NFL - Week 7 picks.....

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Week 7 Picks: (home team in CAPS)

Chargers (-4 1/2) over CHIEFS

Chargers at 2-3 face the Chiefs and Raiders these next two weeks, before visiting the Giants, hosting the Eagles, then the rematch with the Broncos in Denver. They have to win these next two before that tough three game stretch comes along. The Charger defense still not intimidating anyone, but might get healthy against the pedestrian Chiefs' O. Also, look for Philip Rivers to find his two favorite targets, Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson multiple times against the Chiefs' DBs.

Colts (-13) over RAMS

The Rams might be the worst team in the NFL, and the Colts are arguably the best in the league. Peyton Manning is possibly playing the best football of his career. This has "over by halftime" written all over it.

Bears (+1 1/2) over BENGALS

Still not sold on the Bengals. Add in the loss of Antwan Odom (torn Achilles) and his 9 sacks, and I don't think the Bengals can get enough pressure of Jay Cutler to upset the Bears' passing attack. Cedric Benson wants to prove to the Bears they made a mistake when they let him go, but I think Matt Forte gets on track to lead the Bears to the win.

Packers (-7) over BROWNS

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense should roll against the Browns. The Packers offensive line hopes to be settled with the addition of one time Packer, Mark Tauscher, and so does Rodgers, as he has picked himself up from the turf plenty so far this season. The Packers' defense should also get well this week, as the Browns offense is a mess. Add in the fact that 12 Browns sat out of practice earlier this week because of the flu, and it looks like another bad week for Cleveland.

STEELERS (-4) over Vikings

The game features the quarterbacks ranked 3rd (Favre) and 4th (Roethlisberger) in terms of quarterback rating, along with the top RB in the league in Adrian Peterson (618 yds). The Steelers running game has been better of late with Rashard Mendenhall leading the way. If the Pittsburgh offensive line can give Big Ben a little time before Jared Allen comes bearing down on him, The Steelers should have enough to give Minnesota its first loss of the season.

Patriots (-14) over Buccaneers (from London)

The Patriots seemed to have their coming out party last week against the Titans (59-0), and this week they get to fly "across the pond" to face winless Buccaneers. Hopefully the English fans will be so happy to see American football that they won't mind seeing a game which could be over right after the coin flip. The only drama? Will the English cheer for New England even though their logo is a picture of someone who beat them in a war 230 years before?

TEXANS (-3) over 49ers

The Houston offense is starting to roll, especially the passing game lead by Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. Steve Slaton and the running game is still MIA after six games, and the tough San Francisco rushing defense may not be the best medicine to get it back on track.

Shaun Hill gets a present this week as Michael Crabtree makes his NFL debut. Vernon Davis should benefit greatly if Crabtree becomes an asset in the passing game, but that may take a few games. In the end the Texans should have enough to get the win and get themselves over the .500 mark.

RAIDERS (+6) over Jets

OK, so Mark Sanchez and the Jets weren't a great as their 3-0 start, and they are not as bad as their 0-3 slide, but they are somewhere in the middle. This is a middle of the pack team who is starting a rookie QB, who only started one year at USC, and really nothing more. Now they are without their most important defensive player as Kris Jenkins is lost for the season due to a ACL tear. The Raiders are coming off their best effort in upsetting the Eagles last week, and with the game in Oakland, the Raiders will keep this close, but the Jets should stop their skid.

PANTHERS (-7) over Bills

The Panthers week included WR Steve Smith having to call his GM to see if the trade rumors concerning him were true or not (ended up being "not"). The Bills are coming off their upset of the Jets, but they are not sure who their starting QB will be, and even when they do choose, this is still a bad offensive team. Carolina is riding a two game winning streak after starting the season 0-3, and the Panthers at home should be able to get to .500 for the season.

DOLPHINS (+6 1/2) over Saints

The Saints are coming off last week's impressive win over the Giants, and have the Falcons visiting the Superdome next Monday night in a battle of the NFC South's best two teams. That makes this week's trip to Miami the perfect "trap" game. Miami is another team that started the year 0-3, and is now trying to get back to even on the year. The Wildcat with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams should be able to keep Drew Brees off the field enough to keep this close, but in the end, Brees' accuracy and the Saints WRs will be too much to handle for the Dolphins' secondary.

COWBOYS (-3 1/2) over Falcons

What a difference a year makes. Last year the Falcons were #2 in rushing offense, while the Cowboys were #21. This year Atlanta is #24, while Dallas is #3. Has Matt Ryan passed Tony Romo as a better QB? The Falcons have a showdown with the Saints next Monday night, so they could be looking ahead, allowing the Cowboys to win the game at Jerry's Palace.

GIANTS (-7) over Cardinals

The Cardinals come in as #1 in the NFL against the run, but are 31st against the pass. Is the defense really that good? The Giants will be testing it Sunday night, with heavy doses of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. Meanwhile, Kurt Warner will be facing the Giants pass rush with again no help from a running game and possibly no Anquan Boldin. Could be a long night for the former Giant QB.

Eagles (-7) over REDSKINS

Is there any way this turns out good for Jim Zorn and the Redskins? They take away the playing calling from Zorn and give it to a guy, Sherman Lewis, who a month ago was calling bingo games and working with Meals on Wheels in Michigan. Then Steve Largent announces that Zorn thought about quitting. Plus their division rival is coming in angry after being embarrassed in losing to the Raiders. All signs point to a long bye week in Washington.