NFL Week 7 2009 Predictions

I need to make up some ground on Graham this week! After two successive 7-7 weeks, I really need to step my predictions and start scoring!

Just 13 games this week. Here are our picks for the 2009 NFL week 7 season:

Sunday 25th October

Green Bay Packers @ Cleveland
A – OK, so an easy one to start with. The Browns have been pretty bad so far and their schedule doesn’t get any easier from here on and there is talk that Mangini has already lost the team. They’re last for yards per game allowed and are 27th in total points. This is not a unit that’s going to stop you scoring.
The Packers came out of the bye-week and shut out the Lions to go a respectable 3-2. If they can get the running game moving and protect Aaron Rodgers, then they’re gonna tear it up in Ohio.

G – Packers for me too.  As Andrew says, the Browns have not been good and the home advantage probably won’t save them this week.

San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans
A – I swear that I’m ready to give up even calling any game that has the Texans in. I should really fancy them here, but after some good seasons at home they’ve already lost twice at Reliant Stadium this term and are being erratic. The 49ers are coming of a Falcons sized drubbing last week and will want to bounce back. Apart from last week, they’ve looked good so far.
However I’m going to stick my neck out, once more, and back the Texans here.

G -Ah, the second prediction and already we are picking different teams.  So, I have picked the 49ers for five of the six weeks that have passed so far, it would have been six, but there was no chance of winning on the bye week.  Frank Gore returns this week and there are defensive changes for the better.  49ers for me again here, which should pull me one ahead of Andrew

San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
A – The Chiefs might have dispatched the ‘Skins, but that was as we just couldn’t score. Defensively the Redskins are a sound unit. I can see the Chiefs scoring more than last week, but they won’t outscore the Chargers. San Diego win.

G -I think KC are better than people give them credit for, but there is still work to do.  The Chargers should offer a better challenge than the Cowboys did two weeks back.  Oh, and obviously a better challenge than that training game last week.

Minnesota Vikings @ Pittsburgh
A – The tie of the week? This is just juicy. The Vikings are undefeated so far, though have needed a ludicrous dying seconds catch (against the 49ers) and a missed field goal (Ravens) to keep that record. In the second half last week, the Vikes couldn’t stop the Ravens at all.
Pittsburgh are doing OK. They could have gone the wrong way after ‘wobbling’ to 1-2, but have come back strongly. There’s no doubt they’re a quality outfit and a post-season favourite. If they can keep Jared Allen away from Big Ben, they’ll have enough here to bloody the Vikings’ nose as they head into the bye week.

G -  Oh yes, this should be a good one.  This would be top of my list to watch if I were not going to be at Wembley.  I am with Andrew on this one, a Steelers win.

Indianapolis Colts @ St. Louis Rams
A – Colts. By lots.

G – It was good to see the Rams put some points on the board last week.  Make the most of it Rams fans, there won’t be many this Sunday.

New England Patriots @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Wembley Stadium, London

A – Whilst I’m looking forward to this game, very much, I do wish that something a little more competetive could be taking place at Wembley this year. Pats to coast to a comfortable lead early on and not look back.

G – Ah the BIG ONE!  I am so so glad that the Bucs have been getting better in recent weeks.  Is that enough to save them in London?  Well, no not really, but it might mean that we get to see a battle, even if it is on a small scale.  I was glad that they took Brady off in last weeks game, because I am so looking forward to seeing him lead the great team.  That said, I will be supporting the Bucs as it is their home game.

Buffalo Bills @ Carolina Panthers
A – I’ve got to back the Panthers here. The Bills are struggling, and though they snuck a good win against the Jets last week that was purely as they made fewer mistakes. The Panthers have been a long way from perfect, but they’re better than this Bills side.

G – This is so hard, the Bills are bad, no, good, no bad….ah I just don’t know.  Let me look at the Panthers…. hmm they are good, no, bad, no good.  On the strength of last week I am going to back the Bills, but really this could go either way.

New York Jets @ Oakland Raiders
A – Oakland continue to offer the odd surprise. Last week’s win against the Eagles was a big one but this is a team that is not at all consistent. Can they do it two weeks running? For the Jets, their loss against the Bills will have hurt. Sanchez had a shocker of a game and the D didn’t do well enough against backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and the running game. I fancy the Jets here, to get a good win.

G – I bet T-Rex Ryan is so so pleased that he faces the Raiders this week.  It is a must win game and well within the Jets grasp.  Sanchez looked like his confidence took a real knock last week, Ryan must make sure he puts his mind at ease so that they can get back to winning ways.  It has to be a Jets win for me, but I would be delighted to see the Raiders dig deep and put up a fight.

Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals
A – This is a tricky one to call. The Bengals have been surprisingly good at the Bears have had some good wins at Seattles and – like the Bengals – against the Steelers. I like the Bengals though, and am backing them here.

G – Last week was just a blip, the Bengals will be back to form this week.

Atlanta Falcons @ Dallas Cowboys
A – I’m backing the Falcons here. I don’t see it being a close one either.

G – Tough one.  For the home advantage alone I am picking the Cowboys, but again this could go either way.

New Orleans Saints @ Miami Dolphins
A – Sorry Graham. Saints at a canter.

G – Everyone tips the Dolphins for the Super Bowl this year…..whats that?  Oh, the Saints you say?  Stupid week 7 games!  Miami have been great at home, but even they can’t stop the Saints this week.

Arizona Cardinals @ New York Giants
A – I have to fancy the Giants here. The Cards can play, but not this week.

G – A tough week for the giants last week, and a good week for the Cards.  If this were not in New York then I might think twice, but Giants all the way for me here.

Monday 26th October
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins
A – Unfortunately, I’ve got to back the Eagles here for a result that will probably see Jim Zorn shown the door.

G – I almost couldn’t beleive my eyes last week.  The Eagles losing to the Raiders?  Hopefully this will make the game a bit closer here in Washington, but I still feel it is going to take some weeks to rebuild some Skins confidence.  Eagles win here for me.

	ANDREW	GRAHAM	GUEST: CRAIG	ACTUAL
Green Bay Packers @ Cleveland
San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans
San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Minnesota Vikings @ Pittsburgh
Indianapolis Colts @ St. Louis Rams
New England Patriots @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buffalo Bills @ Carolina Panthers
New York Jets @ Oakland Raiders
Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals
Atlanta Falcons @ Dallas Cowboys
New Orleans Saints @ Miami Dolphins
Arizona Cardinals @ New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins

Image Credit: SteelCityGrrl – with thanks!