NFL Week 7 Sunday Preview, Fantasy Tips, and More

Week 7 of the NFL season got underway Thursday night when the Denver Broncos dismantled the New Orleans Saints. Sunday’s lineup includes several marquee matchups. Whether you’re looking to perfect your fantasy lineup, make some last-minute bets, or just want to know the biggest stories going into each of Sunday’s games, we’ve got you covered.

New England Patriots (1-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)
9:30 AM ET | NFL Network| Jacksonville -5.5

Key Patriots Storyline: When the Patriots drafted Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the plan was to let him sit for as long as possible. After a terrible start to the season, the team put the rookie QB atop the depth chart ahead of last week’s matchup against the Houston Texans. Maye passed for 243 yards, but it wasn’t enough, as New England fell 41-21. Now, Maye becomes only the second QB in history to make one of his first two career starts outside the United States, as New England travels to England for this game against Jacksonville.

Key Jaguars Storyline: What’s wrong with the Jacksonville Jaguars? While most analysts didn’t expect them to be Super Bowl contenders this year, no one anticipated a start to the season like this. The defense has taken a huge step backward and the offense is sputtering. Last week, Jacksonville played another rookie QB when they faced the Bears and Caleb Williams. The Jags ignored conventional wisdom and barely blitzed the young signal-caller (only eight blitzes on 32 dropbacks), so it will be interesting to see if they change their strategy ahead of this game.

Key Stat: After starting the season with a win, New England has dropped five straight, tied for their longest losing streak in the last 30 years.

Bold Prediction: Jacksonville adjusts after last week’s loss and blitzes Maye, resulting in at least three sacks.

Fantasy Difference Maker: Jags’ RB Tank Bigsby is going to get more touches while Travis Etienne deals with a hamstring injury. The Pats aren’t good against the run, making Bigsby a great flex option in deeper leagues.

Betting Tip: The O/U is 42/5, and with two struggling offenses, the under is a safe bet.

Final Score Prediction: Jaguars 27, Patriots 17

Seattle Seahawks (3-3) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-2)
1 PM ET | Fox | Atlanta -3

Key Seahawks Storyline: Seattle’s defense has only forced one turnover in its last five games, which is surprising when you remember that head coach Mike MacDonald is a defensive-minded coach. He hasn’t blitzed much this year, so it will be interesting to see if he changes course against Kirk Cousins, who doesn’t present much of a scrambling threat. Seattle has dropped its last three, so it’s safe to assume that MacDonald is going to try something different this week.

Key Falcons Storyline: Will Atlanta build on last week’s rushing performance? In week six, Travis Allgaier and Bijan Robinson combined for more than 200 yards on the ground, and Seattle’s run defense is porous at best. While Atlanta has plenty of pass-catching weapons, we may see another historic rushing performance this week.

Key Stat: Seattle has not scored less than 20 points in a game this year, making them one of only three teams, along with Baltimore and Washington, to enjoy that distinction.

Bold Prediction: MacDonald has probably spent this week focusing on how to stifle Atlanta’s run game, meaning Atlanta will need to throw more. Kyle Pitts (TE) will score two TDs.

Fantasy Difference Maker: DK Metcalf is poised for a huge game. He’ll be trailed by AJ Terrell who has struggled against every big-bodied WR he’s faced this season.

Betting Tip: Atlanta has won its last three and has hit the over in each game. The O/U here is 51.5. Bet the over

Final Score Prediction: Falcons 31, Seahawks 27

Tennessee Titans (1-4) @ Buffalo Bills (4-2)
1 PM ET | CBS | Buffalo -9.5

Key Titans Storyline: The Titans' offense has been putrid this season, especially through the air. Over the last couple of weeks, there have been reports of receivers getting disgruntled and others on the trade block. If things don’t turn around this week, it may be the last game in Tennessee for Calvin Ridley or Treylon Burks.

Key Bills Storyline: Buffalo made a big move following its Monday Night win when the team acquired Amari Cooper (WR) from the Cleveland Browns. Josh Allen hasn’t had a true number-one receiver this year with the departure of Stefon Diggs. Will Allen unlock the talent in Cooper, or is the 30-year-old receiver a little past his prime?

Key Stat: While the Titans' offense has struggled, they’re first in total defense this season, giving up only 248.8 yards per game.

Bold Prediction: Amari Cooper will register at least 75 receiving yards and a touchdown in his Buffalo debut.

Fantasy Difference Maker: Titans’ RB Tony Pollard has at least 15 points in four out of five games this year, making him the only consistent fantasy player on the Tennessee offense.

