NFL Pro Football 2008 Week 7 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2008 Week 7 Picks

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 7 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | October 19-20

All times Eastern - Click here for late Sunday and Monday night games.

SUN, OCT 19

San Diego at Buffalo (-1, 45) 1:00 PM - Trent Edwards will start at QB for Buffalo, but they face a serious foe in San Diego. Despite their 3-3 record, the Chargers are beginning to look like one of the best teams in the AFC, rather than the one which lost at Miami. The Chargers also lost their first two games by a total of 3 points - they could easily be 4-2 or 5-1.

The Bills have two problems: the secondary was exposed prior to their bye week at Arizona, and the running game hasn't been all that dependable. Buffalo ranks 23rd in the league in rushing. While winning on the road is tough, this one seems to be going in the Chargers' favor.

Prediction: Chargers 31 Bills 21

Pittsburgh (-10, 34 1/2) at Cincinnati 1:00 PM - The Bengals are staring a lost season square in the face and opponents are licking their chops over prospects to play them. Pittsburgh has been banged up and bruised recently in games against Philadelphia and Jacksonville (won one, lost one), but they've had a week off to heal up. At 4-1, the Steelers have a 2-game lead in the AFC North. The Bengals, on the other hand, are winless and will be without the services of QB Carson Palmer. Ryan Fitzpatrick will start once more for Cincy and that's not good.

The Bengals are third-last in scoring offense, at 14.7 ppg, while the Steelers are second-ranked on scoring defense, at 15.8 ppg. That adds up to the possibility of a shutout by the Steelers.

Prediction: Steelers 21 Bengals 10

Minnesota at Chicago (-3, 38) 1:00 PM - The Bears should have won last week at Atlanta, but didn't, allowing the only possible scenario to unfold in the final 11 seconds of the game, losing on a 48-yard Jason Elam field goal as time expired. The Vikings? They did win, though not in much of an inspiring fashion, 12-10, at home, over Detroit.

The Bears have better talent all around, though you'll get an argument from the Minnesota defenders. Home field matters, and that's a big reason to like the Bears. Both teams are 3-3 and tied with Green Bay atop the NFC North. Expect blood, a large number of crunching hits and almost no sustained offense.

Prediction: Bears 16 Vikings 10

Tennessee (-8 1/2, 35 1/2) at Kansas City 1:00 PM - The utter mismatch of the week. Undefeated Tennessee takes their show on the road to face the 1-4 Chiefs, currently lagging the polling for worst team in the league after their upset win over Denver. Check out these stats: KC is 31st in scoring offense at 13.0 and 26th on defense, allowing 26.2 ppg. The Titans are not exactly an offensive powerhouse at 23.0 points per game, but they are 1st on defense, at 11.2 per.

Even though they're on the road, the stats suggest two entirely different attitudes. The Chiefs simply can't match up with the Titans.

Prediction: Titans 31 Chiefs 10

New Orleans at Carolina (-3, 44 1/2) 1:00 PM - The Panthers can lay claim to a share of the NFC South along with the Buccaneers and Falcons, and can get a leg up with a win here. The Saints are a game behind, at 3-3, but hold a win over Tampa Bay, earned opening weekend. New Orleans has Drew Brees, the hottest QB in the league, and Reggie Bush, who resembles greased lightning at times. Carolina didn't show up at Tampa Bay and should make a game of this, but the Saints are a determined bunch with a wealth of talent on offense and they're likely to overcome all obstacles.

Prediction: Saints 26 Panthers 24

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San Francisco at NY Giants (-10 1/2, 46) 1:00 PM - Eli Manning has a bruised chest to show for his nightmare in Cleveland Monday and the Giants' NFL consecutive road win record ended on the shores of Lake Erie. The Giants should rebound well from the experience, taking solace in the fact the record is an exception accomplishment in itself, and a loss on the road may alleviate some pressure. Meanwhile, the Giants haven't lost at home and still lead the NFC East. San Fran isn't on the same level as NY. The Giants' defense comes through in a big way.

Prediction: Giants 27 49ers 13

Baltimore at Miami (-3, 36 1/2) 1:00 PM - Baltimore has lost three straight and are on the road for the second consecutive week, a generally losing proposition in this league. Miami needs a win, and while neither of these teams appear to be of playoff caliber, it's still very early in the season and teams can build from certain situations. The Dolphins are coming off a tough, last-second, 29-28 loss at Houston. This young team needs to come together at home, and they should.

Prediction: Dolphins 21 Ravens 14

Dallas (-6 1/2, 43 1/2) at St. Louis 1:00 PM - With Tony Romo out, just how does Dallas expect to win games? With Brad Johnson at QB. He'll have two of the finest targets ever put on the same side of the ball together: Terrell Owens and Roy Williams, the latter being acquired this week via trade with Detroit. Johnson's a journeyman, and, unless he's really rusty, should be able to find some open receivers. It won't be the prettiest of games, but the fans will be into it and Dallas may not have everything their way. Of interest is how well the Rams play a week after winning their first game.

Prediction: Cowboys 27 Rams 17

All times Eastern - Click here for late Sunday and Monday night games

Copyright 2008, 2009, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.

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