Two big divisional battles take place this weekend when the Houston Texans face the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC South tilt. The Texans are 4-2 and on top of the division race while the host Colts are 3-2 and alone in second place. The Sunday night game will see the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the host Dallas Cowboys in the battle for first place in the NFC East. Both of those teams have 3-3 records.Dallas started out 3-0 against weaker teams, but have lost three straight games, which included a loss to to the 0-4 New York Jets last Sunday afternoon. The Eagles have been up and down so far in the 2019 season and last Sunday, they got smashed up in Minnesota, 38-20 as the Vikings raced out to a big lead and won going away.
The Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) blew out the host Denver Broncos, 30-6 on Thursday night to get Week Seven started. However, their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a dislocated knee cap and could be out several weeks. If he is gone for an extended period of time, that could make things very interesting in the AFC West race.
The Oakland Raiders (3-2) have been a pleasant surprise so far this season and they face the host Green Bay Packers (5-1) on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers (2-4) have been a huge disappointment to this point as they were expected to be the top challenger to Kansas City once again this year. Denver (2-5) is the bottom team in the division and probably won't be a contender this season.
Another big game will see the Baltimore Ravens (4-2) at the Seattle Seahawks (5-1) with both teams coming off one-score victories last weekend. The Seahawks have won three consecutive games while the Ravens have won two in a row following a two-game losing streak.
Seattle QB Russell Wilson has been playing at an MVP level so far as he has tossed 14 touchdown passes with zero interceptions and has a QB rating of 124.7 through the first six games. The Ravens have a balanced offense (205 rushing yards per game and 246 passing) and are currently third in the NFL in scoring, averaging 30.7 points per game. This game could go down to the wire in the great Northwest.
Two other games that will have impact in the NFC North division race include the Minnesota Vikings (4-2) at the Detroit Lions (2-2-1) and the Chicago Bears (3-2) hosting the red hot New Orleans Saints (5-1) at Soldier Field. The Lions feel they got hosed by the officiating crew in their Monday night loss, 23-22 at Green Bay and they face a Vikings team that has won two straight in blowout fashion.
The Bears are coming off their bye week after losing to the Oakland Raiders in London, 24-21 as their vaunted defense was gashed by the Raiders ground attack. The Saints have won four straight games with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback in place of Drew Brees, who's been out with the thumb injury. In addition, Saints play maker on offense Alvin Kamara has been ruled out for the game with ankle and knee injuries. This game should be close and if the Bears can pressure Teddy B, they will likely come out on top in this one.
The rest of the Week Seven action is previewed in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks for all the games follows.
Los Angeles Rams (3-3) at Atlanta Falcons (1-5) - The Rams have lost three straight and the Falcons have dropped four games in a row. Something has to give, unless it's a tie game this Sunday.
Miami Dolphins (0-5) at Buffalo Bills (4-1) - If the Bills lose this one, they might as well forget about calling themselves serious AFC playoff contenders.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-6) - The Jaguars finally dealt Jalen Ramsey this week, but will they be able to keep the Bengals winless?
Minnesota Vikings (4-2) at Detroit Lions (2-2-1) - Lions looking to restore the roar at home in this game. Vikings steadily improving since their debacle in Chicago three weeks ago.
Oakland Raiders (3-2) at Green Bay Packers (5-1) - The Pack is back!
Houston Texans (4-2) at Indianapolis Colts (3-2) - Can the Colts tough defense stymie Texans QB Deshaun Watson?
Arizona Cardinals (2-3-1) at New York Giants (2-4) - The Giants have been blown out two straight games while the Cards have won two in a row in last minute drama.
San Francisco 49ers (5-0) at Washington Redskins (1-5) - The 49ers have perhaps the best defense in the NFL to this point. The Redskins are a mess.
Los Angeles Chargers (2-4) at Tennessee Titans (2-4) - So far, the Chargers have to be considered the most over rated team in the league in 2019 season. Titans not much better as they have benched starting QB Marcus Mariota.
New Orleans Saints (5-1) at Chicago Bears (3-2) - This is a must win game for the Bears if they want to stay close in the NFC North.
Baltimore Ravens (4-2) at Seattle Seahawks (5-1) - The game of the week featuring two solid teams. Take the Seahawks at home in this one.
Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) at Dallas Cowboys (3-3) - The Sunday night game between two teams that have struggled recently. Cowboys rate slight edge as the home team.
New England Patriots (6-0) at New York Jets (1-4) - Jets are flying high after their big win last week vs. Dallas, but the Patriots are the top scoring team in the NFL and have also allowed the fewest points through six games.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Seven . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Kansas City over Denver
Atlanta over LA Rams
BUFFALO over Miami
Cincinnati over Jacksonville
Detroit over Minnesota
Green Bay over Oakland
Indianapolis over Houston
NY Giants over Arizona
San Francisco over Washington
Tennessee over LA Chargers
Chicago over New Orleans
Seattle over Baltimore
Dallas over Philadelphia
New England over NY Jets
Last Week's Record - 9-5
SEASON RECORD - 58-33-1
Lock of the Week Record - 6-0
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