NFL Picks Week 7: Which Games Will Come Down to the Wire?

Picking the game for Week 7 of the NFL regular season is a dangerous proposition.

Week 6 of NFL action saw the Seattle Seahawks upset the Chicago Bears in a 23-20 nail-biter.

Which games in Week 7 will keep fans on the edge of their seats?

3. San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 10: Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers runs against Nate Allen #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on October 10, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

My, this could be a stinker between two very bad teams. The 49ers (1-5) are coming off a 17-9 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Meanwhile, the Panthers (0-5) are coming off a bye after the Bears creamed them 23-6. 

Carolina is last in the NFL in scoring (10.4 points per game), total yards per game (236), and passing yards per game (136.4).

Carolina has been struggling at quarterback. Jimmy Clausen and Matt Moore will once again trade places, as Moore will get the start against San Francisco.

The 49ers are not that much better at scoring (15.5 points per game, 30th in the league), but they could wake up against the Panthers. They will probably attack with star running back Frank Gore, because Carolina is strong against the pass, allowing 182.4 yards per game.

The Panthers' rush defense has struggled, surrendering 134.4 yards per game. This should benefit Gore, who has struggled so far season, rushing for only 471 yards and a touchdown in six games.

Moore has deficiencies in his passing game, but the weak 49ers secondary has given up over 200 yards per game. Steve Smith could have a field day in Charlotte.

Prediction: San Francisco

2. Washington Redskins vs. Chicago Bears

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins is sacked by Clint Session #55 and Pat Angerer #51 of the Indianapolis Colts in first quarter action at FedExField on October 17, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Wi

Both the Bears and Redskins are coming off tough loses.The Skins fell to 3-3 after losing in the last minute to the Indianapolis Colts, 27-24.

The Bears similarly let one slip away, dropping a 23-20 contest at home.

The NFC North-leading Bears are one game ahead of the Green Bay Packers, while the 'Skins are a win behind the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants in the NFC East.

Washington comes into the game with the worst defense in terms of total yards, allowing 420 yards per game. However, Chicago has one of the worst offenses, gaining only 285.2 yards a game, 29th in the league. The running backs also have a flat tire, averaging 92.3 yards per game, 26th in the league.

Watch for the Bears to exploit Washington's secondary. Its defensive backs allow 298.2 aerial yards per game, so Jay Cutler and his receivers could get into a groove. Devin Hester and Johnny Knox could give the 'Skins a run for their money.

But if Mike Martz decides to not utilize the run game, even though the Redskins' run defense gives up an average of 121.8 yards per game, Washington could drop more backs and linebackers into coverage to smother the Bears passing game.

These clubs are evenly matched, so this should be a good one.

Prediction: Redskins

1. Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a pass during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cowboys 24

Sunday Night Football will have the closest matchup, pitting two rivals against each other with the victor closing in on the first-place Bears.

Green Bay (3-3) and Minnesota (2-3) have had disappointing starts for Super Bowl-caliber teams.

The Packers lost starting running back Ryan Grant for the season, and rookie James Starks is banged up. Brandon Jackson is now the starter.

Mike Neal, Brady Poppinga and Jermichael Finley will miss Sunday.

On the bright side, cornerback Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby return, and safety Anthony Smith (traded from Jacksonville) will help bolster a hurting secondary. 

The Vikings (2-3) won an all-important game in Dallas 24-21 last week. Now, quarterback Brett Favre will have new toy Randy Moss at his disposal. Moss has a touchdown reception in each of his last six games against the Packers. Favre could find Moss or Percy Harvin open in the Packers' patched-up secondary.

Minnesota's Adrian Peterson could open up his team's passing attack if he has a hot night, passing the Pack's front seven and denting its secondary.

Aaron Rodgers will face his mentor Favre again. So far this season, Rodgers has four more touchdowns and over 500 more passing yards than Favre, who has not performed well this year. If Donald Driver makes a strong recovery from his quad injury, he and Greg Jennings could keep the Vikings' defense honest and give the running game a chance against Jared Allen and Pat and Kevin Williams.

This game will provide the drama of a playoff atmosphere.

Pick: Minnesota