NFL picks, predictions for Week 7: Jets pick up first win against Panthers, Lions bounce back against Bucs

NFL picks, predictions for Week 7: Jets pick up first win against Panthers, Lions bounce back against Bucs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Six teams in the NFL have one win or less heading into Week 7. 

For those fan bases peaking ahead at the 2026 NFL Draft, this could be a week to remember later. 

What are the New York Jets doing? The team had a net of negative-10 passing yards after Justin Fields in a 13-11 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 6. New York is the only winless team in the NFL heading into a Week 7 matchup against the Panthers. The Jets have not had the No.1 pick since taking Keyshawn Johnson in 1996. 

The Dolphins and Browns meet in Week 7. Both teams have one win and a pair of hot-seat coaches in Mike McDaniel and Kevin Stefanski. The loser here will be firmly in the running for that No. 1 pick. The Saints travel to Chicago, and the Titans face New England. Baltimore – the last and most-surprising team – is on a bye week. 

Those are teams to keep an eye on in a week that features a marquee Monday Night Football matchup between the Lions and Buccaneers. The Bills are also on a bye week. 

Straight up: 59-31-1 (10-3 in Week 6) 

Against the spread: 49-40-2 (8-5 in Week 6) 

POWER RANKINGS: Packers, Bucs, Patriots rise; 49ers, Eagles drop in shakeup at top for Week 7

Here are our straight-up picks for Week 7. Odds according to Caesars. 

NFL picks, predictions for Week 7

• Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5) at Cincinnati Bengals 

Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video  

The Steelers have won the last three meetings at Cincinnati by six points or less. Aaron Rodgers, 41, and Joe Flacco, 40, will work on a short week. Where does Rodgers make a difference? Pittsburgh has the best turnover margin in the NFL at plus-7. That is the key on the road against an AFC North rival. 

Pick: Steelers 23, Bengals 16

MORE: How Bengals are latest stop in Joe Flacco's AFC North career

• Los Angeles Rams (-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars 

Sunday, 9:30 a.m.; NFL Network 

Puka Nacua (ankle) could miss time for the Rams, and that will put a little more stress on Matthew Stafford knowing the Jaguars have a run defense that allows 91.4 rushing yards per game. Same goes for Jacksonville around Trevor Lawrence. This feels like a defensive struggle, and Jacksonville did not fare well against Seattle. Is this a small upset? 

Pick: Jaguars 22, Rams 20

MORE: How long Puka Nacua is out for after suffering foot injury 

• New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears (-5.5) 

Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox

The Saints have been outscored 75-32 in two road games. Chicago is coming off a short week, but Caleb Williams has a 115 passer rating with five TDs and no interceptions at home this season. If the Bears want to be a factor in the NFC playoff race, then they cannot stumble in games like this. 

Pick: Bears 24, Saints 16

• Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns (-2.5) 

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

A pair of 1-5 teams meet, and Tua Tagovailoa is on the spot here after calling out teammates following a 29-27 loss to the Chargers. Cleveland has not scored more than 17 points in a game this season. According to Pro Football Focus, Dillon Gabriel is 9 of 27 (33%) on passes of 10 yards or more. Will Cleveland turn him loose against the Dolphins? Miami beat Cleveland 20-3 last season. 

Pick: Dolphins 20, Browns 17

MORE: Why Tua Tagovailo's quip about players' meetings is bad news for Mike McDaniel

• New England Patriots (-7) at Tennessee Titans

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

It's the return of Mike Vrabel. The Patriots look the part of AFC playoff contender with Drake Maye – even if he's taken an average of four sacks the last three weeks. Tennessee quarterback Cam Ward has taken an average of five sacks in the same stretch. It's a tricky line, but the Patriots are 2-1 ATS as a favorite under Vrabel. 

Pick: Patriots 30, Titans 21 

MORE: Why Drake Maye's sophomore breakout deserves early MVP consideration

• Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-11.5) 

Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

That's a hefty line for an AFC West rivalry where three of the last four games have been decided by a TD or less. The Raiders have suffered blowout losses to the Chargers and Colts, and the Chiefs might have turned a corner with the victory against the Lions. There is blowout potential here, too, especially if Kansas City can generate a few turnovers. The Raiders are 2-1 S/U when they have one turnover or less. 

