Week 7 NFL Predictions

Baltimore at Buffalo

Line: Ravens by 3

Buffalo has played above expectations at home and Baltimore’s offense is running hot-and-cold. I’m taking Buffalo outright as a home underdog. Bills 16, Ravens 13

San Francisco at New York Giants

Line: Giants by 9

I wonder what this line would look like if these teams met up in Week 3. Since these teams are moving in dramatically opposite directions, you go with the Giants to cover, especially with Vegas moving the line back almost 2 points. Giants 27, 49ers 10

New England at Miami

Line: Patriots by 16.5

You can forget the “Tom Brady in Miami” theory. This Patriots’ system is fool-proof. They can score points with Kevin Faulk and Kyle Eckel in the backfield. As long as the dominant receivers are there, Miami is helpless to stop them. Patriots 41, Dolphins 10

Tennessee at Houston

Line: Titans by 1.5

The Texans just seem to inspire less and less confidence in me that they’ll truly emerge as a playoff team. Is it too late to say first winning record in franchise history? They win this week because of Vince’s bum wheel limiting him. Texans 17, Titans 10

Tampa Bay at Detroit

Line: Lions by 2

Finesse offense against a speed defense. Gotta go with Tampa in this one, other than the Indianapolis game, their defense has allowed a grand total of 54 points. Buccaneers 14, Lions 13

Atlanta at New Orleans

Line: Saints by 9

Possibly the worst line of the week. New Orleans has had precisely one good offensive half all year and somehow they’re 9 points better than the Falcons. Sorry, but Atlanta has at least made things respectable in all their losses. Saints 24, Falcons 17

Arizona at Washington
Line: Redskins by 9

Not too crazy about this line either, as I think the Arizona defense can at least make the contest respectable on the road. Redskins 20, Cardinals 17

Kansas City at Oakland

Line: Radiers by 3

I’ll let recent history be the judge of the outcome here, as the Chiefs have dominated the series lately, have played beyond expectations, and the Raiders are still a young team that must take its lumps. Chiefs 13, Raiders 10

New York Jets at Cincinnati

Line: Bengals by 6

Two talented teams are fighting desperately for their playoff lives and the Bengals are the ones who finally play up to their lofty preseason expectations. Bengals 28, Jets 23

Minnesota at Dallas

Line: Cowboys by 9.5

Dallas is already showing early signs of playing down to its competition, as they did two weeks ago in Buffalo. They’re also facing a red-hot RB in Adrian Peterson, who’s enough of a threat to beat a team single-handedly. The Cowboys fortunately have just enough talent to overtake the Vikes. Cowboys 31, Vikings 24

Chicago at Philadelphia

Line: Eagles by 5

Chicago is abysmal against the run and you know Philly can’t wait to give them a handful of Brian Westbrook, who can kill you running and catching. Oh, and Brian Griese in Philadelphia? Fuhgidabowdit! Eagles 24, Bears 10

St. Louis at Seattle

Line: Seahawks by 8

Until I see the Seahawks’ offense play like it has a pulse, I’m going to continue to pick against them. I probably should have started this trend last week when they got embarrassed by the Saints. Seahawks 21, Rams 14

Pittsburgh at Denver

Line: Steelers by 3.5

The Broncos’ flat offense is not going to get better against one of the toughest defenses in football. Meanwhile, the Steelers should play a solid, efficient game and hammer one of the most overrated teams in the NFL. Steelers 24, Broncos 10

Indianapolis at Jacksonville

Line: Colts by 3

None of the Sunday games are watchable, they had to save the good game for Monday Night. While the Jaguars’ D will be game, Peyton has shown that he can overcome a good defense and always plays well under the spotlight. Plus, the Colts’ D will show some pride after last year’s meltdown against the Jags. Colts 27, Jaguars 20

Week 6 vs the spread 6-5-2

Season vs the spread 40-41-8

Week 6 Straight up 8-5

Season Straight up 57-32