Week 7 NFL Picks & Predictions

2023 NFL WEEK 7 PICKS AND PREDICTIONS

It was a bit of a shock to see both the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles lose their first games in the same week. The Niners struggled after losing both Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel while facing Cleveland’s hard-hitting defense, while Jalen Hurts threw three interceptions in a loss to the Jets. Look for the Niners to bounce back against the struggling Vikings, while the Eagles face a major test against the Dolphins.

See our full breakdown of NFL Picks, NFL Player Props, and NFL Odds

Each week we bring you our best NFL bets for that week. Take a look at our past picks and weekly win-loss records:

NFL Week 1 Picks: 11-4 straight up, 6-6, ATS, 2-1 Best Bets

NFL Week 2 Picks: 11-5 straight up, 7-6-1 ATS, 2-1 Best Bets

NFL Week 3 Picks: 6-10 straight up, 6-10, 0-3 Best Bets

NFL Week 4 Picks: 12-4 straight up, 11-4-1 ATS, 1-1-1 Best Bets

NFL Week 5 Picks: 5-9 straight up; 7-7 ATS, 1-2 Best Bets

NFL Week 6 Picks: 10-5 straight up; 8-6 ATS; 2-1 Best Bets.

NFL Week 7 Schedule

Thursday, Oct. 19

Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video

Sunday, Oct. 22

Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Las Vegas Raiders at Chicago Bears ,1 p.m. ET, Fox
Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Washington Commanders at New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Miami Dolphins at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Monday, Oct. 23

San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

NFL PICKS & PREDICTIONS FOR WEEK 7

All lines courtesy of FanDuel.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Spread: Jax. -1

Over-Under: 42.5

Moneyline: Jacksonville -115; New Orleans -105

The Jaguars have won three games in a row and are starting to play like a legitimate playoff team. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a knee injury in Week 6 against the Colts, but he appears to have avoided a major problem and is considered day-to-day. If Allen can’t play, backup C.J. Beathard will get the call, and that means the Jaguars will depend on the running of Travis Etienne and their ball-hawking defense. That unit produced 3 interceptions against the Colts, and could mean trouble for Saints quarterback Derek Carr.

New Orleans did very little on offense in the second half of their 20-13 loss to the Houston Texans, but they have a pair of dangerous receivers in Michael Thomas and Chris Olave. The Saints are 5-2 straight up and 6-1 ATS against the Jaguars.

Prediction: New Orleans, Straight up and ATS.

ATLANTA FALCONS vs. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Spread: TB -2.5

O-U: 40.5

Moneyline:Tampa Bay -135, Atlanta +113

The Buccaneers had an opportunity to push their record to 4-1, but they could not handle a very solid Detroit Lions team even though they were at home. The key in this game is for Baker Mayfield and his teammates to shake off that 20-6 defeat and not let it linger.

The Falcons don’t present anything close to the threat the Lions did, mainly because they are struggling at the quarterback position. Desmond Ridder got off to a decent start this season, but he lacks the consistency to get the job done. He threw 3 interceptions in a week 6 loss to the Commanders, and if he continues to throw the ball 40 times or more, multiple interceptions will result. Rookie running back Bijan Robinson represents the Falcons best offensive threat. Tampa Bay has won 5 of their last 6 games against the Falcons.

Prediction: Tampa Bay, Straight up and ATS.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS at CHICAGO BEARS

Spread: Las Vegas -1

O-U: 46.5

Moneyline: LV -115, Chicago -105

The Raiders have put together back-to-back victories over the Packers and Patriots in order to get back to the .500 mark, and they should have an excellent chance of making it three wins in a row against a very limited Chicago team. Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo may not be available due to a back injury, while Justin Fields of the Bears dislocated his thumb (passing hand) and is unlikely to play. Josh Jacobs will give the Raiders a tough running game and Brian Hoyer is a capable backup quarterback.

The Bears have a slew of running back injuries and undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent is not experienced enough to threaten the Las Vegas defense. Star pass rusher Maxx Crosby (5.5 sacks) is capable of taking over a game at any time. The Bears are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 meetings with the Raiders.

Prediction: Las Vegas, Straight up and ATS

CLEVELAND BROWNS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Spread: Cleveland -2.5

O-U: 42.5

Moneyline: Cleveland -142, Indianapolis +120

The Browns are coming off a huge win over the 49ers, and their confidence should be sky high because their defense kept one of the best offensive teams in football at bay. The Browns have one of the strongest defensive teams in the league and they are led by Myles Garrett (5.5 sacks). If he can get off to a good start with a sack in the first quarter, he can be unstoppable. P.J. Walker played in place of Deshaun Watson for the Browns, and there are no guarantees that Watson will return here.

