NFL Betting: Week 7 Top Matchups
Week 6 shook things up on the NFL standings and on the NFL odds board. A clash between two 4-1 teams in the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers brought the Chargers back down to earth after three-straight victories, while the Ravens now sit atop the AFC North at 5-1. The hottest team in the league beyond the Arizona Cardinals, the Buffalo Bills, lost in dramatic fashion on Monday Night Football versus Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans. However, the Dallas Cowboys maintained their perfect record against the spread after their overtime victory versus the New England Patriots.
Now entering Week 7, we’ll see a significant divisional matchup when the Bengals visit the Ravens, and perhaps the most important game of the season for the Kansas City Chiefs, as they hope to get above .500 against the Titans. We’ll preview each of these matchups and other big NFL betting opportunities as we get set for Week 7.
Denver Broncos @ Cleveland Browns (-3.5)
First Energy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Thursday, October 21, 8:20 PM ET
The Cleveland Browns (3-3 SU and ATS) enter Week 7 in rough shape. QB Baker Mayfield has been playing through a torn labrum in his left shoulder since Week 2 and then dislocated it on Sunday versus the Cardinals. Additionally, Kareen Hunt seriously injured his calf against Arizona and is expected to be out for four to six weeks. That’ll put the Browns in a tough spot given RB Nick Chubb missed Sunday’s game with a calf injury of his own and isn’t expected to be ready for Thursday’s matchup versus the Broncos (3-3 SU and ATS). Despite those injuries, the Browns are still 3.5-point home favourites, as the Broncos have lost three straight games and look like they’re unraveling after a promising 3-0 start.
Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5) @ Tennessee Titans
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Sunday, October 24, 1 PM ET
It was a must-win for the Chiefs (3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS) in Week 6 and they managed just that, downing Washington 31-13. It was the first time in four weeks that the Chiefs surrendered fewer than 30 points in a game, and improved their league-worst defense to fifth-worst. But facing the Tennessee Titans (4-2 SU and ATS) will be a real test for KC, who surrenders an average of 133.2 rushing yards per game. Titans’ RB Derrick Henry put up 143 yards and three TDs on Monday versus the No. 1-ranked Bills’ defense.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (-6)
M&T Band Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Sunday, October 24, 1 PM ET
The Baltimore Ravens (5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS) are on some kind of roll right now. They defeated the up-and-coming LA Chargers in resounding fashion in Week 6 and have won five-straight games. They’ll have their chance to check another up-and-coming team when they take on their division rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals (4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS) on Sunday. A good deal of the Bengals’ success has been due to QB Joe Burrow’s solid sophomore season; he’s tied for fifth in the NFL with 14 passing TDs. What will likely be the difference maker in this game, however, is whether the Bengals’ run defense, which ranks eighth in the NFL, can slow down the Ravens’ No. 4-ranked run game.
Washington Football Team @ Green Bay Packers (-9.5)
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sunday, October 24, 1 PM ET
The Packers improved their SU and ATS record to 5-1 on the season after covering as 4.5-point road favourites against the Chicago Bears in Week 6. And while Washington (2-4 SU, 1-5 ATS) isn’t likely to be much of a challenge straight up on Sunday, the lofty 9.5-point spread may challenge the Packers’ sterling ATS record. However, Washington has the worst pass defense in the league, surrendering an average of 309.5 yards per game, so if Aaron Rodgers can have a big day and take advantage of that subpar secondary, the Pack may just cover again.
Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams (-15)
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Sunday, October 24, 4:05 PM ET
In what is shaping up to be another lopsided affair in Week 7, the Los Angeles Rams (5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS) take on the 0-6 SU, 3-3 ATS Detroit Lions in a reunion between Matthew Stafford and the Lions, and Jared Goff and the Rams. It’s been very different stories for those players and their teams since the offseason swap. The Lions suffered from several close losses early in the season and look to be lost a sea, while the Rams sit in second in the West and are just one game behind the undefeated Cardinals. We’re expecting a strong showing from Goff in his return to LA, but it isn’t likely to end the Lions’ winless season.
Houston Texans @ Arizona Cardinals (-17.5)
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Sunday, October 24, 4:25 PM ET
The biggest spread of the week pits the best team in the NFL against one of the worst. The Texans (1-5 SU, 3-3 ATS) have lost five straight games, while the 6-0 Cardinals have been one of the most reliable betting teams in the league this season at 5-1 ATS. Week 6 was particularly impressive for the Cardinals, after their head coach Kliff Kingsbury, QB coach Cam Turner and several key players including Chandler Jones all missed the game due to positive COVID tests. That’ll just build the Cardinals’ resolve as the NFL’s top club, so get ready for a drubbing on Sunday versus Houston as those personnel return.
New Orleans Saints (-5.5) @ Seattle Seahawks
Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
Monday, October 25, 8:15 PM ET
Monday Night Football will see the Seattle Seahawks take on the New Orleans Saints as 5.5-point home underdogs. This will be Seattle’s second straight week without QB Russell Wilson on the field; he had to undergo hand surgery after an injury sustained in the Seahawks’ Week 5 26-17 loss to the LA Rams. The Saints have their own injury woes; they’ve been missing roughly eight starters all season long. They’re banking on having at least some of them return in time for the Monday nighter.