Billsfans Bets: NFL Week 7 Picks

(0 reviews)

Week 7 of the NFL schedule brings with it the next four teams up for bye weeks, leaving 14 matchups for consideration. AFC North contender Cleveland takes on division leader Baltimore knowing that victory would wipe out the gap between them and possibly give the Browns the lead in the division. Green Bay will seek to put their recent woes to bed against Washington in yet another game they really should win, and the 49ers will take on the Chiefs in a battle between leaders of their respective leagues West divisions.

These are my picks from the best of the Week 7 schedule.

New York Giants @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Betting Lines:

Spread: Giants +3.5, Jags -3.5

Total: Over/Under 41.5

Money line: Giants +130, Jags -153

The New York Giants seek to pick up where they left off following their third victory from an underdog position of 10+ points this season. Brian Daboll's Giants have vanquished the memory of 5 straight losing seasons to record their best start since 2009, and on Sunday, they will travel to host the Jaguars.

Saquon Barkley is in a contract year, and he's certainly making the most of his time. Dominating touches out of the backfield in their recent wins, with over 24 carries in most of their games. It's worth noting that although there has not been a dip in production, he has been hampered by a shoulder injury which the Giants will need to manage. Quarterback Daniel Jones put in arguably his best performance of recent weeks on Sunday, distributing the ball accurately, scoring multiple touchdowns, and mainly taking care of the football. Unfortunately, Jones is not a headline-grabbing quarterback, and his impact is limited with the run game so strong and the receiving core so weak. He is managing games quite well under Daboll's tutelage.

With three consecutive losses, October has not been a kind month for the hosting Jaguars. Interestingly that mirrors a reduction in the impact of running back James Robinson. He scored freely in September but has been restricted in carries and yardage in recent games. Travis Etienne has risen to take an equal share of rushing attempts with Robinson and is, overall, gaining double the yardage on most plays than his team-mate. Trevor Lawrence has also struggled recently, having noticeably inferior performances against Philadelphia and Houston. The Jacksonville quarterback looked after the ball well against the Colts. Despite being sacked four times, he managed to rush for two touchdowns. Still, multiple sub-200-yard passing in recent games indicates that all is not well here offensively.

I expect this to be a close game that could go either way, I am favoring the Giants +3 here, and I'm unable to see a scenario whereby the teams score 40+ points based upon recent form. So back the Under as a result.

Atlanta Falcons @ Cincinnati Bengals

Betting Lines:

Spread: Falcons +6.5, Bengals -6.5

Total: Over/Under 47.5

Money line: Falcons +220, Bengals -263

The Atlanta Falcons travel to Cincinnati on Sunday off the back of a tremendous win against San Francisco last week. The 49ers were solid favorites in that game. They were the best defense in terms of total yards allowed and totaled up a staggering 13 sacks over the previous two weeks. Atlanta built their victory by restricting the 49er's ground game, stopping them on 3rd down, and their offensive line's dominating play.

Arthur Smith's team will need to be at their best this weekend against Cincinnati. Their young secondary has outperformed expectations so far, greatly helped by their offense remaining on the field for long periods. However, they are still one of the worst in the NFL at limiting opposition passing yards.

Enter the Bengals, who conversely have struggled with their run game this season but have dominated recent games in the air. Joe Burrow has a dazzling array of options to select from, having already thrown to 10 different receivers this season. His favored target has been fellow LSU product Ja'Marr Chase, with whom he connected on Sunday to achieve 132 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, the Bengals have experienced a frustrating 2022. They have yet to be able to reach their 2021 form for much of it, giving up 20 points per game. They've looked particularly vulnerable against the run game, which does not bode well against a Falcons' offense mainly focused on the ground. Even as they lost Cordarelle Patterson to injury (knee), Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley ensured production did not tail off. Marcus Mariota has performed admirably. Despite being limited to under 20 attempts in recent performances, a connection with Olamide Zaccheaus, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London has enabled Mariota's team to take advantage of their opportunities as they arise.

In summary, this should be a high-scoring game, given the strength of the two offenses relative to the defenses. The result will depend on how Cincinnati deals with the ground game and Atlanta deals with the aerial assault. Ultimately, I feel Cincinnati will have too much here, but the safer bet is to back the Over on this occasion.

Houston Texans @ Oakland Raiders

Betting Lines:

Spread: Texans +6.5, Raiders -6.5

Total: Over/Under 45.5

Money line: Texans +230, Raiders -300

The two teams with the AFC's worst records match up on Sunday as the Raiders host the Texans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Houston has had the opportunity to take stock of their season-to-date following a very early bye-week off the back of a victory against Jacksonville. This was a strange game in which the Texans gave up significantly more yardage to their opposition but managed to take advantage of their opportunity once it arrived.

