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Thursday Night Football picks and predictions | Week 7

Here are the Early Week 7 picks, predictions, and NFL odds for Thursday’s game as of 5:30 AM ET on October 18.

Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns (-5.5)

Time and channel: 8:20 PM ET, FOX, NFL Network, and Amazon Prime

The injury to Baker Mayfield and key parts of the Browns’ offense makes this a fascinating game to decipher. The Broncos started strong in 2021, but that appears to have been a product of an easy opening schedule. Since then, Denver has struggled, manifesting as three straight losses.

The Browns have been a strong team on both sides of the ball, but their 3-3 record does not reflect that. However, their three losses have come against good teams in the Chiefs, Chargers, and Cardinals. The Browns should win this game, but the injury to Mayfield makes it tough to be bullish on that, and a one-score game seems a likely outcome.

Broncos vs. Browns Prediction: NA

Sunday Week 7 free NFL picks and predictions

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (-6.5)

Time and channel: 1 PM ET, CBS

What an AFC North clash we have on our hands here. Joe Burrow and the Bengals have looked impressive at times, but all four of their wins have come against questionable competition. Meanwhile, the Ravens have defeated both the Chiefs and Chargers in their 5-1 start. It is hard to look beyond the home team, but it would be wrong to write off the Bengals completely.

Bengals vs. Ravens Prediction: Ravens 24, Bengals 21

Washington Football Team at Green Bay Packers (-10)

For a long time on Sunday, it looked like Washington was going to play the Chiefs close. However, once Patrick Mahomes clicked, the game got out of hand reasonably quickly. The Packers also made defeating the Bears look tough at times this week. Green Bay is the better team, but winning by 10 points seems like a lot to ask. A Packers victory by around a touchdown feels like the right result here.

Washington vs. Packers Prediction: Packers 28, Washington 21

Atlanta Falcons (-1) at Miami Dolphins

The situation surrounding this game is intriguing. Miami is flying straight back from their London game while the Falcons are coming off a bye week after a London game. The Dolphins just lost a heartbreaker that left major question marks surrounding the future of Brian Flores.

Trusting either of these teams is close to impossible in Week 7. The Falcons will be more rested, and the heat and humidity of Miami — which can upset some visiting teams — should not have a major effect on Atlanta.

Falcons vs. Dolphins Prediction: Falcons 24, Dolphins 23

New York Jets at New England Patriots (-6.5)

Time and channel: 1 PM ET, CBS

The Patriots absolutely humiliated the Jets and Zach Wilson the last time these two met. It is really hard to see how this can go any differently after witnessing the performance by Wilson in London. However, the Patriots have major question marks right now. Losing to a divisional rival that is also one of the worst teams in the league would set off major alarm bells in Foxborough.

Jets vs. Patriots Prediction: Patriots 26, Jets 17

Carolina Panthers (-3) at New York Giants

How you make a pick or a prediction for these two NFL teams in Week 7 is beyond me at this point. The Panthers looked so good early in the season, but Sunday was a horror show. They got back into it, only to leave too much time on the clock and lose anyway. As for the Giants, their focus should already be on the future of their franchise, especially the QB and coaching staff. The Panthers should win this, but it is hard to see it being a convincing victory.

Panthers vs. Giants Prediction: Panthers 23, Giants 21

Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5) at Tennessee Titans

Time and channel: 1 PM ET, CBS

The situation surrounding this game may change after Monday Night Football, but right now, it is hard to imagine how the Titans’ defense does anything other than get shredded by the Chiefs’ offense. Tennessee’s offense should be able to move the ball on the Chiefs, which could make this close. However, in a shootout type game, give me Mahomes and Tyreek Hill over Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry.

Chiefs vs. Titans Prediction: Chiefs 30, Titans 24

Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Rams (-15.5)

The Lions were an abject disaster in Week 6, while the Rams were sublime. If this were an early kickoff in Detroit, I’d give the Lions a shred of hope. However, the Rams just proved they could go on the road and destroy a bad team, so what will they do to this bad team at home? This should be a comprehensive victory, but laying 15 points in the NFL is simply too much.

Lions vs. Rams Prediction: Rams 31, Lions 17

Philadelphia Eagles at Las Vegas Raiders (-3)

Time and channel: 4:05 PM ET, FOX

After Week 6, it is hard to know what to make of this game. The Eagles appear to be a team that can only play football in the second half, while the Raiders may very well be running on adrenaline and emotion at this point. Las Vegas is a good team, but do we see an emotional collapse after a statement performance on Sunday?

Think back to Week 2, when the Saints crumbled against the Panthers after their emotional victory over the Packers. That situation was obviously much different than what the Raiders are going through, and I never want to write off Las Vegas’ spirit — but both provoked a response of emotion from the players. That game reminds me an awful lot of that.

Eagles vs. Raiders Prediction: NA

Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals (-17)

Time and channel: 4:25 PM ET, CBS

This game could have “fall flat” moments as well. The Cardinals’ victory over the Browns without Kliff Kingsbury was a huge win that showed his team’s credentials as potential Super Bowl contenders. However, now they have to go and back it up at home against a bad Houston team. I like the Cardinals to win, but laying 17 points isn’t feasible.

Texans vs. Cardinals Prediction: Cardinals 30, Texans 17

Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-13)

Time and channel: 4:25 PM ET, CBS

Based on the published spreads, this could be a very one-sided afternoon slate. The Buccaneers lost to Chicago last year (but in prime time at Soldier Field). The Bears’ defense is good, but they are not really a pressure-up-the-middle type of team, which is what you need to bother Tom Brady. This one should be a comfortable win for the Buccaneers, but beware of the huge spread and laying nearly two touchdowns.

Bears vs. Buccaneers Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Bears 17

Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers (-4)

Credit the Colts for fighting and keeping themselves even marginally alive in the AFC, but this game is worlds away from their matchup with the Texans in Week 6. The 49ers will be rested and have an ideal game plan for pulling Indianapolis’ defense all over the field. Throw in the Colts’ banged-up offensive line and this could get ugly. Indy’s best hope is that the 49ers come out a little rusty from their bye week.

Colts vs. 49ers Prediction: 49ers 28, Colts 27