Week 7 NFL Free Picks

Get into the huddle with football experts: Anthony Oxley, Blake Butterfield and Marc Reichertz as they go head-to-head every week with their NFL picks and predictions. Follow them through the NFL 2006 season right up to the Superbowl as they each try to pick winners on the spread!

So far this season has been a real rollercoaster ride in terms of my percentage success in this special Face Off segment. Last week was no exception, but going a respectable 3-1 was the perfect remedy to erase the painful memory of my dismal 0-4 week just previous. I mean this season has been filled with more suspense, surprise and drama than any in recent memory. If you’ve ever seen the movie Memento, that’s me in a half-dazed, half-crazed state scribbling down bizarre football statistics; whatever might help me uncover the secrets of the elusive art of pigskin prognostication. Maybe I’m losing a grip on reality or was that Andrew Walter throwing three touchdown strikes to Randy Moss? To Mr. Butterfield and Mr. Oxley, the boys in the huddle, stay sane and remember, it’s only a game. Good luck in Week 7...

CAROLINA PANTHERS +3 vs. CINCINNATI BENGALS -3

Sometimes it’s amazing how much one player can affect a team’s fortunes – in this case their Super Bowl hopes. Since missing Weeks 1 & 2 with an ailing hamstring, receiver Steve Smith is averaging 112.5 yards a game with two touchdowns. Jake Delhomme is clearly a superior quarterback with Smith on the field – last week he dissected the Baltimore Ravens secondary for 365 yards and two scores. After a good start, the Bengals defense has struggled; last week allowing Tampa Bay rookie Bruce Gradkowski to throw a pair of touchdown passes. Cincinnati’s offense has also lost its pop – Carson Palmer is playing well enough but receiver Chad Johnson missed two days of practice and has been conspicuously quiet of late while Chris Henry serves another week of his suspension. Third receiver Antonio Chatman is not going create any mismatches for Palmer downfield. But the real problem is the offensive line that is hurting with tackle Levi Jones out indefinitely and center Rick Braham out – this means the Bengals will have to rely on kitties like rookie Andrew Whitworth to block Julius Peppers – Peppers will add to his league-leading eight sacks this Sunday.

Week 7 Free Pick & PREDICTION: Panthers to cover

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS -7.5 vs. BUFFALO BILLS +7.5

The New England Patriots find themselves atop the AFC East with a 4-1 record despite the fact that Tom Brady is still adjusting to his revamped offense. Something tells me the Patriots will be peaking around December as they enter postseason play. Back in Week 1 the Bills played the Pats tough falling just short while losing 19-17 at Gillette Stadium. Bills quarterback J.P. Losman has shown improvement with receiver Lee Evans piling up catches as his favorite target. Willis McGahee is one of the league’s most talented backs but with New England’s linebackers keying on stopping the run it will be tough going. It will be up to Losman to make plays but the Bills offensive line is struggling of late – they gave up five sacks to the Lions last week. Rookie Laurence Maroney has supplied the Pats with young legs alongside veteran Corey Dillon. After a bye week working on building chemistry with his receivers, Brady will spread the ball around to Doug Gabriel, Troy Brown and rookie Chad Jackson who is ready to contribute. Tight End Ben Watson is a reliable and favorite target for the quarterback. Unfortunately for the Bills defense, they are in for another long day at the office.

Week 7 Free Pick & PREDICTION: Patriots to cover

PITTSBURGH STEELERS -3 vs. ATLANTA FALCONS +3

Last week Ben Roethlisberger finally delivered two touchdown passes and 238 passing yards leading Pittsburgh to a much needed victory. Running back Willie Parker posted his third 100-yard rushing game of the campaign against a Kansas City defense that seemed to lack any intensity for at least the first half. In won’t be that easy for the Steelers this week when they face one of the better defenses in the league; they will get after Roethlisberger, making him pay for hanging out in the pocket too long or forcing the ball into coverage downfield. The good news for the Steelers is that the Falcons front four is dinged up with Patrick Kerney, John Abraham and Rod Coleman nursing injuries. The Steelers bullied the Chiefs offensive line last week and they’ll try to overpower these Dirty Birds on Sunday. Steelers tackle Marvel Smith will lose some battles even if Abraham isn’t at 100%. The Steelers will need to find success with tight end Heath Miller stretching the field, forcing safety Lawyer Milloy back in coverage. Pittsburgh will load up its linebackers and safety Troy Polomalu in the box to stop Warrick Dunn and get after quarterback Michael Vick. Pittsburgh has allowed just 78.4 yards a game on the ground. Vick needs to consistently hook up with his receivers downfield – something Atlanta hasn’t done this season. Even tight end Alge Crumpler has been guilty of too many drops. Turnovers will be huge in this game and the Steelers defense will win this close battle on Sunday.

Week 7 Free Pick & PREDICTION: Falcons to cover

ARIZONA CARDINALS -4 vs. OAKLAND RAIDERS +4

After last Sunday night’s devastating loss to the Chicago Bears, Arizona head coach Dennis Green was obviously shaken. The Bears didn’t deserve to win that game – the Cardinals had no right to lose it! This week Arizona gets Oakland and a generous opportunity to make amends. Since taking over as starting quarterback, rookie Matt Leinart is averaging 242.5 yards a game with a pair of touchdowns and interceptions. But the key to this game will be running back Edgerrin James who has experienced a brutal first season in the desert. James is averaging 2.7 yards a carry and fumbled the game away last week. He should have more success against a Raiders defense that gives up 149 yards a game. Anquan Boldin leads the Cardinals and the league with 40 receptions. The Raiders have the highest ranked pass defense in the NFL but something tells me they won’t after this weekend. The Raiders offense is hurting in every possible way. Running backs LaMont Jordan and Justin Fargas are both struggling through injuries which could mean more playing time for Adimchinobe Echemandu (all I know is that I spelled his name correctly). Quarterback Andrew Walter has been – and there’s no nice way of putting it – dreadful: Walter has a 43.4 passer rating with two touchdowns and seven interceptions. This has been a nightmare season for Raiders’ head coach Art Shell – unfortunately for him, it isn’t over yet.

Week 7 Free Pick & PREDICTION: Cardinals to cover

Click Here For NFL Football Wagering Odds.

Posted on 10/20/2006 6:13:36 PM
In the Huddle: NFL Picks and Predictions Week 7
by Marc Reichertz

More Betus.com Articles...