Week 7 of the NFL season is here, and it begins with one of the best games of the week.
We have an electric showdown between top quarterbacks from the 2024 class as Caleb Williams and the Bears play host to Drake Maye and the Patriots on Thursday night.
The NFL then goes abroad on Sunday morning for a matchup between the Saints and Steelers in Paris, while the main slate on Sunday features an intriguing NFC showdown between the unbeaten 49ers and a streaky Falcons team, as well as a crucial AFC North contest between the Bengals and a Ravens team that may or may not get Lamar Jackson back this week.
On Sunday night, the defending champion Seahawks look to get back on track after back-to-back losses at home against the undefeated Chiefs. On Monday
night, the injury-plagued Eagles host the Cowboys in a meeting between division rivals.
That's just a few of the matchups in store for us in Week 7, and our panel of experts is back to give you their picks against the spread for every game on the slate.
All odds via BetMGM
New England Patriots at Chicago Bears (Thursday Night Football)
Opening Line: Bears -1.5
Grimes: Patriots +3
It's a good spread. I'll just take the points in a good matchup.
Curtis: Patriots +3
I think the Bears win this? But by less than a field goal.
Zeglinski: Bears -3
Give me the home team on a short week in something like a 35-31 battle between the two clear creams of the 2024 quarterback class crop. Should be a really fun one.
D'Andrea: Bears -3
Feels like a push situation. In a fair and just world, I would stay the hell away from this game.
Nettuno: Patriots +3
I may trust the Pats just a bit more right now, so I'll take the points.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints (in Paris)
Opening Line: Steelers -1.5
Grimes: Saints +3.5
Too many points for teams that don't feel much different on paper.
Curtis: Saints +3.5
When in doubt, take the points. Coupled with the fact that it's in Europe, it should make for a weird gfame.
Zeglinski: Saints +3.5
I have no idea what to make of this French game. The Steelers' record is inflated and they're untrustworthy, but so are the Saints. Give me the points ... I guess.
D'Andrea: Saints +3.5
I'm not betting against the fleur-de-lis team in France. But also, the Steelers are prone to glitches and New Orleans can use those for a trademark second-half rally.
Nettuno: Steelers -3.5
Hate this pick, but I'll trust that Pittsburgh's defense can do enough to cover here.
New York Giants at Houston Texans
Opening Line: Texans -5.5
Grimes: Giants +10
The Giants have found a way to stick around in most games this year.
Curtis: Giants +10
Kind of surprising even with J.J. McCarthy starting. The Giants will keep this closer than that.
Zeglinski: Texans -10
This is where the roof finally caves in on the Giants, who may somehow remain in first place anyway because the NFC East is very funny.
D'Andrea: Giants +10
That's too many points for a home team that decidedly has not fixed its bizarre defensive issues.
Nettuno: Giants +10
Houston is coming on but this is too many points against a team that has been competitive this year.
San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons
Opening Line: 49ers -4.5
Grimes: 49ers -3
San Francisco is just a well-coached machine that keeps finding ways to get it done through all the injuries.
Curtis: 49ers -3
At this point, how can you bet agianst the Niners until you see cracks showing? Even with all the injuries! Wild stuff.
Zeglinski: 49ers -3
I worry about the SF offense without Mike Evans and think Bijan Robinson should be able to have a good day, but the 49ers will nonetheless hang tough.
D'Andrea: 49ers -3
San Francisco's pass rush isn't great, but it can generate pressure without blitzing, which will force Michael Penix Jr. into bad decisions and, importantly, free up personnel to double Drake London and Bijan Robinson whenever possible.
Nettuno: 49ers -3
San Francisco is legit, and it's hard to trust the Falcons given the inconsistency.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
Opening Line: Buccaneers -1.5
Grimes: Panthers -3.5
The hook on this spread scares me, but Tampa doesn't have enough offense.
Curtis: Panthers -3.5
If Baker Mayfield was playing, different story... maybe.
Zeglinski: Panthers -3.5
The Panthers are this year's NFL Cinderella team, except they're actually good.
D'Andrea: Panthers -3.5
Carolina wasn't the force I'd hoped coming out of the bye, but should be able to outrun Jalon Daniels in a rivalry game.
Nettuno: Panthers -3.5
Carolina is just going to run away in this division, huh?
Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans
Opening Line: Titans -2.5
Grimes: Browns -1.5
Dare I say the vibes are high in Cleveland?
Curtis: Browns -1.5
Cleveland is a pretty good team, which makes this spread all sorts of weird to me.
Zeglinski: Browns -1.5
Are ... are the Browns the AFC North favorites right now? Sigh.
D'Andrea: Browns -1.5
Despite last week, I stand by my "bet against the Titans" strategy.
Nettuno: Browns -1.5
Spread feels kind of disrespectful. Cleveland is a legit playoff contender!
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Opening Line: Ravens -3.5
Grimes: Bengals +3
Is Lamar Jackson even playing?
Curtis: Bengals +3
I'd bet this even if Lamar Jackson was playing (which, as of writing this, we're not sure).
