The 2021 NFL season is now entering the mid-point as Week 7 approaches. This week, six teams will have their bye. Out of the 13 games on the schedule, there are two very enticing AFC matchups that headline this slate. Week 6 ended with some excitement in the last two primetime games. Hopefully, we get the same this upcoming week. Here is a look at the important aspects of each game and what Week 7 has in store.
Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns
Week 7 starts off with this AFC matchup. Both teams are on losing streaks after fast starts. The Broncos have lost their last three and have to travel on a short week. For the Browns, they lost a competitive game to the Chargers and the undefeated Cardinals so expect a bounce-back outing here from them. Without Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, and Kareem Hunt it will not be easy. They will need Case Keenum and D’Ernest Johnson to have steady performances. Odell Beckham, Jr. looks fully healthy which is great to see. Hopefully, Beckham has a big game. The Broncos’ talented secondary should make this one a fun battle with Beckham and Donovan Peoples-Jones. The Browns will win by a field goal.
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants
The Panthers have lost their last three following a great start. This is a great opportunity for them to get back in the win column. The Giants are coming off an embarrassing loss and for the most part, have played bad football. Their defense has taken a drastic step back from a year ago. The Giants’ offensive line will likely struggle in this one against a good Panthers front led by Brian Burns and Haason Reddick. For the Panthers, they need to be more efficient as a whole offensively. There are instances in which they do not help Sam Darnold enough. Expect improvement from them in this one as they will win by 10.
New York Jets at New England Patriots
This is already the second matchup between these teams. The Jets are coming off a much-needed bye and hopefully made some good adjustments. For the Patriots, they lost a tough game a week ago and have still yet to win a game at home. Hopefully, Zach Wilson and Mac Jones have good performances. Look for the Jets to get Elijah Moore way more involved following the bye and hopefully Denzel Mims as well. Expect Matt Judon to continue his fantastic play for the Patriots. The Patriots will win by a touchdown.
Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans
One of the best matchups going into Week 7. Both teams are coming off big wins. Expect this one to go down to the wire. For the Chiefs, they will simply need Patrick Mahomes to be at his best to win this one on the road. Their defense is not good at all. Expect the Titans’ offense to score a lot of points. Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown, and Julio Jones should all have big games for the Titans. The Titans will need their front four which is a talented group to get pressure on Mahomes. The Titans will win by about a field goal.
Washington Football Team at Green Bay Packers
The Packers enter this one as winners of five straight. Washington has been underwhelming to this point especially defensively. They have lost their last two and are in a very tough spot. Expect Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and Davante Adams to all be very productive. For Washington to have a chance, they will need Taylor Heinicke to be at his best. Washington can score some points on the Packers’ defense to keep themselves in this one. The Packers will end up winning this one by at least a touchdown.
Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are coming off an awful loss and have lost their last five. The Falcons just had their bye after a win. These two teams have been amongst the worst this season. For the Falcons, hopefully, Kyle Pitts can keep up his great play. Getting Calvin Ridley back will help this offense tremendously. These two along with Cordarrelle Patterson give the Falcons a strong unit of skill players. They will give the Falcons a strong chance of winning this game. For the Dolphins, they will need Jaylen Waddle and Mike Gesicki to be at their best to have a chance. The Falcons will win by a touchdown.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
This AFC North battle is arguably the best matchup of the week. The Ravens have won five in a row and have played some exceptional football. The Bengals have played very well all season and won convincingly a week ago. It will be fun to see two young superstar quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow in this one. Expect Mark Andrews and Ja’Marr Chase to continue their dominant play in the passing game. Both of these defenses enter this one as good units. The Ravens have picked things up drastically defensively the last few weeks. The Bengals’ defense has surprisingly played very well. The Ravens will win a close one by a field goal.
Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Rams
Jared Goff will be making his return to play against his former team. The Lions are winless entering this one. The Rams have been victorious the last two weeks and are 5-1. Anticipate the Rams offense being very successful against this Lions defense. Matthew Stafford, Darrell Henderson, Cooper Kupp, and Robert Woods should all make a big impact. The Lions will need D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson to have great outings to keep this one close. In the end, the Rams will win by two touchdowns.
Philadelphia Eagles at Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are coming off an important bounce-back win on the road. Derek Carr has played some of his best football through the first six games of this season. He should have another great week against the Eagles’ pass defense. How the Eagles’ offense executes against the Raiders’ defense will be fascinating. Jalen Hurts will have to make plays with his arm and legs to give the Eagles a chance. The Raiders will win by at least 10.
Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals
This game should be a blowout. The Texans are arguably the worst team in football and have to play the best team on the road in the Cardinals. For the Cardinals, they had a statement win on the road a week ago. Their defense has been coming along which makes them even better. Expect Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, and the rest of the talented Cardinals offense to put up a ton of points in this game. The Cardinals will win by at least two touchdowns.
Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of the more intriguing matchups of the week. The Buccaneers are 5-1 and have played very well all season. They have won three straight entering this one. The Bears have done some good things so far this year. The Buccaneers talented offense led by Tom Brady competing against the Bears’ defense led by a dominant front in Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, and Roquan Smith should be a fun battle. Expect Justin Fields to do some good things against a depleted Buccaneers secondary. The Buccaneers will win this one by a touchdown.
Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers
This Sunday night game is a fascinating one as both of these teams have a losing record and need to win. The 49ers are rested coming off their needed bye after three consecutive losses. The Colts had a solid home win last week. Expect them to once again rely on Jonathan Taylor and their offensive line to score points. For the 49ers, they will need to be better offensively. It seems like Jimmy Garoppolo will be good to go which helps. Expect Deebo Samuel to keep up his great play. The 49ers will win this game by one score.
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
Week 7 rounds out with this NFC matchup. The Saints had their bye a week ago and enter this game at 3-2. Hopefully, they show some consistency in this game and prove how good they can be. Expect Jameis Winston and Alvin Kamara to have productive games against a struggling Seahawks defense. The Saints’ defense should play a convincing game here. Geno Smith has done some good things since taking over. Tyler Lockett does need to be more involved. Ultimately, the Saints front and secondary will make more plays. The Saints will win by at least a touchdown.
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