Betting Tip: The O/U is only 40.5, making this an easy game to take the over.

Final Score Prediction: Bills 30, Titans 20

Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) @ Cleveland Browns (1-5)
1 PM ET | CBS | Cincinnati -5.5

Key Bengals Storyline: The Bengals being 2-4 is one of the most surprising stats in the league this year, but they’ll look to turn things around against their division rival. Myles Garrett has tormented Joe Burrow throughout his career, so if Cincy is going to keep its playoff hopes alive, they’re going to need an answer for the Browns’ top pass rusher. A loss here all but ends the Bengals’ playoff hopes.

Key Browns Storyline: Nick Chubb (RB) is expected to make his season debut after a terrible knee injury suffered last season. He’s expected to be on a limited snap count, but seeing him back on the field is enough for Browns fans to be excited about this week’s game.

Key Stat: Cincinnati is statistically one of the worst teams in the league against the run. With the return of Chubb, Cleveland may look to establish the ground game early.

Bold Prediction: Nick Chubb scores a touchdown in his season debut.

Fantasy Difference Maker: After a quiet start to the season, Tee Higgins is getting a lot of attention as of late in the Bengals offense.

Betting Tip: The under has hit in every Browns game this season.

Final Score Prediction: Bengals 27, Browns 17

Houston Texans (5-1) @ Green Bay Packers (4-2)
1 PM ET | CBS | Green Bay -2.5

Key Texans Storyline: The things that Houston struggles with are where the Packers excel, which is why Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said that Jordan Love would be the best QB that Houston has played against this season. Houston hasn’t figured out how to defend the play-action, and Love is among the league’s best in those situations. Does Ryans figure out how to put his defense in a position to stop Love?

Key Packers Storyline: The Texans' defense is among the best in the league against the pass, only allowing 163.2 yards per game. Love and the Packers’ receivers looked great last week in the return of Rome Doubs. Will Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Christian Watson be too much for the Texans’ defense to stop, or will Houston continue its streak of dominance?

Key Stat: Texans’ DE Will Anderson has 5.5 sacks so far this season, the most through six games of any Texan since JJ Watt in 2018.

Bold Prediction: With a heavy emphasis on the passing game, Houston will allow Packers’ RB Josh Jacobs to score twice.

Fantasy Difference Maker: Jordan Love has put up more than 25 fantasy points in two of his last three games.

Betting Tip: Teams from the NFC North are 17-3 against the spread in non-division games this season.

Final Score Prediction: Packers 31, Texans 28

Miami Dolphins (2-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
1 PM ET | CBS | Indianapolis -3

Key Dolphins Storyline: The Dolphins’ offense has been terrible since Tua Tagovailoa went down with another concussion earlier this season. While Tyler Huntley, the man who is slated to start Sunday, hasn’t looked great since arriving in Miami, last week did see him establish a rapport with TE Jonnu Smith. If Miami hopes to move the ball this week, it will probably depend largely on this new-found connection. It will help that Indianapolis struggles against tight ends.

Key Colts Storyline: A little more than 24 hours before kickoff, Colts QB Anthony Richardson is slated to get the start after missing the team’s last three games. The Colts are 2-1 without Richardson, but his presence opens up a layer of the offense that veteran Joe Flacco just can’t tap into. Can Indy figure out how to keep Richardson on the field going forward, or will the injury bug bite him again?

Key Stat: Miami is averaging only 12 points per game this season, which is by far the worst in the league. The Phins have to figure something out if they want to make the rest of the 2024 season bearable for fans.

Bold Prediction: Dolphins’ RB De’Von Achane is on pace to return from a concussion which will open up the offense a bit for Miami, and Achane will put up 70 rushing yards and a TD.

Fantasy Difference Maker: Josh Downs (WR) established a great connection with Joe Flacco, and he’ll look to build on it with Richardson.

Betting Tip: Until Miami proves that they can score more than 12 points a game, bet the under in every game featuring the Dolphins' struggling offense.

Final Score Prediction: Colts 27, Dolphins 13

Detroit Lions (4-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
1 PM ET | Fox | Minnesota -1.5

Key Lions Storyline: The Lions’ vaunted defense suffered a terrible injury when DE Aiden Hutchinson broke his leg during last week’s game. He’s going to miss at least six months, which means Detroit needs to figure out what their identity on D is without the stud pass rusher. They’ll be tested this week against one of the league’s two undefeated teams.

