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NFL Week 7 - Sunday Preview Part 2

NFLgracieotto1 Comment
NFL Week 7 - Sunday Preview Part 2

Oakland Raiders (4-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3) - EverBank Field

The Raiders will be hoping to rebound from their worst performance of the season as they visit Jacksonville on Sunday. The Raiders gave up sole position of the AFC West with a 26-10 loss at home to rivals the Chiefs as their defence continued to play well below expectations. The Jaguars have managed to scratch out two close wins against the Colts and Bears to keep their season alive. Both quarterbacks Derek Carr and Blake Bortles were part of the 2014 NFL draft with the Jaguars passing up on Carr to take Bortles as their future franchise quarterback. 

Verdict - Raiders 35 Jaguars 34

I don't trust the Raiders at all here, however I do trust that this game will be a track meet, with offences dominating. The Raiders were unusually poor last week on offence with the sloppy conditions not suiting their vertical attack. I expect Derek Carr to be far more prolific, however I expect the Raiders defense to be just as porous here. 

San Diego Chargers (2-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-2) 

The Falcons get back to home comforts after two straight tough road games against Denver and Seattle as they welcome in the Chargers to Atlanta. Despite stumbling late to a 26-24 loss in Seattle, the Falcons continue to look impressive after knocking off both of last year's Super Bowl teams in convincing fashion. The Chargers got a much needed victory, holding on for a 21-13 victory against division rivals the Broncos. The Chargers have failed to win back-to-back games since 2014 and are up against it here against a white-hot Falcons' offence. 

Verdict -  Falcons 34 Chargers 27

San Diego are far from a bad team, however I feel the Falcons at home are a pretty formidable force right now. While they lost last week, Seattle is about the toughest road venue in the NFL and they were very close to pulling off a victory. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (1-5) - Levi Stadium

The 49ers will be desperate to snap a 5-game losing streak when they host the Buccaneers on Sunday. The 49ers were blown away 45-16 at Buffalo in the return of Colin Kaepernick at starting quarterback. The 49ers gave up an embarrassing 312 rushing yards in Buffalo as their season continues to unravel. The Bucs are coming off a bye after a desperately needed last gasp 17-14 victory over divisional rivals the Carolina Panthers. 

Verdict - Bucs 26 49ers 20

I can't see myself taking the 49ers again too many times this year. They have a genuine opportunity here against a hot and cold Tampa team in front of their own fans. However, I don't buy into the Kaepernick hype. I don't think he is the player he once was, and I see him being outplayed here by Jameis Winston and the Bucs getting to 3-3. 

New England Patriots (5-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) - Heinz Field

One of the marquee match ups of the NFL season occurs here in Pittsburgh as the Patriots visit the Steelers. Sadly the game has been robbed of some of its lustre with the Steelers severely diminished missing starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to injury. Landry Jones who has been no better than average gets another opportunity to try and fill the massive void left by Roethlisburger. The Patriots are rolling at 5-1 with quarterback Tom Brady looking in career best form in returning with 2 resounding victories over the Browns and Bengals. 

Verdict - Patriots 31 Steelers 17

I expect the Steelers to still be competitive at home. However there is no way in the wide world I could take Landry Jones over Tom Brady even with this game being in Pittsburgh. The Patriots are a clear favourite for the Super Bowl and I expect them to win this game with relative comfort. 

Seattle Seahawks (4-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (3-3) - University of Phoenix Stadium

It's a big rivalry game in Arizona as the Seahawks visit the Cardinals in an intense divisional rivalry game on Sunday Night Football. The Seahawks are riding high after a 3-game winning streak culminating in a signature 26-24 victory over the high flying Falcons last week. The Cardinals have got their season back on track with back-to-back victories over the struggling 49ers and Jets. The Cardinals have outscored their opponents 61-24 in their last 2 games and a victory over Seattle can close them within a half game of their main rivals for the NFC West Crown.

Verdict - Cardinals 24 Seahawks 21

I'm going with the home team here to get a big win in a marquee matchup. Arizona's defence is starting to get back to the level they were at last year and, having already lost twice at home this season, they will be desperate to stay in touch with a win over the Seahawks.