NFL Predictions: Week Seven

We will be entering Week Seven of the NFL Season and teams are slowly starting to break away from the pack and emerge as early contenders.

The Colts and Broncos are the top two teams in the AFC and are still undefeated. The same thing goes for the Saints and the Vikings in the NFC also being undefeated.

Some teams really suffered some tough losses that put them back further than they wanted to be. For instance, the Jets looked like a sure thing against the Bills. But after a 16-13 overtime loss, some are really questioning whether or not the Jets are for real now?

Also, the Eagles 13-9 loss to the Raiders was brutal. It's so unexplainable because on any other day, the Eagles would easily trounce Oakland, but not on that Sunday.

And finally, the Chargers, who many felt had Super Bowl expectations, are terrible. They lose another nationally televised game, this time to the Broncos and fall to 2-3 in the division while Denver is sitting pretty at 6-0. Changes may be coming for the Chargers when 2009 is over.

Last week, there were a lot of upset games and weird games with wild results, which is why I only went 7-7 in Week Six. Overall for the 2009 Season, I am 64-26 and looking for a better week of picks.

Lets us now look at the schedule for NFL Week Seven.

Indianapolis Colts @ St. Louis Rams

10 years ago, this would have been a fun game to watch. Watching Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison against Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk would have been worth the price of admission.

Now, in 2009, this game is a joke. Because it's between the best team in the NFL and the worst team in the NFL.

Manning is still solid 10 years later, throwing lots of touchdown passes to his receivers and setting the league on fire in another MVP-like season.

The Rams, however, are the furthest thing from "The Greatest Show on Turf" that used to put up 400-plus points during the Kurt Warner-led days. Now, if the 2009 Rams even get to 100 points, it would be a miracle. Through six week, they are at 54 points, which is the lowest mark in the league.

The bookmakers won't be making bets on the outcome of this game. They instead might be making bets on how many touchdown passes Manning throws before he breaks a sweat.

Final Score: Colts 45, Rams 6

New England Patriots @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The third annual London Bowl for the NFL will take place this Sunday, pitting new England against Tampa Bay.

Last week, Tom Brady was back to his old self, throwing six touchdown passes in a 59-0 rout of the Titans. Don't be surprised if Brady airs the ball out in front of the crowd in England.

This is another mismatch of a game between a top team and another team near the bottom. It's a shame, because Tampa Bay was a playoff contender before a collapse last season.

Now, Raheem Morris hasn't won a game yet in his rookie season at head coach. The Bucs can't figure out who should be the starting quarterback. Derrick Ward hasn't lived up to the expectations of his contract.

But, they are haven't lost any games away from the United States. Not until Sunday though. The Patriots have got this one easily.

Final Score: Patriots 40, Buccaneers 13

San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Chargers are one of the most talented teams on paper. On the field, they are a disappointment to watch. Monday night's game against Denver was a good example of that.

Phillip Rivers is good, but it's the rest of his team that is playing poorly. LaDainian Tomlinson is slowly being casted aside. Once an NFL MVP in 2006, LT doesn't even look like a premier back anymore, but more a walking injury. If LT is in a new city next year, I wouldn't be shocked.

So the Chiefs finally got their first win thanks to the pathetic Redskins. Kansas City's defense didn't allow a touchdown and sacked Todd Collins in the end zone for a safety, so a good job by the Chiefs defense. But the Chargers offense is not as pathetic as Washington's is.

Todd Haley got his first win as a head coach. He probably will have to wait another week for his second. San Diego is disappointing, but if they lose this one, then ticket holders for the Chargers deserve their money back for this season.

Final Score: Chargers 27, Chiefs 17

Minnesota Vikings @ Pittsburgh Steelers

This is probably the best game on the schedule, and it's an even better one now because the reigning Super Bowl Champions are playing better football.

Minnesota barely hung on to being undefeated and beat Baltimore 33-31 last week. Brett Favre continues to play well for the Vikings and has yet to show his true age of 40.

The Steelers have won three in a row and are getting back into the thick of the AFC hunt. Better news for them is they got Troy Polamalu back from injury. Without Polamalu, the Steelers defense looked a little lost. Now, it's a deadly unit again.

Playing at Heinz Field in late October might not always be fun for the opponents. It gets cold, the field can get sloppy, and the fans get loud. Favre has overcome adversity early on to stay 6-0.

