Welcome back to the seventh installment of Hart’s Picks for the 2026 NFL regular season. For Week 6—I picked just 7 of 14 games right. The only winners I chose correctly were the Patriots, Bears, Panthers, Steelers, Chiefs, Bills, and 49ers.
It was a pretty wild slate of games with some major upsets. Let’s see if I can do any better this week. There are only 14 games again this week with the Bills, Jaguars, Chargers, and Commanders on their bye weeks.
New England Patriots at Chicago Bears — Thursday Night Football
This is an interesting matchup to start Week 7.
The Patriots head to Chicago with a three-game winning streak, but a lot of injuries to deal with. Chicago, now 4-2 on the season, is dealing with their fair share of injuries as well. A tough game to predict, but I’ll be going with the Bears at home. I think their defensive pressure package will force Drake Maye into some bad decisions.
Winner: Bears
Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints — Sunday (Morning Game)
This Week 7 matchup for the morning game will be played in Saint-Denis, France. The Steelers are 4-2 and the Saints are 2-4. I’ll give the edge to Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh in this one. I think their offense can be more consistent going up against one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
Winner: Steelers
San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons — Sunday (Early Game)
The 49ers remain unbeaten and the Falcons have dropped two straight. For San Francisco to be undefeated with all their injuries is quite impressive. Wide receiver Mike Evans will miss some time after coming up with an Achilles injury in their win over the Commanders on Monday Night Football. Even so, I think the 49ers will find a way to win.
Winner: 49ers
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens — Sunday (Early Game)
This AFC North matchup has some big implications. Every team has two losses this year, but the Bengals are in pursuit of their fourth win. They struggle to defend the run, which might be an issue facing Derrick Henry, but I think Joe Burrow and his high-powered offense can find a way to topple the Ravens on the road.
Winner: Bengals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers — Sunday (Early Game)
The Panthers sit atop the NFC South with a 3-2 record and the Buccaneers are in last place at 1-4. It’ll be the first divisional matchup for Tampa Bay this season. It’s basically a must-win game to keep any hopes at making the postseason alive. However, I think Bryce Young and the Panthers can do enough on offense to earn their fourth win in front of a hometown crowd.
Winner: Panthers
New York Giants at Houston Texans — Sunday (Early Game)
The Texans started off the season in a 0-4 tailspin, but have reeled off two victories in a row. I like their odds of getting a third straight win taking on the Giants at home. If they can achieve that, the battle for the AFC South will continue to heat up if the Jaguars continue to falter.
Winner: Texans
Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings — Sunday (Early Game)
Chris Ballard is out as GM of the Colts after their Week 6 loss to the Tennessee Titans who were winless going into that matchup. Meanwhile, the Vikings enter Sunday’s matchup coming off a bye sporting a 5-0 record thanks to a tremendous defense. I’ll be taking Minnesota.
Winner: Vikings
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets — Sunday (Early Game)
This AFC East affair is probably the most boring game of Week 7. The Dolphins are one of two teams (including the Chargers) that remain winless. The Jets aren’t a great team either at 2-4, but I think they will be able to perform well enough to keep the Dolphins from earning their first win of the season.
Winner: Jets
Cleveland Browns at Tennesee Titans — Sunday (Early Game)
The Browns, even with a struggling offense, are finding a way to win football games. They are 4-2 and the current leaders of the AFC North. I certainly didn’t see that coming. The Titans, now 1-5, found a way to topple the Colts in Week 6. However, I think Todd Monken and his squad will find another way to gut out a tough victory.
Winner: Browns
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
This is a classic NFC North rivalry matchup. The Packers have been impressive winning three in a row and the Lions are coming off an early bye. Detroit has scored a lot of points, but their defense still has some issues. However, I think the extra week of preparation bodes well for them. I’ll take Detroit at home in this one.
Winner: Lions
Los Angeles Rams at Las Vegas Raiders — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
Things just keep getting worse for the Rams. They lost to the Cardinals last weekend and will be without star receiver Davante Adams for a while after he suffered a hamstring rupture against Arizona. After three straight wins to start the season, the Raiders have dropped three in a row. I don’t trust this pick, but I’ll be taking Los Angeles on the road. They have to find a way to pull it together.
Winners: Rams
Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
Both these teams are coming off nail-biting Week 6 victories. The Broncos, even with all their issues on offense, are 4-2 facing a tough slate of opponents to begin the season. I’m optimistic Bo Nix and his teammates can get things going in the right direction against a Cardinals defense that is bottom 10 in the NFL. I’ll take Denver on the road.
Winner: Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks — Sunday Night Football
The Chiefs are coming off a bye and have one of the best offenses and defenses in the NFL. The Seahawks are coming off a Thursday Night Football loss to the Broncos and are struggling mightily on offense without a formidable rushing attack. I expect Kenneth Walker to have a big game going up against his former team in primetime. I’ll be taking Kansas City.
Winner: Chiefs
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles — Monday Night Football
The Week 7 slate of games finishes with an NFC East rivalry. Even though both teams are 2-4, neither are out of it quite yet in the race for the division title. Prayers up for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who will be out the rest of the season to get treatment for blood clots in his lungs. All things considered, I think Dallas finds a way to win this one.
Winner: Cowboys
