NFL Picks Week 7: Predictions and Scores for Weekend's Top Games

If this were a normal NFL season, the slate of games for Week 7 would almost all be must-watch television.

Only two games on Sunday feature teams playing each other that are .500 or better. One of those teams (the Philadelphia Eagles) might be the worst .500 team in the NFL and is traveling to undefeated Carolina to play the Panthers. The other game is set for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff, which is not good for any West Coast football viewers.

Overall, this is a ho-hum slate of games that don't jump off the page. There are some key divisional matchups, but none are as eye-popping as they would be any other year.

Let's predict some scores and look at key matchups for Week 7.

Away	Score	Home
Buffalo Bills	17-24	Jacksonville Jaguars
Minnesota Vikings	27-21	Detroit Lions
New Orleans Saints	28-24	Indianapolis Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers	20-17	Kansas City Chiefs
Houston Texans	17-31	Miami Dolphins
New York Jets	20-30	New England Patriots
Cleveland Browns	24-17	St. Louis Rams
Atlanta Falcons	37-10	Tennessee Titans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	24-21	Washington Redskins
Oakland Raiders	20-17	San Diego Chargers
Dallas Cowboys	17-24	New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles	14-34	Carolina Panthers
Baltimore Ravens	24-27	Arizona Cardinals

New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

This is a must-win for both of these teams in this Super Bowl XLIV rematch at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The New Orleans Saints salvaged their season with a stunning 31-21 win over the previously undefeated Atlanta Falcons 10 days ago. Although it will take even more miracles to get back into the NFC South race, or even the NFC playoff picture, the Saints come to Indianapolis with plenty of reasons to be confident.

Drew Brees threw for 312 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Falcons on Oct. 15, and if there's one thing the Colts can't do it's stop the pass. Indianapolis has given up an average of 289.2 passing yards per game through six games and allowed 312 to Tom Brady last Sunday.

The Colts defense has been bad, and even at home, it'll take a lot to stop Brees. The Saints didn't need to run the ball against Atlanta to win. Mark Ingram only ran for 46 yards on 20 carries. New Orleans wins after another efficient day from Brees.

Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Everyone should get on the Cam Newton-for-MVP bandwagon, if there's still room.

The Carolina Panthers should not be 5-0 at this point, but that 27-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday proved a lot about Newton and the collective effort of this team. The Panthers don't play perfect football, as evidenced by their 28th-ranked passing offense. But who needs to pass when your quarterback can also run the ball like Newton has?

Simply put, Carolina is a far better team than the Eagles. There will not come another time this year that Sam Bradford throws three interceptions and Philadelphia wins by 20.

Not only that, but the Eagles aren't the healthiest bunch right now. The team announced rookie receiver Nelson Agholor has been ruled out with an ankle injury, and top linebackers Mychal Kendricks (hamstring) and DeMeco Ryans (hamstring) are both questionable.

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer also notes the Eagles may be without wide receiver Riley Cooper, which is even more bad news for Bradford:

This game will be over by halftime. The Panthers win comfortably and begin their three-game homestand on the right note.

New York Jets at New England Patriots

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

This is the week we learn if the New York Jets are for real or if they are who we thought they were.

The Jets have been one of the league's biggest surprises. At 4-1, they've done very well, but Todd Bowles' crew has yet to play a true contender, especially one of the caliber of the defending Super Bowl champions.

Tom Brady is on a mission. The Patriots could very well go 16-0. The stars have lined up to this point. Brady has won seven of his last eight meetings against the Jets and has thrown 14 touchdowns to three interceptions during that span.

NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt notes that if there's any hope for the Jets on Sunday, it may come from the secondary and the returning Darrelle Revis:

Until the Jets have proved they can beat a contender, judgment will be reserved on them. New England will win and continue its quest toward world domination.