NFL Week 7 Preview: Games To Watch

Bye weeks are a blessing and a curse. The team has an extra week to prepare, get healthy, and open up the playbook. On the flip side, the change in schedule and routine can make teams less focused for their game in two weeks. While we wait for the Texans to make their next appearance against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, October 29th, this Sunday provides several great games to keep your couch occupied.

Game of the Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots

Super Bowl rematches have become a welcomed phenomenon in the league pitting last year’s two finalists against each other the following season. The New England Patriots’ fourth quarter heroics have definitely not been forgotten by the Falcons. This season, Tom Brady already has almost 2,000 passing yards; Father Time needs to catch up and give the rest of the league a chance. Both teams have taken two tough losses early this season but look ready to square off again on Sunday Night Football.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams

A surprisingly good matchup out west features a revamped Rams offense against the ageless wonder Carson Palmer. Todd Gurley is hitting his stride and has been racking up impressive stats through six games. Palmer makes up for the Cardinals’ abysmal rushing offense. Should be a high-scoring affair.

Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles

NFC East rivals look to claim the top spot in the division. Carson Wentz (who I fell in love with in my 2016 NFL Draft research) has put the Eagles on his back and flown them to a 5-1 record. Somehow, this is the second time the teams will face this season as the Eagles won 30-17 in Week 1. The Redskins have a couple of my favorites on their team as well in QB Kirk Cousins (yeah, I like that), former Texans safety D.J. Swearinger, and rookie DT Jonathan Allen. The Eagles’ roster is too stacked for me to pick against them in this game, though.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Minnesota Vikings

Despite the Vikings’ QB woes, they are 4-2 and atop the NFC North. Their defense ranks fifth in the league in points against and is led by LB Eric Kendricks. The Vikings lost rookie RB Dalvin Cook when he tore his ACL in Week 4. They will rely on Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon to carry the load in his absence. The Ravens are 3-3, even with Joe Flacco having twice as many picks as touchdowns. In the battle of the only purple teams in the NFL, it could be a low scoring game.

New Orleans Saints vs. Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers will have to do the “Discount Double-Check” with one arm while he nurses a broken collarbone. Man, it would of been fun to watch two of the best signal-callers go toe-to-toe midway through the season. The Saints are 3-2 so far, which is impressive, considering they have yet to play a team under .500. Green Bay will have Brett Hundley take over for Rodgers for probably the rest of the season. Hundley has some big shoes to fill, but I think the arsenal of WRs around him will assist him throughout.

Other games this week

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears

(BESFs) vs. Cleveland Browns

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts

New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

(The Other Texas Team) vs. San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Giants

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers