NFL Week 7 Picks: Predicting the Winners of All 15 Matchups

After a great deal of parity throughout the early part of the NFL season, Week 7 could be a chance for the best teams to separate themselves from the rest of the league.

While there are a number of intriguing matchups, many of the games feature battles between one team playing well and another just trying to hang on. Then again, the inconsistency of this league could lead to upsets in any of the games we think will be one-sided.

Either way, we should get a better idea of which teams are truly the best in the NFL after this week. Here are predictions for every game with a breakdown of the top matchups of the weekend.

Date	Time (ET)	Away	Home	Pick
Oct. 16	8:25 p.m.	New York Jets	New England Patriots	Patriots
Oct. 19	1 p.m.	Atlanta Falcons	Baltimore Ravens	Ravens
Oct. 19	1 p.m.	Tennessee Titans	Washington Redskins	Redskins
Oct. 19	1 p.m.	Seattle Seahawks	St. Louis Rams	Seahawks
Oct. 19	1 p.m.	Cleveland Browns	Jacksonville Jaguars	Browns
Oct. 19	1 p.m.	Cincinnati Bengals	Indianapolis Colts	Colts
Oct. 19	1 p.m.	Minnesota Vikings	Buffalo Bills	Vikings
Oct. 19	1 p.m.	Miami Dolphins	Chicago Bears	Bears
Oct. 19	1 p.m.	New Orleans Saints	Detroit Lions	Lions
Oct. 19	1 p.m.	Carolina Panthers	Green Bay Packers	Packers
Oct. 19	4:05 p.m.	Kansas City Chiefs	San Diego Chargers	Chargers
Oct. 19	4:25 p.m.	Arizona Cardinals	Oakland Raiders	Cardinals
Oct. 19	4:25 p.m.	New York Giants	Dallas Cowboys	Cowboys
Oct. 19	8:30 p.m.	San Francisco 49ers	Denver Broncos	Broncos
Oct. 20	8:30 p.m.	Houston Texans	Pittsburgh Steelers	Texans

Top Games to Watch

San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

The San Francisco 49ers have had some slip-ups this season, but they are still one of the most talented teams in the NFL. If they can get on a roll, they can once again contend for an appearance in the Super Bowl.

Considering the team will not get contributions from All-Pro linebackers Aldon Smith and NaVorro Bowman until the second half of the season, it simply has to hold on until then.

Containing Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos offense has not been an easy task for anyone. Judy Battista of NFL.com noted how well he played against the New York Jets in what seemed like an off day:

The future Hall of Fame quarterback currently sits at 506 career touchdown passes, which puts him two behind Brett Favre for the all-time record. Still, he explained after his latest win that all he cares about is winning:

"

We have the 49ers next week at home. It’s the team that’s been one of the dominant teams in the NFL the past couple of years. That’s all I’m thinking about. I’m just trying to find a way to win the game. If Ronnie wants to run for four touchdowns next week, I promise you I’m in favor of that. Whatever happens along the way, certainly we’ll handle it and we’ll deal with it.

"

With the Broncos defense playing better lately as well, Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers could be in trouble in this road game. 

Prediction: Broncos 31, 49ers 20

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Many fans in Cincinnati are blaming the recent tie on Mike Nugent, who missed a 36-yard field goal as time expired. However, he is not responsible for the two turnovers, the 13 penalties or the fact that the defense allowed 37 points.

The miscues were a problem throughout the game, and Nugent was just the icing on the cake. After a 3-0 start, the team is now winless in the last two weeks.

Even with various injuries, this is one of the most talented squads in the NFL on both sides of the ball. There is no excuse for the mistakes, but they are preventing this team from achieving greatness.

To make matters worse, the schedule gets even tougher with a road game at Indianapolis. The Colts have been playing extremely well, earning four wins in a row behind a quarterback who is quickly becoming one of the best in the league.

Charley Casserly of CBS Sports has been impressed with Andrew Luck's play:

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith also likes what he has seen:

The Colts have the No. 1 scoring offense in the league, going against a defense that has now allowed 80 points in the last two games. This could be a high-scoring battle, but Indianapolis should come out on top.

Prediction: Colts 34, Bengals 31

Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers

When the Packers dropped to 1-2 on the season, fans had to be reminded to relax, because Aaron Rodgers would take care of business. When the team went down 24-20 in the closing minutes against the Miami Dolphins, the quarterback once again remained calm and put the team on his back:

Rodgers capped the win with a four-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Quarless with three seconds remaining. This came after a fake spike brought the team to the 4-yard line.

There are still serious questions surrounding the Packers, including the poor rushing attack behind Eddie Lacy and a defense allowing the most rushing yards per game. However, as long as Rodgers is under center, this team will be all right.

Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com noted an impressive stat for the former MVP:

He should have no problem putting up big numbers once again against a defense that has struggled mightily over the past few weeks. After allowing just 21 total points in the first two games, Carolina has allowed an average of 34 points per game in the last four.

Cam Newton remains one of the toughest players to defend in the NFL, especially when he runs like he did Sunday, but aside from rookie standout Kelvin Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen, he has very little help around him. He will put up a fight, but he will come up short against the Packers.

Prediction: Packers 28, Panthers 24

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