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The NFL season is cruising together with stunning division leaders and much more stunning sluggish begins – to not point out we noticed our first firing of the yr.
We’re again to assist sluggish issues down and map out the most effective picks for Week 7.
Thursday, Oct. twenty second
New England Patriots (4-2) @ Chicago Bears (4-2): 8:15 p.m. ET
The Bears will look to win their second straight sport with Caleb Williams again beneath centre as they host Drake Maye and the Patriots in primetime.
Chicago instantly felt the impression of Williams’ return after lacking three video games with a hamstring harm as he threw for 305 yards, together with a landing to assist struggle off an Atlanta Falcons’ late comeback try.
While New England dealt with the New York Jets in Week 6, A.J. Brown set the Patriots’ franchise mark for many dropped passes in a single sport.
It was his first sport again from an ankle harm, however the Patriots will want the exact opposite model of him to ensure that Maye and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to maintain up with Bears head coach Ben Johnson and his harmful offence.
This matchup will even pit two of the highest three alternatives from the 2024 NFL Draft as Williams (1st total) and Maye (third total) will sq. off for the second time. The Patriots took down the Bears 19-3 in Week 10 of 2024 throughout their first conflict.
Sunday, Oct. twenty fifth
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) @ New Orleans Saints (2-4): 9:30 a.m. ET (Paris, France)
The Steelers regarded like they’d taken a step backwards on offence for 3 quarters throughout final week’s 26-19 additional time win in opposition to the Buccaneers. But regardless of the sluggish begin, Aaron Rodgers led the franchise’s largest fourth-quarter comeback since 2003.
They’ll now look to make it three straight wins as they head to Paris for a date with the 2-4 Saints – contemporary off their dramatic 34-27 victory over the New York Giants.
Tyler Shough threw 4 of his 12 landing passes on the yr because the Saints additionally discovered success on the bottom for the primary time in 2026 with a season-high 175 yards on 38 carries. The run sport will seemingly have to proceed trending in the best path because the Steelers’ cross rush stays atop the NFL.
Pittsburgh defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-21 final season of their first worldwide sport since 2012, whereas New Orleans’ final journey throughout the pond got here in 2022 after they misplaced 28-25 to the Vikings.
The NFL has said it’s monitoring the continued civil unrest inside Paris however has no plans of shifting places.
San Francisco 49ers (6-0) @ Atlanta Falcons (2-4): 1 p.m. ET
The undefeated 49ers proceed rolling whatever the accidents piling on them. Wide receiver Mike Evans grew to become the most recent to affix the record after leaving with Achilles tendonitis throughout final week’s 23-17 win over the Washington Commanders. Though he didn’t observe earlier than suiting up in Week 6, it stays unclear if he shall be obtainable on Sunday after lacking Wednesday’s exercise.
Atlanta will look to keep away from dropping their third straight sport after dismantling each the Packers and the Saints in primetime. For the second straight week, their offensive line failed to guard Michael Penix Jr. or provide any help to Bijan Robinson, who was held to only 61 yards.
The Falcons shall be intently monitoring 49ers defensive finish Nick Bosa, who has but to return to observe since a calf harm sidelined him in Week 2, however head coach Kyle Shanahan hasn’t dominated him out for this week.
All eyes shall be on Robinson and 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey as the 2 dual-threat working backs and low season exercise friends face one another for the second time. McCaffrey stole the present the primary time round with 201 scrimmage yards and a pair of scores.
Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) @ Baltimore Ravens (4-2): 1 p.m. ET
Fresh off a bye, Joe Burrow and the Bengals head to Baltimore the place the Ravens look to shake off a tricky last-second loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) stays the most important query mark on this sport. If he does begin, will his ankle be at 100 per cent? Tyler Huntley is 1-1 since taking on and remains to be taking first-team reps as Jackson was listed as a restricted participant.
The Ravens at dwelling will seemingly flip to the favorite if he’s confirmed to return, however in case you are a Bengals backer, it will likely be higher to attend for affirmation.
It can also be noteworthy that Ravens defensive finish Trey Hendrickson will face his former group for the primary time since their comparatively public breakup final season after failing to come back to phrases on a brand new contract.
