Who You Got?! Week 7

My luck was bound to eventually luck out. With my first losing record (by one game) on the year, I have decided I need to take more factors into these games. Predicting winners and losers every week certainly isn't easy, but it's what I am here for. Never forget one simple rule, folks: Any Given Sunday. For those who don't know, it basically states that anything can happen and nothing is a sure thing. Always take that into account when picking games. That said, let's get into this week's games.

Last Week: 7-8

Overall: 54-38

Thursday Night Football (5:25 pm AZ time):

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

The Packers are desperately in need of a big win, and there is no better opportunity to do so than tonight against the Bears. The Bears have the league’s 21^st ranked run defense and the Packers will be without star Eddie Lacy after he hit injured reserve today. The Packers will more than likely need to rely on the arm of Aaron Rodgers to lead them to this victory and that seems pretty likely to happen.

Sunday Morning Football (10:00 am AZ time):

New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams

I am not a believer in the Rams. They are ruining Todd Gurley by providing zero run blocking for him and this team is one bad loss away from washing their season down the drain. The Giants, meanwhile, are coming off a close win that included stud receiver Odell Beckham having his best game of the year (8/222/2). Look for Beckham to get going again and this very expensive Giants pass rush to finally provide sacks against one of the league’s worst offensive lines.

Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles

If we are being honest, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Eagles pull off this win. They are at home and are playing very opportunistic football right now, despite dropping two straight games. That being said, the Vikings are finding ways to win every week and are coming fresh off a bye week. The Vikings defense will suffocate the Eagles offense and make Carson Wentz more uncomfortable than he has been all season long.

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans

The Titans very quietly have a great pass rush. Edge rusher Brian Orakpo leads the team with seven sacks and should have a monster day against a below average at best Colts’ offensive line. The Colts offense should be able to put up points (if they can keep Andrew Luck upright). However, with how good Marcus Mariota has played the last two weeks (six touchdowns to one interception) plus a bad Colts’ defense, the Titans should have the edge in this game.

Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are coming off a very impressive win against the Steelers, but the Bills remain red hot coming off a game in which they scored 45 points. LeSean McCoy is more than likely out for the Bills, unfortunately. This could lead Miami to another surprise victory, but I am a firm believer in Tyrod Taylor and the number one rushing offense in the NFL.

Baltimore Ravens @ New York Jets

The Ravens are in desperate need for a win after dropping their last three games. Fun fact: The Ravens have won their three wins by a combined 13 points and lost their three loses by a combined 11 points. With Ben Roethlisberger out for an extended period of time with a meniscus tear, this is the perfect opportunity for the Ravens to capitalize and get a foothold on the division. Look for the Ravens deep passing attack to punish a bad Jets’ secondary all day long.

New Orleans Saints @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Saints have been a nice surprise this year, staying in most games thanks to drew Brees and his seemingly never-aging arm. The Chiefs will have star running back Jamaal Charles back to close to 100% this week but also have Spencer Ware to help divvy out some damage. The Chiefs offense should put up plenty of points while Marcus Peters and the Chiefs’ defense force three turnovers and win big at home.

Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals

Almost the exact same thing said above about the Ravens can be said here for the Bengals. The Browns are absolutely terrible and will get torched by A.J. Green all day long.

Washington @ Detroit Lions

The Lions offense is dynamic, thanks to Matthew Stafford. The Washington defense is 21^st and 14^th in total yards allowed and passing yards allowed respectively. While the Washington offense should be able to keep pace with the Lions’ offense, this game ultimately will go to the home team with the better quarterback.

Oakland Raiders @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Something about this games just feels like a trap game for the Raiders… On the road and against an offense that desperately needs to get going, this is the perfect opportunity for the Jaguars, who are on a two game winning streak, to capitalize on the league’s worst pass defense. However, the Raiders’ offense is clicking just fine and will continue to move forward against the Jaguars. My man Jalen Ramsey will have his hands full with another favorite player of mine, Amari Cooper. I look forward to those two squaring off for 60 minutes.

Sunday Afternoon Football (1:05 and 1:25 pm AZ time):

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers

Fresh off a nice division win and bye week, the Buccaneers come to the Bay Area looking for a statement win against one of the league’s worst teams. The 49ers will be without running back Carlos Hyde and will field a quarterback in Colin Kaepernick who struggled mightily in his first action of the year against the Bills. The Buccaneers, powered behind Jameis Winston and Mike Evans, will win big on the road and sit at .500 and second place in the NFC South behind the Atlanta Falcons.

San Diego Chargers @ Atlanta Falcons

Speaking of the Falcons, this game against the Chargers could prove vital for them. After an extremely controversial loss to the Seahawks last week, the Falcons should be plenty pissed off and ready to take it out on whoever they play this week. The Chargers, unfortunately, are that team. This game should be very close, but I give the edge to the home team in this game.

New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers

A pissed off Tom Brady meets a Steelers’ team without Ben Roethlisberger and the 31^st ranked pass defense. I don’t care that this game is in Pittsburgh. This game will not be close. Patriots by 20+.

Sunday Night Football (5:30 pm AZ time):

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are coming off a very impressive win versus the Jets, in which the held New York to just three points. The Seahawks have looked pretty damn good for most the season, save an awful game against the Rams. The Cardinals pass rush will feast on one the league’s worst offensive lines and make Seattle very one-dimensional thanks to the porous run game. On prime-time with huge implications on the division, the Cardinals show up big time and get a crucial, season saving win.

Monday Night Football (5:30 pm AZ time):

Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos

The Texans are coming off a very clutch win against the Colts during a prime-time game. The Broncos are coming off an embarrassing loss during a prime-time game. So naturally, we pit these two against each other for a prime-time game. It’s Brock Osweiler’s return to Denver since leaving this offseason during free agency and he is looking to prove the Broncos that they should have paid him like the Texans did. Unfortunately, the Broncos are out to prove they aren’t pretenders and get a crucial win at home. Sorry, Brock. Maybe next time.

Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on Twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.