NFL Week 7 Predictions

We've reached the point in the season where the contenders (and the pretenders) have started to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.  There were a couple of surprises last week, but I think I fared well for the most part, going 9-4 to put me at 53-37 (58.9 %) on the season.  There's a lot of excitement in store for this weekend, including a game in London, two Superbowl rematches, a battle for divisional supremacy, and L.T. facing his former team.  So buckle up, sports fans, 'cause heeeere we goooo! 

Dolphins over Broncos

• Denver traded away its best receiver, Brandon Lloyd, to the Rams last week.  Not exactly the vote of confidence Tim Tebow needed... 

Chargers over Jets 

• The big story here is that Jets RB LaDanian Tomlinson will be facing his former team for the first time, though I don't see him being the big-play guy that he was back in his prime.  The Jets snapped their three-game losing streak last week, but it was against the winless Dolphins, so the jury's still out on whether or not they're back to top form.  San Diego's gotten to 4-1 on the strength of its defense, which should be just enough to give them the edge.  

Titans over Texans

• The Texans seem to have taken their foot off the gas lately.  The Titans rebound from their blowout loss to Pittsburgh to take this game and the AFC South lead.  

Lions over Falcons

• They're no longer undefeated, but the Lions - and Jim Schwarz - will be fired up enough to beat Atlanta.  

Panthers over Redskins

• After a couple of good weeks, Rex Grossman is back to his under-achieving self, and it's now John Beck's turn at the helm.  Meanwhile, the Panthers are looking pretty comfortable with Cam Newton.  

Buccaneers over Bears

• In medieval times, bear-baiting was a popular form of entertainment in London.  The surging Bucs should give modern-day London a similar show this weekend.  

Browns over Seahawks
Steelers over Cardinals

• I've lost count of how many former Steelers players / personnel are now working in Arizona - Ken Whisenhunt, Russ Grimm, Joey Porter, and Clark Haggans, just to name a few.  I'm still picking Pittsburgh to win this rematch of Superbowl XLIII, but after their underwhelming second-half performance against Jacksonville last week, I gotta say that I've got a bad feeling about this.  At least they won't need Santonio Holmes to win the game for them, because Mike Wallace is also capable of making those diving touchdown catches, like this one against the Packers.

Raiders over Chiefs

• Al Davis may have passed on, but for the Raiders, his message lives on: "Just win, baby!"  And win the Raiders - led by new quarterback Carson Palmer - will against the hapless Chiefs.  

Packers over Vikings
Cowboys over Rams

• For once, you can't blame last week's loss on Tony Romo.  Interestingly enough, the World Series will also feature a St. Louis team coming to Arlington on Sunday.  

Saints over Colts

• This one's going to look nothing like Superbowl XLIV without Peyton Manning. 

Ravens over Jaguars

• Blaine Gabbert is certainly getting a trial by fire, having to face three of the league's best defenses in three straight weeks.  Baltimore will be less than sympathetic.