The Colts play hard for rookie head coach Shane Steichen, but quarterback Gardner Minshew will have his hands filled trying to contend with Cleveland’s attacking defense. The Colts are 8-2 straight up in their last 10 games vs the Browns.

Prediction: Cleveland, Straight up and ATS

DETROIT LIONS at BALTIMORE RAVENS

Spread: Baltimore -2.5

O-U: 44.5

Moneyline: Baltimore -140, Detroit +120

The Lions continue to climb the ladder, but this game represents a major test for head coach Dan Campbell. Going on the road against a team that has been a regular participant in the AFC playoffs and one that has a slew of weapons on both sides of the ball will be a challenge. In addition to showing wide-ranging improvement on defense, the Lions have become an intelligent, efficient team. The QB-WR combination of Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown is dangerous and will cause problems for the Ravens.

Lamar Jackson took charge in the Ravens victory over the Titans, and his athleticism is a major weapon that will challenge Aidan Hutchinson, Alex Anzalone and the Lions defense. The Ravens are 5-1 straight up and 4-2 ATS vs. the Lions since the franchise moved to Baltimore.

Prediction: Baltimore, Straight up and ATS

BUFFALO BILLS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Spread: Buff -8.5

O-U: 43.5

Moneyline: Buffalo -390, New England+310

The Bills struggled badly as they returned home after their overseas trip to London and subsequent loss to the Jaguars. They were heavily favored to beat the offensively inept New York Giants, but the Bills had to survive the last play of the game to beat the Giants and their backup quarterback. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs are capable of lighting up the scoreboard if they can get off to a good start, and the sight of their arch-rivals from New England should bring out a better offensive effort.

The Patriots continue to lose as they fell to the Raiders in Week 6, and their offense continues to disappoint. Quarterback Mac Jones threw some excellent 4th quarter passes against the Raiders secondary but his receivers failed him with some inexcusable drops. After years of getting dominated by the Patriots, the Bills have won 6 of their last 7 meetings with New England and they have gone 5-2 ATS in those games.

Prediction: Buffalo, Straight up and ATS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS at NEW YORK GIANTS

Spread: Washington -1.5

O-U: 41.5

Moneyline: Washington -120, NY Giants +100

The Commanders bounced back from a putrid effort against the Chicago Bears with a solid showing on the road in the win over the Falcons. Sam Howell took a lot of abuse as he was sacked 5 times by Atlanta, but he had a 3-0 TD-interception ratio. Terry McLaurin was his primary target and he caught 6-81, and he may be too elusive for the New York secondary. Expect a huge effort from Ron Rivera’s team because a late-season loss to the Giants last year cost Washington a spot in the postseason. Poor clock management at the end of the first half likely cost the Giants a chance to pick up a road win at Buffalo.

Tyrod Taylor did an adequate job for New York in throwing for 200 yards and avoiding any interceptions. Head coach Brian Daboll may want to give Daniel Jones another week off before inserting him back in the lineup. The Giants appear to be playing harder than they did at the start of the season, but they fail to perform adequately when the game is on the line. The Giants are 6-3-1 straight up and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games against the Commanders.

Prediction: Washington, Straight up and ATS

ARIZONA CARDINALS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Spread: Seattle -7

O-U: 46.5

Moneyline: Seattle -345, Arizona +275

The Seahawks played a credible game in their 17-13 loss at Cincinnati in Week 6, but Pete Carroll’s team came out on the short end and that should ensure a powerful effort here against a hard-trying Cardinals team that lacks adequate talent. Geno Smith was a bit sloppy against the Bengals with 323 yards and 2 interceptions. The Seahawks three-headed receiver trio of D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is quite dangerous. FS Quandre Diggs is a hard hitter who had 8 tackles against Cincinnati.

Joshua Dobbs continues to be an impressive story for the Cardinals, but he simply does not have the talented teammates to help the Cardinals turn their season around. Wideout Marquise Brown has caught 29-334-3, and he is probably Arizona’s best receiving weapon. Linebacker Dennis Gardeck has 4.0 sacks and he could cause problems for Smith on the pass rush. The Cardinals are 5-3 straight up and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 trips to Seattle.

Prediction: Seattle, straight up; Arizona, ATS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS at LOS ANGELES RAMS

Spread: LA Rams -3

O-U: 42.5

Moneyline: Pittsburgh +130, Carolina -165

The Steelers have won six straight games after the bye week, and it would not be a shocker to see that streak continue in this game. While the Steelers have yet to play a complete game this season, they bring a .500 record into Week 7. One thing the Steelers have done well is they have managed to turn up the intensity in the 4th quarter. They have one of the game’s best defensive players in T.J. Watt, but the Steelers need second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett (5-4 TD-interception ratio) to pick it up from here.

