NFL Week 7 Preview

Alshon+Jeffrey+must+impact+this+game+for+all+60+minutes+if+the+Bears+are+going+to+beat+the+Packers.++Photo+courtesy+of+WGN.

Alshon Jeffrey must impact this game for all 60 minutes if the Bears are going to beat the Packers. Photo courtesy of WGN.

Every week Andrew, Obaid, Jacob, and Nithin will be previewing four primetime NFL games and giving predictions. Then they will pick their fantasy football sleepers for the game, players who aren’t widely owned but can potentially make a big impact. They will also be predicting the winners of every game under the Pick’em section, and they will keep a record for correct predictions over the weeks.

Packers (3-2) vs Bears (1-5):  Thursday, 7:25 PM on CBS, NFL Network, Lambeau Field

Week 7 starts with a historic rivalry between bitter enemies in the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.  The Bears come in leading the all time series 94-92-6, and they hope to extend their win streak to two games in a row against the cheeseheads.  The packers are favorites to win the game, even though their All-Pro quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, has struggled to say the least.  His passer rating is middle of the pack and so is the Packer’s offense.  However, on the other side of the ball the Packers have improved mightily.  Their run defense ranks second in the NFL as they only allow 72.4 rushing yards per game.  On the Bears side, the season hasn’t gone as they hoped.  They’re currently 1-5, but it doesn’t seem like they’re struggling on offense or defense.  The Bears rank in the top ten in both offensive and defensive yards per game, yet they keep losing.  This is mostly because the Bears have struggled to score in the red zone.  They rank 25th in the NFL in red zone efficiency as they’ve struggled to finish off drives with touchdown.  This game is tricky to predict.  I could see the Packers blowing out the Bears and winning, but I could also see a close game where the Bears win by a field goal.  I have to go with my gut, so I’m picking an upset win for the Bears.

Chicago Bears 23 – Green Bay Packers 21

 

Fantasy Sleeper: Richard Rodgers (Owned in 7.9% of leagues)

I really wanted to choose Cameron Meredith, but that was our pick last week and it just seemed to easy.  Richard Rodgers could be a great pickup if your tight end is on a bye, but I warn you that he is a boom or bust fantasy player.  He’s often thrown to in the red zone, so there will be chance for multiple Rodgers to Rodgers touchdown connections.  Don’t be surprised to see Rodgers have either 15 points or 0.

 

Steelers (4-2) vs Patriots (5-1): Sunday, 3:25 PM on CBS Heinz Field

At the start of the year many NFL fans probably had the game circled in their calendar.  Even last week this looked to be an exciting game featuring two offensive powerhouses, but with the injury to Ben Roethlisberger the Steelers offense doesn’t look nearly as explosive as it should be.  In addition Tom Brady has been back for the last few weeks, and to quote Stephen A. Smith, “He’s a bad bad man.”  I have a hard time seeing the Patriots losing this game, but if Le’Veon Bell has a career day the Steelers will have a fighting chance.  I don’t see that happening, and that’s why I’m picking the Patriots.

Patriots 30 – Steelers 14

With Ben Roethlisberger out, Landry Jones must step up if the Steelers are going to upset the Patriots. Photo Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
With Ben Roethlisberger out, Landry Jones must step up if the Steelers are going to upset the Patriots. Photo Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Fantasy Sleeper: Landy Jones (Owned in 1.7% of leagues)

Ben Roethlisberger is out, and that means Landry Jones is in.  Jones has an average arm, but he shouldn’t struggle with getting fantasy points as he’s surrounded with weapons.  While I do expect the backs for the Steelers to be looked at much more on Sunday, Jones is going to have to throw the ball, and having Antonio Brown as a wide receiver can’t hurt.

 

Richard Sherman and the rest of the Legion of Boom will attempt to shut down the Arizona Cardinals pass game. Photo Courtesy of Yahoo Sports.
Richard Sherman and the rest of the Legion of Boom will attempt to shut down the Arizona Cardinals pass game. Photo Courtesy of Yahoo Sports.

Cardinals (3-3) vs Seahawks (4-1): Sunday, 7:30 PM on NBC, University of Phoenix Stadium

In this battle of the birds, both teams are coming off of a win. The Seahawks are coming off of a narrow win vs the Atlanta Falcons, while the Cardinals come off of a beat down of the New York Jets. The Cardinals started slow, but have begun to pick it up as of late, reaching .500. Meanwhile the Seahawks have established themselves as one of the elite teams in the NFL. The Seahawks’ defense has proven to still be as formidable as ever, and I expect them to slow this hot Cardinals offense down.

Seahawks 24- Cardinals 17

 

Fantasy Sleeper: John Brown (Owned in 76.6% of leagues)

Always a candidate to have a breakout game, John Brown, third on the WR depth list, is my candidate for sleeper of the game. Both teams have stellar secondaries, but with attention being given to Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd, John Brown could sneak off for some open receptions. However, with the strong defense from both sides, don’t expect any breakout games, and be wary of any flex consideration.

