NFL Predictions Week 7: Tennessee Titans and Teams That Will Pick Up Key Wins

There are several elite teams with byes in Week 7 which means there will be an opportunity for some other squads to steal the headlines. And it's not too early to start thinking about playoff implications, either. With those things in mind, here are three teams that will pick up important victories on Sunday.

Detroit Lions

Thanks to a 5-0 start, the Lions put themselves in a good spot as far as the playoffs go. A loss against the Atlanta Falcons could push them right back into the pack of chasing teams, though. That makes Sunday's home game vitally important.

Without Jahvid Best, the Lions offense will probably utilize a more pass-oriented approach. Since Matthew Stafford is playing so well, that shouldn't be a major problem, but Maurice Morris will still need to provide some semblance of balance.

Detroit understands that a loss will all but wipe out its strong start and should have a lot of motivation after last week's post-game scuffle. Lions by a field goal.

Oakland Raiders

It's been a crazy week in Oakland. Most notably the trade for Carson Palmer, who isn't likely to play this week, which was mighty costly. The veteran quarterback should be ready following the team's bye week, however.

Lost in all the Palmer conversation is a very important game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders are attempting to keep pace with the San Diego Chargers in the AFC West and can't afford a loss to an improving Kansas City team, which should be fresh after a week off.

The Raiders will lean heavily on Darren McFadden and the game will be an ugly, ground-and-pound affair. It won't be easy, but Oakland finds a way to win by a touchdown.

Tennessee Titans

When Peyton Manning went down with a neck injury, most prognosticators handed the Houston Texans the AFC South by default. The Tennessee Titans have made sure it wasn't that easy for Houston, which is the opponent this week for first place in the AFC South.

The most interesting thing about the Titans is how successful they've been despite dreadful performances from Chris Johnson. If the explosive runner could find his pre-lockout form, this would become a very dangerous team.

Tennessee lucks out since Houston will once again be without Andre Johnson. Coming off a bye against an average Texans run defense, maybe this is the week Johnson finally puts the Titans on his back and rushes them to victory. They maintain first place with a four-point win.