NFL Week 7 Picks: Final Predictions and Over-Under Odds Before Thursday Night

Week 7 kicks off with a key AFC East matchup between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots on Thursday night. It's crucial for the Jets to get back on track before it's too late, while the Patriots are trying to re-establish their division dominance after a sluggish start.

It's a tough game to forecast from an over-under perspective. The fact that five of the past six meetings have topped the line of 45 and Tom Brady's recent resurgence suggest over is the pick. But the struggles of the Jets offense make it far from a certainty.

Let's check out the complete slate of games on tap for Week 7 along with over-under predictions for each contest. That's followed by a closer examination of some of the best options on the board.

Week 7 Over-Under Picks

Date	Road	Home	Line	Pick
Oct. 16	Jets	Patriots	45	Over
Oct. 19	Falcons	Ravens	49.5	Under
Oct. 19	Titans	Redskins	46	Under
Oct. 19	Seahawks	Rams	43.5	Over
Oct. 19	Browns	Jaguars	45	Under
Oct. 19	Bengals	Colts	49	Over
Oct. 19	Vikings	Bills	43	Under
Oct. 19	Dolphins	Bears	49	Under
Oct. 19	Saints	Lions	48.5	Over
Oct. 19	Panthers	Packers	49	Under
Oct. 19	Chiefs	Chargers	44.5	Over
Oct. 19	Cardinals	Raiders	44	Under
Oct. 19	Giants	Cowboys	48	Under
Oct. 19	49ers	Broncos	50.5	Over
Oct. 20	Texans	Steelers	44.5	Over

Top Choices

Minnesota Vikings vs. Buffalo Bills (Under)

There are reasons for optimism in Buffalo. The run defense is finally living up to its talent level to lead the league in yards allowed. Kyle Orton has stepped in for EJ Manuel to complete 67 percent of his throws and average over 300 yards through two starts.

Alas, the one area in which it was thought the Bills would definitely thrive—the rushing attack—has become a liability. The tandem of C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson hasn't been nearly as reliable as past years. Better blocking would surely help, but the onus remains on them to make plays.

The team passed along comments from Jackson, who summed up last week's effort simply:

Minnesota's offense has struggled in its own right. The team has scored 10 points or fewer in four of the past five games. It's coming off a game in which it tallied just 212 total yards and turned the ball over three times in a loss to the Detroit Lions.

When you pair those offensive issues with defenses that both rank inside the top 11 in yards allowed, it points toward a low-scoring battle. That's why, even though the line is low compared to the rest, under is the selection.

New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions (Over)

If Calvin Johnson returns from an ankle injury, this is probably the lock of the week. It makes more sense for the Lions to rest him through the bye week to make sure he's back to full strength, though. That doesn't mean these two offenses can't have a shootout.

The Saints have fought through some injuries and still rank second offensively at more than 440 yards per game. They are going to provide the best test to date for a surprisingly productive Detroit defense, which has benefited from feasting on some lesser offenses.

Paula Pasche of The Oakland Press notes that the matchup when the opposite two units are on the field is just as even:

Even without Johnson, the Lions should be able to move the ball consistently against a Saints squad giving up more than 28 points per game. It's the perfect recipe for Matthew Stafford and Co. to get back on track after a lackluster showing against a stronger Vikings defense last week.

The prevailing wisdom may suggest under, especially if Johnson is unable to suit up, but both offense vs. defense matchups are tossups. Given the amount of talent on the offensive side, this could very well become an unexpected shootout and cover the over in the process.

Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Under)

The Jaguars have been more competitive in recent weeks despite their record falling to 0-6. It's mostly due to stronger play on the defensive side of the ball. The offense is still a major issue. The unit hasn't scored more than 17 points in a game with the halfway mark on the horizon.

Run defense has been the biggest area of improvement for the Jags. They held the Titans to fewer than three yards per carry last week and rank 11th in the category overall. It gives them a good chance to at least slow down a Cleveland attack that relies heavily on the ground game.

Brian Hoyer has pushed Johnny Manziel aside with strong play through five games. The third-ranked rushing attack opens up a lot of opportunities for him, though. If Jacksonville can take that aspect away, the challenge becomes far more difficult for the Browns.

The Jaguars should do their part in staying low. The question is how many points the Browns will score. Ultimately, there have been enough positive signs for the Jacksonville defense to keep the final total in the upper 30s, safely under the line.