NFL Game Picks: Week 7

Christian’s Picks:

Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) at Los Angeles Rams (3-3) Sunday 4:05 p.m.

This will not be an easy task at home for the Rams and will have to go up against a very loaded Steelers Defensive and a well-traveled Steeler Nation fan base.

The Rams will be without their number one running back Kyren Williams who has been very consistent for them this season and they hope that someone in the running back depth chart can fill that void.

I think the Steelers' offense will have its best game of the season as they get back two big weapons in Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth.

My Pick: Steelers 23, Rams 20

Buffalo Bills (4-2) at New England Patriots (1-5) Sunday 1 p.m.

The Buffalo Bills are coming off a not-so-pretty victory on Sunday Night Football against the New York Giants and they look to get their offense back in sync against a struggling Patriots team.

The Patriots have been not very good in the turnover department with only 3 on the season, which is the worst in the NFL. They also have the highest percentage in the league in drives that don’t end in points at 81.7%.

The Bills defense has definitely been the big bright spot for this team and it will be a difficult task for a struggling Mac Jones and the Patriots offense.

My Pick: Bills 28, Patriots 10

Los Angeles Chargers (2-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) 4:25 p.m.

The Los Angeles Chargers have a tough task at hand after coming off a tough loss at home to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. Their schedule is not getting any easier as now they have to head into Arrowhead for a divisional matchup.

The Chargers have struggled so far this season in close games and will most likely have another one here against the Kansas City Chiefs. If the Chargers want to win a close game they’ll be heavily relying on their defense to step up in this matchup.

My Pick: Chargers 27, Chiefs 24

Jacob’s Picks:

Miami Dolphins (5-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) Sunday 8:20 p.m.

Both of these teams are Super Bowl contenders but the Eagles are coming off of a rough loss to the New York Jets, while the Dolphins are coming off of a 42 point game in Carolina in Week 6.

If Philadelphia's defense wasn’t able to beat down on the Jets’ offense, it will be an almost impossible task trying to guard the legion of zoom in Miami. The Dolphins are hot and Tyreek Hill may end up having the greatest season in wide receiver history. For that reason, I am all in on Miami getting the win this week.

My Pick: Dolphins 31, Eagles 21

San Francisco 49ers (5-1) at Minnesota Vikings (2-4) Monday 8:15 p.m.

Unlike most games, this is a simple one to pick. The 49ers may have taken their first loss of the season and they are a little banged up but they are still the best team in the NFL.

The Vikings will be without Justin Jefferson and this team is an absolute mess. You can expect a massacre on Monday Night Football.

My Pick: 49ers 31, Vikings 3

Washington Commanders (3-3) at New York Giants (1-5) Sunday 1 p.m.

An NFC East clash is always a difficult one to predict. But, in this battle of two not so good teams, I think the deciding factor in this game will be Saquon Barkley.

The Washington defense has struggled and if they don’t prevent Saquon from getting loose early on, this one can very well end up in the win column for New York.

My Pick: Giants 17, Commanders 14

Owen’s Picks

Cardinals (1-5) at Seahawks (3-2) Sunday 4:05 p.m.

While the Cardinals have looked better than most people expected this year, The Hawks’ defense will be too much Dobbs.

Look for Seattle’s offense to have a bounce-back game against a Cardinal’s defense, giving up 27 points per game, sixth-worst in the NFL.

My Prediction: Seattle 31, Cardinals 13

Raiders (3-3) at Bears (1-5) Sunday 1 p.m.

Both starting quarterbacks in this matchup may be unable to play, with Justin Fields suffering a dislocated thumb on Sunday and Jimmy Garoppolo injuring his back. Should both quarterbacks be sidelined this week, undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent would likely start for the Bears against longtime backup Brian Hoyer for the Raiders.

In the NFL, experience matters, and Brian Hoyer has loads of it. In a likely slugfest at Soldier Field, look for the Raiders to come out with the win.

My Prediction: Raiders 20, Bears 17

Browns (3-2) at Colts (3-3) Sunday 1 p.m.

This game will depend heavily on whether Browns Browns quarterback Deshawn Watson can play Sunday. If Watson is not back, backup P.J. Walker will take on Colts backup Gardener Minshew at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Cleveland shocked the world when they beat the undefeated 49ers in Santa Clara. Unfortunately, this game will bring them down to earth as Minshew and the Colts will steamroll the Browns.

My Prediction: Colts 34, Browns 14

Packers (2-3) at Broncos (1-5) Sunday 4:25 p.m.

Both teams are coming off of extended rest, with the Packers having a bye this past weekend and the Broncos playing on Thursday Night Football.

Ironically, the Broncos’ issues have flipped this season. The offense has been middle of the pack, while the defense has been awful.

While they play at home, the Broncos' struggles will continue against the Packers, who will leave the Mile High Stadium with a win, albeit in a close contest.

My Prediction: Packers 31, Broncos 24

Rocco’s Picks

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) at New Orleans Saints (3-3) Thursday 8:15 p.m.

The Saints offense began to show signs of life in Houston last week despite putting up only 13 points. The unit made trips to Houston’s 24, 15, and 11-yard line on their final three drives but came up with zero points. Red Zone efficiency will be a huge key for New Orleans in this one.

Jacksonville travels to the Big Easy riding a three game win streak while on top of the AFC South. If Trevor Lawrence plays, which he is “optimistic” he will, Jacksonville will grind out a close win on the road.

My Pick: Jaguars 21, Saints 17

Atlanta Falcons (3-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) Sunday 1 p.m.

Both teams are coming off brutal losses at home against NFC foes.

Looking at the positives, Arthur Smith has gotten Kyle Pitts more involved in the offense with 17 targets in the last two games. Pitts only saw 21 targets through Atlanta’s first four games.

The turnover battle is vital in this game, and it certainly favors Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are tied for third in the NFL in turnover margin at +6 while the Falcons sit in 27th at -6. For that reason, I’ll give the Buccaneers a slight edge in this NFC South battle.

My Pick: Buccaneers 23, Falcons 16

Detroit Lions (5-1) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2) Sunday 1 p.m.

Dan Campbell and the Lions have been the feel good story of the NFL through the first six games of the 2023 season. After starting 3-13-1 as head coach in 2021, Campbell has led Detroit to a 14-9 record while narrowly missing the postseason in 2022.

This will likely be the year that Ford Field hosts a Lions playoff game for the first time as FanDuel has Detroit listed as a -490 favorite to win the NFC North. Detroit has not won a playoff game since 1991.

While the Cinderella story is fun to root for, this Ravens team is a force when they play their best football. I’ll lean with the better of the two quarterbacks in this game, Lamar Jackson, as Baltimore squeaks out a tight win at home.

My Pick: Ravens 24, Lions 22

Christian Holtzapple a fourth-year student majoring in journalism, To contact him, email cmh7064@psu.edu

Jacob Zacharia is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jjz5612@psu.edu.

Owen Cameros is a first-year student majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, please email ohc5024@psu.edu.

Rocco Pellegrino is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email rdp5387@psu.edu.