Bry’s Week-by-Week NFL Preview: Week Seven

So, Week Six saw some interesting action, with Cincinnati and Tampa Bay both beating good teams for the first wins, while the Jets and Lions remain winless.  The Steelers remain undefeated in the Super Bowl defense.  So, here we go for Week Seven–a week in which there is only one Sunday game featuring teams in the same division.  And, then Monday night, the Birds open their division schedule with a primetime tilt with the ‘Skins.  (Winners in CAPS.)

On Bye:
Baltimore (4-2)
Denver (3-3)
Detroit (0-6)
Jacksonville (3-3)
Seattle (4-2)
Tennessee (3-3)

Sunday, October 25:
1:00 – NEW ENGLAND (5-1) vs. Tampa Bay (1-5), in London
The weird London game this year features one good team and one bad team.  Plus, the good team is extremely well-coached, while the bad team has a rookie coach, who is younger than many players in the league.  A trip across the pond requires great preparation, which falls on coaching.  This should be an easy win for the best coach in the NFL and his talented squad.

1:00 – INDIANAPOLIS (3-2) at St. Louis (1-5)
The Colts have had two weeks to think about a primetime loss to the Titans.  They should be able to prepare a great game plan to just hammer the Rams.

1:00 – Minnesota (5-1) at PITTSBURGH (7-0)
7-0 for the defending champs, as they take care of business against the Vikes.  I’m looking for a letdown point for this team, but I can never find it.  I don’t see Minnesota walking into Pittsburgh and winning; I just don’t.

1:00 – CHICAGO (2-3) at Cincinnati (1-5)
The Bears look like they may have figured it out, as they win their third straight.  The Bengals cannot win their second straight, as Chicago should be able to go into their house and steal a victory.

1:00 – San Diego (3-2) at KANSAS CITY (2-4)
Just when you think the Chargers may have it figured out, they go out and have a “Norv” game.  This is probably the one.  They are coming off a short week, where they faced a hated rival on Monday night, and now they have to go into the best homefield advantage in football against another division rival.  This one reeks of letdown.  Throw in the fact that the Chargers are just bad at 1:00, and I like the Chiefs in this one, as Norv probably blows a fourth quarter lead.

1:00 – Green Bay (4-1) at CLEVELAND (1-5)
Before you say that I’m crazy for picking the 1-5 Browns over the 4-1 Packers, let me just let you in on a little secret.  Seven days after this game, the Minnesota Vikings and some unnamed quarterback will be coming to Lambeau Field to play the Packers.  If you think that the entire Packer Nation won’t be thinking about that game and not exactly be completely focused on a road game against a mediocre AFC team, then think again.  Now, will that be enough for the Browns to pull off the upset?  Maybe.  I think it will because I think the Browns are an underrated team that can get it done in front of a solid home crowd.

1:00 – San Francisco (3-2) at HOUSTON (3-3) *
This one is tough because I really like picking teams coming off a bye, like the Niners are, but I also do actually believe in the whole West Coast teams at 1:00 theory.  And, with the Texans coming off a very disappointing loss to the Cincinnati, I think that they are good enough to circle the wagons and win a game at home that they really need.

4:05 – Buffalo (4-2) at CAROLINA (3-2)
Both teams are coming off tough road games against division rivals.  The Bills won in New York against the Jets in Week Six, while Carolina went into Tampa Bay and got beat by the Bucs.  Coming back home, smarting from that loss, I think the Panthers will take care of Buffalo.

4:05 – New York Jets (0-6) at OAKLAND (2-4)
This is a chance for the Jets to get off the schnide, but I do not see it happening.  The Raiders have a lot more talent than people think they do, and I would probably pick them on a neutral field against the Jets, let alone in the Black Hole.

4:15 – Atlanta (2-3) at DALLAS (4-1)
The Cowboys are coming off the bye, at home, against a Falcons team that has had a tough schedule so far and are admittedly better than their 2-3 record.  But, I think the Cowboys should be able to take care of Matt Ryan & Co. in Big D, as the Falcons lose their second straight tough game.

4:15 – New Orleans (3-2) at MIAMI (2-3)
The Saints are coming off a tough, physical win over the Giants, while the Dolphins had Week Six off.  Throw in the fact that the Saints are not nearly the same team on the road, and I like the Dolphins to win this one, evening both of their records at 3-3.

8:20 – Arizona (2-3) at NEW YORK GIANTS (3-3)
The Cardinals are never good on the East Coast, especially in Giants Stadium.  The Giants are probably reeling from the loss in New Orleans and are just too proud of a team to fall to 3-4.  This game might even get ugly, as the Cardinals just cannot stop that Giant running game.

Monday, October 26:
8:30 – Philadelphia (4-1) at WASHINGTON (4-2) *
There is just something about this Washington team that has given the Eagles fits in the past couple of years.  I thought this one was really close, but I had to go with the home team on Monday night.  The Redskins are always decent in the first half, and I think will end the Eagles 4-game winning streak.

To go to Week Eight, click here

STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 7:
NFC EAST:
5-1   Dallas
5-2   Washington
4-2   Philadelphia
3-3   New York Giants

NFC NORTH:
5-2   Minnesota
4-2   Green Bay
3-3   Chicago
0-6   Detroit

NFC SOUTH:
4-2   Carolina
3-3   New Orleans
2-4   Atlanta
1-6   Tampa Bay

NFC WEST:
4-2   Seattle
3-3   San Francisco
2-4   Arizona
1-6   St. Louis

AFC EAST:
6-1   New England
4-3   Buffalo
3-3   Miami
0-7   N.Y. Jets

AFC NORTH:
7-0   Pittsburgh
4-2   Baltimore
2-5   Cleveland
1-6   Cincinnati

AFC SOUTH:
4-2   Indianapolis
4-3   Houston
3-3   Jacksonville
3-3   Tennessee

AFC WEST:
3-3   San Diego
3-3   Denver
3-4   Kansas City
3-4   Oakland