Key Vikings Storyline: Before the season, no one thought that the Vikings would be undefeated after five games. Sam Darnold, who was brought in to be a backup, has stepped up and played well this season, but Minnesota is winning games because they’re stopping the run. Will they be able to keep that up this week against the Lions' two-headed rushing attack?

Key Stat: Justin Jefferson has scorched the Lions in the eight games he’s played against them, going for 1,073 yards.

Bold Prediction: The Lions figure out how to apply enough pressure without Hutchinson to put an end to Sam Darnold’s undefeated stream.

Fantasy Difference Maker: Justin Jefferson torches the Lions whenever they play, making him even more of a must-start.

Betting Tip: Minnesota is looking to become the first team since 2009 to cover the spread in its first six games of a season.

Final Score Prediction: Lions 27, Vikings 24

Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) @ New York Giants (2-4)
1 PM ET | Fox | Philadelphia -3

Key Eagles Storyline: The biggest storyline heading into this one is Saquan Barkley’s return to New York. The former Giants’ RB has looked incredible in his first season in Philly, and he’ll look to make his old team regret letting him walk. Barkley has already acknowledged that he’s bringing “a little extra juice” into this one.

Key Giants Storyline: New York has struggled against the run all season, allowing 5.2 yards per carry. If the G-Men have any hope of stifling their former Pro Bowl RB, they’re going to need to figure something out quickly.

Key Stat: Jalen Hurts and his 43 career rushing TDs are currently tied for third on the all-time list with Steve Young.

Bold Prediction: Daniel Jones finally throws for more than 300 yards in a game. When you combine the Eagles’ struggles on defense against the pass with the likelihood that Jones can pile up some garbage time numbers, it’s a great week for him to hit that mark.

Fantasy Difference Maker: Saquon Barkley. The Eagles are going to feed him early and often, and he’s extra motivated for this one.

Betting Tip: The line on this one is smaller than many experts expected. It seems like an easy choice to take Philly -3.

Final Score Prediction: Eagles 27, Giants 16

Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) @ Los Angeles Rams (1-4)
4:05 ET | CBS | Los Angeles -7

Key Raiders Storyline: It looks like the Raiders have thrown in the towel on this season after trading Davonte Adams to the Jets earlier this week. What Raiders’ team is going to show up this week and will they have anything for the Rams who are struggling in their own right?

Key Rams Storyline: Sean McVay is one win away from becoming the winningest coach in Rams’ history. If he pulls it off, he would become the second head coach in history (John Madden) to be a franchise’s winningest coach before turning 40.

Key Stat: The Raiders came into the season saying they wanted to run the ball, but they’re 31st in the league in rushing yards per game, while the Rams are the league’s worst team at stopping the run.

Bold Prediction: There’s a chance of the Rams getting Cooper Kupp back, but even if he doesn’t play, the Rams will have at least one WR who puts up 100 yards.

Fantasy Difference Maker: Brock Bowers has been the best fantasy TE over the last couple of weeks. With Adams out of the equation, he’ll get even more targets.

Betting Tip: Even though the Raiders seem to be in rebuild mode, the struggling Rams won’t have an easy path to covering a seven-point spread. Take Vegas giving up the points.

Final Score Prediction: Rams 21, Raiders 17

Carolina Panthers (1-5) @ Washington Commanders (4-2)
4:05 PM ET | CBS | Washington -8.5

Key Panthers Storyline: Nothing has gone right for the Panthers over the last few seasons, so the team is just looking for any sort of progress. It’s going to be hard to find that against a QB who creates a matchup nightmare for the Panthers’ shaky defense. Even if Clowney comes back, the Panthers' defense will need to get creative.

Key Commanders Storyline: Rookie Jayden Daniels has himself firmly in the Rookie of the Year conversation, and is even getting some MVP hype. This game provides him with a perfect chance to pad his stats on the ground and through the air.

Key Stat: Jayden Daniels has a QBR higher than 70 in his last four games, making him the second rookie to do so. He’ll look to bump it to five against a terrible Panthers’ defense.

Bold Prediction: Panthers’ WR Xavier Legette will beat his career-best receiving game by putting up more than 66 yards against a shaky Washington defensive backfield.

Fantasy Difference Maker: RB Chuba Hubbard probably won’t lead Carolina to a win, but he’s the most consistent player on the Panthers’ offense.

Betting Tip: Washington is going to win by more than one score. Take Washington giving up the points.

