Opening Slate

Los Angeles Rams at Atlanta Falcons (+3)

Strange matchup to start the week. The Rams come in limping with an offense out of sync and a defense that doesn’t have the same teeth as last year. The Falcons are desperate for a win and may be playing for their coach’s job. Jalen Ramsey isn’t enough and I like the Falcons in an upset.

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (-17)

That’s a huge line for a divisional game no matter how bad the Dolphins may be. I think Miami covers in this game, but doesn’t pull off the upset on the road. It will be interesting to watch the Bills offense and if they are improving to catch up with that great defense.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5)

Yuk game here. The Bengals are still a direction-less ship. The Jaguars have a much better defense and now don’t have the Ramsey saga hanging over their head. Fournette is quietly putting together a great season and the Bengals won’t have an answer for the bell cow back.

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (+1.5)

Huge game for both teams in the best division in football. The Lions come off that tough loss to the Packers while the Vikings are riding high after dismantling the Eagles. At home, Detroit is playing pissed and I like them to bring the Vikings back to earth. This is a good Lions team.

Oakland Raiders at Green Bay Packers (-4.5)

Raiders have no receiving targets. Packers have no receiving targets. That evens out nice. The Packers have a much better defense and a clearly better quarterback so it’s an easy choice.

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (E)

Hmmmm. Are the Texans the second best team in the AFC? It’s food for thought. The Colts have done a good job managing without Luck but the Texans have too much firepower.

Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants (-3)

Top two rookie QBs going at it which is an intriguing matchup of talent. I know they are on the road but Murray has more weapons to work with and that defense is better than you think. I’m sticking with the Air Raid offense on the road. Both David Johnson and Saquon Barkley are expected to play which is good for fantasy owners.

San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins (+10)

Gonna rain all day in DC. Redskins have very little going for them. The 49ers are great rushing the football. GREAT rushing the football. Expect a steady dose of Coleman and Breida to put down a porous Redskins franchise.

4 O’Clock Showdowns

Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee Titans (-2)

God how are the Chargers this bad? After a great year last year and a seemingly loaded roster coming into this year, Philip Rivers and Co have just been plain bad. It doesn’t get better here on the road as a very good Titans defense is ready to feast on this bad Chargers offensive line. But I can’t trust Ryan Tannehill and an equally uneven Titans offense. The Chargers get back on track.

New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears (-3)

Bears all the way in this one with Bridgewater not able to do enough against a great defense missing Alvin Kamara. That’s my main thought on this one.

Baltimore Ravens at Seattle Seahawks (-3.5)

One of the top games of the weekend as two of the most dynamic quarterbacks go head to head. Lamar Jackson has changed my opinion and the Ravens look like a real contender. But the Seahawks may be better with the league MVP in Russell Wilson and the 12th Man helping them out. The wild thing is that either the Seahawks or 49ers won’t have a bye in the playoffs.

Sunday Night Football

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys (-3)

May be the biggest Week 7 game in either team’s history. Both desperate for a win and a little breathing room in the division. Both banged up with injuries at important positions. So when it comes down to it, who do I trust at quarterback? I’m taking Carson Wentz and the Eagles to win this one.

Monday Night Football

New England Patriots at New York Jets (+10)

The Patriots stay undefeated against an AFC East opponent. Will this division ever rise up?