Around now in the NFL season is when teams start to assert themselves as either true contenders or everybody else.  The Packers are the only remaining unbeaten team after a big win over the Texans in Week Six.  The Colts and Raiders are still winless.

Thursday Night

Seattle (1-5) at SAN FRANCISCO (4-2) – Vegas: 49ers -7
The home team on a short week is simply the better team.  49ers (easy)

Sunday, Early Afternoon

Tennessee (3-3) at BUFFALO (3-3) – Vegas: Bills -3.5
The Titans have 10 days to prepare for this game, and the Bills are coming back from back-to-back games on the West Coast.  Even for a guy who actually believes in the Bills being much improved and isn’t that high on the Titans, this is a tough one for me.  But, all in all, I think the Bills should put it together and have the defense to really cause the Titans offense some problems.  But, this is not a great spot for the Bills.  Bills (close)

Washington (1-5) at N.Y.GIANTS (4-2) – Vegas: Giants -7
The Giants are coming back from a tough West Coast game, but the ‘Skins probably don’t have the firepower to cause any issues for them, though these NFC East matchups are always scary.  Giants (moderate)

New Orleans (4-1) at TAMPA BAY (3-2) – Vegas: Saints -5.5
Two weeks should be more than enough time for the Saints to devise a winning game plan in Tampa.  Saints (easy)

Dallas (3-2) at CAROLINA (2-3) – Vegas: Panthers -1
The Cowboys, a week after a physical trip to Baltimore, get hammered by the schedule-makers by having to go to Carolina to play a Panthers team coming off their bye.  Not a good spot for the ‘Boys here.  Panthers (moderate)

Baltimore (3-3) at HOUSTON (4-2) – Vegas: Texans -3
Man, this Ravens schedule just doesn’t let up, does it?  The Texas did play on Sunday Night last week, but it was a home game, so they haven’t left Houston in a couple of weeks.  John Harbaugh must have pissed off someone in the scheduling office this year.  Texans (close)

Cleveland (1-5) at INDIANAPOLIS (0-5) – Vegas: Colts -3
This is the spot for Andrew Luck to become a true NFL quarterback.  I think they kid’s gonna be good, but not until now would I be disappointed if he didn’t lead his team to a win.  This one, he should win.  Colts (moderate)

Green Bay (6-0) at ST. LOUIS (3-3) – Vegas: Packers -9.5
The Packers are coming off a big Sunday Night game in Houston get a bit of a break against a team they should beat soundly to stay undefeated, though no road game in the NFL is automatic.  Packers (moderate)

Arizona (3-3) at MINNESOTA (2-4) – Vegas: Vikings -1
I think the Cardinals are probably the better team here, but West Coast teams at 1:00 need to be a lot better (or have something else working for them) to get road wins in the NFL.  Vikings (close)

Sunday, Late Afternoon

N.Y.Jets (3-3) at NEW ENGLAND (5-1) – Vegas: Patriots -8
This is a really tricky spot for the Pats, actually.  This is one week after a trip to Seattle and one week before a trip to London.  If it wasn’t the hated Jets, they might come out flat.  But, I can’t imagine they would not be up for a home game against Rex (who is sure to run his mouth beforehand).  Patriots (moderate)

Jacksonville (2-3) at OAKLAND (0-5) – Vegas: Raiders -5.5
When things go bad in Oakland, they can get out of control in a hurry.  This game might be the difference between “bad” and “rock-bottom.”  I am going with rock-bottom, as the Jags actually have a decent defense and, unless Blaine Gabbert is atrocious (certainly possible), their offense won’t be abysmal.  Coming off of the bye, I’m taking the road ‘dog outright in this one.  Jaguars (close)

Sunday Night

Pittsburgh (4-1) at CINCINNATI (5-1) – Vegas: Steelers -1.5
These are the games that separate the league’s “elite” from everyone else.  The Steelers are absolutely an elite franchise in this league, and these are the games where they prove it.  Steelers (close)

Monday Night

Detroit (2-3) at CHICAGO (2-3) – Vegas: Bears -2.5
The Bears are coming off the bye, and Soldier Field is not exactly a welcome place for the opposition when the Chicagoans have all day to, ahem, “prepare.”  Bears (moderate)

Standings After Week Seven

NFC EAST:
The Giants go back on top by a half-game ahead of the idle Eagles, while the Cowboys slip back
5-2 Giants
4-2 Eagles
3-3 Cowboys
1-6 Redskins

NFC NORTH:
The Pack stays undefeated, while the Lions fall to last place
7-0 Packers
3-3 Bears
3-4 Vikings
2-4 Lions

NFC SOUTH:
The Saints up their lead to a full game with the Falcons on the bye, while the whole division is at least .500
5-1 Saints
4-2 Falcons
3-3 Bucs
3-3 Panthers

NFC WEST:
The Niners pick up a game on the entire rest of the division and are now 2 games clear
5-2 49ers
3-4 Rams
3-4 Cardinals
1-6 Seahawks

AFC EAST:
A big win for the Pats over the Jets keeps them with a comfortable lead in the AFC East
6-1 Patriots
4-3 Bills
3-3 Dolphins
3-4 Jets

AFC NORTH:
The Steelers take back first-place the old-fashioned way – by beating the team that was there before; the Ravens continue to slide
5-1 Steelers
5-2 Bengals
3-4 Ravens
1-6 Browns

AFC SOUTH:
The Colts get their first win under Andrew Luck, while the Jags emerge as possibly the biggest threat to Houston in the South
5-2 Texans
3-3 Jaguars
3-4 Titans
1-5 Colts

AFC WEST:
The Raiders are the only team that played this week, so at least no one else lost…
3-3 Chargers
2-4 Chiefs
2-4 Broncos
0-6 Raiders