Final Score Prediction: Commanders 40, Panthers 14

Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) San Francisco 49ers (3-3)
4:25 PM ET | Fox | San Francisco -1.5

Key Chiefs Storyline: The Chiefs are one of two undefeated teams in the league, but somehow, the season doesn’t feel like it’s going as well as some recent seasons. A lot of that has to do with the team’s struggles in the red zone, as KC is the fourth-worst red zone team in the league. KC will need to figure out how to score inside the 20 if they want to reach 6-0.

Key 49ers Storyline: Kyle Shanahan has never beaten the Kansas City Chiefs as the head coach of the 49ers. Is Sunday the day he finally gets over the hump against Andy Reid, or will the injuries that San Fran has suffered in recent weeks keep them from picking up the W?

Key Stat: KC is 5-0, even though they only have a +33-point differential this season, marking the lowest for an undefeated squad since the 2004 Jets.

Bold Prediction: This is the Travis Kelce breakout game that fantasy owners and Chiefs fans have been waiting on all season.

Fantasy Difference Maker: Brandon Aiyuk has been slowly working his way back into rhythm with the San Francisco offense and has the potential to wreak havoc on the KC secondary this week.

Betting Tip: With an O/U of 42.5, it’s safe to assume that these teams are going over.

Final Score Prediction: Chiefs 28, 49ers 24

New York Jets (2-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
8:20 PM ET | NBC/Peacock | New York -2

Key Jets Storyline: Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers are back together after both left Green Bay. If they manage to pick up where they left off in 2021, the Jets still have time to turn this season around, starting with this game in the Steel City.

Key Steelers Storyline: Though they started 4-2, Pittsburgh is making a QB change, as Russell Wilson has finally been cleared medically. Will he look better than Justin Fields, or will Mike Tomlin and company go back to the QB who has led them to four wins this season?

Key Stat: Aaron Rodgers hasn’t thrown for 300 yards in his last 28 games, which is the longest streak of his career and the longest active streak in the league.

Bold Prediction: Justin Fields will be the starting QB in Pittsburgh by the time the game ends.

Fantasy Difference Maker: It’s Davante Adams. His reunion with Rodgers should set him up for success.

Betting Tip: The under has hit on Sunday Night Football six times this season. Set at 38.5 this week, it’s very possible that the under-streak will reach seven.

Final Score Prediction: Jets 21, Steelers 14]

Baltimore Ravens (4-2) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)
8:15 PM ET (Monday) | ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ | Baltimore -3.5

Key Ravens Storyline: Baltimore’s offense hasn’t been this potent in years, and Lamar Jackson is well on his way to a third MVP Award. If he can put up another strong game against the league’s second-highest-scoring team, Jackson may take a bigger lead than he already has.

Key Buccaneers Storyline: Mike Evans is on pace to return this weekend, and Baltimore’s pass defense is the only weak spot on the team. If Tampa can keep the Ravens’ offense on the bench, they have a chance to take over the NFC South.

Key Stat: Lamar Jackson has the highest QBR on Monday Night Football since 2006. He thrives in primetime.

Bold Prediction: There’s going to be a lot of points scored in this one, and Lamar will be directly tied to at least three touchdowns.

Fantasy Difference Maker: Derek Henry has taken the Ravens’ offense to another level, and he looks to continue his run (no pun intended) of dominance against a mediocre Tampa defense.

Betting Tip: At only 49.5, this game is a prime opportunity to take the over with the league’s top two scoring offenses.

Score Prediction: Ravens 38, Bucs 34

Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
8:45 PM ET | ESPN+ | Los Angeles -2.5

Key Chargers Storyline: Justin Herbert had his best game of the season last week, and he’s going to get another weapon in his arsenal this week. DJ Chark, who has been on injured reserve all season
Is on pace to play, at least on a snap count, this Monday night.

Key Cardinals Storyline: Arizona hasn’t found any consistency on either side of the ball, but the things they do well are the things the Chargers struggle with, so this is a great time for them to take their next step. If Murray, Harrison Jr., and the rest of the offense can figure a few things out, the Cards still have time to compete for the NFC West.

Key Stat: The Chargers are one of two teams in the league (Steelers) to not allow a single point off turnovers this year.

Bold Prediction: Los Angeles needs to figure out the passing game, but it won’t happen this week. Instead, JK Dobbins will lead LA to a win.

Fantasy Difference Maker: Dobbins has more than 17 carries in four of five games this season. Based solely on volume, he’s poised to make a fantasy impact against a shaky Arizona defense.

Betting Tip: Justin Herbert is 20-13 against the spread on the road, while Kyler Murray is 15-22 against the spread at home.

Score Prediction: Chargers 23, Cardinals 20