Cleveland Browns (4-2) @ Tennessee Titans (1-5): 1 p.m. ET
In what is likely to be the wildest flip of occasions thus far, it’s the Browns who maintain down the highest spot within the jam-packed AFC North. Deshaun Watson has orchestrated 4 game-winning drives and has made followers do a whole 180-degree flip after booing him within the pre-season.
First-year head coach Todd Monken now takes his rebuilding squad to Tennessee to face one other boss on the helm in Year 1 in Robert Saleh, who isn’t capable of say the identical about his group. Even with their upset victory over the reeling Indianapolis Colts in Week 6, the Titans sit with extra questions than solutions.
Second-year quarterback Cam Ward solely threw for 101 yards and a landing on 11-of-22 passing as a blocked punt returned for a landing finally sparked their first win of the yr. They rank thirtieth in touchdowns, passing yards and first downs and have solely accomplished 10 performs longer than 20 yards downfield.
Indianapolis Colts (2-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (5-0): 1 p.m. ET
Another stunning division chief is the Vikings, coming off an early bye with a beneficial matchup in opposition to the Colts.
The league’s greatest defence by way of factors per sport is now rested and so long as their offence led by Kyler Murray continues to play protected soccer, they need to be in one other stable place in Week 7.
On the opposite aspect, it could not be going worse. Indianapolis made the primary massive transfer of the yr, firing normal supervisor Chris Ballard, who was within the closing season of his contract after one other tough begin in his tenth marketing campaign.
On the sphere, Daniel Jones appears to be like like he’s nonetheless combating again from final yr’s season-ending Achilles harm and solely Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers has turned the ball over extra.
It’s a big unfold with Minnesota’s low-scoring offence, however the Colts have allowed the fifth-most factors within the league.
Miami Dolphins (0-5) @ New York Jets (2-4): 1 p.m. ET
The Jets expect to welcome again working again Breece Hall for his or her divisional matchup with the Dolphins. He shall be a welcome sight for the offence as they struggle to attract consideration away from large receiver Garrett Wilson, who was comparatively quiet of their Week 6 loss to the Patriots after placing up 104 yards of their win over the Browns.
Miami continues to cost on winless as their followers can solely now surprise in the event that they’ll lose sufficient contests to safe the No. 1 total choose. The Jets are 4-1-1 in opposition to the unfold this season and so they coated the one different time they had been favourites in opposition to the Browns.
Even although the Dolphins have coated their final two matchups, the Jets shall be desperate to show they’re nowhere close to the underside of the AFC East with an enormous win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5) @ Carolina Panthers (3-2): 1 p.m. ET
The Buccaneers practically stole an important victory with rookie backup quarterback Jalon Daniels earlier than they squandered a fourth-quarter result in the Steelers. They’re now 1-2 since dropping starter Baker Mayfield to a dislocated thumb and sit final within the NFC South.
On the other finish of the division are Bryce Young and the Panthers — with the QB off to a red-hot begin in Year 4. They’ll look to make it three wins in a row after knocking off each the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Although the Buccaneers rank fifth total in complete defence, they’re struggling to place up factors with simply 19.8 per sport, whereas the Panthers are among the many high within the league, averaging 29.2. If Tampa does discover itself in a shootout, it will likely be exhausting to maintain up.
Mayfield has returned to observe, nevertheless it stays unclear if he’ll be capable to begin. If he does the road will definitely shift, so greatest to carry off till the choice is made if the Panthers are the wager of selection.
New York Giants (3-2-1) @ Houston Texans (2-4): 1 p.m. ET
C.J. Stroud regarded like he was again in his groove because the Texans broke off back-to-back wins over the Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s about time, because the fourth-year quarterback continues by a pivotal yr with contract talks looming.
The Texans have to preserve stacking wins after a sluggish begin and can host the Giants as double-digit favourites.
While they need to win this sport outright, do not depend out New York simply but. Head coach John Harbaugh has introduced that newly acquired J.J. McCarthy will take over because the beginning quarterback after changing Jameis Winston in Week 6 and practically main a dramatic comeback in opposition to the Saints.
