Sunday will see another game played in London, England when the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) make their annual trek overseas to play. The Los Angeles Rams (4-2) will be waiting with their high flying offense and stellar defense. Both teams can move the football and a key factor in this game will be whether Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will play after suffering an ankle injury last week. The Jags were humbled by Seattle last Sunday after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Week Five. This game should go down to the wire and the call here is the Rams do just enough to earn the victory.
The Philadelphia Eagles are 4-2 and have been reeling after losing their last two games, which included a 34-17 beating they took against the New York Giants last week. They will travel to face the Minnesota Vikings, who come off their bye week after spending two weeks in a row playing in Ireland and England. The Vikings are 3-2 and will look to stay competitive in the rugged NFC North, where all four teams are better than .500 this season. The Eagles need to get it going with the offense and get back to their bread and butter, which is the running game. Former Eagles QB Carson Wentz may be the starter for Minnesota if J.J. McCarthy (ankle injury) still cannot go in this home game. Expect a tight game and it's likely that turnovers will dictate the outcome in this one.
In Los Angeles, the Chargers (4-2) will face the Indianapolis Colts (5-1), a team that has scored 194 points already (32.3 PPG) and features a strong running game led by Jonathan Taylor, who has rushed for 603 yards and scored seven rushing touchdowns (eight total TD) in the first six games. The L.A. defense has been solid, but has struggled against good rushing offenses in their two losses. The big factor in the game will be the Chargers being able to balance the offense with QB Justin Herbert and company showing a good running attack last week, even with their top two running backs out with injuries.
Atlanta will travel to face the injury depleted San Francisco 49ers (4-2) this week. The Falcons (3-2) toppled the Buffalo Bills on Monday night and it's never easy to go across the country following a Monday night game. The 49ers defense took a big hit when All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner was lost for the season with a broken ankle. They already are without premier pass rusher Nick Bosa (season ending knee surgery) so it will be a challenge to slow down Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, who has rushed for 484 yards in five games, including 170 yards last week against the Bills. If the Falcons show balance on offense, they could come away with the win in this game, but it won't be easy.
Perhaps the game of the week will be on Monday night in Detroit when the Lions (4-2) face the surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) and their red hot quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Detroit defense will look to pressure and contain Mayfield, who has been without several top wide receivers in recent games, but still finding ways to win. The Lions had been leading the NFL in scoring until last Sunday night, when they were limited to 17 points in a setback against Kansas City, which snapped their four-game win streak. Playing at home will help, so look for the Lions to get back on track in this game in what should be a tight one.
The rest of the games in Week Seven are featured in the capsule style previews and the Heftyinfo picks follow up.
Carolina (3-3) at New York Jets (0-6) - Jets are due to play a game that will get them a win. The Panthers have won two straight games by three points, so they better be ready in this one on the road.
New Orleans (1-5) at Chicago (3-2) - The Bears have been rolling and that should continue in a home game against a Saints team that has been playing better, but still finds ways to lose games.
Miami (1-5) at Cleveland (1-5) - This game will go a long way to determine which team gets the top pick in the next NFL draft.
New England (4-2) at Tennessee (1-5) - Former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel returns and he would love to show his former bosses how wrong they were to let him go. Patriots have been playing good football and should get another win in this one.
Las Vegas (2-4) at Kansas City (3-3) - Chiefs getting healthy and now will have speedy wide receiver Rashee Rice back (from six-game suspension) for this game . . . as if QB Patrick Mahomes needs more weapons. Take the Chiefs.
New York Giants (2-4) at Denver (4-2) - Can the Giants get a big win on the road? The Broncos strong defense will provide the stiffest of challenges for hot shot rookies (QB) Jaxson Dart and (RB) Cam Skattebo. Giants pass rush will look to force Denver quarterback Bo Nix into mistakes.
Washington (3-3) at Dallas (2-3-1) - This game will most likely be a high scoring one and obviously fits the definition of a toss up. Cowboys win in a squeaker.
Green Bay (3-1-1) at Arizona (2-4) - Can the Cardinals stop their four game skid? A lot depends on how their defense does against the Packers attack.
Houston (2-3) at Seattle (4-2) - The second of the Monday night games in the Great Northwest . . . take the Seahawks in this game, which will be a close one.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Seven . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Pittsburgh over Cincinnati
L.A. Rams over Jacksonville (game being played in London, England)
N.Y. Jets over Carolina
Chicago over New Orleans
Cleveland over Miami
New England over Tennessee
KANSAS CITY over Las Vegas
Philadelphia over Minnesota
Denver over N.Y. Giants
L.A. Chargers over Indianapolis
Dallas over Washington
Green Bay over Arizona
San Francisco over Atlanta
Detroit over Tampa Bay
Seattle over Houston
Last Week's Record - 9-6
SEASON RECORD - 56-36-1
Lock of the Week Record - 6-0
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