By Matt Stuart | Published | No Comments
Week 7 is here and while this week’s slate of games is a little on the light side when it comes to marquee matchups I will nonetheless be glued to my TV screen watching as many of them as I can. This week only two games feature matchups of two teams with winning record, but one of those matchups is Dolphins vs Eagles. Beyond what should be a great game featuring two 5-1 teams, we get to finally see college teammates Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovialoa square off.
So lets get to picking.
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Jaguars vs Saints
The Jaguars have won three in a row, while the Saints are coming off a missed opportunity against the Texans. Give me the team with the better quarterback and with some momentum.
PICK – Jaguars 24 – Saints 16
SUNDAY
((1:00PM WINDOW))
Raiders vs Bears
With both starting QB sidelined due to injury this game becomes a matchup of backup QB’s. I’ll take the home team.
PICK – Bears 17 – Raiders 10
Browns vs Colts
DeShaun Watson is set to make his return after missing the last two games, while the Colts turn to their back-up Garner Minshew with rookie QB Anthony Richardson sidelined for the rest of the season. Minshew has played well when called upon, but even if Watson is rusty, the Browns defense should win the day.
PICK – Browns 21 – Colts 17
Bills vs Patriots
The Bills get the perfect get well game, after a close call a week ago against the Giants.
PICK – Bills 28 – Patriots 10
Commanders vs Giants
The Commanders are a surprise 3-3 and the Giants are surprise 1-5. With Daniel Jones sidelined due to a neck injury, this becomes Tyrod Taylor vs Sam Howell. Taylor hung in there a week ago against the Bills, but I have a feeling he’ll be less effective this week.
PICK – Commanders 20 – Giants 13
Falcons vs Buccaneers
Both teams are coming off disappointing loses at home, with Falcons QB Desmond Ridder throwing three INT’s a week ago against the Commanders. Meanwhile Bucs QB Baker Mayfield found out up close and personal that the Lions defense is for real. The winner of this game will be in the drivers seat in the NFC South and I like the Bucs here by a FG.
PICK – Bucs 20 – Falcons 17
Lions vs Ravens
It may seem strange to see the Lions come into this game with the better record and riding a four game winning streak, but these are not your grandfathers Lions or even your dad’s Lions. I’m riding the Lions as far as they can take me.
PICK – Lions 28 – Ravens 24
((4:00PM WINDOW))
Steelers vs Rams
The Steelers are a perfect example of where the teams record (3-2) doesn’t match the teams mediocrity. The Steelers have won three games by a total of 16 points and have been outscored by 47 points in their two loses. Meanwhile, the (3-3) Rams have played the leagues second most difficult schedule so far. My head tells me that the Rams will win, my gut tells me that the Steelers will hang around just long enough to steal another game.
PICK Steelers 20 – Rams 16
Cardinals vs Seahawks
The Cards have been a thorn in several teams sides so far this season, but the ‘Hawks are the better team and should take care of business at home.
PICK – Seahawks 23 – Cardinals 13
Packers vs Broncos
This matchup has somebody is going to win a sloppy game written all over it. I’ll take veteran QB here, even though I probably shouldn’t.
PICK – Broncos 21 – Packers 13
Chargers vs Chiefs
The Chargers have had a bit too much bad luck so far this season and lost three games by a total of 8 points. The Chiefs have had a bit too much good luck and have escaped three recent nail biters, including a less than impressive win a week ago over the Broncos. This one should be a fun watch, but I’ll take the Chiefs at home.
PICK – Chiefs 28 – Chargers 23
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Dolphins vs Eagles
We finally get to see former Alabama teammates Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovialoa square off against each other. Back in college, Tua relieved a benched Hurts after halftime in the 2018 College Football National Championship and led Alabama back to knock off Georgia OT. Tua then claimed the starting job away from Hurts the next season. The following year Hurts transferred to Oklahoma, while Tua’s career at ‘Bama ended with a devastating hip injury. While both Hurts and Tua remain close friends, you know there is a little something more on the line in this one. We know how good Miami’s offense has been this season, but the Bills showed that if you have the pass rushers to get after Tua you can negate some of the speed advantage the Dolphins have. The Eagles defense isn’t quite as good as it was last year, but I think the Eagles will have enough to slow Miami down.
PICK – Eagles 27 – Dolphins 24
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Niners vs Vikings
The Niners saw their unbeaten streak end a week ago against the Jets, while the Vikings managed to finally win a one possession game this season. Can the Vikings when what should be another close game. I say no.
PICK – Niners 23 – Vikings 19
