NFL 2021 Week 7 Predictions

The commish is coming off a strong performance and ready to roll for his NFL 2021 Week 7 predictions  Last week’s 4-1 turnout pushed the season record to 19/30 (63%).    Let’s jump right into this week’s selections.  Let me first say this is not a great week so we’re sort of picking through the trash here.  But since I’m forced to make five plays in my DraftKings contest I will make five recommendations just like I do every week.

Cincinnati Bengals +6.5 over Baltimore Ravens

For us AFC North fans, this is arguably today’s best game on the entire card.   Cincy has come a long way since they lost to the Bears a month ago.  They have proved they can either hang with the best (Packers) and also beat the doormats soundly (Lions).  And now they come in to a game where the winner will walk out with the division lead.  Baltimore is playing great ball and they continue getting favorable schedule with a string of home games.  Risk taking coach Zach Taylor will be outmatched today by John Harbough but that won’t stop him from gambling today and and the trio of wide receivers that young Joe has at his disposal plus a steady Mixon will keep them in this game till the end.  This is a one possession game and the Bengals get inside the number or perhaps get the outright win if they can just (gulp) sort of contain Lamar.

New York Giants + 3 over Carolina

Big blue spent the week licking their wounds after getting pounded by the Rams and Carolina comes in off a loss as well after the Vikings tried to blow another game (and failed) and won another at the buzzer with a walk-off TD in overtime.   But what this handicap comes down to is that Carolina is not a good football team.  I have them ranked 25th overall and the Giants 27th but I think the Panthes are worse than that and Giants slightly better than their ranking.   I also have Daniel Jones ranked 23rd in QBs and Darnold a few notches down at 29th.  To me this is a pick-em game and so getting an FG at home is worth taking.   I made a vow not to bet on bad teams any more and I’m breaking that with selection but I think there’s enough closing line value here + 3 and meaningful indicator that this opened at 2.5.    But the Giants low and hold your nose a bit.

NFL 2021 Week 7 Predictions

Kansas City Chiefs -4.5 over Tennessee Titans

A cluster injury in the secondary for the Titans.  Just what they needed against the most lethal offense in the league.  Throw in an emotional victory on Monday night football against the second best team in the AFC.  And now you meet the divisions best team on one day less rest.  The country is high on the Titans after they beat Buffalo but let’s not forget that their defense is ranked 29th in the league.   The Chiefs defense is even worse at 31 but somehow looked a bit better against the Redskins last week which makes me think they may have figured some things out.   Overall, I have the Chiefs ranked 13th and the Titans ranked 23rd.  This feels like another scoring bonanza like Monday night and this time the Titans run out of gas in the 4th.

Philadelphia Eagles + 3.0 over Las Vegas Raiders

I was certain the Raiders were going to win last week against an over rated Denver team and driven by the emotional sting of the Gruden firing.  But the Raiders are clearly overmatched in this one and I see a strong possibility they will come crashing down to earth today.   I have Philly ranked 18th overall and Vegas ranked 21st but these are two teams headed in opposite directions.   With Gruden gone, this is the week where we truly see the effect of his absence.   The creativity and on field decision making will truly be missed today.  And all the injury news broke in Philly’s favor this week.  Add in ten days of rest to prepare for this one this is a solid play.  I’m not really a Jalen Hurts as he appears to be a run-first QB like so many from Bama but I digress, this is a pick-em game and there’s real value getting 3 here.

San Francisco – 4 over Indy Colts

I hope the Colts are ready for their fourth road game in five weeks and heading all the way to the west coast.  Jimmy G, one of my least favorite QBs will be back in the saddle this week and that’s a good thing based on Trey Lance not really being ready for prime time despite his superior athleticism and raw talent.   The prime time spotlight will also help Jimmy and his ugly play will likely return in the coming weeks when it’s needed most against the NFC west division foes.   But from a QB perspective, Carson Wentz concerns me even more so.   I still have the 49ers ranked 10th and the Colts are 15th overall.  Two weeks to prepare for this one for the 49ers and by the time the second half rolls around the Colts will likely get mowed down by this 49er offense and Wentz will be running for his life and throwing off balance interceptions and shaking his head.

NFL 2021 Week 7 Predictions