Written by: Tyler Deakin
Week 6 of the NFL slate brought us 3 overtime games & a Monday Night thriller. There were some duds mixed in (looking at you, Ravens vs. Chargers) but it was overall a solid weekend of football. This week is set up to be even better than last, with all 3 primetime games looking good on paper. What exciting new adventures await football fans this coming week? Without further ado, here is my list of contenders for the best games on the Week 7 NFL docket.
Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns (Thursday Night Football)
I’m late in writing this, so this game might have already happened by the time you’re reading this article. This is a great way to kick off Week 7 though in pitting two desperate 3-3 teams against each other on a short week. Broncos DE Von Miller even added some bulletin board material for the Browns in saying that, “I don’t know who the tackle is who I’m going against, but I’m (going to) kill him… I’m gonna go out there & play well, have a couple sacks.” We’ll revisit these statements after the game to see if Miller pulled through for his team or not. Case Keenum gets the start for the Browns at QB tonight in place of an injured Baker Mayfield.
Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers (Sunday Night Football)
I like this matchup of two underachieving teams fighting for their playoff lives in front of a live captivated audience. The 49ers desperately need the win to keep pace in the tough NFC West, while the Colts also need to achieve victory to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Jimmy Garoppolo should be ready to roll as the starting QB for the 49ers this week. Meanwhile, will WR TY Hilton be able to suit up for the Colts on SNF? My sense in preparing for this match is that it will be a low-scoring affair determined by stellar defensive contributions from both teams.
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks (Monday Night Football)
We all remember Marshawn Lynch’s Beast Quake run in the 2010 NFC Wild Card Game. These two teams have an interesting history, with the all-time series tied at 8-8 heading into Monday night. This is a big game for the Seahawks in that a win here could go a long way towards keeping their fading playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Saints need to keep pace with the Buccaneers & Panthers in the NFC South. WR DK Metcalf vs CB Marshon Lattimore provides an entertainment factor for many fans. Which team emerges victorious in primetime?
Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans
I believe that this is a sneaky pick for the Week 7 Game of the Week, a rematch of the 2019 AFC Championship Game. These two teams are defined by vastly different identities in Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes throwing the ball all over the yard & Titans RB Derrick Henry establishing his presence on the ground. It’s usually a high scoring affair when these two teams play each other, something I don’t believe will change this week. Both teams are coming off of key wins against stingy competition last week. Could this be an AFC Divisional Round game preview in Week 7? Tune in to find out, and don’t you dare touch that remote during the game!
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
I’m impressed with the Bengals this year. Give them credit, they’re a scrappy 4-2 bunch that nobody believes in. Their fortunes could change this week if they’re able to grind out a win against the formidable Ravens. Stopping the run is easier said than done when your defense is trying to tackle Ravens QB Lamar Jackson in the open fiel. Baltimore will counter by trying to slow QB Joe Burrow & WR Ja’Marr Chase from torching their defense. This matchup has trap game potential for the Ravens if they don’t take the Bengals seriously in this divisional affair.
Revenge Games: Cardinals at Texans, Rams at Lions
These two games are going to be talking points for many football fans as they watch Sunday afternoon’s games; however, I’m not sure that the matchups themselves will deliver much excitement. After all, these contest feature two of the NFL’s best teams going against two of the worst teams in the league. That being said, there’s definitely some baggage to unpack here ahead of these Sunday tilts. The Rams-Lions game pits two QBs in Matt Stafford & Jared Goff playing against their original teams this week. They swapped teams over the summer, and Goff is still salty about the way the trade was handled. On the Cardinals-Texans side, WR Deandre Hopkins & DE JJ Watt originally played for the Texans while RB David Johnson used to run the ball for the Cardinals. Watt said all the right things regarding his return to Houston on Sunday.