NFL Predictions Week 7: Packers vs. Vikings and Games That Will End in Blowouts

Despite the fact that the NFL is probably more competitive now than it ever has been, not every game can come down to the wire. There are inevitably going to be some one-sided games that pit a clearly more talented team against a much weaker one.

While anything can happen in the vast majority of games, there are some games where the outcome is obvious heading in. Here are three Week 7 games are sure to end in blowouts, so while they may not be great to watch, they will be very helpful to your fantasy teams.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars may have been able to hang in there against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, but I don't anticipate the same result on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have been dominant in each of their four wins this season, and I don't expect this to be any different.

Jacksonville relies heavily on running back Maurice Jones-Drew, but he may find it hard to get things going against Baltimore's stout defense. This might force the Jags into throwing more, and that could be a recipe for disaster for rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Also, Baltimore's well-balanced offense should have little problem putting up points against Jacksonville's middle-of-the-pack defense. The Ravens will be equally capable of beating the Jags on the ground with running back Ray Rice or with an aerial attack led by quarterback Joe Flacco.

Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints

For the past decade the Indianapolis Colts have been on the positive side of plenty of blowouts. With legendary quarterback Peyton Manning on the shelf, however, the script has certainly been flipped. The Colts could be in for another rough one on Sunday night against the explosive New Orleans Saints.

New Orleans is sure to be agitated and out for blood after a narrow loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, and may take it out on the hapless Colts. Indianapolis has been a mess on both sides of the ball, although the offense has improved a bit since Curtis Painter took over at quarterback.

Indy's defense has been an abomination and that is likely to continue thanks to the surgical accuracy of Saints quarterback Drew Brees. This may also be a game where rookie running back Mark Ingram can get going due to the Colts' porous run defense. Whatever the case, the Saints are poised to put up a huge point total.

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings

After rolling past the Arizona Cardinals two weeks ago, it looked as if the Minnesota Vikings were finally back on track. An embarrassing thrashing at the hands of the Chicago Bears last Sunday night squashed any such notion, however.

Things are unlikely to get any better in Week 7 when the Vikings host the undefeated Green Bay Packers. Green Bay has seemed unstoppable at times this season and this is likely to be the case against Minnesota, particularly when quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws the ball.

Minnesota's only hope for offensive success is if running back Adrian Peterson runs wild. The Packers have a very good run defense, though, so they may be able to hold him in check. This would force the Vikes to throw with rookie quarterback Christian Ponder who will be making his first career start, and that would clearly favor Green Bay.