Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us yet again! The first six weeks are in the books and with just 12 more weeks to go the separation of the contenders and the pretenders is starting to take shape. For games this week, I'll keep an eye on: Falcons-Bengals, Giants-Jaguars, Chiefs-49ers and Seahawks-Chargers. In this post: a preview of the week's action, my picks for the games, and the early and late tv pairings. Let's get to work!
Week 7 Preview
The Seventh week of the National Football League's regular season kicks off at Glendale, Arizona and finishes up in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Week 7 features a 14-game slate where 28 teams will play. Team's on a bye this week are: Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles. There will be a Thursday night game, seven early games, four late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game this week. For TV, FOX will carry the doubleheader and CBS will have the single, regional game this week. Let's get to the picks!
Week 7 Picks
Note: Game times are in US Eastern. TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate.
New Orleans (2-4) @ Arizona (2-4) (Amazon; 8:15 pm): TW: Cardinals; CV: Saints
Both teams lost last week as the Saints lost to the Bengals and the Cardinals lost to the Seahawks. The week starts off with a better matchup on paper than the last two games on Thursday. Andy Dalton has played relatively well stats wise but could do more. I mean Taysom Hill has the better numbers. Arizona has been kind of as to be expected with their record and circumstances. The two teams aren't really that great but hopefully there's some offensive firepower in this one. At least give the people what they want. I'll take the Cards by a field goal.
Atlanta (3-3) @ Cincinnati (3-3) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Bengals; CV: Bengals
The Falcons beat the 49ers and the Bengals beat the Saints last week. An interesting matchup to say the least. Atlanta has been playing well beyond their expected record thus far. The play of Marcus Mariota has a great to deal with that. Their defense isn't entirely awful either. Cincinnati has had a bit of a hangover to say the least since not winning the Super Bowl last February. They've kept Joe Burrow relatively upright and healthy. The game seems to lean towards the Bengals based on their talent in the skill positions. I wouldn't sleep on the Falcons either. I'll still take the Bengals.
Cleveland (2-4) @ Baltimore (3-3) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
Both teams lost last week as the Browns lost to the Patriots and the Ravens lost to the Giants. The whole "having a lead and blowing said lead" has to be getting old in Baltimore. Cleveland can't seem to find their winning formula after starting 2-1. The defense has been well and their running game is capable of putting teams down. Jacoby Brissett has to play better against an irritated Ravens squad that needs to win. Baltimore seems to be the better team than Cleveland so I'll take the Ravens. At some point the blown leads lead to overcoming such obstacles.
Detroit (1-4) @ Dallas (4-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Lions had a bye and the Cowboys lost to the Eagles last week. Jared Goff and the Lions offense had been on a tear across the league. The problem is they're 1-4 and their defense has given up as many points than they've scored. Hopefully with some soul searching they can hold down a Cowboys squad that is likely getting back Dak Prescott. Cooper Rush could still start and with his play I would think the hot hand would start. Regardless, moneywise the Cowboys will have to start Prescott at some point in 2022. I feel the Cowboys will take the win.
Green Bay (3-3) @ Washington (2-4) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Packers; CV: Packers
The Packers lost to the Jets and the Commanders beat the Bears last week. Aaron Rodgers made some news wanting the offense to "simplify" in its approach. To a degree, I think the quarterback is right in that they should stop thinking so much. I would lean towards Rodgers play as a catalyst to their slow start on offense, as well as their receiving corp. Washington won't have Carson Wentz starting but will have folk hero Taylor Heinicke going for them. I feel the Packers will take the dub by going back to basics on offense. With the Vikings on a bye this week, I have to think the Packers will have to take an opportunity go get some ground on them. I don't trust both teams but I'll take the Pack.
Indianapolis (3-2-1) @ Tennessee (3-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
The Colts beat the Jaguars and the Titans had a bye last week. Indy has had better play the last four games with them winning three of those contests. Matt Ryan looked like his old self against the Jaguars. While they didn't have Jonathan Taylor in the lineup, they will have a tough time against division rival Tennessee. The Titans come into this contest well rested and perhaps the rest will keep them a bit rusty. Tennessee confuses me sometimes they should play better but don't always play up to expectations. The last time these two teams met it was a 24-17 Titans win. I think it'll be a bit more of a margin for the Titans.
NY Giants (5-1) @ Jacksonville (2-4) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Giants; CV: Giants
The Giants beat the Ravens and the Jaguars lost to the Colts. Weird that the Jaguars are favored in this game. New York has had a renaissance season and I think the good vibes will continue for the G-Men in this one. Daniel Jones has done well and Saquon Barkley has played like a great running back should. Jacksonville had been playing well but the play of their quarterback has kind of diminished the good start. It has to start with Trevor Lawrence if the Jaguars want to take the dub. I'll take the Giants in an upset.
Tampa Bay (3-3) @ Carolina (1-5) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
Both teams lost as the Buccaneers lost to the Steelers and the Panthers lost to the Rams. Tampa has had a rough go of it in 2022. Tom Brady hasn't looked like himself both on and off the field. The Bucs have a good shot this week to get back on a winning track by beating lowly Carolina. Carolina has been a black hole in 2022 in terms of organizational culture. Former coach Matt Rhule lost the lockerroom, Christian McCaffrey is possibly going to be traded, Robbie Anderson is gone to Arizona. Things could get uglier before they get better in Pantherland.