The season has been largely frustrating for Houston. Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is failing to get the best from Brandin Cooks. With just 42 targets and only half of these connecting, Cooks is on track for his first sub-1000-yard season since joining the Rams. On defense, Houston is one of the worst in the league for giving up yards per game, although they are yet to play a genuinely elite offense.

There are reasons for future optimism for Houston fans moving forward. While they are giving up yardage, they are one of the top teams in preventing red-zone possessions from converting into touchdowns, one factor which put them in the top half of NFL teams in terms of points against per game. In addition, GM Nick Caserio's 2022 picks have thus far proven fruitful. Dameon Pierce is among the league leaders in rushing yards and has broken an average of seven tackles a game. In the secondary, Jalen Pitre (safety) and Derek Stingley Jr (cornerback) have made instant contributions, particularly in terms of interceptions and passes defended.

Sunday's opposition, the Raiders, is undoubtedly wondering how they are sitting at 4-1, having been competitive in every game. Josh Jacobs has responded to his team electing not to pick up his 5th-year option by becoming a machine at running back, posting almost 500 yards and being particularly effective after contact. His highlight came in the Broncos game, where he posted 144 yards and two touchdowns. Likewise, Davante Adams has performed consistently with five touchdowns across five games and back-to-back 100+ yards in recent weeks. Both players have been critical to an offense that is mid-ranking in terms of yards, but top-6 in terms of points scored per game (26).

Although I expect the Texans to make a game of this, the Raiders should be able to take advantage of a poor Houston rush defense to win this one by more than a single touchdown. Back the Raiders -7 as a result.

User Feedback

Your email address Required

This will not be shown to other users.
Security Check
Your rating Required

1 2 3 4 5
Your review Required
Add a review...

× Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

Only 75 emoji are allowed.

× Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

× Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

× You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Insert image from URL
×

Desktop

Tablet

Phone

Recent Articles You Might Also Like

A Few Thoughts from the Commanders Game.....in no particular order

© Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Took the opportunity to go to the Commanders game yesterday, but with that comes limited observations from the seats. While I would love to give thoughts in the normal fashion, I honestly just didn't have the same vantage point as usual. With that, expect some questions as I still haven't been able to see a good replay of the game. 1 - Commanders Fans - I've been to quite a few away games and I can honestly say that this felt more like a h
A Few Thoughts...

A Few Thoughts about the Raiders Game, in no particular order

© Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK Growing up as a kid, you remember those moments where your parents saying they were disappointed in you was sometimes worse than any real punishment. Until I had a kid of my own, I always wondered if that was an intention form of mind game that parents did when they realized standard punishment wasn't getting the job done. As my daughter gets older, and her actions and behaviors become more intentional, I see more and more what she's capable of,
A Few Thoughts...

Where is the data to suggest that things will change?

The first week of the season was interesting, to say the least. There were some scores and performances that were truly head scratchers. While I could use the term "any given Sunday" for a lot of those games, the Bills game just feels different. This didn't feel like a fluke game for Josh, the players, and the coaches. No, this felt like the game right after the Bengals loss. For me, that's why this game hurts so much. I don't care that it was against the Jets or on MNF, I care that there
A Few Thoughts...

Buffalo Bills 2022-23 Season Review

© Tina MacIntyre-Yee / USA TODAY NETWORK I know we're not ready to process the fact that the Buffalo Bills' season is over, as many of us are still trying to come to grips with our emotions following the latest disappointment. Many are frustrated, bitter, confused, and possibly just fed up with their favorite football team after falling short of expectations yet again. It's understandable to have mixed feelings about how to feel about this team's effort. Should we point f
2022 Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals Divisional Round preview

© Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports Here we get a rematch of the Week 17 matchup that never happened. What was previously viewed as a potential playoff matchup has actually come to fruition. Both the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals should have had no issue whomping their Wild Card opponents, as each foe was forced to start their backup quarterback (third-string for Miami). Yet, each potential Super Bowl contender wound up struggling to knock off their rival. As we know a
2022 Buffalo Bills
Categories
Show all categories
Our picks
- Post in Predict the score BILLS - Raiders
  
  TakeYouToTasker 2.0 posted a post in a topic, September 17
  
  38-10 Bills
  
  Picked By
  Foxx, September 18
- Billsfans Bets: Super Bowl LVII Preview and Pick
  
  Jackson posted an article in NFL Football Lines, February 7
  
  Super Bowl LVII has been set with the Kansas City Chiefs squaring off against the Philadelphia Eagles.
  
  The game will take place on Sunday, February 12th at 6:30 PM EST. at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. LVII will be the 57th edition of sport's most prestigious event.
  
  Kansas City will be making its fifth appearance in the Super Bowl. With a 2-2 record, they will look to get that record past .500 and continue penciling their name in the history books.
  
