Week 7 NFL Picks
Last week was a week to forget as far as predictions go, but hey - the Pats won, held an opponent under twenty points, and improved to 5-1; the glass is half full, right?
Anyways, here's a look at this weekend's games with some dubious predictions.
6-0 Packers at 1-5 Vikings
Opening Line: Packers -7; Current Line: Packers -10
Over/Under: 46½
The Green Bay offense is just blowing everyone out. The only way they can be stopped is with turnovers, and I don't see the Vikings doing that. Last week the Pack scored 24 in the first half against the Rams, then just tried to run the ball; otherwise they would have scored about twice as many points. Meanwhile Minnesota keeps self destructing in both play calls and execution, and now they are going to start rookie Christian Ponder in his first NFL game against a defense that does a very good job of disguising its formations and confusing opposing quarterbacks.
Packers -10 (5 units)
0-6 Colts at 4-2 Saints
Opening Line: Saints -14; Current Line: Saints -13½
Over/Under 48½
Yes, Indy is a winless mess, but they have for the most part been losing by a relatively close score. The Saints will have a chip on their shoulder after losing to the Bucs, but they're simply not clicking on all cylinders. I would really like this a whole lot more if it was 14½, but I still think the Colts - who can't stop the run or the pass - move the ball well enough with Painter to cover.
Colts +13½ (1 unit)
3-3 Texans at 3-2 Titans
Line: Titans -3
Over/Under: 44
Houston's offense didn't look that formidable last week, but the Ravens have a tendency of doing that to a lot of teams. Though the Texans are without Andre Johnson and Mario Williams, I still think they are a better team than the Titans and come out with more intensity in this game; I think they'll win in a slight upset.
Texans +3 (2 units)
4-1 Ravens at 1-5 Jaguars
Opening Line: Ravens -9½; Current Line: Ravens -9
Over/Under: 40
The Jaguars were able to keep it close against Pittsburgh, but Baltimore's defense is much better than the Steelers, especially against the run. That leaves Blaine Gabbert having to throw the ball; I picture at least one pick by Ed Reed. I'd have more confidence if this was say 6½ or 7 points, but I'm still thinking there's a very good chance the Ravens win by at least two touchdowns.
Ravens -9 (3 units)
Teaser: Packers -7 and Ravens -6 (3 units)
The Rest:
3-3 Bears (-1) vs 4-2 Bucs in London
3-2 Redskins (+2½) at 1-5 Panthers
4-1 Chargers (pick) at 2-3 Jets
2-3 Browns (-3) vs 2-3 Seahawks
1-4 Broncos (-1) at 0-5 Dolphins
3-3 Falcons (+5½) at 5-1 Lions
2-3 Chiefs (+4) at 4-2 Raiders
1-4 Cardinals (+4) vs 4-2 Steelers
0-5 Rams (+14) at 2-3 Cowboys
Bears-Bucs under 44
Redskins-Panthers under 44
Chargers-Jets over 43
Seahawks-Browns under 41
Texans-Titans over 44
Broncos-Dolphins under 42
Falcons-Lions under 48
Chiefs-Raiders under 42½
Steelers-Cardinals under 45½
Rams-Cowboys under 43½
Packers-Vikings under 47
Colts-Saints over 48½
Ravens-Jaguars over 40
