GAME PICKS... NFL WEEK 7
Who I'm picking to win and why in the coming round of NFL games
The wild and wacky NFL season continues with Week 7 action that I doubt will provide too much clarity. And I’m left with this burning question after six weeks of play… “Do we really know who the best team in the league is right now?”
While it was not the world’s greatest showing, I did get back to winning ways in terms of my predictions after a shaky round just seven days earlier. I went 10-5 in Week 6, taking my season record to 61-32.
Here are my Week 7 picks, which includes the 60th international game in NFL history which, fittingly, takes place in London.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-1) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-4)
The two oldest quarterbacks in the league will face off as 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers leads the Steelers against the 40-year-old Joe Flacco and the Bengals. Flacco started on just a couple of days’ notice last week and got better as the game in Green Bay went on. Rodgers is in good form and there is nothing wrong with his right arm. He also has the better defense. Neil’s Pick… Pittsburgh Steelers
LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-2) vs JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-2)
The Rams could be without star wide receiver Puka Nacua (ankle), but I think Matthew Stafford has the smarts to navigate a way through a Jacksonville D that will miss turnover-machine linebacker Devin Lloyd. The Jags conceded seven sacks to Seattle in Week 6, so finding an answer to the Rams’ pass rush could prove to be problematic. Neil’s Pick… Los Angeles Rams
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-5) AT CHICAGO BEARS (3-2)
The Saints have shown themselves to be a pretty feisty team in recent weeks and the big play is most definitely a part of their offense. But the Bears have done well taking the football away with eight interceptions (2nd NFL). With three straight wins, Chicago have momentum and simply have to take care of business at home if they are to show growth is underway. Neil’s Pick… Chicago Bears
MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-5) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-5)
Tough game to call (or care about). The Browns play really good defense at home, but their offense is so hit and miss. They cannot ask Dillon Gabriel to drop back and throw 50 times when Quinshon Judkins is in the backfield. This game is going to come down to who messes it up fewer times than the opposition. It won’t be a classic but give me the Dolphins. Neil’s Pick… Miami Dolphins
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-4) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-3)
For the first time in 2025, I expect the Chiefs to be sitting with a winning record by the end of Sunday. Geno Smith throws too many interceptions against regular defenses, so goodness knows what he will do against Steve Spagnuolo’s group. The only way this stays close is if the Raiders play well on defense, which they have often done against Patrick Mahomes. Neil’s Pick… Kansas City Chiefs
GAME OF THE WEEK PRESENTED BY HICKORY’S SMOKEHOUSE
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-2) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-2)
Neil’s Pick… Minnesota Vikings
CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-3) AT NEW YORK JETS (0-6)
The preseason bravado is fading away from the Jets and I think the pressure is starting to show on head coach Aaron Glenn. Things have been so bad in recent weeks and if that were to continue, Glenn could be in one-and-done territory. He insists things will take time, but will he get to pick a quarterback for 2026 and beyond? The Panthers are really coming along. Neil’s Pick… Carolina Panthers
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-2) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-5)
The coach-less Titans are a hot mess and I would imagine Mike Vrabel is glad to be with his beloved Patriots now instead of toiling away in Nashville. With Drake Maye growing by the week and with a proven leader steering the ship, this turnaround has happened quickly. It was not that long ago New England were one defeat away from the first pick in the NFL Draft. Neil’s Pick… New England Patriots
NEW YORK GIANTS (2-4) AT DENVER BRONCOS (4-2)
Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo look like the type of player who would say, ‘Take on a pack of lions on the savannah? We got you!’ They have no fear. But here comes their toughest test yet in the form of this Denver defense, which might be the best in the NFL. Now would be a good week for Dart to stop taking so many hits. Denver need more offensive consistency. Neil’s Pick… Denver Broncos
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-1) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4-2)
When I cast my mind back to a surprisingly-chilly July night in Westfield, Indiana, I can see footballs filling the sky and big plays being made all over the field. The Colts were humming in a training camp scrimmage… Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Warren, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Michael Pittman – they all took turns to shine. This offense and this team is for real. Neil’s Pick… Indianapolis Colts
GREEN BAY PACKERS (3-1-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-4)
The Cardinals are going to have to roll with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback for a few weeks and having a solid presence at that position might help them. But I doubt it will be enough to topple a Green Bay team with much bigger ambitions. One thing to watch for the Packers moving forward… when can we expect to see a massive week-to-week Micah Parsons impact. Neil’s Pick… Green Bay Packers
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-3) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (2-3-1)
Dallas present a dangerous proposition for a Washington team that has been up and down in starting the season 3-3. The Cowboys score proficiently every week and Dak Prescott has 10 touchdown passes and no picks in the past three games. But the D gives up a league-worst 412 yards per game. That said, I’m believing this will be a high-scoring home win. Neil’s Pick… Dallas Cowboys
ATLANTA FALCONS (3-2) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-2)
Raheem Morris’ Falcons seem to be rounding into a complete team. Michael Penix to Drake London is a connection that is gaining momentum, Bijan Robinson is one of the very best running backs in the league and the D is showing signs of life. Guessing who is back and who is out is a weekly adventure in San Francisco. We do know Fred Warner is gone for the year and that hurts. Neil’s Pick… Atlanta Falcons
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-1) AT DETROIT LIONS (4-2)
The Bucs are rolling so splendidly on offense that Baker Mayfield is coaxing career performances out of the fifth and sixth receivers on the depth chart. The Lions are banged up defensively and safety Brian Branch is suspended. But I think this team will bounce back behind a strong offensive performance on home soil, further confusing the NFC picture. Neil’s Pick… Detroit Lions
HOUSTON TEXANS (2-3) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4-2)
The Texans woke up on the offensive side of the ball before their bye week but there will be no parades thrown for wins over Tennessee and Baltimore. Travel up to Seattle and knock off the Seahawks and Houston will have my attention again. For now, I cannot see any way that happens. Seattle are the real deal with regular contributors on both sides of the ball. Neil’s Pick… Seattle Seahawks
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