"The Stack" 10-21-16
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
Check out this week's "The Sports Block" podcast here.