"The Stack" 10-21-16

Sam Bradford makes his return to Philly as the undefeated Vikings take on the Eagles. It's one of the big matchups of the week.
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

It’s another Football Friday and they are breathing a sigh of relief in Green Bay following the Packers 26-10 victory over the Bears.  It was a struggle for the Packers until the second half and then they picked it up after that.  That helps The Stack to a 1-0 start this week, but how will the rest of week 7 go?  Let’s get right to it and preview and predict week 7 in the NFL in “the stack” for today, Friday, October 21st:

 

New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams 9:30 AM ET NFL Network (London)

 

The Giants have been preoccupied a little bit with kicker Josh Brown and that situation.  It actually takes attention away from Odell Beckham Jr.  The problem with the Giants is they get off to such slow starts, but they are a better team than the Rams and they will figure out a way to beat L.A. in this one.

 

Prediction: Giants 24 Rams 20

 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns 1 PM ET CBS

 

Can the Cincinnati Bengals from the last few years please show up?  They have had issues to a degree with putting the Browns away when these two teams play, but with no Terrelle Pryor, it seems highly unlikely that the Browns can go into Cincinnati and pull out a win.

 

Prediction: Bengals 31 Browns 19

 

Washington @ Detroit Lions 1 PM ET FOX

 

The Lions don’t always play pretty or consistent, but they do get the job done…at least they have the last two weeks against Philadelphia and Los Angeles.  Washington may be without a couple of offensive starters in Jordan Reed and Deshaun Jackson.  I like Detroit to narrowly win this game.

 

Prediction: Detroit 23 Washington 20

 

Oakland Raiders @ Jacksonville Jaguars 1 PM ET CBS

 

Oakland has not lost an early kickoff game yet this year.  Seems like at some point that would end, but I’m not picking this week against an inconsistent Jaguars team.  Prove me wrong Jacksonville if you want to.

 

Prediction: Raiders 27 Jaguars 23

 

New Orleans Saints @ Kansas City Chiefs 1 PM ET FOX

 

The Saints offense has played very well this season and the Saints have a two game win streak, but against the Chiefs defense, it isn’t going to be very easy.  They struggle and the Chiefs find a way to get the win.

 

Prediction: Chiefs 26 Saints 16

 

Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins 1 PM ET CBS

 

I like what the Bills are doing a lot.  Good defense.  Decent offense.  But they do not have LeSean McCoy and the Dolphins were put on notice a couple of weeks ago.  They responded with a win against Pittsburgh.  I want to see them do it again.

 

Prediction: Dolphins 20 Bills 16

 

Baltimore Ravens @ New York Jets 1 PM ET CBS

 

I can’t believe I picked the Jets to make it to the playoffs this year! What a joke.  I thought they would be able to beat the Ravens, but they are starting Geno Smith.  As bad as Ryan Fitzpatrick has been, Smith starting is a deal breaker for me.

 

Prediction: Ravens 26 Jets 13

 

Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles 1 PM ET FOX

 

I must admit, as a Vikings fan I’m nervous for this one.  Nervous that the Vikings won’t come out crisp, the Eagles defense will hurt Sam Bradford and Carson Wentz will beat them.  Then again, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has had two weeks to prepare for the rookie.  Vikings stay undefeated.

 

Prediction: Vikings 24 Eagles 13

 

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans 1 PM ET CBS

 

What a crushing defeat for the Colts last week in Houston, giving up that two touchdown lead with less than five minutes left and then losing in overtime.  The Titans are playing pretty decent football right now.  They’ll run on the Colts and beat them.

 

Prediction: Titans 27 Colts 20

 

San Diego Chargers @ Atlanta Falcons 4:05 PM ET FOX

 

The Chargers have lost some heartbreaking games this year, but this actually won last week against the defending Super Bowl champions.  They play a Falcons team still unhappy from that pass interference that wasn’t called.  Matt Ryan and Julio Jones have monster games in this one.

 

Prediction: Falcons 34 Chargers 24

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 4:05 PM ET FOX

 

Not going to lie, I smell an upset brewing here.  The Bucs aren’t exactly the most consistent team and the 49ers seem due to play a good game.  Colin Kaepernick will have a good game, but I think the Bucs eek one out.

 

Prediction: Bucs 24 49ers 23

 

New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers 4:25 PM ET CBS

 

No Ben Roethlisberger for the Steelers.  That takes a lot of intrigue out of this game.  Can Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown deliver with big games for the Steelers?  Perhaps, but Tom Brady is a man on a mission.  They will dominate.

 

Prediction: Patriots 34 Steelers 20

 

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals 8:30 PM ET NBC

 

If Carson Palmer is healthy and can play, the Cardinals will win this game thanks to their defense and running back David Johnson.  If Palmer can’t go that Seahawks defense will tee off on Johnson and they won’t have to worry about scoring very many points.  I think Palmer plays and plays decent.  Cardinals pick up the victory.

 

Prediction: Cardinals 24 Seahawks 19

 

Coming up Monday: Week 7 NFL recap and reaction plus MNF preview


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