Week 7 NFL Picks And Predictions

There is no truth to the rumor that I'm throwing these picks in order to draft Andrew Luck. I'm just not the best game picker in the world, but I do feel good about this week...

Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A very intriguing matchup that almost got my vote for the Fantasy Matchup of the Week. Josh Freeman and Co. showed life against the Saints, but a trip to London will throw everything out of whack. Being without Gerald McCoy will hurt, but not as much as you'd think. Tampa Bay 24, Chicago 21.

Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins: Can both teams try to lose this game? I'm dubbing this the "Suck for Luck Bowl". Denver 14, Miami 10

San Diego Chargers at New York Jets: I know, I know. West Coast teams should not be trusted under any circumstance when they travel to the East Coast. The easiest move is to pick against them, especially with their best receiver getting taken out by Revis Island. Still, I don't totally trust the atmosphere over in New York...San Diego 28, New York 14

Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions: One game against what may turn out to be a top 5 defense shouldn't change our minds about how good the Lions can be. Atlanta ran the ball better last week than it had all year, but don't expect that to continue against Detroit's Fearsome Foursome. Matt Ryan might want to pad his flak jacket a little bit in this one and Dunta Robinson should be ready to get lit up by Megatron. Detroit 31, Atlanta 20

Washington Redskins at Carolina Panthers: Washington is vulnerable with the quarterback switch, but the defense is for real. Despite four interceptions, the Redskins defense kept them in it with a shot to win late. Will John Beck fix things? I know I'd take Cam Newton over him if I had a choice, but the Panthers defense will be exploited. Washington 23, Carolina 20

Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns: Two sneaky good defenses in this one mean a low scoring game. I trust Colt McCoy more than Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst, even with Peyton Hillis throwing a palace coup. Cleveland 17, Seattle 13

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans: If the Texans have shown us anything in the past two weeks, it's that Andre Johnson's status looms large. I had to pick games for my paper on Monday night. I picked Houston because I thought Dre was going to play. By Wednesday, I was convinced it was the wrong pick because Dre was out a few more weeks. Today? I'm not sure what's going on, but I know the Titans will be scared. Houston 20, Tennessee 17

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders: You know what the Chiefs have? Pluck. You know what Oakland has? A retired quarterback. I like these old school AFC West matchups, even if they aren't always among good teams. Give this one to Oakland for a better running game and defense. Oakland 27, Kansas City 13

Pittsburgh Steelers at Arizona Cardinals: Expect another big game from Ben Roethlisberger as he shreds a bad Arizona secondary. Beanie Wells has a chance to have a good game, as Pittsburgh's defense has been secretly vulnerable to the run this season. That's still not going be enough to pull his Cardinals over the top. Pittsburgh 28, Arizona 17

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings: Green Bay and Minnesota have always played each other tough, but I just don't see this being the game to derail the Packers perfect season. Rodgers and his passing mates are in sync right now and Minnesota may be trotting out a rookie in Christian Ponder. Bad things are bound to happen. Green Bay 31, Minnesota 7.

St. Louis Rams at Dallas Cowboys: It's a trap game! While I buy the theory that the Dallas pass rush will destroy a bad Rams offensive line, beat up an already hurt Sam Bradford and the Cowboys will cruise to the victory, I have reservations. Like DeMarcus Ware missing time this week in practice. Like Jason Garrett's Cowboys not really blowing anyone out under his watch. Like the fact that I think the Rams are better than this and the Cowboys are worse. It's not going to get me to pick the Rams, but I do think it'll be a closer game than expected. Dallas 24, St. Louis 21

Indianapolis Colts at New Orleans Saints: There will be some angst in Saints-ville, what with Sean Payton getting taken out by Jimmy Graham and all. The Colts have given up nine touchdowns to wide receivers this season and the last time I checked, the Saints have a very good receiving corps. This one could get ugly and might be over by 9 p.m. New Orleans 40, Indianapolis 7

Baltimore Ravens at Jacksonville Jaguars: Will this be Jacksonville's first and last time on Monday Night Football this season? After Baltimore wins by 40, they might just cut away at halftime to the indoor ping pong championships or something. Baltimore 35, Jacksonville 3