NFL Predictions Week 7: Last-Minute Picks and Advice for Sunday's Schedule

The stage is set for yet another Sunday full of epic battles on the gridiron, as Week 7 of the 2014 NFL season is stocked with highly competitive matchups, including some pivotal divisional contests. At this time of the year, the league's pecking order becomes clearer, and Sunday's games will help establish that hierarchy.

Will the Seattle Seahawks rebound from a rare home loss? Will the Dallas Cowboys maintain their standing as the NFL's hottest team? Can Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos offense flourish against a stout San Francisco 49ers defense? As we await the answers to these questions, speculation is in order.

Vegas oddsmakers have already attached spreads to each game, and based on impending matchups, ongoing injuries and current trends, we're able to make educated predictions for every contest. Here's a look at picks against the spread for all of Sunday's action.

Matchup	Odds	Pick ATS	Reason
Falcons at Ravens	BAL -6.5	Ravens	Atlanta's secondary and lack of pass rush are concerns against Baltimore's resurgent passing attack.
Browns at Jaguars	CLE -6	Browns	The Browns are a better team than most think. They'll continue to roll against one of the league's worst.
Vikings at Bills	BUF -5	Bills	Teddy Bridgewater is in line for another rough game against Buffalo's pass rush.
Titans at Redskins	WAS -7	Redskins	Washington has enough playmakers to put up points. Tennessee doesn't.
Seahawks at Rams	SEA -7.5	Seahawks	Seattle will be more than ready for this one after a home loss in Week 6.
Dolphins at Bears	CHI -3.5	Bears	The Bears offense rolled in Week 6, and Miami doesn't have the firepower to keep up.
Saints at Lions	DET -1	Lions	The underachieving Saints offense won't fare so well against a dominant Lions defense.
Panthers at Packers	GB -7	Panthers	See analysis below.
Bengals at Colts	IND -3.5	Colts	Andrew Luck outduels Andy Dalton in a close aerial shootout.
Chiefs at Chargers	SD -3.5	Chargers	Kansas City's offense won't be able to keep up with Philip Rivers and Co.
Giants at Cowboys	DAL -7	Cowboys	See analysis below.
Cardinals at Raiders	ARI -3.5	Cardinals	With Carson Palmer back in the fold, the Cardinals offense will continue to roll.
49ers at Broncos	DEN -7	Broncos	Both teams are very talented, but it's tough to go against Peyton Manning at home.

All game odds courtesy of Odds Shark and current as of October 18.

Pick Analysis

Carolina Panthers (+7) at Green Bay Packers

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

This one will be closer than you think. We shouldn't be expecting much defense in this contest, as Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton figure to have big games.

Green Bay's pass defense has been surprisingly good this season. Heading into Week 7, the unit is ranked fifth in the league, allowing just 213.5 yards through the air per game. However, the team is not so great against the run, ranking dead last and allowing an average of 154.4 yards each week.

In Week 6, Newton reaffirmed why he is one of the league's most dangerous quarterbacks, throwing for 284 yards and two scores while rushing for 107 yards and another touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.

NFL tweeted a scary question for all opposing defenses:

Tight end Greg Olsen continues to be a very reliable target, while rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin has been a revelation for Carolina's passing game. Expect Newton and Co. to put up some serious points on a Packers defense that has allowed at least 24 points in three of six games this season.

Rodgers should have a field day of his own. The Panthers are allowing an average of 252.3 passing yards per game, but Andy Dalton put up 323 yards through the air against this unit—without A.J. Green—in Week 6. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb should feast on Sunday.

The Packers have more balance on offense and have been more consistent this year. Home-field advantage will factor in to a Green Bay victory as well, but Newton will do enough to keep it close and cover the spread.

Prediction: Packers 31, Panthers 27

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-7)

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

For three weeks, it looked like the Giants were quickly becoming a team to beat this season. However, that notion went right out the window following a Sunday Night Football debacle resulting in a 27-0 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Granted, the Eagles have been very good this season, but the Cowboys have been even better—and New York gets to follow up that devastating loss with a trip to Dallas in Week 7.

Ever since the Cowboys offense adjusted to a run-oriented scheme, it has been highly effective. DeMarco Murray has rattled off six consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, and quarterback Tony Romo continues to play some very efficient football.

Here's a look at how effective Murray has been this season, via NFL on ESPN:

Dallas traveled to Seattle in Week 6 and gave Russell Wilson just his second career home loss thanks to an all-around brilliant team effort. Murray rushed for 115 yards and a score, and Romo threw for 250 yards and two scores. Furthermore, the Cowboys defense held Seattle's offense to just 206 total yards.

That's not too shabby against the defending Super Bowl champions.

Meanwhile, the Giants took a huge step backward against the Eagles. The offensive line couldn't protect Eli Manning, which resulted in six sacks and just 151 passing yards. Running back Andre Williams didn't have much room to maneuver, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry.

New York's defense didn't fare much better, allowing LeSean McCoy to accumulate a season-high 149 yards on the ground. Philadelphia's offense racked up a total of 448 yards, 24 first downs and 27 points.

The Giants are meeting the Cowboys at the wrong time. Dallas is riding high after a big win, and New York lost all of its previously established momentum. This contest has all the makings of another letdown performance by the visiting team.

Prediction: Cowboys 27, Giants 13