The Armchair Quarterback’s Guide To The NFL: Week 7

The Armchair Quarterback’s Week 7 Predictions

Okay, so last week wasn’t the best week ever for the Armchair Quarterback game predictions, going 9-6 on the week. It’s still a winning week, but I’m aiming higher. The season total is still a solid 62-30. This week has a bunch of games that don’t have a clear cut favorite, so I have my work cut out for me. (Rolls up sleeves) Here we go………

Seahawks at Cardinals

The Cardinals have a good enough defense to win some games, but their offensive approach is all wrong. You can’t build an entire offense around Carson Palmer, not anymore. He just turns the ball over too much. The Cards need to play ball control with the run game and protect the football. Then when they draw the defense in to stop the run take a shot down field to Larry Fitzgerald. As they are currently playing, I don’t like the matchup of a pass heavy Palmer against a great ball hawking Seattle secondary.

Seahawks 24
Cardinals 17

Buccaneers at Falcons

The last stand of the Falcons…. If Atlanta loses to the winless Bucs at home it’s time to blow things up and start over. I’m secretly (okay, I guess since I just admitted it, it’s not much of a secret) hoping that this happens so that the Falcons will trade Tony Gonzalez back to the Chiefs for one last hurrah (A KC fan can dream, right?). That having been said, I’m picking the Falcons to win here because I really think the Bucs hate their coach so much that they want him fired. However, if the Bucs are in it to win it, and can protect Mike Glennon and give him time to throw, they could find success against Atlanta’s defense.

Buccaneers 23
Falcons 24

Bears at Redskins

I don’t know what the Vegas line is for total points in this game, but I’d take the over. The Redskins have been bad on defense and the Bears have developed a pretty good offense this season. The Redskins will move the ball against the Bears, but the question is can they avoid turning the ball over. I trust Chicago’s defense to come up with a key stop more than I do Washington’s. The Bears win this one in a shoot out.

Bears 37
Redskins 31

Cowboys at Eagles

This is the game that will determine if the Eagles can challenge Dallas for the division. If the Eagles win they will be in sole possession of first place, but if they lose, they’ll be a game out and still have to play in Dallas. This is another game where it will probably take 35 points or more to win. As good as the Philly offense has been at times, I’ll take Tony Romo and Dez Bryant.

Cowboys 37
Eagles 34

Patriots at Jets

I really want to pick the Jets to upset the Pats here. The Jets gave them all they could handle in Foxboro earlier this season and the Pats struggled on the road against a physical Bengals defense a couple of weeks ago. However, I just can’t pick Rex Ryan and Geno Smith to beat Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

Patriots 17
Jets 16

Bills at Dolphins

The Bills always manage to keep their games close, but with no EJ Manuel I think road wins will be hard to come by. The Dolphins are coming off their bye week and will be trying to break a two game losing streak. Picking Ryan Tannehill over Thad Lewis (if he can even play) is the smart pick here.

Bills 24
Dolphins 27

Chargers at Jaguars

The Jaguars gave Denver a good fight, but in the end couldn’t match their firepower offensively. Look for more of the same here. While neither defense is great, the Chargers are averaging 127.5 more yards and 12.3 more points per game. Phillip Rivers is playing really well and the Chargers need this win so they don’t fall too far behind the Broncos and Chiefs in the AFC West.

Chargers 30
Jaguars 20

Rams at Panthers

Anyone crazy enough to bet money on this game should be committed. Seriously, how in the world can anyone feel confident about picking this game? These have been two of the most up and down teams in the NFL. In the Rams last 4 games they have two 24 point loses, a 14 point win, and a 25 point win. The Panthers aren’t any better with an 18 point loss to the Cardinals sandwiched between a 38 point win and a 25 point win. I’m taking the Panthers because they’re at home, but honestly I won’t be surprised if either of these teams win by 20 points.

Rams 21
Panthers 23

Bengals at Lions

This could end up being the best game of the week. Both teams have big time WRs and RBs that can make big plays in both the running and passing game. The Bengals have the better defense, but the Lions have the better QB. My brain says take the home team with the better QB, my gut says the Bengals are the better team. I’m going with my gut.

Bengals 30
Lions 27

49ers at Titans

This should be a good old fashioned slug fest. Both of these teams play good defense and will try to run the ball to control the game. Ultimately, the 49ers have the better QB and the better running game. Look for them to earn a hard fought road victory.

49ers 20
Titans 16

Texans at Chiefs

(Homer Alert) As a KC fan, this game scares me. Yes, the Texans are a hot mess at QB, but there is still a ton of talent on their roster. While the KC defense should harass whomever is playing QB, their offense will likely struggle. The Houston defense is giving up the fewest yards of any team in the NFL while KC is only the 25th rated offense in yards per game. The KC defense needs to extend Houston’s pick six streak to help put this one away. If you love offensive football, don’t watch this game.

Texans 10
Chiefs 13

Ravens at Steelers

The Ravens offense just doesn’t look right and despite Pittsburgh’s 1-4 record, they have still played pretty good defense. The Ravens, on the other hand, have struggled to stop the pass. Opposing QBs are averaging 8.1 yards per attempt with 10 TDs and 4 INTs. Look for Big Ben to carry his team to a home win here.

Ravens 20
Steelers 27

Browns at Packers

Look, I could break down these team’s strengths and weaknesses and talk about the effect that injuries to key players on both teams could have, but this game comes down to Brandon Weeden having to go on the road to face Aaron Rodgers. That’s a pretty easy choice to make.

Browns 17
Packers 23

Broncos at Colts

Do I think the Colts are capable of beating the Denver Broncos? Yes. Am I willing to go on record as picking against Peyton Manning while he is on pace to rewrite the record books? No, it’s just crazy to pick against Peyton and the Broncos right now.

Broncos 34
Colts 27

Vikings at Giants

Who would have thought that this would be one of the worst Monday Night Football match ups of the 2013 season? These two teams are STRUG-GA-LING (said in my best drunk Joe Namath voice). I really thought the Vikes would ride the wave of emotion from the tragedy involving Adrian Peterson’s son to dismantle the Panthers, instead they fell flat. I’m not sure any of the QBs on their roster can right the ship. I still believe that the Giants having a Super Bowl winning coach and QB will eventually lead to them winning a couple of games. Don’t get me wrong, I still think the Giants are terrible, but so are the Vikings and it’s time for the Giants to break their losing streak.

Vikings 24
Giants 27

Now on to the food/drink/tailgating section…….