 

Broncos (4-2) vs Texans (4-2): Monday, 7:30 PM on ESPN, Sports Authority Field

This pivotal matchup features two teams who could really use big wins. The Broncos, who are coming off a tough loss against the struggling Chargers, need a convincing win to stay in the thick of the playoff hunt and prove that last week’s game was just a bad outing. The Texans on the other hand, have all the momentum after pulling off an incredible comeback win against the Colts in overtime last Sunday night at NRG Stadium. However, I predict the Broncos will pull this one off mainly because of their defense, which is currently ranked fourth in the NFL in yards against with only 295 YPG. They’ve also proven to have one of the best secondaries in the league and lead the league in passing yards against with 182.3 YPG. I think the Broncos defense will be too much for Texans QB, Brock Osweiler, who has thrown as many interceptions as touchdowns with eight.

Broncos 27 – Texans 17

Devontae Booker looks to boost the Broncos run game after a rough few weeks by starter C.J. Anderson. Photo Courtesy of the Denver Post.
Photo by DP
Devontae Booker looks to boost the Broncos run game after a rough few weeks by starter C.J. Anderson. Photo Courtesy of the Denver Post.



Fantasy sleeper: Devontae Booker (Owned in 31.9% of leagues)

Over the past few weeks, Devontae Booker has put together some decent outings and look for that to continue Monday night against the Texans. If you’re in a deep league and in need of an RB2 or flex, Booker could be your guy.

 

Fantasy Sleeper

 

Pick’em picks

Overall Records

Obaid: 17-11

Andrew: 14-14

Nithin: 14-14

Jacob: 13-15

 

Last Weeks Record:

Obaid: 7-8

Andrew: 8-7

Nithin: 6-9

Jacob: 6-9

 

Bears vs Packers

 

Obaid: green-bay-packers-logo-small

Andrew: green-bay-packers-logo-small

Nithin:chicago-bears-logo-small

Jacob:chicago-bears-logo-small

 

Rams vs Giants

 

Obaid: logo-new-york-giants

Andrew: aa2cnrx

Nithin:logo-new-york-giants

Jacob:aa2cnrx

 

Chiefs vs Saints

 

Obaid: kansas-city-chiefs-logo-small

Andrew:kansas-city-chiefs-logo-small

Nithin:kansas-city-chiefs-logo-small

Jacob: saints_logo

 

Titans quarterback, Marcus Mariota, will face off with former first overall pick, Andrew Luck, it what looks to be a high scoring affair. Photo Courtesy of ESPN.
Titans quarterback, Marcus Mariota, will face off with former first overall pick, Andrew Luck, it what looks to be a high scoring affair. Photo Courtesy of ESPN.

Titans vs Colts

 

Obaid: indianapolis-colts

Andrew: tenn-titans-logo

Nithin:tenn-titans-logo

Jacob:indianapolis-colts

 

Eagles vs Vikings

 

Obaid: philadelphia-eagles-logo-small

Andrew:philadelphia-eagles-logo-small

Nithin: minnesota-vikings-logo-small

Jacob:minnesota-vikings-logo-small

 

Bengals vs Browns

 

Obaid: cincinnati-bengals-logo-small

Andrew:cincinnati-bengals-logo-small

Nithin:cincinnati-bengals-logo-small

Jacob:cincinnati-bengals-logo-small

 

Lions vs Redskins

 

Obaid: washington-redskins-logo-small-1

Andrew: detroit-lions-logo-small

Nithin:washington-redskins-logo-small-1

Jacob:detroit-lions-logo-small

 

Jaguars vs Raiders

 

Obaid: oakland-raiders-logo-small

Andrew: aa2cxhz

Nithin:oakland-raiders-logo-small

Jacob:oakland-raiders-logo-small

 

Dolphins vs Bills

 

Obaid: buffalo-bills-logo-small

Andrew:buffalo-bills-logo-small

Nithin:buffalo-bills-logo-small

Jacob:buffalo-bills-logo-small

 

Jets vs Ravens

 

Obaid: baltimore-ravens-logo-small-as-smart-object-1

Andrew: new-york-jets-logo-small1

Nithin:baltimore-ravens-logo-small-as-smart-object-1

Jacob:baltimore-ravens-logo-small-as-smart-object-1

 

49ers vs Buccaneers

 

Obaid: png-2289

Andrew:png-2289

Nithin: san-francisco-49ers-logo-small

Jacob:san-francisco-49ers-logo-small

r127929_576x324_16-9

Falcons vs Chargers

 

Obaid: logo-atlanta-falcons

Andrew: san-diego-chargers-logo-small

Nithin:logo-atlanta-falcons

Jacob:logo-atlanta-falcons

 

Steelers vs Patriots

 

Obaid: new-england-patriots-logo-small

Andrew: new-england-patriots-logo-small

Nithin:new-england-patriots-logo-small

Jacob:new-england-patriots-logo-small

 

Cardinals vs Seahawks

 

Obaid: seattle-seahawks-logo-small

Andrew:seattle-seahawks-logo-small

Nithin:seattle-seahawks-logo-small

Jacob:seattle-seahawks-logo-small

 

Broncos vs Texans

 

Obaid: denver-broncos-logo-small

Andrew:denver-broncos-logo-small

Nithin:denver-broncos-logo-small

Jacob:denver-broncos-logo-small