NFL picks, predictions for Week 7: Ravens stay hot vs. Bengals; Chiefs cool Titans; Saints edge Seahawks

The Week 7 NFL schedule features four matchups between teams with records of .500 or better, and three of those are in the AFC. 

That starts with the Thursday Night Football matchup between 3-3 teams in the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos. Both teams are on losing streaks, and it’s never too early for a must-win situation. The loser could fall out of their division race sooner than expected. 

The early window features two other AFC matchups. The Chiefs visit the Titans, and the Bengals face the Ravens. Cincinnati is the surprise 4-2 team of the bunch, and this is Joe Burrow’s chance to beat another AFC North opponent on the road. 

Chicago travels to Tampa Bay in the other matchup. The Buccaneers lost to the Bears on Thursday Night Football last season, but they are double-digit favorites this time. 

Each week, Sporting News will pick games straight up, and we’re looking to continue the hot streak. Here is a look at our season totals: 

With that in mind, below are our picks and predictions for Week 7: 

NFL POWER RANKINGS:
Raiders, Steelers rise again; Browns, Bears, Seahawks slide for Week 7

NFL picks predictions for Week 7

Thursday, 8:20 p.m., FOX/NFL Network 

The Browns are dealing with injuries all over the place, the most significant being Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, who will miss multiple weeks. Baker Mayfield also has a nagging shoulder injury. The Broncos can compete here, but their defense has allowed too much in the passing game the last two weeks in losses to the Steelers and Raiders. Cleveland gets a win and much-needed rest, but it will be tight.

Pick: Browns 27, Broncos 21

Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX

Washington has the league’s worst-scoring defense, and they have given up 30 or more points in four straight games. That’s bad news against Green Bay at home. The Packers are beat up in the secondary, and Washington can hang around longer than expected.

Pick: Packers 31, Washington 24

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The Titans have a short week before welcoming the Chiefs, who despite concerns still rank in the top five in yardage and points. Both teams allow too much in the passing game, so Patrick Mahomes and Ryan Tannehill should put up big numbers.

Pick: Chiefs 34, Titans 29

Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX

Atlanta is coming off a bye week after playing in three straight one-score games, and the Dolphins are coming off an embarrassing loss in London. Miami needs the running game to pick up around Tua Tagovailoa, who was efficient in his first start back from injury. We’ll take the home team in a light upset.

Pick: Dolphins 30, Falcons 27

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

Rookie Zach Wilson has struggled with completion percentage (57.1) and interceptions (9). Mac Jones has thrown interceptions (6) too, but he has a 71.1 completion percentage. The Patriots sweep the Jets.

Pick: Patriots 25, Jets 15

Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX

The Giants average 11.7 points per game at home, and the Panthers have a -5 turnover ratio through a three-game losing streak. That makes this a true toss-up game that could be an eye-sore. Anything can happen at that point, even a New York home victory.

Pick: Giants 20, Panthers 19

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

The Bengals have been one of the surprise teams of the first third of the season around second-year quarterback Joe Burrow. Problem is they are running into one of the league’s hottest teams in the Ravens and MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, who is 5-0 against the Bengals as a starter. The last three meetings have not been close, but this Cincinnati team is different.

Pick: Ravens 30, Bengals 22

Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX

The Raiders beat Denver in Week 6, and they continue to be an up-and-down in the AFC West. Same goes for Philadelphia, who has played tough against some of the NFL’s best teams. Jalen Hurts seals this upset with the game-winning drive.

Pick: Eagles 27, Raiders 22

Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX

This is one of three afternoon games with a double-digit spread. It’s also Matthew Stafford’s first game against his former team; one he should be able to exploit given the Lions’ defensive issues. That line might continue to tick up, too. 

Pick: Rams 36, Lions 20

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS

The Cardinals are the lone unbeaten team, and they are 5-1 ATS this season with the fourth-highest scoring offense in football. Arizona has not beat a team by more than 17 points at home this season, however. Even against a dreadful Houston offense, that’s something to monitor.

Pick: Cardinals 38, Texans 22

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS

Buccaneers, meanwhile, are 2-4 ATS this season. Those covers were as double-digit favorites, which is the case against the Bears. Chicago is 1-2 on the road this season with a pair of 20-points losses.

Pick: Buccaneers 32, Bears 19

Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC

How many former FCS quarterbacks can fit on one NFL field? San Francisco has a murky situation with Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance, and Carson Wentz has thrown multiple TDs without an interception in his last three starts. The Colts can pick off the 49ers in a close one if Wentz continues that trend.

Pick: Colts 26, 49ers 23

Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN

The Saints are 2-1 on the road this season, and they had a bye week to prepare for the Seahawks. New Orleans is 12-6 after a bye week since Sean Payton took over in 2006. Seattle will compete at home, and Jameis Winston must avoid the big turnover.

Pick: Saints 28, Seahawks 24 

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