NFL Picks Week 7: Green Bay Packers, Ravens and Heavyweights That Will Dominate

NFL Week 7 is nearly here, and like every season, there are an elite few—a set of teams that have begun pulling away from the the rest of the league.

Teams like the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots are all alone atop their respective conferences and seem poised to meet in February.

Although nothing's locked up just yet, these three teams are without a doubt among the NFL's best, which is why they will dominate in Week 7:

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers takes his MVP-caliber 2011 campaign on the road this week against division rival Minnesota.

The Packers should find 7-0 easier to come by then the previous six wins this season.

The bottom line: No Brett Favre—rookie Christian Ponder will make his first career start—for the Vikes, no problem for the Pack.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens looked awfully impressive last week against the Houston Texans, winning for the third straight game and looking dominant in the process.

Baltimore and rookie quarterbacks don't get along however, so Blaine Gabbert be warned.

The bottom line: The Jags are the league's worst passing team, and the Ravens don't just stop teams on D, they turn teams over.

New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees and the Saints hit a road block last week in Tampa, but this week they bounce back at home against the winless Colts.

Curtis Painter will keep Indy in the game early, but there is simply just too much firepower for Brees and the Saints' offense to work with in this game.

The bottom line: Indy is winless, with the NFL's 28th ranked offense and 30th ranked rushing defense.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter @_Pat_Clarke