Week seven of the NFL provides several even matchups

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Week seven of the NFL season provides for a number of interesting matchups.  While none of the games have the charisma of last Sunday night’s Chiefs – Patriots tilt many of this week’s games are between relatively evenly matched teams.  That means the games are hard to pick.  Of course based on the first six weeks of NFL games, any week’s games are hard to pick.  And here we go:

Broncos @ Cardinals:  In a battle of teams going nowhere, I’ll go with the Broncos.  Josh Rosen is settling in as the Cardinals QB, but currently has a QB rating of 75.5.  He’s not had a ground game to help him as the Cardinals are averaging only 64 yards a game on the ground.  Featured RB, David Johnson is averaging only 49.5 yards per carry.  The Broncos come in with a record of 2-4 and a defense that has been leaky at times.  Broncos QB, Case Keenum, has thrown 8 interceptions against only 7 TDs.  The Broncos need a win so their season doesn’t circle the drain.    Pick: Broncos

Titans @ Chargers:  This would seem like an easy game to pick.  The Titans offense looked terrible in a 27-0 loss to the Ravens last week while the Chargers rolled over the Browns.  The Titans offense has been bad all year and the Chargers seem to be hitting their stride, even running for over 200 yards last Sunday.  Pick: Chargers

Patriots @ Bears:  The Patriots held off a high powered Chiefs offense for a 43-40 win Sunday night.  I have little doubt they’ll have an easier time against the Bears.  The Bears seem to have a knack for blowing big leads in the fourth quarter.  I doubt that will be an issue Sunday.  If the Bears couldn’t contain Brock Osweiler, I doubt they’ll be successful against Tom Brady.  Pick: Patriots

Bills @ Colts:  Two words strike fear into the hearts of Bills players and fans alike, “Nathan Peterman”.  With Josh Allen out, the possibility of the Bills starting Peterman has brought about rumblings of revolt in the Bills locker room.   While the Colts are a bad team, QB Andrew Luck isn’t the issue.  The rest of the team is. The Colts defense is porous but I doubt Peterman, or the other Bills QB option, Derek Anderson, can do much to exploit it.  Pick: Colts

Browns @ Buccaneers:   After a hot start, the Bucs have fallen off a cliff.  Meanwhile the Browns have been competitive in every game but last Sunday’s loss to the Chargers.  The Bucs defense has been abysmal and they’ve fired DC, Mike Smith.  I don’t think it will matter that much Sunday.   Both of these teams are at a crossroad.  I like the Browns to make the right turn Sunday.  Pick:  Browns

Lions @ Dolphins:  The Dolphins are at 4-2 and I don’t understand it.  The Lions are 2-3.  That I get.  I don’t think Brock Osweiler can replicate last Sunday’s performance against the Bears.  While Matthew Stafford isn’t an elite QB, he is pretty good.  I give the Lions the edge at QB and therefore the game.  Pick:  Lions

Texans @ Jaguars:  After being dismantled Sunday in Dallas, it’s hard to have much faith in the Jags.  The defense gave up 40 points to a Cowboys offense that isn’t particularly prolific while the Jags also looked like it had Blake Bortles at the helm.  Texans QB, DeShaun Watson is banged up but I think the Texan’s offense coupled with a good defense and an inept Jacksonville offense tilt the game to the Texans.  Pick: Texans

Vikings @ Jets:  The Jets come in at a surprising 3-3 while the Vikings sit at 3-2-1.  While Jets fans have to heartened by the play of their team, I think they will be in over their heads against a Vikings team gearing up to make a run at the playoffs.  As a quick frame of reference, Vikings QB, Kirk Cousins has thrown for 12 TDs against 3 picks while Jets QB, Sam Darnold has 9 TD passes and 7 interceptions.   Pick: Vikings

Saints @ Ravens:  This is a really interesting matchup.  The outstanding Saints offense goes up against the really good Ravens defense.  Drew Brees has a passer rating of an eye popping 122.0.  Saints opponents’ passers are nearly as good at 115.5.  Alvin Kamara has provided the Saints with a good ground game, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.  As for the Ravens, their defense has allowed opponents passers a rating of only 73.1.  Joe Flacco’s stats haven’t be gaudy, but have been good enough to lead the Ravens to a record of 4-2 thus far this season.  I like the Ravens defense in this one, plus the Saints are on the road.  Pick: Ravens

Cowboys @ Redskins:  I was shocked to see the Cowboys put up 40 points against the Jaguars last week.  Even then most of it was on the ground.  Redskins QB, Alex Smith, recovered from a terrible performance against the Saints to lead the Redskins to a win over the Panthers.  I still think the Cowboys are a subpar team and the Redskins are a mediocre one.  In this matchup I’m picking mediocre over subpar.  Pick: Redskins

Rams @ 49ers:  While the Rams had more difficulty than I expected against the Broncos, they nevertheless hung on for a win.  The 49ers came close to upsetting the Packers but ultimately got Rodgersed.  (To Rodgers is a verb meaning to put on a great fourth quarter performance and render a gut wrenching loss to your opponent.)  I expect that loss will be hard to come back from.  Pick:  Rams

Bengals @ Chiefs:  Both teams are coming off a tough loss.  The Chiefs lost to the Patriots in Foxborough.  The Bengals lost a tough one at home to the Steelers.  Year after year out I have a hard time figuring the Bengals out.  I suspect they will fall back to a .500 team this season.  Though the Chiefs lost to the Patriots, Patrick Mahomes continues to be the most dynamic offensive force in the NFL.  Look for more of the same Sunday. Pick: Chiefs

Giants @ Falcons:  The Giants have some great weapons on offense but lack the offensive line and quarterback to take advantage of them.  If you don’t believe me, just ask Odell Beckham Jr.  He’ll especially tell you about the QB situation.  In checking the stats, Giants QB, Eli Manning has a passer rating of 90.9, which I found surprisingly high.  Of course a lot of that comes from throwing dump offs to Saquon Barkley, but still it was higher than I would have thought The Falcons sit at 2-4 and a win would help their playoff picture considerably.  Falcons QB, Matt Ryan, has had a sneaky good season, throwing 14 TD passes and only two interceptions.  The Falcons defense has been to them what Eli Manning has been to the Giants, an impediment.  I think the Falcons overcome their impediment Monday night. Pick: Falcons