NFL Week Seven Pigskin Predictions

Thursday

NINERS over hawks

In a staunch defensive battle on the west coast, San Francisco survives the Seahawks on a late-game TD run by Frank Gore.

PREDICTION: NINERS 17, hawks 10 [RESULT: NINERS 13, hawks 6]

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson

Sunday (NOON)

VIKES over cards

It’s Adrian Peterson all day long. The Vikings All-Pro running back goes for 120 yards and two TDs to lead his team past the Cardinals.

PREDICTION: VIKES 24, cards 17

BILLS over titans

Buffalo intercepts Matt Hasselbeck three times, including one for a touchdown. Running back Fred Jackson finds the end zone for another Bills touchdown, as his team topples the Titans at home.

PREDICTION: BILLS 23, titans 17

Colts QB Andrew Luck

COLTS over browns

After an ugly showing last week, Andrew Luck makes certain his team bounces back at home against the lowly Browns.

PREDICTION: COLTS 31, browns 17

pack over RAMS

Despite its loss to the Dolphins last week, the 3-3 Rams have shown they’ve become a much-improved team this season. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers and his 15-1 team from last year have already tripled that loss total. But after trouncing the Texans the Pack appears to be back on track. Green Bay survives a tough road challenge and climbs over .500 for its first time of the season.

PREDICTION: pack 30, RAMS 24

GIANTS over redskins

Washington D.C. football fans have begun to think RG III is the greatest thing since sliced bread. While it appears the rookie quarterback is bringing the Redskins back to relevance, a victory against the Giants in New York is just too tough to handle.

PREDICTION: GIANTS 26, skins 17

Saints over BUCS

With its abysmal defense the Saints managed to start the season 0-4, and this includes a home loss to the 1-5 Chiefs. It’s been ugly, to say the least. But despite the disarray, New Orleans gets it done against the Bucs today and earns its first the road win of the season.

PREDICTION: saints 27, BUCS 20

Boys over PANTHERS

Cowboys TE Jason Witten

Facing the fate of a 2-4 start, the Cowboys take its show on the road today at Carolina. Quarterback Tony Romo steps up and finds his safety valve, tight end Jason Witten, and leads his team to victory and back into contention against its challenging NFC East division.

PREDICTION: boys 23, PANTHERS 17

TEXANS over ravens

Playing without its leader Ray Lewis today, the Ravens are wounded to say the least. It doesn’t help to have to play a tough Texans team reeling from embarrassment of a blowout home loss last week in the limelight of Sunday night. Out to prove they’re better than that, Houston holds onto home field advantage and ekes out a four point win.

PREDICTION: TEXANS 24, ravens 20

SUNDAY (LATE)

RAIDERS over jags

The 1-4 Jaguars enter Oakland (also 1-4) today averaging an abysmal 241.2 yards of offense per game. Well-rested from its bye week, Jacksonville gives its all today. But its all just quite isn’t good enough. The Jags fall to the Raiders in overtime.

PREDICTION: RAIDERS 23, jags 20 (in OT)

PATS over jets

This game is no contest. A loss in Seattle last week has raised some credibility concerns in New England, Today, however, the Patriots start strong and finish strong against division rival New York, defeating the Jets in blowout fashion.

PREDICTION: PATS 31, jets 13

Steelers MLB James Harrison (92)

SNF

steel over BENGALS

Pittsburgh holds a disappointing record of 2-3, with all three losses coming on the road. This week, well, they’re on the road again. The Steelers are in Cincinnati to face A.J. Green and the Bengals. Green leads the NFL in yards receiving. He’s also caught touchdowns in five straight games and his total of six ranks second in that category – Green Bay’s James Jones, believe it or not, ranks first with seven. But the Steelers defense is able to rattle Green and Bengals QB Andy Dalton today. Pittsburgh’s four-time Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison picks up two sacks today, leading his team to that elusive first road win.

PREDICTION: steel 24, BENGALS 17

MNF

ions over BEARS

It’s been a disappointing season for Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford. The NFL’s number one overall draft pick in 2009 threw 41 touchdowns and lifted the Lions out of anonymity and into the playoffs last year. Through five games this year, he’s thrown for 4 TDs and ranks 24^th in QB rating (at 79.2). Thus, traveling to 4-1 Chicago tomorrow, Detroit is a seven-point underdog … The task appears too heavy; the Bears rank fourth in pass defense and first in interceptions – with 13. But last week was a turning point for Stafford. After a rough three quarters, he threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and rallied his team to an improbable comeback win Philadelphia. Maintaining that momentum, Stafford connects with top target Calvin Johnson and the Lions upset the Bears under the bright lights of Monday Night.

PREDICTION: lions 27, BEARS 24

Bye teams: Atlanta, Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Philadelphia, San Diego