The Rams have exceeded expectations this year, and now that Cooper Kupp is back in form, quarterback Matthew Stafford has an excellent 1-2 punch at the wide receiver position with Kupp and early-season phenom Puka Nacua. Kyren Williams has also provided a lift at the running back position with 456 yards, a 4.7 yards per carry mark and 6 rushing touchdowns, but an ankle injury will likely keep him out of this game. While Aaron Donald is supposed to be the defensive leader on the Rams, keep your eye on linebacker Ernest Jones, who leads the team with 63 tackles. The Rams are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 games against AFC opponents

Prediction: Pittsburgh, Straight up and ATS

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Spread: KC -6

O-U: 52

Moneyline: KC -245, LA +200

The Chargers are coming off a Monday night loss to the Cowboys, and this game against Kansas City is vital to the outcome of their season. Many observers look at the Chargers as the primary challengers to the Chiefs in the AFC West, and if that is going to happen they can’t let the Chiefs pull out yet another victory within the division. Justin Herbert is clearly one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league, but he missed open receivers against Dallas. Herbert has a stellar receiver in Keenan Allen and a superb running back in Austin Ekeler.

The Chiefs have won 5 straight games since losing their season opener, but Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense has not hit its stride yet. Other than tight end Travis Kelce, the wide receivers have been inconsistent. The Chiefs may not look at this game with the same importance the Chargers do. The Chiefs have dominated the series with the Chargers, having won 15 of their last 18 meetings.

Prediction: L.A. Chargers, Straight up and ATS

GREEN BAY PACKERS at DENVER BRONCOS

Spread: Green Bay -1.5

O-U: 46.5

Moneyline: Green Bay -120, Denver +100

The Packers had a week off to prepare for this game, and they can’t let an opportunity against the worst defense in football slip through their grasp. This is a crucial game for quarterback Jordan Love. If he struggles against a defense that other quarterbacks have lit up, it will deliver a message to the Packers leadership that they will likely need a new signal caller. Running back Aaron Jones should be able to take some of the pressure off Love.

The Broncos may be coming to the conclusion that Russelll Wilson is past his expiration date and can no longer make the plays that lead his team to victory. Unfortunately, the same may be true of head coach Sean Payton, who appears to be given to panic as he attempts to lead the team back to a significant position. The Packers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games against the Broncos

Prediction: Green Bay, Straight up and ATS

MIAMI DOLPHINS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Spread: Philadelphia -2.5

O-U: 53.5

Moneyline: Philadelphia -155, Miami +130

The Eagles tasted defeat for the first time this season when they lost to the Jets for the first time ever. Jalen Hurts has been the source of multiple victories for the Eagles, but he uncharacteristically threw 3 interceptions against New York. Hurts will need to bounce back after that effort. He has a pair of game-changing receivers in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith who will cause problems for the Miami secondary.

The Dolphins have the most explosive offense in football with Tua Tagovailoa’s pinpoint accuracy (71.1 percent completion percentage, 14-5 TD-interception ratio) and the speed and skill of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle dominating through the early part of the season. The Eagles have the defense to rise to the challenge. Philadelphia is 10-4 straight-up and ATS vs. AFC East opponents in their last 14 meetings.

Prediction: Philadelphia, Straight Up; Miami, ATS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Spread: SF -7.5

O-U: 45.5

Moneyline: SF -375, Minn. +295

The 49ers suffered 2 key injuries in their loss to the Browns as running back Christian McCaffrey (oblique) and Deebo Samuel (shoulder) both went down and may not be available for this game. While they would be missed if they can’t play, the Niners have a slew of weapons for quarterback Brock Purdy including tight end George Kittle. The Vikings have been disappointing this season and their only victories came against the Panthers and the Bears, two of the worst teams in the league.

Kirk Cousins will try to get the best of San Francisco’s excellent defense without All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson (hamstring). The Vikings are hopeful that speedy rookie Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson will be able to make key plays and threaten the Niners. The Vikings are 8-2 straight up and 9-1 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. the Niners.

Prediction: San Francisco, Straight up and ATS

NFL WEEK 7 PICKS & BEST BETS

BEST BETS NFL THIS WEEK

Buffalo -8.5 over at New England – The Bills escaped by the slimmest of margins in their Week 6 Sunday night victory over the Giants. There won’t be any narrow escapes in New England. The sight of Bill Belichick and his team brings out the best in the Bills, and they should send the last-place Pats to yet another loss.
At Baltimore -2.5 over Detroit – The Lions have been one of the top stories of the year, playing much improved defense and opportunistic offense thanks to Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. While the Lions are surging, they are stepping up in class against the Ravens, and they will fall short on the road.
Green Bay -1.5 over at Denver – The rested Packers desperately need this win to get back on track this season. While Jordan Love has not demonstrated consistency to this point in the season, he should be able to exploit Denver’s brutal defense. Russell Wilson is capable of moving the Broncos, but he will turn the ball over when the game is on the line.