NFL picks, predictions for Week 7: Seahawks silence Cardinals; Titans edge Steelers; Bears stay hot

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Week 7 of the NFL season comes with several intriguing matchups.  

The Steelers and Titans meet in a battle of undefeated teams in the 1 p.m. window, and that promises to be a tight matchup between two black-and-blue teams. There are seven divisional matchups, including a 4:25 p.m. showdown between the Cardinals and Seahawks. That will be a showcase between Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray.  

The prime-time slots feature a "Sunday Night Football" matchup between the Buccaneers and Raiders and a "Monday Night Football" matchup between the Bears and Rams.  

MORE: SN's latest NFL power rankings

It’s a tough schedule to pick, but Sporting News is back for more:  

  • Last Week: 7-5 (before Monday’s games)  
  • Season: 24-15 (before Monday’s games)  

With that in mind, below are our picks and predictions for Week 7 of the NFL season. As always, our point spreads are courtesy of Sports Insider

NFL picks, predictions for Week 7

  • New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-6)  

Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX/NFL Network 

Carson Wentz didn’t throw an interception for the first time all season in a loss against the Ravens, and that improved play continues against the Giants, who have scored more than 20 points in just one game this season. Even if Miles Sanders and Zach Ertz are out, it’s still a game that they can win.  

Pick: Eagles 22, Giants 19  

  • Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-7.5)  

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX 

Teddy Bridgewater faces his former team, and the Panthers will have a challenge against a rested defense that allows 100.2 yards per game. New Orleans' offense is back on track, and Drew Brees leads the Saints to their third straight victory.  

Pick: Saints 31, Panthers 24 

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  • Green Bay Packers (-3) at Houston Texans  

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX 

The Packers flopped against the Buccaneers, and tackle David Bakthiari was injured in the second half. That's a major concern for protecting Aaron Rodgers, but the running game gets back on track with Aaron Jones against a Houston defense that allows 177.5 yards per game.

Pick: Packers 33, Texans 26 

  • Buffalo Bills (-11.5) at New York Jets  

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS 

The Jets were shut out by Miami in Week 6, and the Bills won the first meeting 27-17. Buffalo gets back on a Sunday schedule in style behind a big game from Josh Allen, who had 312 passing yards in the first meeting.  

Pick: Bills 28, Jets 13  

  • Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons (-3)  

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX 

The Falcons finally won their first game of the season, and Detroit has an opportunity to get back to .500. Both defenses give up more than 28 points per game, so a shootout between Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan seems inevitable.  

Pick: Lions 34, Falcons 30  

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  • Cleveland Browns (-3.5) at Cincinnati Bengals  

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS 

It's Baker Mayfield vs. Joe Burrow, Round II — maybe. Mayfield is dealing with a rib injury, but if he's healthy he will start against a Bengals' defense that couldn't stop the run in the first meeting. Cleveland gets back on track, but the Bengals will make it interesting in the fourth quarter.  

Pick: Browns 27, Bengals 23  

MORE: Can Andy Dalton lead Cowboys to the playoffs?

  • Dallas Cowboys (-3.5) at Washington Football Team   

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX 

Washington continues to struggle on offense — and they have averaged just 15.3 points per game in the past three losses. They might score a little more against Dallas, but the Cowboys pick up another NFC East win with Andy Dalton under center.  

Pick: Cowboys 31, Redskins 22  

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  • Pittsburgh Steelers (-1.5) at Tennessee Titans  

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS 

The league’s second-best offense meets the second-best defense, but the Steelers suffered a major blow losing Devin Bush for the season with a torn ACL. Derrick Henry — who leads the NFL with 588 rushing yards — will keep the Titans on schedule, and Ryan Tannehill makes enough plays to keep Tennessee unbeaten.  

Pick: Titans 23, Steelers 20  

  • Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) at Arizona Cardinals  

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX 

The Seahawks are coming off a bye week, and the Cardinals are working off a short week. These teams split their meetings last year, and Kyler Murray's passing will be the key if the Cards want to keep it close.  

Pick: Seahawks 30, Cardinals 22  

  • Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Chargers (-8)  

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS 

Jacksonville averaged just 15 points per game the past two weeks. The Chargers' defense is bad, but they will get enough stops to support Justin Herbert, who has another big day in the air.  

Pick: Chargers 31, Jaguars 17

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  • Kansas City Chiefs (-10) at Denver Broncos  

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS 

The Chiefs bounced back with a victory against the Bills, and the Broncos were sparked by the return of Drew Lock in an upset against the Patriots. Patrick Mahomes II is 5-0 with a 103.4 passer rating against Denver.  

Pick: Kansas City 34, Denver 20 

  • San Francisco 49ers at New England Patriots (-4) 

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS 

The Patriots are in trouble, and they are catching the 49ers at the wrong time. Jimmy Garoppolo gets enough help in the ground game, and New England questions swirl after a third-straight loss.  

Pick: 49ers 24, Patriots 21  

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) at Las Vegas Raiders 

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC 

The Buccaneers bounced back with a big victory against the Packers, and now Tom Brady gets to haunt Jon Gruden again. Tampa Bay's defense comes up with a late stop in a highly entertaining "Sunday Night Football" matchup.  

Pick: Buccaneers 29, Raiders 23  

  • Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams (NL)  

Monday, 8:15 p.m., NBC 

The past two Bears-Rams matchups have been slugfests, and Jared Goff has struggled in those games with no TDs and five interceptions. Chicago has won five games by seven points or fewer, and that streak continues in a road victory.  

Pick: Bears 21, Rams 18

Author(s)
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Bill Bender is a national college football writer for The Sporting News.