NFL 2017 Week 7 picks

I've had two consecutive weeks of 50% or worse in my picks.  That almost never happens!  Along with the fact that we have no unbeaten teams after only 6 weeks, my record this season demonstrates how strange this NFL season has been.

I made my picks on Wed but had no time to post this. I felt good about this week, because nearly all of the games seemed easy to pick.  In the interim the Thursday night game was played, and my pick, the Kansas City Chiefs, lost.  In fact, I figured that game would have the largest margin of victory.  Of course, I also thought that Derek Carr would not be playing, but I still would have picked the Chiefs.  Not exactly an auspicious beginning to the week.

Sunday early games
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams:  With all of the strangeness going on this season, the Rams have emerged as a Top Five team.  Quite a turnaround in just a couple of years!  Their defense is tough, and should give the Cardinals offense problems.  Since the Cardinals offense can sometimes give THEMSELVES problems, that does not bode well for Arizona.  RAMS

Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings:  For the second straight week the Ravens face an NFC North team.  After the loss to the Bears, I doubt they are looking forward to this one.  The Vikings beat Green Bay last week, but that had more to do with the loss of Aaron Rodgers than the Vikings.  Still, their offense moves well, especially the running game, and with a thin bench for the Ravens, a long drawn-out running game may wear them down.  VIKINGS

Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears:  The Bears won in overtime last week, but this game won't even get to overtime.  The Panthers have a very efficient offense.  They haven't been as consistent as they should be this season, but depleted Bears defense should help that offense move this week.  Mitch Trubisky is playing better than Mike Glennon, but it will still take the Bears some time to have the offense move effectively.  PANTHERS

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts:  The Colts are stuggling without Andrew Luck under center, and now it seems uncertain if he will be returning at all this season.  Meanwhile, Jacksonville is having one of their most successful seasons ever.  JAGUARS

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers: The Packers offense is stalled without Aaron Rodgers, while the Saints offense flies.  With the number of injuries among the Packers defense, that offense will get plenty of chances this week.  SAINTS

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins:  This game could be close.  Games between these rivals are often high-scoring affairs, with frequent lead changes.  I don't think one will be high-scoring, but I do figure we'll see a close game with each team leading at least three times in the game.  Who will emerge victorious?  I like the Dolphins, just because they seem better at managing the clock.  If they have the lead late in the fourth, they will choose plays to ensure the Jets don't have enough time to get a final score.  DOLPHINS

Sunday late games
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers:  Okay, Big Ben seems to have completely shaken off the residue of his career-high five interception game.  The team looked strong last week.  The Bengals continue to struggle on offense, and its a mystery.  Most of the players are the same ones they had last year, and Dalton has been leading this offense for years.  I do expect the Steelers defense to exploit every confusion and miscommunication caused by the Bengals, though.  STEELERS

Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers:  Maybe Dallas should have just accepted Zeke Elliot's suspension, as the tension caused by the appeal seems to be affecting his performance.  He has rarely been the dynamic back he was last year, and the Cowboys offensive output has reduced because of it.  Fortunately for them, the 49ers offensive output is even lower. COWBOYS

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers:  Watch out, Denver!  After lackluster performances at the beginning of the season, the Chargers have caught on in the past two weeks.  Could that translate to a win?  I'm not sure.  The Chargers certain have the talent to win, and their offensive players are much more in sync, but I think they'll get a bit lackluster, believing they have solved all of their problems.  Trevor Siemian is not a flashy quarterback like Peyton Manning was, but he analyzes the field well and makes few mistakes.  The consistency will help the Broncos get past the revitalized Chargers, although they will need some help from their defense to do it.  BRONCOS

Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants:  The Giants finally got into the "win" column last week, but don't expect it to last.  The Giants still showed confusion, and Eli Manning was still more inaccurate than usual.  These are things that the Seahawks defense will feast upon.  SEAHAWKS

Sunday night
Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots:  This could be an interesting game.  The Patriots seem to have righted themselves, and are looking as dangerous as usual.  The Falcons offense remains deadly.  This could became a shoot-out.  The difference might be the Patriots defense, who could be just "handsy" enough to make trouble for the Falcons receivers.  PATRIOTS

Monday Night Football
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles:  Thanks to two consecutive Chiefs losses, the Eagles are the strongest team in the league.  Washington tries, but frequently comes up short.  The Eagles will roll.  EAGLES