We’re getting near the midpoint of the NFL’s 2017 regular season, and one thing we’ve learned is that parity is as strong as ever. Pittsburgh had looked inconsistent all year — and then they went to Kansas City and beat the league’s last undefeated team. Oakland has dropped four in a row for the first time since 2014, and their last loss came at home to previously winless San Diego. Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension might be on, but it might be not — the latest hearing is set for today. Aaron Rodgers looks done for the season thanks to a broken collarbone. Oh, and the winless Giants went to Denver and knocked off the Broncos. What surprises lie in store for this week? Try and avoid those shocking wager losses by looking at our NFL Week 7 betting preview, with the latest NFL odds and lines. As always, home teams are in all caps.
Why? Remember that the Dolphins’ quarterback is Jay Cutler. He had no completions for more than a dozen yards in the first half and threw a drive-killing pick before the intermission. The Jets’ defense looked solid against Tom Brady for the most part. If the replay booth hadn’t taken away a touchdown that both of the network officiating experts agreed should have stood, the Jets would have pushed the game to overtime. Then, there’s that Jet offense, which looked dominant in the first half, scoring on two long touchdown drives. The combination of Josh McCown at quarterback and Matt Forte at tailback definitely gives the Jets a throwback feel, but it’s working right now. I see the Jets going down to South Beach and coming back with a road win as Cutler melts down once again.
Must-Bet NFL Games Week 7
Week 7 NFL Power Rankings (via @HarrisonNFL): 1. @Chiefs 2. @Eagles 3. @RamsNFL 4. @steelers 5-32. https://t.co/koAiFx58Lf pic.twitter.com/1iJxRUyczI
— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2017
Thursday, October 19
Kansas City (-3) over OAKLAND (8:25pm ET, CBS)
Derek Carr returned from a back injury to face the Chargers this past week, but he didn’t look like his former self quite yet. It can be difficult to play with total confidence knowing that you have a fragile back, and he may not have had all of his mobility yet. He started his day with an interception, but fortunately, the Chargers missed a field goal. On the day he had a pair of picks and a touchdown, but the Raiders’ offense wasn’t moving with its usual speed. The defense was another issue for the Raiders, as they could not get key third down stops against the Chargers. In come the Chiefs, who just had one of the worst defensive days of their season. Le’Veon Bell rumbled for 179 yards and a score, slicing and dicing through the Chiefs’ front seven at will. Antonio Brown made an unbelievable catch in the fourth quarter and then scampered for a touchdown. On the day, Brown hauled in eight balls for 155 yards, frustrating the Chiefs’ best cornerback, All-Pro Marcus Peters. Kareem Hunt got shut down, gaining just 21 yards on nine attempts. I look for the Chiefs to work out some frustrations against a Raider defense that has a lot of questions to answer after letting the Chargers steal a win.Sunday, October 22
N.Y. Jets (+3) over MIAMI (1:00pm ET, CBS)
Yes, the Miami Dolphins went to Atlanta and came back from a 17-point halftime deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons, marking the second time in the last calendar year that an AFC East team has come back from a double-digit halftime deficit to win. Also, Jay Cutler looked like the return of Dan Marino in the second half, leading the Dolphins up and down the field. Yes, Jay Ajayi ran for 130 yards on a Falcons team that looked like it simply decided to take a nap after halftime. However, I don’t see the Dolphins following this up with a win at home.
Why? Remember that the Dolphins’ quarterback is Jay Cutler. He had no completions for more than a dozen yards in the first half and threw a drive-killing pick before the intermission. The Jets’ defense looked solid against Tom Brady for the most part. If the replay booth hadn’t taken away a touchdown that both of the network officiating experts agreed should have stood, the Jets would have pushed the game to overtime. Then, there’s that Jet offense, which looked dominant in the first half, scoring on two long touchdown drives. The combination of Josh McCown at quarterback and Matt Forte at tailback definitely gives the Jets a throwback feel, but it’s working right now. I see the Jets going down to South Beach and coming back with a road win as Cutler melts down once again.
