NFL Week 7 Preview: There is no way Cincinnati knocks off Kansas City, right?

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Michael Raupp

Overall Record (Started in Week 2): 50-25-1

The Arizona Cardinals were no match for the Denver Broncos last night, defeated by a score of 45-10. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy’s days are certainly numbered and they have countless problems to resolve in the next nine days. Hopefully, the matchups this weekend turn out better than what transpired on the field last night. Here’s The Forest Scout’s predictions to this week’s lineup:

 

Tennessee Titans (3-3) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2) (at Wembley Stadium in London)

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.

The Titans should be grateful that their team is still sitting at .500. Their offensive line dilemma is in complete disarray; Tennessee allowed 11 sacks vs. Baltimore last week. To rub salt on an already gaping wound, the Titans found themselves being shutout by the Ravens. They look to turn it around this week as the Chargers will yet again be without defensive end Joey Bosa. However, the Titans’ defense has been a solid counterpart to their weak offensive play. Nonetheless, the Titans must avoid getting into an offensive shootout with the Chargers if they want any chance of winning. Philip Rivers and the Chargers will flex their offensive muscles in London.

Pick: Titans 17, Chargers 31

Minnesota Vikings (3-2-1) vs. New York Jets (3-3)

Noon (FOX)

To everyone’s surprise, the Jets’ offense has hit its stride under rookie signal-caller Sam Darnold. After putting up 34 points against Denver and 42 vs. Indianapolis, the Jets suddenly look to win three straight games, but will be without top receiving threat Quincy Enunwa. Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins on the other hand, is too having his own offense outburst. He will ride into New York and steal one from the home team.

Pick: Vikings 35, Jets 24

Carolina Panthers (3-2) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)

Noon (FOX)

After an inconsistent start to the season, the Eagles, led by Carson Wentz, made enormous strides last week. Wentz himself started to get his feet under him and the team showed glimpses last Thursday night against the New York Giants what made them defending Super Bowl Champions. After narrowly escaping the Giants in Week 5 and losing to the Washington Redskins last week, the Panthers have had trouble getting much contribution from their weak receiving core. Running back Christian McCaffrey will do what he can, but Philadelphia, even with a weak secondary, will prove to be too much for them.

Pick: Panthers 23, Eagles 28

Detroit Lions (2-3) vs. Miami Dolphins (4-2)

Noon (FOX)

The Lions head into south beach trying to gain back ground in the NFC North division. Defeating the Bears last week, the Dolphins did the Lions a favor on their bye week, and will now look to take down their ally from last week. The Bears found out the hard way that this Dolphins team should be taken seriously, prevailing in an overtime marathon. Miami, surprisingly had no troubles losing starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill as Brock Osweiler filled right into his role– he might possibly be a better option going forward (who would’ve ever thought that?) Regardless, the good times will end this week as Matthew Stafford will lead his rested Lions squad to victory against a presumably tired and banged up Dolphins team.

Pick: Lions 27, Dolphins 20

Buffalo Bills (2-4) vs. Indianapolis Colts (1-5)

Noon (CBS)

Buffalo will be without rookie quarterback Josh Allen, and they will lean on newly signed Derek Anderson; the seven year backup in Carolina signed with the team last week. Anybody will certainly be better than Nathan Peterman, who threw two interceptions in the closing minutes of Sunday’s game against Houston. Nonetheless, this quarterback situation will be a nightmare, and Andrew Luck and the Colts will finally find the morale boosting victory they have been searching for. Expect Luck to find the endzone multiple times as his offensive line has continued to protect him well, something they could not do in past years.

Pick: Bills 16, Colts 28

Houston Texans (3-3) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)

Noon (CBS)

The Texans undoubtedly have been getting the dice to roll their way the last three weeks. With combination of the opposition making costly coaching blunders and the ability to pounce on their mistakes, Houston finds themselves tied with the most wins in their division. This divisional tilt is imperative for the Texans to come out victorious, especially being on the road. Although the Texans have not been exactly lightning it up on offense, the Jaguars’ offense finds themselves in complete disarray. However, with neither team playing with much confidence, this could be the perfect time for the Jaguars to get back on track. Jacksonville is too talented to have a losing record, thus anticipate quarterback Blake Bortles to do just enough, as the defense will pick up its recent slack.