Denver Broncos (4-2) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-4): 4:05 p.m. ET
Many of the quarterback critics have turned their consideration to Bo Nix and rightfully so. The third-year quarterback hasn’t regarded sharp in 2026 and now not has offensive coordinator Davis Webb guilty after Sean Payton took over the playcalling.
There’s no motive to panic, but. The Broncos are 4-2 and have time to proper the ship with the wins they’ve squeaked out.
But Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported that they haven’t solely taken Webb’s play sheet away, they’re additionally now switching a number of the offensive terminology again to Payton’s following their ugly 17-14 win over the Seahawks final week. They’re working out of levers to tug.
Arizona, alternatively, is buzzing after a wild 18-16 upset of the Los Angeles Rams however could possibly be with out rookie working again Jeremiyah Love for a second straight week. The pesky Cardinals at dwelling ought to handle to maintain this sport inside 4 factors.
Los Angeles Rams (2-4) @ Las Vegas Raiders (3-3): 4:25 p.m. ET
The greatest disappointment thus far this season must be the Rams. A “Super team” that had analysts penning earlier than the yr they may end undefeated now sits final of their division. The accidents have piled excessive, however so have the self-inflicted wounds.
The newest blow comes as large receiver Davante Adams will miss six to 10 weeks with a hamstring harm.
They aren’t anticipating heavy reinforcement simply but, as defensive finish Myles Garrett remains to be on the shelf and cornerback Trent McDuffie has but to return to the sphere after struggling a groin harm at observe main into Week 6.
Operationally, they’ll have to restrict their ill-timed penalties and particular groups errors in the event that they plan on making a reliable run.
They’re not out of the race but, however a loss to the Raiders might spell catastrophe with their playoff odds at present hovering at 37 per cent.
Green Bay Packers (4-2) @ Detroit Lions (3-2): 4:25 p.m. ET
The Packers have rattled off three straight victories after a sluggish 1-2 begin and are coming off a press release 23-13 win at dwelling in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys.
Jordan Love has regarded stable with 840 yards, 5 touchdowns and solely two interceptions within the three wins. Wide receiver Matthew Golden appears to be like like a blossoming expertise and Josh Jacobs is getting back from the Commissioner’s exempt record to spice up their run sport.
Not to say their prized acquisition of 2025, Micah Parsons has but to play in 2026. It stays unclear when precisely he shall be prepared, nevertheless it doesn’t seem they’re in a rush to get him again until he’s at 100 per cent.
Meanwhile, Detroit silenced loads of their doubters with a dominant displaying in opposition to the Cardinals in Week 5 however will hope their bye week did not come at a time after they had been beginning to construct momentum.
Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) @ Seattle Seahawks (3-3): 8:20 p.m. ET
The centrepiece of this matchup is reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker making his return to Seattle. The Seahawks are struggling to exchange his manufacturing on offence and Sam Darnold hasn’t been himself since getting back from a glute harm, throwing for seven interceptions in 5 video games.
The excellent news for Seattle is that working again Zach Charbonnet had his first full observe and is trending in direction of an imminent return. Even in a restricted workload Sunday, he’d be welcomed with open arms.
Kansas City, alternatively, couldn’t be extra excited to have Walker. He has eight scrimmage touchdowns and has taken an enormous load off Patrick Mahomes shoulders with greater than only a risk of the cross sport.
The undefeated Chiefs are wanting as if they could possibly be primed for one more run at a Super Bowl and taking down the defending champions on the street would definitely be a step in the best path.
Monday, October twenty sixth
Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles: 8:15 p.m. ET
Luckily for the NFC East, one group has to win the division and can get to host a playoff sport.
The query stays who it will likely be.
The Eagles now face the truth that they’ll play the remainder of the season with out quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was recognized with bilateral pulmonary emboli. That opens the door for the remainder of the division, however somebody must stroll by it.
If the Cowboys’ defence can piece itself collectively, the chance is there for the taking. It hasn’t been fairly with back-to-back losses that even had stadium staff calling the entire thing embarrassing.
Back the Cowboys to not lose to a second backup quarterback in three weeks. It might get ugly in the event that they do.
Bye Week
Buffalo Bills (5-1), Los Angeles Chargers (0-6), Washington Commanders (1-4-1), Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
*BetMGM strains topic to vary
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