Pick: Chiefs 28, Raiders 17

MORE: Patrick Mahomes puts together a dominant SNF showing against Lions

• Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5) at Minnesota Vikings

Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox

Will JJ McCarthy (ankle) return for the Vikings here? The Eagles have not lost three consecutive games since  2023, but the key will be improving a run defense that ranks 27th in the NFL. Saquon Barkley has been limited to 88 rushing yards or less in every game this season. He breaks out here on the road, and Jalen Hurts does the rest. 

Pick: Eagles 28, Vikings 24

• Carolina Panthers at New York Jets (-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox

The Panthers are .500 and have been energized by Rico Dowdle, who has 389 rushing yards the last two weeks. The problem is Carolina is 0-3 S/U on the road. The Jets nearly won in London despite a historically-poor showing on offense. Believe it or not, this is a huge game for Justin Fields and first-year coach Aaron Glenn.  

Pick: Jets 20, Panthers 17

MORE: Where Jets-Browns ranks among worst London games ever

• New York Giants at Denver Broncos (-7) 

Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS

The Giants have our attention. New York has averaged 23 points per game since Jaxson Dart took over as a starter, but the yardage will be tough for Cam Skattebo against a Denver defense that allows just 89 rushing yards per game. Denver is 1-2 ATS when favored by seven points or more this season. 

Pick: Broncos 26, Giants 20 

• Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Chargers (-1.5) 

Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS

The Colts lost 27-20 at the Rams in Week 4. They'll get a redo against the Chargers, who got a spark from Kimani Vidal with 18 carries for 124 yards in his first game as a feature back. Los Angeles is 6-4 S/U at home under Jim Harbaugh, and that includes a 1-1 S/U record this season. It's a true toss-up game, but look for Justin Herbert to make the plays in the clutch again. 

Pick: Chargers 27, Colts 22

• Washington Commanders (-2.5) at Dallas Cowboys 

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox

Dallas is a tough team to figure out, and the reason is a bad defense that has allowed 30.7 points per game. Even at home, that leads to wild outcomes. Washington is on a short week, but Jayden Daniels has been methodical for the Commanders since returning from a knee injury. Washington won at Dallas 23-19 last season. Tack on a TD on both sides in a shootout. 

Pick: Commanders 30, Cowboys 26

• Green Bay Packers (-6.5) at Arizona Cardinals 

Sunday, 4:25 p.m., Fox

The Packers have failed to cover each of the last three weeks. Jordan Love does have a 107.5 QB rating on the road, but he's also taken six sacks. The Cardinals are trying to break a four-game losing streak, but their three home games have been decided by five points or less. Green Bay has just two sacks in its last two games. When will Micah Parsons 

Pick: Packers 26, Cardinals 20

• Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers (-3) 

Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC 

The injury bug continues to hit the 49ers with the loss of Fred Warner (ankle). Will Brock Purdy (toe) could return this week, and that would give the offense lift. Kendrick Bourne is coming off back-to-back 100-yard games, too. The Falcons are on a short week. Atlanta has split two road games this season. 

Pick: 49ers 24, Falcons 19 

MORE:Fred Warner is latest 49ers star to be hit with the injury bug

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions (-4.5) 

Monday, 7 p.m., ABC/ESPN

The Buccaneers and Lions are the best game of the week in a possible NFC championship preview. Baker Mayfield should be able to have success against a Detroit secondary littered with injuries. The Lions are 2-0 ATS at home this season – where they average 44 points per game. If this turns into a shootout, then Detroit will be comfortable. 

Pick: Lions 35, Buccaneers 28  

MORE: Brian Branch suspended for starting postgame fight between Chiefs, Lions on Monday night

• Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks (-3) 

Monday, 10 p.m., ESPN

Ohio State teammates C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are the focus of this matchup. The Texans have won two straight and are coming off a bye week. Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 696 receiving yards. Seattle is 1-2 S/U at home – part of a bizarre trend the last two seasons. Houston can steal this one, but we'll stick with the home team. 

Pick: Seahawks 23, Texans 21