Pick: Texans 17, Jaguars 24

New England Patriots (4-2) vs. Chicago Bears (3-2)

Noon (CBS)

Well, the Bears should be 4-1. After giving away the game last week in Miami, the Bears find themselves looking for another spark. Last time Chicago suffered a heartbreaking defeat was against the Green Bay Packers Week 1 on Sunday night– they went on to win three games in a row. The Bears certainly have new motivation to stay atop of the NFC North and regardless, they have an added incentive in facing the crown jewel of the NFL. Keeping up with Tom Brady may be tough, but the Bears have an added boost being at home, and they can cement themselves as a legit force in the NFL with a victory. Chicago will earn their fanbase the biggest victory they have seen in quite some time.

Pick: Patriots 24, Bears 27

Cleveland Browns (2-3-1) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)

Noon (FOX)

The Buccaneers currently have zero cohesiveness on both sides of the ball. Their defense just fired their defensive coordinator, but the offense was marching themselves up and down the field last Sunday. Meanwhile, the Browns were blown out by the Los Angeles Chargers, and they look to move back to .500 once again this season, but have not played well on the road. Buccaneers’ Jameis Winston adds on to his strong showing a week ago, and he will defeat the Browns at home.

Pick: Browns 23, Bucs 31

New Orleans Saints (4-1) vs. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)

3:05 (FOX)

This will be a classic offense vs. defense showdown this weekend. Although the Saints have the highest scoring offense in the league, they will have to face the tenacious Ravens’ defense, who did not allow a single point last week. The Saints’ offense has looked horrifying for opposing defenses to match-up against, but Ravens’ Joe Flacco has the luxury of an elite defense having his back. However, he must be on his game, as the Ravens’ defense will eventually get fatigued near the closing minutes of the contest. Flacco will use his veteran leadership to muster past a weak Saints’ secondary.

Pick: Saints 27, Ravens 31

Dallas Cowboys (3-3) vs. Washington Redskins (3-2)

3:25 (FOX)

Both NFC East teams are fresh off wins, but neither have had back-to-back wins in this still young season. Dallas is 0-3 on the road, and Washington has defeated Green Bay and Carolina in two of the last three weeks at home. Dallas seemed to have their way on offense at home, but it will be a concern if they do not continue where they left last week, now on the road. The Cowboys cannot make any mistakes, as it will be certain Alex Smith will do his part to protect the football.

Pick: Cowboys 20, Redskins 26

Los Angeles Rams (6-0) vs. San Francisco 49ers (1-5)

3:25 (CBS)

If the 49ers want to have any chance against the Rams, they will need to force a couple of turnovers. However, they only have three takeaways on the season; they also rank dead last in the league when it comes to turnover differential, turning it over 14 times in six games. That is not a recipe for success against a team that does a exceptional job keeping control of the football. This sounds like the kind of game script for another monster performance from Todd Gurley, who had over 200 rushing yards last week. Rams move to 7-0 and win by a big margin.

Pick: Rams 38, 49ers 27

Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)

7:20 (NBC)

Despite losing their first game of the season last week, the Chiefs’ have nothing to sulk their heads about. It’s virtually impossible for a rookie quarterback to head into Foxboro and come out with a win up against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. However, the offense did not lose a beat and should wreak havoc against a Bengals’ defense that allows the fifth most passing yards per game. On the contrary, the Bengals’ should not have any issues putting up mass amounts of points against the nonexistent Chiefs’ defense– but Patrick Mahomes will show the Bengals the potency of his offense, which is unlike most in the league.

Pick: Bengals 31, Chiefs 38

 

New York Giants (1-5) vs. Atlanta Falcons (2-4)

Monday, 7:15 (ESPN)

It might be a bigger mess in New York than in Buffalo– if that is even possible. People are calling for the head of Eli Manning, but he might have one last shot to make amends against a Falcons defense, which is near the bottom of the league. This optimism might seem too far fetched; the Falcons’ offense is scoring 30 plus consistently over the season, especially over the last couple of weeks. However, the defense has not given them any break, but Matt Ryan will take over at home, being indoors in a place where he makes his money. New York will find themselves with a 1-6 start for the second consecutive year. Things are going to get ugly fast in the big apple.

Pick: Giants 20, Falcons 34