NFL Teams on Upset Alert for Week 7

Do NFL teams really sneak up on anyone?

Physically, of course, the thought is absurd. NFL players are ginormous. The mental image of 340-pound Andre Smith or even 6'5", 245-pound Cam Newton tip-toeing up behind someone is nonsensical. 

OK, I get it, "sneaking up" is just a turn of phrase. The problem is, the analogy is just as weak when you consider how intense the business of the NFL truly is. Gigantic coaching staffs and advance scouting teams keep every team prepared for every week of the year.

There is no Savannah State for the NFL's elite.

Any team can win on any given Sunday (or Thursday or Monday), so which teams are on upset alert this week?

New York Giants (vs. Washington Redskins)

Speaking of the Giants...

Last year's Giants lost twice, inexplicably, to the Redskins. Yes, a Redskins team that could barely beat anyone else twice bested the eventual Super Bowl champs. This year, the 'Skins are bringing Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris to the party.

The Giants are riding high and are every bit the offensive powerhouse they were en route to the Lombardi Trophy, but no one should be surprised if Mike Shanahan still has Tom Coughlin's number.

Dallas Cowboys (vs. Carolina Panthers)

These two teams are both underachieving this season. So, in all fairness, just flip a coin as to which one will look worse here. Will it be poor clock management, play-calling, quarterbacking and defensive breakdowns on one side of the field or the other? It's just so exciting!

Will Cam Newton don the dreaded towel, or will fans be treated to Tony Romo's nonchalant backward (yet always slightly askew) baseball cap of doom?

There is, sadly, no algorithm for so much apathy on both sides in this matchup. No one can predict which team will crap the bed more soundly.

Carolina is the home dog, but maybe Dez Bryant remembers to bring his hands along to Charlotte. He'll need to if the Cowboys want to win.

Green Bay Packers (vs. St. Louis Rams)

The Packers are rolling right now, but that doesn't mean that their offensive line has magically gotten better. Kudos for neutralizing the Texans' zone-blitzing scheme and succeeding against the NFL's best defensive lineman in J.J. Watt.

The problem is, the Packers need to continue to succeed against good pass-rushers week in and week out. This week, Jeff Fisher is going to be sending the house at Aaron Rodgers, and guys like Chris Long and Robert Quinn are licking their chops.

Yes, the Packers should win this game (as should the other favored teams on this list), but the Rams are not going to roll over for a team that has looked so vulnerable this season.

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Michael Schottey is the NFL national lead writer for Bleacher Report and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Find more of his stuff alongside other great writers at "The Go Route."