But this week, it could be Ben Roethlisberger who shines. It should be a fun game to watch though.

Final Score: Steelers 28, Vikings 24

Green Bay Packers @ Cleveland Browns

The Packers had an off week to rest and heal any injuries they might have had. Now they get back into the hunt of the NFC North chase.

Aaron Rodgers has to be better protected by his offensive lineman, otherwise, Rodgers will be watching from a Wisconsin hospital somewhere from taking too many hits. This week might not be a problem for Rodgers.

Why? Because the Browns are awful.

Derek Anderson has been bad. So has been Brady Quinn. They can't pass it. They can't run it. They can't do anything right. But, Eric Mangini somehow still has his job for now.

This may be a good week for Rodgers to throw the ball down field a lot, so look for Donald Driver and Greg Jennings to have big weeks on a terrible Cleveland defense.

Final Score: Packers 31, Browns 7

San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans

Early on, it looked like the 49ers might be the favorite to win the NFC North. But now at 3-2 and tied with the Cardinals, they aren't the major favorites that everyone hoped for.

In their last game, they were torched and embarrassed at home by the Falcons for 45 points, while they managed 10. If you want to be a top NFL football team, games like that at home cannot happen. Ever.

Good news for the 49ers is that Frank Gore practiced and will play in the game for the 49ers.

The Texans have been an odd team in 2009. They either look absolutely dreadful, or can look like a playoff team.

When they look like a playoff team, especially on offense, look out. Matt Schaub can have big games throwing the ball like he did last week against the Bengals.

The only problem is, the Texans defense gives up a lot of points. But at home, and a team looking to stay in the AFC South chase, expect Houston to get stronger.

Final Score: Texans 34, 49ers 24New York Jets @ Oakland Raiders

On paper, this would look like a mis-match. But be careful, because this can be a trap game for the Jets. Just ask the Eagles.

Last week, Mark Sanchez threw for five interceptions in an overtime loss to the Bills. Some are wondering if Rex Ryan will bench Sanchez for Kellen Clemens if he has another terrible game again. If Sanchez does, you might see it here.

The Jets running game did very well as they racked up over 300 yards on the ground. Ryan needs to continue that strategy against the Raiders defense.

Oakland managed to keep the Eagles out of first place with a 13-9 loss and did not allow Philadelphia to score a touchdown at home. The Black Hole of the Oakland Coliseum can be a tough place to play.

The Jets don't want to fall to 3-4 and Ryan doesn't want to go to 3-4. Sanchez doesn't want to be benched already. Expect the Jets to come out with a little sense of urgency and desperation this week.

Final Score: Jets 28, Raiders 20

Atlanta Falcons @ Dallas Cowboys

This is a decent matchup between two NFC opponents and one of the harder games to pick a winner in.

The Falcons won a big Sunday night game against the Bears by holding on 4th down near the goal line and improved to 4-1. The Falcons are looking like a playoff contender again in 2009.

The Cowboys had the week off this past Sunday. In their last game, the Cowboys squeaked by the Chiefs in overtime, but Miles Austin had a coming out party with over 200 yards receiving, so Austin will look to be one of Tony Romo's new favorite targets, especially since Austin will be starting and Patrick Crayton will be benched.

This game could be a close and competitive one, with a playoff feel to it, especially with it being played in Cowboys Stadium. The Falcons aren't as good on the road, and with the Dallas defense looking to get some pressure on Matt Ryan, Dallas might be the favored team this week.

Final Score: Cowboys 27, Falcons 24

Buffalo Bills @ Carolina Panthers

So, Terrell Owens was supposed to make a difference on the Bills?

In last week's game, he had three catches for 13 yards in the Meadowlands. In that building, he's been known to torch defense and torture the home fans with big games. But now, Owens looks like a shell of his former self.

Yet, because the Jets gift-wrapped and delivered a win to the Bills, they have a pulse. But it's barely there.

The Panthers have won two in a row and are playing better football now. They're still not the same playoff team, but they're not the dreadful team that had yet to win a game early on.

John Fox should follow the Jets plan of running the football with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart on the Bills defense, because they can't stop the run.

