite a few years and knows what to do with the football when given the chance.
My deciding factor though is the Titans pass rush against a questionable offensive line of the Eagles.
This may be the day when the quarterback competition becomes even more competitive with another loss for the Eagles.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs
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After Week 7, we may witness the end of Jack Del Rio's tenure as head coach of the Jaguars.
Jacksonville may be entering this game, possibly with their third-string quarterback against an improved Chiefs defense. If not that, turnover machine Trent Edwards or a banged-up David Garrard may get the start.
The Chiefs defense will contain Maurice Jones-Drew, which will put too much pressure on either of the quarterbacks to win the game for them.
Matt Cassel faced a questionable secondary in Houston, but has seen nothing as bad as the secondary of the Jaguars.
Chiefs win by 13.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins
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The Pittsburgh Steelers finally hit the road to take on a Miami Dolphins team that is coming off an overtime win against the Green Bay Packers.
My prediction is the Steelers will continue their winning ways with a victory at Miami.
The run defense of the Steelers will shut down Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, putting Chris Henne in a situation he is not used to.
Brandon Marshall will have a few big catches, but won't be as successful as last week against Green Bay.
Steelers win by nine.
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints
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The matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the New Orleans Saints is the only one where I can say it can be considered as a no-brain pick.
The Saints return home, coming off a win against the Buccaneers and will have a loud New Orleans crowd on their side.
Defensive coordinator Greg Williams gets tape on Colt McCoy for the first time, which means look out for plenty of blitz packages and quite a few turnovers.
Drew Brees will continue from last week, picking apart a young, yet inexperienced secondary.
I give the big advantage to the Saints this week.
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
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The Arizona Cardinals will travel to face the Seattle Seahawks in a matchup that involves control of first place in the NFC West.
I'm going to give the edge to the Cardinals, who are coming off a bye week, giving rookie quarterback Max Hall more time to learn the offense.
Larry Fitzgerald has faced a quiet early start to his season, but I think that will change as he faces the Seahawks secondary.
Matt Hasselbeck will be able to put up points as well for the Seahawks, but in the end the Cardinals have more talent, resulting in the upset win on the road.
Cardinals win by four, 28-24.
New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers
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One of the more interesting matchups of the weekend features the 4-1 New England Patriots going on the road to face the 2-4 San Diego Chargers.
Both teams have great quarterbacks, and more importantly, questionable defenses.
However, the Patriots have a big advantage from a coaching standpoint with Bill Belichick leading the charge.
Tom Brady and the Patriots offense will draw quite a few plays out of their game plan from last week's win over the Ravens and use it against a Chargers defense that can't shut down many offenses this season.
Chargers leading receiver Malcom Floyd will miss the game due to injury, putting a lot of pressure on the Chargers' weapons against the zone defense New England will show on Sunday.
Overall, both teams are going in different directions. The Chargers will continue their losing ways and in the end, it could result in Norv Turner losing his job.
Patriots by nine: 32-23.
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
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This is a crucial game for both the Raiders and the Broncos. The winner stays in contention for the AFC West crown, while the other team will be put in a position where .500 will be a goal for the season.
I'm giving the victory to the Denver Broncos, who, at home, has proven to be capable of beating any team in the league.
Kyle Orton will have a big day against the Raiders defense, who won't have many opportunities to feast on turnovers.
More importantly, it is a revolving door at the quarterback position for the Raiders. Whether it is Jason Campbell or Kyle Boller, it won't make a huge difference as the veteran secondary of the Broncos will contain them.
Broncos win by 10 at home.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
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The biggest game of the weekend is between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers. Brett Favre makes his second return to Green Bay as a member of the Vikings and looks to put his team back in the hunt of the NFC race.
I predict the Vikings will pull off the win, which will drop the Packers to a third-straight loss, and the fourth of the season.
Favre is getting into a groove with his receivers, just in time to face a unit that got torched by Brandon Marshall last week.
The Packers also continue to be plagued with injuries on both sides of the ball. Green Bay's offense lost Jermichael Finley a few weeks ago, hurting them immensely.
Jared Allen always shows up to play Green Bay's questionable offensive line, and I believe he will bring countless pressure on Rodgers all night.
Favre gets the last laugh again at Green Bay. Vikings win 32-27.
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
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It is desperation time for the Dallas Cowboys. With a win, the NFC East race becomes even that much wider as four teams have a shot at the division crown.
A loss will not only put them three games out but will begin to put doubt in the minds of many players in the locker room.
This is the perfect week to get the win. New York's secondary is questionable and tends to commit a good amount of penalties just like Dallas.
The key will be the Giants offense against Dallas' defense, as typically this matchup has never featured a lot of points on the board.
It's Monday Night Football, and they are in their home building. Cowboys sneak out with a win, 27-21.
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