Zeglinski: Bengals +3
Lamar Jackson's iffy status makes this is a rather easy pick to roll with Cincy.
D'Andrea: Ravens -3
Don't touch this game until we know more about Lamar Jackson. But remember, weird things happen in the AFC North.
Nettuno: Bengals +3
Don't feel good about this, but even if Lamar Jackson plays, it may be off a limited week of practice.
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
Opening Line: Jets -2.5
Grimes: Dolphins +5
Listen, I'll take the Jets to win but there's no world where I'm laying more than a field goal with that team.
Curtis: Jets -5
A bad vs. worse matchup but the Jets have looked feisty as of late.
Zeglinski: Jets -5
The Dolphins are in "no benefit of the doubt" territory until further notice.
D'Andrea: Jets -5
Omar Cooper Jr. looks like a difference maker and Geno Smith gets to face the league's second-worst passing defense in what's effectively a Week 7 must-win.
Nettuno: Jets -5
New York at least has some life here. Can't say the same about the Dolphins.
Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings
Opening Line: Vikings -2.5
Grimes: Colts +6.5
Minnesota should win, but Indy might get a little kick from Chris Ballard's dismissal.
Curtis: Vikings -6.5
The Colts truly stink and it's only going to get worse on offense against a very tough Minnesota defense coming off a bye.
Zeglinski: Vikings -6.5
The Colts just lost to the Titans. The TITANS. Brian Flores's Vikings defense is going to attack Daniel Jones like a pack of rabid wolves that hasn't eaten in weeks.
D'Andrea: Vikings -6.5
A post-bye Minnesota defense crashing hard onto a still-not-quite-mobile Daniel Jones? Oooof.
Nettuno: Vikings -6.5
I just don't see how the Colts have offensive success in this game.
Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals
Opening Line: Broncos -7.5
Grimes: Broncos -4
Trust me, I don't feel good about it either with how Bo Nix has looked.
Curtis: Broncos -4
Bleh.
Zeglinski: Broncos -4
The Denver defense is starting to look like its dominant self again which is good news as the Denver quarterback ponders whether he should throw the ball more than three yards downfield.
D'Andrea: Broncos -4
Now, if this game were in Los Angeles it would be a different story.
Nettuno: Broncos -4
The Cardinals are feisty but Denver is a much better team, even with Bo Nix's struggles.
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Opening Line: Packers -2.5
Grimes: Packers +3
Jordan Love can dice up Detroit's defense and walk out of this game with a win outright.
Curtis: Packers +3
That Lions defense won't be able to stop the Packers' dynamic duo at receiver.
Zeglinski: Lions -3
The Lions are coming off a bye week that allowed them to get healthy and diagnose some of their glaring defensive issues. This is a great spot for a big home NFC North divisional win.
D'Andrea: Lions -3
Detroit, at home and coming off a bye, against a Packer defense that's punched above its weight class recently but remains vulnerable -- particularly against the run. It'll be a fun day for Jahmyr Gibbs.
Nettuno: Lions -3
Tough NFC North game to predict, but I think the Lions are a bit better, and they're at home.
Los Angeles Rams at Las Vegas Raiders
Opening Line: Rams -7.5
Grimes: Rams -4
It feels like the Rams' sky is falling, but I think McVay can steady the ship.
Curtis: Raiders +4
A point too much for a Raiders team that's beat the spread a lot and a very banged-up Rams squad.
Zeglinski: Raiders +4
Myles Garrett is still out and now the Rams are also without Davante Adams. Gimme a feisty Raiders team led by Kirk Cousins turning back the clock.
D'Andrea: Raiders +4
Hanging around, hanging around. The Raiders got alligator blood. Can't get rid of them.
Nettuno: Raiders +4
Raiders aren't bad and Los Angeles' season could be spiraling.
Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks
Opening Line: Seahawks -3
Grimes: Chiefs +2.5
I didn't forget how bad Sam Darnold looked last week.
Curtis: Seahawks -2.5
I wouldn't bet either side in real life, but Seattle at home is where I lean.
Zeglinski: Seahawks -2.5
The defending Super Bowl champs aren't going to go out this sad.
D'Andrea: Chiefs +2.5
I'm beginning to think Klint Kubiak was the Seahawks biggest departure after 2025.
Nettuno: Chiefs +2.5
Seattle's offense has been rough. I think Kansas City is better, thanks for the points!
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Opening Line: Eagles -3
Grimes: Eagles +4.5
Dallas' offense hasn't been as sharp as we expected this year, and Philly still defends.
Curtis: Cowboys -4.5
If Dallas loses this game, the coaching hot seat stuff will increase tenfold.
Zeglinski: Cowboys -4.5
If the Cowboys can't beat a team led by Tanner McKee, Brian Schottenheimer should pack up his bags right after the game.
D'Andrea: Cowboys -4.5
Don't bet this game. Consider it an act of self-care.
Nettuno: Cowboys -4.5
Surely Dallas can slow down a Tanner McKee-led Eagles offense. Right?
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL picks against the spread for Week 7 from our expert staff
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