Article Reads 74

It was a small but much needed comeback in Week 6, going 9 of 14 and and gaining a little bit of dignity back after a 5-9 Week 5 performance. We’re going to run down the full slate of games as usual, but I feel obliged to point out some of the Vegas odds I find too good to be true. Don’t go betting your life savings on these games, especially on the advice of an analyst going just 49-41 through 6 weeks. However, I feel like it’s worth a shot if you have an extra few dollars to put down, at DailyDime.com of course. Here are the Week 7 picks.

Last Week: 9-5 (.643)

Season: 49-41 (.544)

MNF: 3-4

No-Brainers: 4-2

Teams Used: Dolphins, Packers, Patriots, Colts, Saints, Steelers

Sunday, October 24th

1:00

Cincinnati @ Atlanta

The Falcons looked surprisingly bad in their 31-17 loss to Philadelphia last week, but a home game against disappointing Bengals could be just what the doctor ordered. The Bengals are coming off a bye week and Terrell Owens has performed at a higher in their past 2 games. Of course that was against Cleveland and Tampa. They also finally got the running game going with Cedric Benson a week prior to the bye. Atlanta’s defense should be able to hold up a lot better than those weaker opponents Cincinnati faced (and still lost to by the way). 

Cincinnati 17

Atlanta 23

Washington @ Chicago

The Bears are starting to look shakey, with the offensive line giving up 6 sacks to to Seattle last week. This could be where they start to let the NFC North lead slip away. A win is pretty important this week, especially if Green Bay beats Minnesota. The Skins are trying to keep up in the East, and Ryan Torain has done a nice job filling in for Clinton Portis. This is one of those games I was talking about. Washington is a 3 point underdog.

Washington 20

Chicago 14

Philadelphia @ Tennessee

Kevin Kolb might have won the starting job back in Phily with his play against Atlanta last week, while Kerry Collins might be the starter for the Titans after Vince Young left the Monday night game with a sprained knee and ankle. Young has not been able to do much if anything in practice, but Jeff Fisher still sounded optimistic about Young’s chances to play. Either way, I think the Eagles are on a roll and it doesn’t stop in Nashville. Another 3 point underdog you might want to take a look at.

Philadelphia 28

Tennessee 19

Jacksonville @ Kansas City

The Jags were embarrassed Monday night in a 30-3 loss to the Titans, while Kansas City let a big lead slip away to the Texans. The Chiefs are showing great improvement though, arguarbly the most surprising team in the league. Add to that, 3rd string quarterback Todd Bouman could be under center on Sunday and the Jags are facing the possibility of another blowout loss.

Jacksonville 13

Kansas City 31

Pittsburgh @ Miami

James Harrison has been the subject of much controversy this week, receiving a $75,000 fine for 2 illegal hits to the head of Cleveland receivers Josh Cribbs and Mohammed Massaquoi. After “contemplating retirement”, he’s back with his team and ready to take on the Dolphins who got the overtime win over Green Bay. It’s hard to pick against the Steeler defense, but if Miami can get the win at home it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising either. 

Pittsburgh 21

Miami 16

Cleveland @ Nawlins

Colt McCoy looked surprisingly steady in the loss to Pittsburgh. The previously mentioned Cribbs and Massaquoi are out with concussions, and to say he will have his hands full against the Saints is a huge understatement. New Orleans got just what they needed to get back on track last week, after facing Tampa and winning in convincing fashion just when I started to doubt them.

Cleveland 7

Nawlins 27

St. Louis @ Tampa Bay

This should be a good battle between young franchise quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Josh Freeman. It was the same old problems for the Bucs as they gave up 158 yards to 3rd string running back Chris Ivory of the Saints last week. How many do you think Steven Jackson will rack up on them? St. Louis went to 3-3 last week after holding off San Diego. Going .500 in itself is a huge accomplishment, but Tampa has played well against teams without a winning record. Combine that with home field and I think they win a close one.

St. Louis 20

Tampa Bay 24

San Francisco @ Carolina

Who would’ve thought the Niners wouldn’t have gotten their first win until Week 6? The overwhelming preseason favorite in the NFC West finds themselves 1-5, but even worse the Panthers are 0-5. This is where Mike Singletary finds out what his team is made of. Frank Gore keeps the momentum going and San Fran slowly pull themselves a little further out of the hole they dug for themselves.

San Francisco 26

Carolina 23

Buffalo @ Baltimore

The Ravens should come out angry after letting a 10-point lead slip away in the 4th against New England. Buffalo comes off a much needed bye week, regrouping from a not so surprising 0-5 start. Baltimore shreds them up in all phases and is easily my No-Brainer pick.

Buffalo 6

Baltimore 30   NO-BRAINER

4:05

Arizona @ Seattle

The Seahawks come off a nice upset win over Chicago. The Cards had a bye last week, but in their last game they upset the Saints with undrafted rookie starting quarterback Max Hall. Tough call here, but in times like these the homefield factor wins out.

Arizona 15

Seattle 21

4:15

Oakland @ Denver

The Broncos hung tough with the Jets despite an inaccurate day from Kyle Orton. Oakland helped put the Niners in the win column finally. The Raiders announced every player on their roster was on the trading block this week. Way to improve team morale.

Oakland 7

Denver 17

New England @ San Diego

I’m sure I’m not the only one who didn’t buy into the Chargers this season, but I sure didn’t have them losing to the Rams and trailing Kansas City for the division lead. The Patriots didn’t take long to adapt to playing without Randy Moss lining up out wide. San Diego is a 3 point favorite with Antonio Gates’ status up in the air. I’m all over that one.

New England 38

San Diego 28

8:20

Minnesota @ Green Bay

The Vikings were victorious in the “Panic Bowl” against Dallas as predicted. Favre turned it up an extra notch in his 2 games against Green Bay last year for obvious reasons. The Packers are a better team this year, but I still have a gut feeling that Favre leads Minnesota to another win on his old stomping grounds.

Minnesota 24

Green Bay 20

Monday, October 25th

8:30

NY Giants @ Dallas

At 1-4, America’s Team is in an absolute must-win situation. Will their O-line be able to contain Osi Umenyiora? He’s had at least 2 sacks the last 3 games. Call me crazy, but I think this is where the Cowboys finally answer the call and get the win. They’ll be able to remove their hand from the panic button for one more week. And Wade Phillips stays employed a little bit longer.

NY Giants 21

Dallas 27