NFL Predictions Week 7: Oakland Raiders and 5 Teams Who Will Get Crucial Wins

Carson Palmer and the Oakland Raiders are ready to begin their march toward the NFL playoffs, and the first opponent standing in their way is the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Raiders are barely behind the San Diego Chargers in the AFC West, and have the talent to make a run at the division title.

Several other teams are looking to strengthen their playoff chances this week with big victories, including the Washington Redskins, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.

Which teams will earn a crucial victory in Week 7? Let's find out.

San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers is an elite quarterback in the NFL, but does not get the national attention that many of the most popular quarterbacks receive.

Rivers will lead the Chargers to a big road victory over the New York Jets on Sunday, with a passing attack that New York won't be able to stop.

The Chargers offense is more balanced this year with the healthy return of running back Ryan Mathews, who is a factor in both the rushing and passing attacks.

Rivers has many talented receivers to throw to, including Vincent Jackson and tight end Antonio Gates, both of whom create real matchup problems for defenses.

The Chargers will improve to 5-1 and maintain their seat atop the AFC West division with a win over the Jets, whose struggles on offense will doom them this week.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are 3-3 through six games and need a win in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to remain in the hunt for a wild-card playoff berth.

With the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions out to great starts, the NFC North division is not a realistic goal for the Bears anymore.

Chicago will beat the Buccaneers on Sunday with a heavy dose of running back Matt Forte, who has arguably been the most complete RB this season.

Not only is Forte racking up rush yards, he has been a major factor in the passing game on screen plays and short passes.

The Bears defense will come up big against Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman, who has not been too impressive this season.

Without a good running game, Tampa Bay won't have the balanced offensive attack needed to defeat a talented Bears defense.

Chicago gets a big win against the Buccaneers on Sunday to remain in the NFC playoff chase.

Dallas Cowboys

After a tough loss to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots last week, the Dallas Cowboys have the perfect opponent to ignite a winning streak against—the winless St. Louis Rams.

The Rams are battling injuries to key players this week, including quarterback Sam Bradford, who, if he plays, likely won't be too effective against the talented pass-rushers of the Cowboys defense.

Romo will be able to chuck the ball around the yard with ease against a poor Rams pass defense.

With star receivers Miles Austin and Dez Bryant healthy and playing well, this game could be a major performance by Romo, one that gives him the confidence to lead Dallas on a winning streak.

Dallas gets a big win against the Rams this week before they go into a massive showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8.

Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans will get a massive win against the Houston Texans this week, in a game in which the winner will be atop the AFC South division.

Johnson has gotten better as the season has progressed, after getting off to a terrible start. His rushing offense will be key against an improved Texans defense.

Houston quarterback Matt Schaub has not been consistent this season, and hasn't looked too comfortable in late-game situations.

Without all-pro wide receiver Andre Johnson this week, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, Schaub will struggle to lead the Texans to victory.

The Titans will get a major division win this week.

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders will be given a big boost if quarterback Carson Palmer starts this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs, just days after he was acquired via trade at the NFL trade deadline from the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Raiders will rely on running back Darren McFadden to have a good performance on the ground against a poor Chiefs defense.

If Palmer plays, he would be wise to use playmaking wide receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey and Jacoby Ford in the offense, as well as McFadden out of the backfield.

The Chiefs are improving, but they won't beat an Oakland Raiders team with loads of confidence after acquiring a player like Palmer, who at his best can be a top pocket passer in the NFL.

The Raiders offense will put up too many points for the Chiefs to match, and they will control the clock with the running of McFadden.