Of the nine teams in the NFL with a winning record, perhaps none have been more surprising than the "New York, New York" combination.
The Giants (5-1) have thrived in the underdog role under first-year coach Brian Daboll. New York is 4-0 ATS as an underdog, and they have been trailing or tied heading into the fourth quarter in all but one of those games. Despite that success, New York is an underdog heading to Jacksonville this weekend.
They are not the only fun story in the Big Apple.
The Jets (4-2) have a chance to win four straight games under second-year coach Robert Saleh. The defense has taken on a fun personality around Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, and Zach Wilson continues to improve around a solid running game. New York also is an underdog at Denver, and they have covered in four of six games in that role.
Can you trust the Giants and Jets in underdog roles again? Why wouldn't you?
Each week, Sporting News will pick all the NFL games straight up and against the spread. A look at our track record this season:
Record: 49-44-1 (4-10 in Week 6)
Here are our straight-up picks for Week 7 (lines courtesy of Caesars):
POWER RANKINGS: Surprising Giants, Jets continue to rise; Packers, 49ers, Buccaneers fade for Week 7
NFL picks, predictions for Week 7
- New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals (-1.5)
Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
A battle of 2-4 teams comes to Thursday Night Football, but there should be at least more points this time in theory. The Saints found a way to rush for 228 yards in a loss last week, and the Cardinals have averaged just 13 points per game the last two weeks. DeAndre Hopkins' return should help, but what happens if Kliff Kingsbury loses a fourth straight home game?
Pick: Saints 23, Cardinals 20
Result: Cardinals 42, Saints 34
- Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals (-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase restored their elite connection against the Saints, but this is a bit of a trap game they cannot toy with. Atlanta is 6-0 ATS as an underdog this season, but they are 1-2 S/U on the road. Burrow wins the battle of Heisman Trophy winners with Marcus Mariota, but it's close.
Pick: Bengals 27, Falcons 22
- Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys (-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Lions had a bye week to take inventory on their myriad defensive issues, and Dak Prescott plans to return for the Cowboys. Will there be rust in the passing game? Detroit's offense has been fun, and Jared Goff has only taken seven sacks. Will that hold up against the Cowboys' pass rush? There is a small risk for a shocker here, but we'll stick with Dallas at home.
Pick: Cowboys 30, Lions 27
- Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Titans won the first meeting 24-17 and had a bye week to prepare for the rematch with their AFC South rivals. Matt Ryan is coming off a three-TD performance, and Deon Jackson took advantage of the spotlight. It's a tough road assignment given Ryan has not played well on the road, but the Titans' pass defense will leave a few holes.
Pick: Colts 31, Titans 27
- Green Bay Packers (-5) at Washington Commanders
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
This game is a pivotal moment for the Packers, who are favored despite failing to cover each of the last three weeks. Green Bay has lost their last three games at Washington, and this was an ugly 24-10 game last season. The Commanders, coming off the extra rest, will push the Packers here, especially if they win a turnover-battle against teams that have not protected the football.
Pick: Packers 26, Commanders 20
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-10) at Carolina Panthers
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
This is a good time for a get-well game for Tom Brady. He's averaged 279 yards with eight TDs and one interception in the last four meetings with Carolina since coming to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have won those four games by an average of 21.8 points per game. It won't be that kind of blowout, but stick with the road team here.
Pick: Buccaneers 28, Panthers 16
- New York Giants (-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Giants are an underdog? They are facing a Jaguars' team on a three-game losing streak. Jacksonville has a -7 turnover ratio in those three losses. New York can take advantage of that yet in another one-score victory. Saquon Barkley takes in the game-winning TD in the final two minutes.
Pick: Giants 30, Jaguars 25
- Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-6.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Browns and Ravens are 1-3 in one-score games this season, a frustrating trend for both fan-bases. Both defenses are bad, but Cleveland has been a little worse on that side of the ball. Lamar Jackson will take advantage, and he improves to 6-2 as a starter against Cleveland.
Pick: Ravens 26, Browns 23
- New York Jets at Denver Broncos (-3)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS
Sure, the Broncos are favored, but this Jets' defense is for real. The unit ranks ninth in total defense, and they have given up 20 points or less each of the last three weeks against struggling offenses. That should be enough to keep it close against the Russell Wilson-led Broncos. Can we believe the hype after a fourth straight victory?
Pick: Jets 24, Broncos 20
- Houston Texans at Las Vegas Raiders (-7)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS
The Texans are coming off a bye week, and it's tough to trust the Raiders as a favorite, even in this game. Houston can hang around with another strong effort from Dameon Pierce, but that won't be easy knowing the Raiders rank sixth in the NFL in run defense (103.2 ypg.). Derek Carr and Davante Adams hook up for a pair of TDs, and Las Vegas gets back in the win column.
Pick: Raiders 27, Texans 19
- Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Chargers (-7)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox
The Seahawks are .500 and a pleasant surprise with the combination of Geno Smith and rookie running back Kenneth Walker III, who nearly had his first 100-yard game against the Cardinals. The combination of Justin Herbert and Austin Ekeler is a little more experienced together, and that will make the difference at home in what should be a close one late.
Pick: Chargers 31, Seahawks 23
- Kansas City Chiefs (-3) at San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox
It's a rematch of Super Bowl LIV. We can't blame you for taking the 49ers here given the value at home. Patrick Mahomes, however, led the Chiefs to 40-plus performances in their last two road games against Arizona and Tampa Bay. This might be out like that Super Bowl did. San Francisco will lead at halftime, but Mahomes will rally the Chiefs with another impressive fourth quarter.
Pick: Chiefs 28, 49ers 24
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins (-7)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
That is a substantial line for what should be Tua Tagovailoa's return for the Dolphins after missing the last two games. Miami's defense has allowed 30.3 points per game through a three-game losing streak. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, likely will turn back to Mitchell Trubisky if Kenny Pickett, who suffered a concussion in Week 6, cannot go.
Pick: Dolphins 27, Steelers 17
- Chicago Bears at New England Patriots (-7.5)
Monday, 8:15 p.m., Monday
Will it be Bailey Zappe or Mac Jones? Zappe has at least made that an interesting question with a 72.9% completion percentage since taking over in the loss to Green Bay. Chicago averages 15.5 points per game, and Justin Fields' struggles will continue on the road against a top-10 scoring defense. The Patriots earn their third straight victory heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Jets.
Pick: Patriots 24, Bears 15
