Super Bowl contenders can take the show on the road.
That is the challenge for the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins in Week 7. We are not surprised by the first-half season success by these teams considering the preseason hype. Now, can they do it against other contenders on the road? Detroit and Miami are 2.5-point underdogs in road tests at Baltimore and Philadelphia, respectively.
With third-year coach Dan Campbell, the Lions are on pace with San Francisco and Philadelphia in the NFC. Detroit already beat Kansas City, Green Bay and Tampa Bay on the road. A victory against the Ravens – which rank fourth in the NFL in scoring defense at 15.2 points per game – would be yet another milestone victory for the Lions.
Miami and second-year coach Mike McDaniel are doing it with offense. The Dolphins average 498.7 yards and 37.2 points per game – both tops in the league – and they get a Sunday Night Football spotlight against the Eagles.
Would a Dolphins-Lions Super Bowl be possible this season? These are the types of games that breed those contenders.
Each week, Sporting News will pick the games straight up and against the spread. Here is a look at our record heading into Week 7:
- Straight up: 58-35 (9-6 in Week 6)
- ATS: 47-44-2 (8-7 in Week 6)
Here are our straight-up picks for Week 7
(Lines courtesy of BetMGM, click here to sign up and make your picks)
NFL picks, predictions for Week 7
- Jacksonville Jaguars (-1) at New Orleans Saints
Thursday, 8:20 p.m., Prime Video
Trevor Lawrence (knee) might not play with the quick turnaround, and that means C.J. Beathard would start at New Orleans. The Saints are 1-5 ATS this season, but they were favored in the five losses. A home underdog in a pick 'em could work out, especially if Lawrence can't go. We're making this pick assuming Lawrence plays, but will re-evaluate if he's out.
Pick: Jaguars 23, Saints 20
Result: Jaguars 31, Saints 24
- Las Vegas Raiders (-3) at Chicago Bears
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
This could be a battle of backup quarterbacks. Jimmy Garoppolo (back) and Justin Fields (hand) might both be out, which means this could be Brian Hoyer against rookieTyson Bagent. That means a low-risk game, high-percentage game plan from both sides. Hoyer, who played for the Bears in Week 16, is the more-experienced option, but this is a coin-flip game on the road. Maxx Crosby forces a late turnover, the Raiders win three in a row.
Pick: Raiders 21, Bears 19
- Cleveland Browns (-1.5) at Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
How will the Browns handle success after knocking off the 49ers? Cleveland has the top defense in the NFL at 200.4 yards per game. It's a simple formula against the Colts, who have eight turnovers in their three losses. This will be tough to generate a running game behind Gardner Minshew. Deshaun Watson (shoulder) could return in Week 7, and that will help the offense in a tight road test. The Browns are 1-1 S/U as a favorite this year.
Pick: Browns 22, Colts 17
POWER RANKINGS: Chiefs, Dolphins displace 49ers, Eagles at top; Browns, Jets rise
- Buffalo Bills (-8.5) at New England Patriots
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Patriots can't score. They have just 20 points over the last three weeks, and Mac Jones' time as the starting quarterback is running short. The Bills are 6-1 against New England since Tom Brady left, and the last five regular-season wins have been by double digits. Bill Belichick will do his best to slow down Buffalo, but look for a better offensive performance from Josh Allen.
Pick: Bills 27, Patriots 17
- Washington Commanders (-1.5) at New York Giants
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
These teams played to a 20-20 tie in their last matchup at New York. The Giants average 10 points per game through a four-game losing streak, and Daniel Jones (neck) remains uncertain. Saquon Barkley is back, however, and the Commanders allow 129 rushing yards per game. Sam Howell is coming off a three-TD performance, but he's also taken 34 sacks in six games. The Giants end their losing streak in an ugly victory.
Pick: Giants 19, Commanders 18
- Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
This is a huge game for the NFC South and a chance for Atlanta quarterback Desmond Ridder. The Falcons have scored just 13 points in two road losses this season, and Baker Mayfield has managed to play efficiently despite a running game that ranks 29th at 78.8 yards per game. This will be tight, but the Buccaneers bounce back at home.
Pick: Buccaneers 21, Falcons 17
- Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
This is the best game on the day-time slate. The Lions are one of three teams with a top-10 offense and top-10 defense — San Francisco and Philadelphia are the others. Detroit is 3-0 S/U on the road and 5-1 ATS this season. Baltimore is close to being a top-10 on both sides, but they rank 11th in offense. Look for the Lions' defensive line to frustrate Lamar Jackson, who are home after a three-game road stint that included a trip to London. Get this line with this value now.
Pick: Lions 24, Ravens 21
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Rams (-3.5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., Fox
The Rams' running game perked up around Kyren Williams in Week 6, and that should help offset a Pittsburgh pass rush led by T.J. Watt, who has eight sacks. The Steelers have to account for Aaron Donald, who has eight tackles for loss. Pittsburgh’s offense is under a perpetual state of criticism – particularly offensive coordinator Matt Canada – but the connection between Kenny Pickett and George Pickens grows here. Will they get enough out of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren to close out the upset?
Pick: Steelers 28, Rams 20
- Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks (-8)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., Fox
The Cardinals have lost their last three games by an average of 16.7 points per game, and they committed five turnovers the last two weeks. Joshua Dobbs will be pressed to make plays against a Seattle defense that ranks in the top five in rushing defense. The Seahawks won both meetings by 10 points last season.
Pick: Seahawks 31, Cardinals 21
- Green Bay Packers (-1.5) at Denver Broncos
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
The Packers had a bye week, and the key will be getting Aaron Jones back in the lineup. Green Bay ranks 28th in the NFL in rush defense, and that means Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLauglin should give Russell Wilson enough support in the running game. Jordan Love has had ups and downs, and this is a tough road environment. The Broncos are even worse against the run (172.3), so if Jones is back the Packers should be fine.
Pick: Packers 21, Broncos 17
- Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
The Chiefs are winning with a little bit of a different formula. The defense has allowed just 13.4 points per game since the Week 1 loss to the Lions, and Patrick Mahomes is making it work with a methodical attack around Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice. Can the Chargers disrupt that on the road coming off a short week? That will be on Justin Herbert to have success against that improved defense. Los Angeles is 6-2 ATS as a road underdog under Brandon Staley. The Chiefs have won the last three meetings by six points or less.
Pick: Chiefs 28, Chargers 24
- Miami Dolphins at Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5)
Sunday, 8:20 pm., NBC
Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts meet in an anticipated matchup between former Alabama quarterbacks. Tagovailoa took four sacks in Miami's only loss this season, and the Eagles are sure to dial up the pressure as a result. Hurts – who has struggled with interceptions – will have a bounce-back game, and the defense will break a three-game turnover drought. Miami will be a popular upset pick here, but we'll stick with the home team coming off an embarrassing loss to the Jets.
Pick: Eagles 34, Dolphins 30
- San Francisco 49ers (-7) at Minnesota Vikings
Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Christian McCaffrey (oblique) and Deebo Samuel (shoulder) are dealing with injuries, but Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is still out for the Vikings. That puts a little more on Brock Purdy and Kirk Cousins. The 49ers will need to bounce back, but the Vikings have not lost at home by more than a touchdown under second-year coach Kevin O'Connell. Keep an eye on those injury reports.
Pick: 49ers 25, Vikings 19