Houston (1-3-1) @ Las Vegas (1-4) (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: Raiders; CV: Texans
Both teams had a bye last week. Houston and Las Vegas eh? Both teams have had a rough go of it in 2022. More so for the Raiders who had relatively decent expectations to be good after making the playoffs last year. Houston well was expected to be terrible. Josh McDaniels has had a rough start to his first year as head coach. Las Vegas' issues has stemmed from turnovers and pass defense. They give opportunities that just can't happen in giving the ball away. Houston seems to enjoy playing as a underdog. Davis Mills has a running back he can trust in Dameon Pierce who is one of the better backs in the league. I don't trust either team to win but I'll take the home team in the Raiders.
NY Jets (4-2) @ Denver (2-4) (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: Jets; CV: Jets
The Jets beat the Packers and the Broncos lost to the Chargers last week. The Giants aren't the only team in New York having a renaissance season as the Jets are having fun while playing. The driving force for such fun has been their running attack who ran over the Packers vaunted rush defense. The higher altitude could be a factor in the game. Denver has a rough go of it in the Russell Wilson era. Their offense has been putrid as they can't convert a 3rd down or put six on the board. The key for them is getting Wilson to stop thinking so much and give the ball to his best players. While it isn't all on Wilson as the running game could do better. I'll take the good vibing J-E-T-S!
Kansas City (4-2) @ San Francisco (3-3) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
Both teams lost last week as the Chiefs lost to the Bills and the 49ers lost to the Falcons. Patrick Mahomes and company played well against the Bills they just didn't win the game. The Chiefs offense will have somewhat of a tall task as they do face against a 49ers defense that can stop offenses. San Francisco has had a interesting season so far but their catalyst has been their running game in Jeff Wilson and Deebo Samuel. Kansas City does give up a lot of points and they will have to force Jimmy Garoppolo to win the game for them. That means shutting down their running game. It'll be a tall task but I will take the Chiefs. I can't count out Patrick Mahomes.
Seattle (3-3) @ LA Chargers (4-2) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
Seattle beat the Cardinals and the Chargers beat the Broncos last week. Geno Smith has been a nice story for the Seahawks thus far. Kenneth Walker III had a good game in the stead of Rashaad Penny who is out for the season with a broken leg. Chargers have had a good season but really looked way off against the Broncos on Monday night. Their offense couldn't get a lot going and Herbert was held without a touchdown pass. His weapon has been Austin Ekeler who has had a good season so far. Both teams look good and they really could make a case for who wins but I'll take the Chargers for at least another week.
Pittsburgh (2-4) @ Miami (3-3) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Steelers; CV: Dolphins
The Steelers beat the Buccaneers and the Dolphins lost to the Vikings last week. Classic AFC matchup on NBC! Pittsburgh's offense had enough to topple Tom Brady and the Bucs. Kenny Pickett is looking like he will get the nod to start. His 2022 sample size hasn't been great but the kid has only played in three games thus far into his career. Mitchell Trubisky could also start and he seems like the logical choice to go with stats wise. Miami is kind of a mess, Tua Tagovailoa is out for this game, the Dolphins have lost three straight games and they will have to go with Teddy Bridgewater to ride the ship. The innovative mastermind in Mike McDaniel has had a rough go of it but he did keep the game against the Vikings close to the point where they could've won it. I feel the Steelers will take the win but I could see the Dolphins making a case to win it.
Chicago (2-4) @ New England (3-3) (ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Bears lost to the Commanders and the Patriots beat the Browns last week. Break out your Nokia phones and your Britney Spears CD's, there's a quarterback controversy in New England. At least the last time they had one in 2001. Chicago had a good start to their season but they've fallen off the cliff. One of their bright spots has been their running game as they have at least three runners who have 200 yards rushing to their name. Justin Fields has been iffy so far in 2022 but can help you win games. For the Patriots, they have an interesting case on their hands. If Mac Jones is healthy, I'd expect he'll get the start. If he isn't quite there, Bailey Zappe will go under center. It's not really a controversy but its rather a luxury to have two capable starting quarterbacks for your team. I'll take the Pats.
Early & Late Game TV Pairings (courtesy of 506sports.com)
Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area
CBS Single
Detroit @ Dallas
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
Cleveland @ Baltimore
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
Indianapolis @ Tennessee
Andrew Catalon, James Lofton
NY Jets @ Denver (Late)
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
Houston @ Las Vegas (Late)
Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta
FOX Early
Green Bay @ Washington
Adam Amin, Daryl Johnston
Tampa Bay @ Carolina
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
NY Giants @ Jacksonville
Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth
Atlanta @ Cincinnati
Brandon Gaudin, Robert Smith
FOX Late
Kansas City @ San Francisco
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson
Seattle @ LA Chargers
Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez
For more information on which game is being shown in your area check out: NFL 2022: Week 7 Maps
2022 Pick ‘Em Records
My record:
Week 1: 8-7-1
Week 2: 8-8
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 11-5
Week 5: 10-6
Week 6: 8-6
Total: 50-43-1
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 6-9-1
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 6-10
Week 5: 9-7
Week 6: 9-5
Total: 46-47-1
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2019: 161-94-1
2020: 167-88-1
2021: 173-98-1
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