  Philadelphia will return to the big game for the fourth time in franchise history. Five years ago, they were able to slay the dragon in the New England Patriots, winning 41-33 for their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
  
  This is not a matchup rooted in history, as the teams have only played nine times since 1972. Kansas City leads the all-time series 5-4, but the result of the next matchup is all anyone will remember. ...
  
  0 replies
  
  Picked By
  BillsFans, February 7
- Post in Who Are the Bills Mafia?
  
  Foxx posted a post in a topic, February 2
  
  Apparently the Food Network was out at Highmark for the Green Bay game.
  
  Picked By
  Foxx, February 2
- Buffalo Bills 2022-23 Season Review
  
  ABR posted an article in 2022 Buffalo Bills, February 1
  
  I know we're not ready to process the fact that the Buffalo Bills' season is over, as many of us are still trying to come to grips with our emotions following the latest disappointment. Many are frustrated, bitter, confused, and possibly just fed up with their favorite football team after falling short of expectations yet again.
  
  It's understandable to have mixed feelings about how to feel about this team's effort. Should we point fingers, criticize opponents or refs, or even question coaching decisions after such a bad loss?
  
  The truth is, there are many reasons to be upset with how the Bills finished their season, in a 27-10 loss in the Divisional Round. Not to take anything away from the Cincinnati Bengals, as they proved yet again that they're an elite team, reaching the AFC Conference Championship two years in a row. But a 17-point loss just wasn't what anyone was anticipating, not for this Rumbling Herd.
  
  Especially considering Buffalo's worst loss all season came by just three points. We can't help but wonder how differently the outcome could have been had Buffalo had a chance to play their originally-scheduled Week 17 matchup against Cincinnati, giving the team a good feel for what to expect come playoff time, but that's simply another excuse. Cincinnati dealt with similar conditions.
  
  We could go on and on about a tough ending to another rollercoaster season, but that would be doing an injustice to all the bright spots we got to experience throughout the year. Instead, let's look back at the season that was. One that saw the Bills have their second 13-win season in four years. ...
  
  5 replies
  
  Picked By
  BillsFans, February 1
- Billsfans Bets: NFL Conference Championships Picks
  
  Jackson posted an article in NFL Football Lines, January 25
  
  Then there were four.
  
  The NFL's divisional round wrapped up this weekend to set up the leagues' AFC and NFC Championship games.
  
  We started in Kansas City, where Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs took on Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite a scary ankle injury to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs were able to hold on 27-20. Mahomes would leave the game in the first quarter but re-enter to start the second half. It is believed to be a high ankle sprain, and more updates will come throughout the week.
  
  Saturday's second game saw the Philadelphia Eagles completely torch the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field by a score of 38-7.
  
  On a snowy afternoon in Buffalo, Joe Cool came out on top. Using back-to-back touchdown drives to start the game, Cincinnati took an early lead they would never give back. The Bills cut the score 17-10 with a field goal with 7:12 left in the third quarter. With Bills fans clamoring for a defensive stop, Burrow led the Bengals on a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive lasting 6:25, taking a 24-10 lead in the fourth. A final score of 27-10 ended the Bills' season, and the franchise will have another offseason of evaluating what went wrong in the postseason.
  
  The weekend concluded with a defensive showdown in San Francisco. Limiting Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott to 206 passing yards, the 49ers' defense looked every bit Super Bowl-ready. Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy was able to do enough, and do-it-all Christian McCaffrey found the end zone for the eighth straight week. The 49ers won 19-12.
  
  It should be a great Championship weekend as the Cincinnati Bengals will travel to Arrowhead to play the Chiefs. The 49ers have set up a date with the Eagles and will leave their nice weather for a game in Philadelphia. ...
  
  0 replies
  
  Picked By
  BillsFans, January 25
View All
Buffalo Bills 2022 Season

Dawson Knox gets the first down

Nov 20, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) runs the ball as Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit (22) attempts to tackle during the first half at Ford Field.
2022 Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen is sacked by Quincy Williams

Buffalo Bills quarterback, Josh Allen is sacked by Quincy Williams of the Jets in the second half during a NY Jets 20-17 win over the Buffalo Bills as the two teams met in an AFC East game played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 6 2022.
2022 Buffalo Bills

A Bills flag and heart shaped balloon at the prayer wall

Jan 3, 2023; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of items placed outside of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Cincinnati. Hamlin is currently at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition after an injury sustained during the NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
2022 Buffalo Bills

Sam Martin has his punt blocked for a Safety by Jets DE Jermaine Johnson

Dec 11, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson (52) blocks a punt by Buffalo Bills punter Sam Martin (8) resulting in a safety in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
2022 Buffalo Bills

Tyreek Hill celebrates after RB Chase Edmonds scores a TD

Sep 25, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) celebrates after running back Chase Edmonds (2) scores a touch down during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.
2022 Buffalo Bills