And don't let Jake Delhomme pass the ball. This is a type of game where six interceptions could happen, and that's the last thing the Carolina crowd wants. So expect Carolina to run the ball with Smash and Dash.

Final Score: Panthers 24, Bills 13

New Orleans Saints @ Miami Dolphins

The Saints are coming off a huge win against the Giants where Drew Brees threw for four touchdowns and had his way with the Giants secondary.

Now the league is taking the Saints seriously, like they were back in 2006 when they made the NFC Championship Game. Only now in 2009, the Saints offense is much better than the one of three years ago.

The Dolphins had a bye week to enjoy their big Monday Night Football win over the Jets, a game where Chad Henne emerged as the team's starting quarterback now. The Wildcat Offense also ran ragged with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, who both look to be in good shape in 2009.

However, the Dolphins offense is not the Saints offense and Miami can't stop anyone on defense, while the Saints defense is very good. Brees should have a field day picking apart the Miami secondary, which is terrible.

If you are wondering how terrible it is, Peyton Manning only had the ball for 15 minutes against the Dolphins and still scored 27 points. Give Brees the ball for more than that and watch the points go up.

Final Score: Saints 37, Dolphins 17

Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Bears were very close to sending their game with the Falcons into overtime, but costly turnovers did them in on national TV.

Jay Cutler just got a two-year extension from the Bears, so now, he is the franchise quarterback for Chicago. They're going to win with him and lose with him.

Aside from Devin Hester, the Bears still don't have those premier receivers for Cutler that he could use. There might be a small part of him that wishes he still had Brandon Marshall.

The Bengals lost a tough game at home and let Matt Schaub throw the ball all over the field. The Bengals running game never got established, but that might change this week.

Cedric Benson is playing against his former team, a team he left on bad terms with. Benson said the Bears tried black-balling him, so if Benson is running a little harder on the Bears defense this week, don't be surprised. He even might be the reason why the Bengals win this week.

Final Score: Bengals 24, Bears 20

Sunday Night Football: Arizona Cardinals @ New York Giants

For another week, the Sunday night game on NBC will again feature two good opponents from the NFC.

The Cardinals are getting back on their feet with two straight wins, including a 27-3 win over the Seahawks last week. Kurt Warner has been throwing the ball in Larry Fitzgerald's direction more lately, which is resulting in touchdowns.

The only problem for the Cardinals is, they are severely banged up. Anquan Boldin has an ankle injury and the Cardinals aren't sure if he will even play. Steve Breaston and Beanie Wells also are banged up and listed as questionable.

The Giants were embarrassed last week in a pivotal NFC matchup with the Saints. Their defense couldn't stop the Saints from scoring, so they may be a little ticked off this week.

The Giants never got their running game established last week, so look for Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw to get going on the Cardinals defense.

Warner has never played well in Giants Stadium as a visitor. The Giants have made his road trips miserable ones and they need to pressure Warner into mistakes. On a cold night in the Meadowlands, the Giants should get back on track on national TV.

Final Score: Giants 35, Cardinals 23

Monday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins

The Eagles lost a rough one to the Raiders last week on the road. Their explosive offense wasn't a factor as they didn't score a single touchdown, which was shocking.

The Eagles have under-achieved some in 2009 when they looked like they might jump out as a top NFL team. In a nationally televised game, they don't want to be embarrassed again, so look for Donovan McNabb to have his A-game on.

The Redskins stripped Jim Zorn of calling plays and now, Sherman Lewis will take over as offensive coordinator. Zorn week by week is slowly getting forced out of Washington. Jason Campbell was benched last week for Todd Collins. Whether Campbell or Collins starts is unknown.

But it really doesn't matter. The Redskins are an awful team. They sign good players like Albert Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall to big time contracts, and then they under-achieve.

This will be the first week in many where the Redskins don't play a winless team, but like the last couple weeks, the same result will happen, a loss.

Final Score: Eagles 30, Redskins 12

Bye Week: Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans

That is the schedule for Week Seven. There are a couple of decent matches to watch, especially with the Vikings-Steelers game and even the Giants-Cardinals game on Sunday night.

This will also be the last week of football played in October as Week Eight will open the new calendar month of November, which means the 2009 NFL Season is really start to pick up and get going.

Hope everyone has a good rest of their week and then come on back for some more NFL football games this weekend.